Recalls
5campaigns
3 air bag · 2 equipment
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
141filed
Owner reports, 2001–2010 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
23mpg combined
$2,840/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2.4 L 4-cyl· 4-speed automatic
4 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (5)
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Toyota RAV4. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2005 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode
Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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 at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
72.6% repairedof 928,220 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V741000
Listed for 2005 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
NHTSA: Do not drive. NHTSA says owners should not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. What a Do Not Drive recall means
Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Rupture
Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
93% repairedof 159,700 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V284000
Listed for 2005 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS
Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
- Consequence
- THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Repair progress not yet reported271,417 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V035000
Listed for 2005 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS
Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Repair progress not yet reported153,418 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V036000
Listed for 2005 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
AIR BAG INFLATOR
Air bags
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
- Consequence
- THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Repair progress not yet reported133 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 06V096000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (141)
141 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
22involved a crash
2involved a fire
13injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 141 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 59 | 41.8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 9.2% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 7.8% |
| Unknown or other | 11 | 7.8% |
| Engine | 9 | 6.4% |
| Steering | 9 | 6.4% |
| Power train | 8 | 5.7% |
| Tires | 8 | 5.7% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 4.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 4.3% |
How 2005 compares with other RAV4 years
Best and worst RAV4 years →2001309
2002527
2003315
2004154
2005141
2006705
20071,004
2008575
2009327
2010400
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 309 | 0 |
| 2002 | 527 | 0 |
| 2003 | 315 | 0 |
| 2004 | 154 | 2 |
| 2005 | 141 | 5 |
| 2006 | 705 | 11 |
| 2007 | 1,004 | 14 |
| 2008 | 575 | 14 |
| 2009 | 327 | 15 |
| 2010 | 400 | 14 |
This year (2005)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
23
mpg combined
21
city
27
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 386 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year
Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 24 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2005 RAV4 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2005 Toyota RAV4 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 19V741000 (air bag), 15V284000 (air bag), 10V035000 (equipment), 10V036000 (equipment), 06V096000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2005 Toyota RAV4 problems?
Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (59), Vehicle speed control (13), Service brakes (11) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 21 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2005 RAV4 compare with other years?
Among the 2001–2010 Toyota RAV4 model years at least five years old, the 2005 drew the fewest complaints (141) and the 2007 the most (1,004). The 2005 drew 141. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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