2005 Toyota RAV4

Electronic door locking mechanism on front passenger side has failed and cannot be controlled by the key fob like the other doors. Therefore, it is necessary for the driver to reach across the front seat to lock and unlock this door. The locking mechanism’s failure could be considered an inconvenience. However, there wss an incident where a friend and I were taking the train to the city, leaving the vehicle unattended in a railroad station parking lot for 10-12 hours. I used the key fob to lock all of the working doors, but my friend forgot to manually lock the front passenger door. Unfortunately, this oversight created the risk of theft. This could also pose a safety hazard to the front seat passenger in an emergency situation where he or she must quickly evacuate the vehicle in case of fire, for example. The critical issue lies in the fact that, in an emergency, the driver can press the key fob to quickly unlock all exit doors EXCEPT for the front passenger side, leaving that seat’s occupant struggling to locate the unlock button as smoke from the fire quickly fills the vehicle. First responders would have to pry the door open in this crisis situation when every second counts. A licensed auto mechanic has checked the vehicle and advised me that it would be necessary to dismantle and rebuild the car door at a cost of $300-$400 in order to correct this situation, which is an expense I cannot afford on my limited income. My vehicle is available for inspection as necessary. Thank you for any assistance you are able to provide.

NHTSA ID

11707434

Incident

Mar 15, 2022

The recall repair was completed 7/15/25. It never updated in anyone’s system. I have been fighting between Toyota corp and the dealership for weeks more like a month just to get them to do the repair. After it was done I got my car damaged. A whole separate issue. I need to get inspection done on the car; can’t get it registered and my insurance is hassling me. It’s been weeks of this nightmare. It still shows my car on the recall list. DMV says they didn’t receive updates, Toyota sends me to the dealership and the dealership does nothing. All this over a car problem that wasn’t my fault in the first place. How do I proceed please

NHTSA ID

11679796

Incident

Jul 15, 2025

Very often, while driving at normal speeds around curving and hilly roads, the traction control light comes on. It even locks the speed until the light goes off. And sometimes the VSC (Vehicle stability control) light comes on and takes control of the car. When the warning lights go off, the car returns to normal. I took the car to Kauai Toyota Service Department. They said that they cannot troubleshoot the problem until one of the lights stay on continuously. It is a little disconcerting when this happens while driving. I love this car and what to keep it. But I want to get to the problem and fix it. Is it possible for a repair facility to use a computer to back track the alarms and pinpoint the problem? Thanks for your time and response.

NHTSA ID

11595614

Incident

Jun 10, 2024

On 10/1/2022 in Berwick, PA while pulling into the Dollar Tree parking lot, smoke appeared in the passenger cabin and the vehicle accelerated on it's own. The brakes were applied and the vehicle continue to accelerate. The vehicle went down through a yard, across a road through another parking lot and crashed into a high curb before stalling out. The airbags deployed. My mother was transported to the hospital and is still in ICU with broken ribs, cuts and bruises. She was able to steer the vehicle away from a parked car, a person on a bicycle and missed a rose bush, no one else was injured in the incident. A police report has been completed, the vehicle is still in the custody of the towing company and has not been released to the insurance company.

NHTSA ID

11487875

Incident

Oct 1, 2022

WHEN DRIVING AT OR UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT ON SOME TURNS MY CARS SLIP INDICATOR GOES OFF WITHOUT ANY APPARENT ISSUES AND IT WILL START BEEPING AND SOMETIMES IT EVEN BREAKS ON IT'S OWN AND JERKS THE CAR. THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT HAS TURNED ONE WHILE DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH IN A DRY AND PAVED ROAD. THE BEEPING AND JERKING HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY

NHTSA ID

11394746

Incident

Jan 11, 2021

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHEN BACKING THE RAV, WE HEAR A THUNK NOISE AND RAV HAS DIFFICULTY REVERSING, ESPECIALLY WHEN REVERSING UPHILL.

NHTSA ID

11353250

Incident

Sep 4, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VSC LIGHT AND ALARM FLASH AND SOUND AND THE VEHICLE APPLIES THE BRAKES CAUSING VEHICLE TO VEER INTO OTHER LANE

NHTSA ID

11277452

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

194,558 mi

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 ID

11270953

Incident

Oct 23, 2019

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.