2005 Toyota RAV4 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 141 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,825miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Toyota RAV4, 4% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,825 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.
“I have a 2005 4 cylinder Toyota RAV4 with about 68,000 miles. It starting making a gurgling noise in the dashboard area, and eventually left 2 puddles of anti-freeze on my garage floor. I immediately took it to the Toyota dealer for repair. After checking the RAV4 out, the repair manager phoned to tell me the engine was indeed leaking coolant around the engine head because the engine bolts had stripped. I asked how the head bolts got stripped and he replied, wear and tear and the repair would be around $3000.00 if the head bolt holes could be repaired; otherwise, I would need a new engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10450689, filed 2012-03, 68,000 miles“I have a Toyota 2005 rav 4 - 6 cyl. I am experiencing a problem not associated with the Toyota recalls, according to Toyota. Twice while the vehicle was in drive and I have my foot on the brake, and the vehicle is stopped, after the vehicle idles down from moving, the engine revs up again. The gas pedal was not touched and the floor mat is not in the way. The engine revving up is scary enough that someone outside of my car thought I was spinning my wheels in the snow and ice, and I was not moving. I took it in to a dealer and they hooked it up to their computer and found no problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10307879, filed 2010-02, 15,000 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“Re: 2005 Toyota RAV4 unintended acceleration it is very difficult to control acceleration from a stop while driving my RAV4 in stop and go traffic. This has been true since I purchased the car with about 40,000 miles on it. I have removed the floormat with no change. I have been told by 2 Toyota dealerships (one had the car for evaluation for a day. I was charged an evaluation fee and for a rental car) that this is normal. This is a potentially dangerous condition and clearly a safety hazard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10254454, filed 2009-01“The contact owns a 2005 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated the that the vehicle was constantly losing anti-freeze and causing the vehicle to overheat. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic where the mechanic stated that the water pump malfunctioned and needed to be repaired. The contact did not call the manufacturer and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 79,650.”
NHTSA complaint #10445928, filed 2012-01, 79,650 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10037592Mar 2, 2011Toyota: there may be damaged cylinder head bolts threads.
- 10034265Apr 19, 2010Toyota: 2az-fe & 2az-fxe throttle body. Engine control. Provide updated throttle body part number information for certain vehicles. The drain pipe has been eliminated on throttle…
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
- 10032571Oct 23, 2009Toyota: limited service campaign on vehicles equipped with the v6 (2gr-fe) engine; vvt-I oil hose replacement. The rubber portion of the oil supply hose for the vvt-I actuator…
- 10021542Apr 6, 20072az-fe engine block.
- 10018298Nov 16, 2005Malfunction indication light came on diagnostic trouble code p0171 or p2195.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 8 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 10 | 3% |
| 2009 | 8 | 2% |
| 2008 | 24 | 4% |
| 2007 | 41 | 4% |
| 2006 | 40 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 12% |
| 2003 | 26 | 8% |
| 2002 | 41 | 8% |
| 2001 | 28 | 9% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 5 | 6% |
| 1997 | 10 | 19% |
| 1996 | 5 | 11% |
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 complaintsElectrical system
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 27, 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