TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota RAV4 cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2005 Toyota RAV4 have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 RAV4 (this page) | 9 |
| 2006 RAV4 | 51 |
| 2007 RAV4 | 81 |
| 2008 RAV4 | 75 |
| 2009 RAV4 | 86 |
7crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 9 cruise control complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota RAV4, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Toyota rav4. While the contact was shifting into park, the engine revved and the rpms increased. The vehicle crashed into a metal post and building. A passenger was slightly bruised. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 72.330 updated 01/26/11*lj updated 03/28/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota rav4. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle erroneously accelerated and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that he attempted to depress the brake pedal, but the failure recurred and the contact crashed into the vehicle a second time. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2005 Toyota RAV4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2005 Toyota RAV4?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 79,933 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/RAV4.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.