Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
22 -24 City / 27 -30 HWY
Horsepower
161
Seats
5
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Cynthia P
Very low maintenance. Runs good just keep oil changed every 3000 miles.
I love it. Good gas mileage. Perfect for me. I have had other Toyotas and loved them all have no complaints.
accountCircle David L
It is the most reliable car I've ever had with great gas mileage and great room in the trunk area
Love the gas mileage and durability, holds its resale value and it can get me through snow or rain with no problems though I do wish that the RAV4 would have a V6 engine No complaints at all
accountCircle Hannah R
It is reliable and sturdy; mine is working great even after 200,000+ miles.
Reliable, good visibility, four wheel drive, safety, good condition, straightforward maintenance, attractive design.
accountCircle Yuriy Y
Reliable and good easy drive.
RAV4 best car I had many kind of car: Honda, Honda, Subaru and this car more comfort, reliability. Good performance, easy drive and etc. Also very economic, good design and I did not problem for 14 years if I will buy next car it will be Toyota RAV4 and I will recommend this car for my friends.
accountCircle Cory P
People should know how often i use my car and how reliable it is.
My car is 4 wheel drive i really like that. I think the car is to small though i wish it was more spacious. I like how smooth it drives
accountCircle Megan S
I love that the spare tire on the back is actually a full size tire.
Comfortable, reliable. I love that it is big enough to go on an adventure, but small enough to not take up to much of the road.
accountCircle john c
It runs great. Rarely needs repairs has over 200 thousand miles on it
One of the best vehicles i've owned. Run great and has very few maintenance repairs over the last 10 years.
accountCircle Jill S
Reliable. Dependable. Lasts a long time.
Love the size (compact) but still SUV. Very dependable. I like the way it looks and has room to transport things. But still about the size of a car and fits in small spots.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Rachel R
Toyota rav4 is reliable for years.
The main problem with this car is random parts break down suddenly. It is more than 10 years old, though, so it is understandable that it is not as reliable as it used to be, but it makes it difficult to use. The seats are comfortable and spaced well enough apart from each other, and when there are no issues with parts, the car is reliable and can be driven for miles on end. It has lasted a very long time with only minor repairs, like windshield replacements and a few battery replacements, so it is overall a good car.
accountCircle Yiao C
I like that the car is higher up with four wheel drive. I am able to see cars better compared to a sedan. I hate that the trunk hidden compartment fills with water constantly making it unusable.
It's first two convertible car seats comfortably and can be used as a family car for 4 people max.
accountCircle Leigh T
It has been almost two decades and it's still somehow running.
I like how tall it is and the visibility that gives me. However, it is an old car; the battery often dies if it not used regularly, the AC doesn't work, and a previous owner also installed a security system that used to act up in the winter that made the car relentlessly beep until you repeatedly pressed a button on the fob.
accountCircle Rachel L
Gas efficient car but not as reliable.
It is gas efficient and has decent features like radio inside. The interior looks good and the seats are comfortable. However, it is an old car, the performance is not as good, the power is not strong enough. Besides, when driving fast, it tends to have loud noise and the car would be shaking.
accountCircle Leslie J
This car is reliable and functional, but very much a mom-mobile. It's not stylish, but it will get you from A to B.
Overall, it has been a good car. We got it when I was 16 as a hand-me-down from my grandparents. I am currently 24 and it's still kicking! I have had a transmission issue in the past, but that has been the biggest issue. I also had to get the emissions system serviced recently, but this car is over 10 years old. It is a very reliable car. I wish the backseat was larger, though. It's very cramped if you put more than one person back there. Overall, this has been a good car and I will drive it into the ground.
accountCircle Chelsea S
The problems I faced with my vehicle
I had a recall on my vehicle a few years ago about a problem with debris in the air bag which meant if it when off could throw shrapnel with the potential to kill. I also have had a lot of issues with my stick shift, with the hydraulics and the gear itself.
accountCircle Saundra Campbell
Under carriage rot
My toyotas under carriage is totally rotted. It is a 2004 rav4 sport. I only have 59,000 miles on it. It is mechanically sound.
accountCircle Cara O
The RAV4 is not fit for driving in the Windy City.
The vehicle is very light, so it can be frustrating to drive under high wind conditions. It handles reasonably well, but is clearly not designed for a petite driver (i.e. 5'4" and under). The electronics can be finicky, too, especially the auxiliary port and tire pressure sensor.

Toyota RAV4 Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
4dr Manual
161 HP 27-27 MPG 5 Seats
car
4dr Auto
161 HP 27-27 MPG 5 Seats
car
4dr Manual 4WD
161 HP 25-25 MPG 5 Seats
car
4dr Auto 4WD
161 HP 25-25 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2004 Toyota RAV4 Owner Reviews

4.49
116 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 60%
4 stars 28%
3 stars 11%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Angela F on March 30, 2021
It is a pretty blue color, nice interior, a heavy body.
The Toyota rav4 is easy to drive, and it is reliable. It is easy to maintain. I have only had to replace the water pump and the brakes once with in the fourteen years I have had the car. The car can be noisy when the cargo is empty. Easy to drive during on snow or ice, and during snow and rain storms.
accountCircle Mckenna P on March 28, 2021
The space is great and useful.
I like my car a lot. I received it after totaling my first car. The performance is great, there were some problems with the battery, but once we got a new one, there have been no problems since. The car is very spacious, especially nice for transporting big objects like moving and whatnot.

Ranks #3 Compact SUV by Owners

The 2004 Toyota RAV4 has an average owner rating of 4.49 out of 5 which ranks it #3 of 16 other Compact SUVs.

1
car
4.67
2
car
4.52
3
Tie
car
4.49
3
Tie
car
4.49

Ranks #4 Compact SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2004 Toyota RAV4 has a combined MPG of 30 which ranks it #4 of 17 other Compact SUVs.

1
car
38 MPG
2
car
35 MPG
3
car
32 MPG
4
car
30 MPG

Is The 2004 Toyota RAV4 A Good Car?

Fantastic, very few repairs and has lasted forever, great trade in value and great safety features; good cargo space, great ride
Heather R.
Yes, it is an excellent vehicle. It has been reliable, economical, and the perfect car for my needs.
Kelly T.

How Reliable Is The 2004 Toyota RAV4?

No, it had the recalled airbags but they were fixed at no cost to me; I have not had any problems with my RAV, just the usual maintenance from wear and tear.
Rhea C.
I've never had problems with this car. Other than general maintenance, I.e. oil changes, tire rotation, etc., I have had no issues.
Emily B.

Is The 2004 Toyota RAV4 A Good Value?

18,000 and it was a great value; it's served me well and I don't regret the purchase of this used vehicle at all
Christi R.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2004 Toyota RAV4 speed sensor location?

Answer: The 2004 Toyota RAV4 speed sensor location is on the transmission output shaft. The transmission fluid needs to be replaced every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Along with fluid changes, terrible sounds will come from...

What's the 2004 Toyota RAV4 fuel filter location?

Answer: The fuel filter on the 2004 Toyota RAV4 is positioned in the line leading from the gas tank to the engine and prevents containments from getting inside the engine, which could lead to a loss in performance and...

How do I turn off the VSC TRAC warning light in a 2004 RAV4?

Answer: To turn off the vsc trac warning light in a 2004 rav4 You simply need to hold down the TRAC button while the car is stopped. The TRAC off light will come on to show that it is turned off. Hold it again and it...

Does the 2004 Toyota RAV4 have a timing belt or a timing chain?

Answer: Each configuration of the 2004 Toyota RAV4Comes with a 2.4L 4Cylinder engine; another user here may be confused, as the V6 wasn't introduced until 2006. Regardless, the engine is driven by a timing chain....

Where is the EGR valve located in the 2004 RAV4?

Answer: The 2004 Toyota RAV4 is fitted with an EGR valve as mentioned in the factory specifications. The EGR valve can be located mounted to the rear left cylinder head and connected to the intake manifold. Exhaust gas...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Not Rated

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety