2004 Toyota RAV4: check engine light

Filed Aug 21, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · PA

10 days ago transmission on 2004 Rav started to act funny. Slow/jerky to engage in lower gears. Check engine lights came on. Checked out by mechanic who said it looked like a transmission problem and should have it looked at by transmission specialist who said it was not safe to drive as is since it could simply die at any time, and it needed a new transmission. When replacing trans, the trans man found the ECM had to be replaced. He said this often happened with 2003 thru 2005 RAV4s. On looking through your site, discovered others had similar issues with their 2004 Ravs. I also found out that the electronic control module for these vehicles is defective and must be repaired to correct the transmission issues. What did Toyota have to say when you looked into this, or do you not think it’s a safety issue?

Filed Dec 8, 2017 · Engine · 156,000 miles · NC

While driving, the check engine and vsa lights came on at once. The temperature gauge immediately began to rise, indicating that the car was starting to overheat. Took the car to a local mechanic. Apparently, the cylinder head bolt threading has become stripped due to strain from the aluminum cylinder block. This has lead to the engine leaking coolant. The engine is now prone to overheating. Seems to be a design defect. Only solution is to replace the engine.

Filed Jul 9, 2016 · 155,000 miles · FL

When accelerating from stopped position the car hesitates, moves very slowly, then with added pressure on gas pedal jerks as it shifts into second gear, after that it seems to run fine. Check engine light and vsc trac lights are on. This is very dangerous when entering a busy road or in heavy traffic.

Filed May 13, 2015 · Engine · 121,000 miles · NH

We were driving on the city streets of boston, ma at approximately 25 MPH when the check engine light and vsc light came on. I called our local dealer to see if the car was safe to drive and I was told that as long as the check engine light was not blinking it was ok to drive the car. We then proceeded to get on the highway to get to our house in new hampshire when the head gasket blew out and we lost all our coolant. When we finally were able to get the car to our dealer we were told the engine was ruined and it was going to take $5000+ to fix.

Filed Jan 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 115,000 miles · MD

My cars check engine and vsc trac lights came on at the same time when I started the car. I then put it in drive and pressed on the gas pedal and nothing happened, but sometimes the car suddenly accelerates. My husband had to drive my car and I had to follow him home b/c the car was so unpredictable. He would have to push down hard on the gas pedal and it would hesitate but then all of a sudden it would then jerk forward. He was terrified that he would get stuck in the middle of an intersection! I found an article online about how toyota provided extended warrantys to 2001-2003 rav4 vehicle owners for this exact issue. Please see article: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/toyota-owners-complain-this-time-about-the-rav4/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 please help me with this! Its not fair that people with a 2004 or later can't benefit from this! I also called toyota and left a complaint.

Filed Jan 25, 2013 · Acceleration · 39,800 miles · NJ

My car had the check engine and vsc trac lights came on at the same time. If I start the car, put it in drive and press on the gas pedal sometime nothing happens, sometimes the car suddenly accelerate. I took the car back to toyota dealer next. They said it was a accelerator pedal error (p2121 error) and card was not safe for driving. The car is still at toyota dealer for further trouble shooting.

Filed Oct 31, 2012 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 143,000 miles · AZ

When I drive my automatic awd 2004 rav4 (143,000 miles, only owner, maintained well throughout the life of the vehicle) on the freeway around slight curves, the traction control light turns on and beeps loudly. The last time this happened my engine stalled, jerked, and the car automatically swerved me into the next lane, almost causing a horrible accident, I was not applying the brake or turning the wheel. It was like the car had a mind of its own. I took the car into the toyota dealership for a diagnostic on the car, but they could not give any solid answers on why my car is having this problem, and that the tech almost crashed my car during the test drive. After paying $100, they said it could possibly be due to blown rear struts that are causing the back wheels to bounce around freeway curves which make the speed sensors think one of the wheels is skidding and activates the traction control system, but they were not completely sure. They said the sensors were all good. They wouldn't tell me anything else unless I started out by spending over $2000 to try fixing random things they recommended. They told me it is too dangerous to drive. Before the diagnostic at toyota, I had already cleaned all the sensors and speed rings, and all the speed rings are intact. The car does not throw any codes or check engine lights. The traction control light is the only light that comes on when this happens and once the car gets back to normal (ie pulling over to the side of the road or off the freeway), the light and alarm turn off. I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. This is supposed to be a safety feature on the car, yet it is malfunctioning and making my car incredibly dangerous to drive! Also, I live in arizona...there was no rain, snow, ice or mud when this happened while driving on the freeway...the system activates on its own. Please help!

Filed Jun 13, 2012 · Transmission · 101,500 miles · WV

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. I know there was a class action lawsuit for the 2001-2003 toyota rav4 transmissions, think it should have been expanded to include the 2004 as the problems seem to be the same. This problem is dangerous and could have caused serious accident and damage to myself or others. Bought a toyota for reliability and what I thought were great vehicles. Very sad when I read all of the complaints with this vehicle. I know what my next car will not be.

Filed Jan 10, 2012 · Engine · 77,000 miles · MD

I was driving at 60 MPH when I noticed that the temperature gauge for my car was shot up near the red. In addition to this, two warning lights (vsc trac and check engine) also came on. I immediately pulled off the highway, and called aaa, which towed me to a local repair shop. The manager there took a look at my car, and said that I was out of coolant. He then added half a gallon of coolant to my car and told me I should be all set. Approximately 80 miles later, the temperature gauge shot up to the red again. I then pulled over, and saw that all of the coolant the repair shop added earlier was gone. I took my car to a local toyota dealer, who told me that there are two major problems with my car. One, the head gasket was broken. And two, some of the steel bolts in the engine were stripped out. All in all, I was told that it would cost $7000 to repair the engine. I've looked around on the web and saw that many other 2004 toyota rav4 owners have complained of the same problem. I believe this is manufacturing problem, and toyota should make a recall of this unsafe, and poorly designed model.

Filed Mar 2, 2011 · Transmission · 77,836 miles · NJ

I have a 2004 toyota rav4. The check engine light came on and after about 20 miles the car started shifting hard and finally wouldn't get in gear. Took it to the dealer, and they said the electronic control module (ECM) is at fault (error p0766- shift solenoid d stuck). They replaced the ECM but the problem persisted. The dealer told me the only way to fix the problem is to replace the transmission. I spoke to toyota corp but they told me the problem with the shift solenoid is a "wholly" separate issue. I told them about the 2001-2003 extension of warranty that toyota did the rav4 but they refused to cover the transmission replacement. This problem is very dangerous because the transmission can just disengage from the motor and leave you stuck in the middle of the road when you pull out of driveway or on the ramp entering a highway.

Filed Jan 14, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · NY

2001 toyota rav 4. Consumer states problems with computer and transmission *tgw the consumer stated a few months after the vehicle was purchased, the check engine light illuminated. The consumer took the dealer to two dealers who gave him different stories as to what the problem was. He finally took the vehicle to his personal mechanic for the check engine light. And it was determined the oxygen sensor need to be replaced. Also, the transmission would slow down in first gear and then activate hard in second gear. The consumer was informed a letter was mailed regarding problems with the transmission. However, the consumer stated he never received a letter and the vehicle was serviced several times at the dealer and no one mentioned it.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota rav4. While the contact was driving approximately between 35-40 MPH, the anti-skid and check engine warning indicators suddenly illuminated and would remain on until the engine was turned off. The cruise control failed to set any speed during the illumination of the warning indicators. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they were unable to replicate the failure; however, to correct the problem the technician reset the computerized system. In addition, the low tire pressure indicator illuminated on the instrument panel continuously. Also, the dead battery failed twice and required a jump start. The battery was replaced by dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.