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Toyota RAV4 · 2nd gen (2001–2005)

2004 Toyota RAV4

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

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What changed

  • A 2.4L four, a light restyle, and optional front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags.1

What it came with

  • 2.0L four-cylinder2

    All-aluminium, with VVT-i. 148 hp

  • 2.4L four-cylinder1

    161 hp. From 2004

Transmissions
5-speed manual2, 4-speed automatic2
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive2, 4WD2
Trims
Base2,3,1
Packages
L package2, Sport package3, Limited-slip differential2

Colors

  • Titanium 4
  • Titanium Metallic 5
  • Black 4,5
  • Natural White 4
  • Super White 5
  • Frosted White Pearl 4,5
  • Rainforest Pearl 4
  • Spectra Blue Mica 4,5
  • Impulse Red 4
  • Salsa Red Pearl 5
  • Vintage Gold 4
  • Graphite Gray Pearl 4
  • Flint Mica 5
  • Everglade Metallic 5
  • Savannah Metallic 5

Interiors

  • Taupe 4,5
  • Gray 4
  • Dark Charcoal 5
  • L package Leather 2
  • Sport package Sport fabric 3

Compare with another year

Buy

Recalls

  • 15V284000 2004–2005

    Moisture can get into the driver airbag inflator over time, and it can rupture.6,7

  • 19V741000 2004–2005

    The replacement passenger airbag inflator, of the same design, can explode.6,7

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

  • Sought after: The 2004 2004 One source so far

    SlashGear lists the 2004 among the used RAV4s to consider, the year complaints fell away after 2001 to 2003.8

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.

Sources

  1. Edmunds 2004 review
  2. Edmunds 2001 review
  3. Edmunds 2003 review
  4. Edmunds 2003 specs
  5. Edmunds 2005 specs
  6. NHTSA recalls (2004 RAV4)
  7. NHTSA recalls (2005 RAV4)
  8. SlashGear (best years)