2004 Toyota RAV4 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 7%of 154 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,888miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the visibility of the 2004 Toyota RAV4, 7% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,888 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2004 Toyota RAV4 drivers side visor will not stay up. This started about 2 months ago for no reason. Dealer states it is not a defect so nothing short of replacing it can be done. I have to push the visor up against the windshield to get it out of my sightline. I have read the same complaint for this yrs. Rav4.”
NHTSA complaint #10413604, filed 2011-07, 49,000 miles“The driver's side sun visor on our 2004 Toyota RAV4 will not stay up. It is a safety hazard because it partially obstructs your vision when it drops down while you are driving. The visor is clipped in at the time, but it rotates into a down position on its own. This has been happening for quite awhile, and I have tried several solutions to keeping the visor secured in an upright position. The Toyota dealer does not consider it a defect and their answer is to buy a new one. However, several people have posted online that the new one fails after awhile, too. …”
NHTSA complaint #10407215, filed 2011-06, 50,000 miles“While sitting in my driveway during my lunch hour, 1310 hours, the windshield cracked. The crack starts at the top passenger side, comes and at almost the middle of the passenger side, curves towards the driver's side. Car is 2 1/2 years old. Car was taken for service the next day. Toyota refuses replace the windshield. Four service tech's said they see no rock chips, and said the crack is due to factory failure. However, on the service report, it's written that crack is due to heat. I live in eureka, california, on the coast, where the high might be 63 degrees if we are lucky!”
NHTSA complaint #10166388, filed 2006-08, 40,775 miles“Driver side visor keeps falling down and blocking view and will not stay in upright position. Other drivers report same issue with this RAV4 -2004 and beyond model year. Not a recall item and wonder why not?”
NHTSA complaint #11266123, filed 2019-10, 67,000 miles“The driver's side visor will not stay up which limits visability. I had it changed once under warranty and it happened again recently. Toyota admitted this is a safety issue but will not fix it for free.”
NHTSA complaint #10744766, filed 2015-07, 30,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10131993Dec 19, 2013This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
- 10131988Dec 19, 2013The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
- 10132136Oct 23, 2013The appearance of spots in tempered glass (when viewed at certain angles) is the result of the heat treating and quick quenching process during manufacturing.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 13% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 14 | 9% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 31 | 8% |
| 2020 | 17 | 3% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 21 | 6% |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 7% |
| 2015 | 8 | 3% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 13 | 5% |
| 2012 | 59 | 23% |
| 2011 | 50 | 17% |
| 2010 | 24 | 6% |
| 2009 | 7 | 2% |
| 2008 | 18 | 3% |
| 2007 | 50 | 5% |
| 2006 | 30 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 11 | 7% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 8 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 10% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota RAV4
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsEngine
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 29, 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