1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,811 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Toyota RAV4:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #6

Jan 112021

RAV4

  • 120,000 miles
When driving at or under the speed limit on some turns my cars slip indicator goes off without any apparent issues and it will start beeping and sometimes it even breaks on it's own and jerks the car. The slip indicator light has turned one while driving under 30 mph in a dry and paved road. The beeping and jerking has happened on the freeway

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 232019

RAV4

  • miles
None of my brake lights are working I have tried replacing them with new bulbs and they still don't work I even checked to see if it need a new fuse and all the fuses look good. I'm starting to feel like the vehicle has a electrical problem that's causing the lights not to work.

- Lyndhurst, OH, USA

problem #4

Jul 302018

RAV4

  • 131,885 miles
When driving I will press the break pedal and instead of breaking the vehicle reacts like I hit the gas instead and surges forward. This happens at seemingly random times, the latest was yesterday 7-30-2018, the time before that was a few months ago and I hit a parked car because of it. Was told by a non-dealer mechanic it might be the air intake sensor, cleaned it and it didn't help. Toyota dealer of course claims to not know of the issue. It has done this on city streets and parking lots.

- Sullivan, OH, USA

problem #3

Dec 032015

RAV4

  • 185,232 miles
I've been having an intermittent issue with my 2005 rav 4. when exiting a highway on a sweeping right curve exit ramp, the vehicle stability control light will start to flash and an audible beep can be heard in the cabin. This usually indicates the car is in a skid but I assure you I am in full control of the vehicle, in its lane. After 2 to 3 seconds of constant beeping the engine cuts power and applies braking to an individual wheel, causing the vehicle to lurch slightly to one side. Just as quickly as this happens, the car resumes normal operation and the issue ceases to exist. I have had several instances of this very issue in the past 2 months. Most happen at slow speeds (under 35mph) and on dry pavement. The vehicle suspension and alignment are within operating specification. I have noticed however, that the steering rack bushings are worn. This causes the entire rack to move about slightly within the constraints of its mount. To my dismay, Toyota does not sell replacement bushings for the steering rack on 2004-2005 model rav-4's, forcing owners to pay for a completely new steering rack. This is unacceptable from a brand that prides itself on reliability and reasonably priced maintenance. The safety of the vehicle is compromised by an substandard engineered components. Ie: steering bushings; causing too much play and allowing the vehicle traction control system to inadvertently activate, causing a dangerous unsettling of the vehicle.

- Old Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #2

Jan 182015

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 59,750 miles
Started my trip from home and I block away I tried to stop for a stop sign, the brake would not hold. I pressed as hard as I could hitting the floor no brake. The vehicle stopped when I hit the curb. Continue driving and stepping on brake to see if problem continue same problem. Had to slowly return home. I drove the vehicle the previous night which was 6 hrs earlier and did not received any indication on the dashboard that there was any problem and still there is no indication that there is a problem with the brakes.

- Hollis, NY, USA

problem #1

Jan 012010

RAV4

  • 60,000 miles
Was told in 2010 that cause of the back brakes squeaking (in reverse only) was because all Rav4S have that problem. Just assumed they knew what they were talking about. Recently went to non-dealership for service and was told that there was a film (don't remember what it was called) that was probably making them squeak. Had brakes replaced on all wheels and had they inspected and cleaned the whole area around the brakes to see if they could stop the squeaking. It worked but just for a short time. It is annoying because now it squeaks when stopping in forward position and when in reverse and applying brakes. Need to find a remedy as I want to sell my car but can't if this issue isn't taken care of. Dealership is not helpful at all (see first sentence).

- Fort Worth, TX, USA