Model year guide

2004 Toyota rav4

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Toyota rav4 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 13 on record.

2004 Toyota rav4 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Toyota rav4 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints154
Combined22 mpg
Typical price$5,572

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Toyota rav4 recalls 2

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V741000 · 17/10/2019

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 veh…

Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #15V284000 · 13/05/2015

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.

Fix: Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag, free of charge. Owners were mailed an interim notice June 17, 2015. The recall began on August 21, 2015. …

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Toyota rav4 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

2004 Toyota rav4 MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,763

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Toyota rav4 worth?

Low
$3,995
Typical price
$5,572
High
$6,995

From 13 comparable 2004 Toyota rav4 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Toyota rav4 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,815
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,850
Total$16,665
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($5,572) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,734), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Toyota rav4 trims & engines on record

Engines
2.4L 4-cyl 149 hp

2004 Toyota rav4 vehicles on record

Other Toyota rav4 model years

2004 Toyota rav4 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Toyota rav4 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2004 Toyota rav4. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota rav4?

Based on 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, service brakes, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota rav4 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Toyota rav4 at about 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2004 Toyota rav4 worth?

Comparable 2004 Toyota rav4 listings run roughly $3,995–$6,995, typically around $5,572 (from 13 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.