2004 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 15%of 154 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,918miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Toyota RAV4, 15% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,918 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The power of the car is in trouble at start, jumps like is locked, or lose power, than, when I give gas is running ok in the street or ighway, till stop and renew running the car.every time that I stop is the problem. The profetional mechanis look at it, and he say the transmition (selenoid) is not working.”
NHTSA complaint #10853656, filed 2016-04, 112,000 miles“I have a 2004 Toyota RAV4. The check engine light and vsc light came on while driving at 30 MPH. Noticed that as I continued to drive home at approximately 65 MPH, the car was not shifting into overdrive and the RPM's were very high. Took it to the dealer, and they said the code showed that the solenoid was bad. The part was replaced at a cost of $750. Then told that did not correct the problem, needed a new transmission and another $4300. …”
NHTSA complaint #10461684, filed 2012-06, 101,500 miles“Automatic transmission shift cable broken while selecting to park, this vehicle could roll forward or backward upon releasing the brake. If in case the cable broken without knowing while cruising I have no option to downshift in case of emergency on a downhill road or brake system failure. I've replaced the part at a cost of $196.00 + labor.”
NHTSA complaint #10177402, filed 2006-12, 67,000 miles“Was driving down the road and the transmission started making noises. It cracked real loud one time and I had no power. When I came to a red light and tried to go again it wouldn't take off. Took me 3 hrs to drive 55 miles to get my rav home. Contacted a garage that specializes in transmission. Was told they just received a notice from Toyota that the computer chip in the transmission was failing but that I had to many miles to qualify. …”
NHTSA complaint #10312853, filed 2010-02, 102,000 miles“The vsc/trac light came on while driving. Also transmission started acting funny. From a stop sign it would hesitate and then start with a jerk. While driving at a constant speed the rpms would go up and down. I took it to an auto parts store to have them read the error code. They said it was a solenoid problem within the transmission. I took it to a transmission shop and they checked it out and ordered a remanufactured transmission. Total cost was over $4,600. Since the transmission was replaced have had the car back 3 times in 2 weeks with same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10947127, filed 2017-01, 125,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
- 10016636Aug 1, 2005U140f transmission solenoid identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% |
| 2021 | 23 | 6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% |
| 2019 | 82 | 9% |
| 2018 | 26 | 8% |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 25 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 10% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 19 | 7% |
| 2011 | 25 | 9% |
| 2010 | 38 | 10% |
| 2009 | 28 | 9% |
| 2008 | 37 | 6% |
| 2007 | 53 | 5% |
| 2006 | 53 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 15% |
| 2003 | 209 | 66% |
| 2002 | 376 | 71% |
| 2001 | 190 | 61% |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 13% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota RAV4
47 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology