2005 Toyota RAV4 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 141 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Toyota RAV4, 4% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,100 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“My master power switch stopped working in 2014. I can't understand why the 2005 RAV4 was not on the list for the recall. Windows will not go up and down.”
NHTSA complaint #11033270, filed 2017-10, 89,700 miles“Over the past few days, the last incident occurring on 2/14/2014, my car will suddenly lose power as I am driving, for about one to three seconds, then just as sudden kick back on again. When it loses power for that second or two, I lose my power steering capabilities and the battery light come on. Once the power comes back on, it continues to ride fine as if nothing happened. The problem is intermittent. I took the car to a local pep boys facility. They tested the battery and it was fine. They could not determine where the issue was originating.”
NHTSA complaint #10564453, filed 2014-02, 96,100 miles“First tire indicator light came on. Checked pressure in all tires. Tires were at correct amount. Went to reset light which did not work. Suv was on an incline (driveway). Let car sit for an hour on flat surface. Started RAV4.the tire indicator light came on plus ABS and vsc trac lights. Consulted owners manual which stated to take to Toyota. No other brake warning lights came on. Was 1/2 mile from dealer when smoke started coming into passenger cabin. Smoke/fire was coming from the engine and under RAV4. Smoke was a bluish grey. Pulled off the major road into an abandoned business driveway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10502921, filed 2013-03, 118,000 miles“None of my brake lights are working I have tried replacing them with new bulbs and they still don't work I even checked to see if it need a new fuse and all the fuses look good. I'm starting to feel like the vehicle has a electrical problem that's causing the lights not to work.”
NHTSA complaint #11270953, filed 2019-10“The contact owns a 2005 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the part needed to charge the battery was not working properly. In addition, the vehicle made a loud whistling noise. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 47,000. .....updated 02/10/16 ; updated 4/20/18”
NHTSA complaint #10783005, filed 2015-10, 47,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 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…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134140Jan 11, 2016Tech Tip: Some customers may experience difficulty programming HomeLink.
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: 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 interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 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…
- 10111323Jun 16, 2015TI: The subject vehicles are equipped with an oxygen sensor with an attached wire harness. Due to the oxygen sensor wire harness routing and engine vibration, the harness may…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 18% |
| 2024 | 32 | 18% |
| 2023 | 44 | 27% |
| 2022 | 40 | 27% |
| 2021 | 47 | 12% |
| 2020 | 120 | 19% |
| 2019 | 103 | 12% |
| 2018 | 130 | 39% |
| 2017 | 108 | 35% |
| 2016 | 59 | 25% |
| 2015 | 85 | 28% |
| 2014 | 69 | 35% |
| 2013 | 75 | 29% |
| 2012 | 30 | 12% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 19 | 6% |
| 2008 | 27 | 5% |
| 2007 | 76 | 8% |
| 2006 | 42 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 6% |
| 2003 | 42 | 13% |
| 2002 | 92 | 17% |
| 2001 | 60 | 19% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota RAV4
59 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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