NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 141 owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota RAV4. Most complaints involve air bags (59) and vehicle speed control (13). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured May 13, 2003, to October 25, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each RAV4 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 47 |
| 1997 | 57 |
| 1998 | 85 |
| 1999 | 63 |
| 2000 | 40 |
| 2001 | 314 |
| 2002 | 555 |
| 2003 | 327 |
| 2004 | 154 |
| 2005 | 141 |
| 2006 | 704 |
| 2007 | 1,003 |
| 2008 | 575 |
| 2009 | 327 |
| 2010 | 400 |
| 2011 | 287 |
| 2012 | 266 |
| 2013 | 261 |
| 2014 | 207 |
| 2015 | 305 |
| 2016 | 239 |
| 2017 | 307 |
| 2018 | 333 |
| 2019 | 884 |
| 2020 | 639 |
| 2021 | 389 |
| 2022 | 149 |
| 2023 | 164 |
| 2024 | 176 |
| 2025 | 94 |
“The recall repair was completed 7/15/25. It never updated in anyone’s system. I have been fighting between Toyota corp and the dealership for weeks more like a month just to get them to do the repair. After it was done I got my car damaged. A whole separate issue. I need to get inspection done on the car; can’t get it registered and my insurance is hassling me. It’s been weeks of this nightmare. It still shows my car on the recall list. DMV says they didn’t receive updates, Toyota sends me to the dealership and the dealership does nothing. All this over a car problem that wasn’t my fault in the first place. How do I proceed please”
“On 10/1/2022 in Berwick, PA while pulling into the Dollar Tree parking lot, smoke appeared in the passenger cabin and the vehicle accelerated on it's own. The brakes were applied and the vehicle continue to accelerate. The vehicle went down through a yard, across a road through another parking lot and crashed into a high curb before stalling out. The airbags deployed. My mother was transported to the hospital and is still in ICU with broken ribs, cuts and bruises. She was able to steer the vehicle away from a parked car, a person on a bicycle and missed a rose bush, no one else was injured in the incident. A police report has been completed, the vehicle is still in the custody of the towing company and has not been released to the insurance company.”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| RAV4 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| RAV4 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| RAV4 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (59), vehicle speed control (13), steering (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2005 Toyota RAV4 at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).