The Lemon Index2005 Toyota RAV4.
The 2005 Toyota RAV4 has too few complaints to score: 16 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about tires, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 21 to 23 mpg combined. The best Toyota RAV4 year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 141 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota RAV4 year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 46K to 119K miles on the car (83 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 42K–149K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2015
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.
- equipment 2010
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 S…
Show all 5 recalls
- equipment 2010
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 BETW…
- airbags 2006
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 AMOUN…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 142 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2az-fe & 2az-fxe throttle body
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Defective windshield cracked for no apparent reason.
2005 Toyota RAV4 owner · NHTSA complaint 10162578
More owner reports
Windshield cracked unknown cause. Also windshield chips very easily.
NHTSA complaint 10197466
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 16 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Toyota RAV4 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (38%), visibility (19%) and airbags (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota RAV4 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 46,000 and 119,000 miles. The middle report was at 79,600 miles, from 83 complaints.
Does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Toyota RAV4 year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2022 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works