2019 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel/propulsion system is the leading concern among 879 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 25 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 21 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 4, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Campaign 20V682000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemJun 24, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.
A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB11 / 20TA11.
Campaign 20V373000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armMay 20, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.
If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08.
Campaign 20V286000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingFeb 6, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.
A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.
Campaign 20V064000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraAug 6, 2019
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Due to a damaged electrical connector, the back-up camera may not activate when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply to Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
If the backup camera system does not activate and the driver does not check his/her surroundings while reversing, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the back-up camera system and replace the audio display unit, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 27, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is K0N.
Campaign 19V576000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 28, 2019
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
Campaign 19V503000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsMar 27, 2019
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.
Campaign 19V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
214 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 26, 2020
1ST INCIDENT: SITTING AT STOP LIGHT FOR A FEW MINS AS NORMAL. WHEN TIME TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STARTED LURCHING FORWARD IN A HARD JERKING MOTION. 2ND INCIDENT: SLOWER TRAFFIC. WHEN DRIVING IN SLOWER TRAFFIC OR AT SLOWER SPEEDS, ~20-35MPH THE VEHICLE WILL START LURCHING JERKING FORWARD. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, THERE WERE NO ISSUES FOUND. DEALERSHIP RESET INTERNAL COMPUTER, STATING THAT "VEHICLE IS OPERATING NORMALLY". NEITHER HAS ISSUE HAS YET TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH ANY OTHER DRIVERS AT THIS TIME. I DO TRAVEL WITH DOGS WHO ARE HARNESSED AND SEAT-BELTED IN THE BACKSEAT, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN TO FLOOR OF CAR IF NOT SEAT-BELTED. FOR MYSELF, I GET TOSSED FORWARD SEVERAL INCHES AND HEAD THROWN FORWARD. WHEN DRIVING IN SLOWER TRAFFIC AND/OR STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR LURCHING/HARD JERKING FORWARD WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALL INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPEN ON DRY CITY STREETS. I WOULD ASSUME DURING THESE INCIDENTS OF THE JERKING FORWARD THAT THE BREAK LIGHTS DO NOT ALERT REAR DRIVERS THAT THE CAR IS IN A STOP/GO MOTION.
Engine, Feb 16, 2020
THE VEHICLE HAS AN ENGINE KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE AT COLD START UP.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 15, 2020
MY 2019 TORTOLA RAV4 XLE WITH 6401 MILES ON IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STALLING SINCE I FIRST GOT IT IN AUGUST. I NOTICE IT ESPECIALLY WHEN I DON'T MAKE COMPLETE STOPS. IT WILL STALL AND YANK THE CAR FORWARD. IT IS ANNOYING AND EMBARRASSING THAT MY NEW CAR DOES NOT DRIVE SMOOTH. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TO GET EVALUATED.
Engine, Feb 10, 2020
I FORGOT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE (PUSH BUTTON) AFTER PARKING. THE ENGINE RAN FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS UNTIL I RETURNED. UNLIKE THE TRADITIONAL KEY THAT MOST OF US REMEMBER TO TAKE IT AFTER PARKING. REMOVING THE KEY WILL TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I AM OF THE OPINION THAT THIS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE: 1. THE ENGINE COULD OVERHEAT IN HOT SUMMER AND MAY EVEN CATCH ON FIRE 2. ANYONE CAN DRIVE THE CAR AWAY WITHOUT THE KEY. LOW OR TOTALLY NO KEY SIGNAL MEANS THE DRIVER IS NOT NEAR TO THE CAR. THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE RUNNING AT ALL. FOR THE LEAST, THERE SHOULD BE SHOULD BE SOME LOUD ALERT. THE RAV4 BUILT-IN TECHNOLOGY HAS AN AUTO SHUT OFF FEATURE ON ACC MODE AFTER CERTAIN PERIOD AND REMOTE ENGINE START/STOP FEATURE. ONE CANNOT START THE CAR WITHOUT THE KEY NEARBY. WHY CANNOT TOYOTA INCORPORATE THE AUTO OFF FEATURE ON THE KEY SIGNAL LEVEL, I.E. BELOW CERTAIN KEY SIGNAL LEVEL TURN THE ENGINE OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE REPORTED TO TOYOTA. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING AT THIS MOMENT.
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 8, 2020
TWO WEEKS AGO THE CAR CAME ON WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING THE HYBRID SYSTEM HAD FAILED. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A RELAY VALVE AND SAID THEY HAD BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IN COLD WEATHER WITH OTHER RAV4 HYBRIDS. NOW TODAY, I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WAS LISTING ABOUT 6 ERROR MESSAGES, EVERYTHING FROM THE BRAKE POWER BEING LOW, ENGINE FAILURE, ETC. THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 6, 2020
VEHICLE DOES NOT FUNCTION AS ADVERTISED, ECM APPEARS TO CHANGE SHIFTING, HYBRID, AND GASOLINE USAGE AT LOWER TEMPS. PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WITH ANY VISIBILITY REDUCTION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY BRAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR TO NOT BRAKE AT ALL WITH RADAR CRUISE ACTIVE. ALSO HAVE SAME ISSUE AS OTHERS WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO FILL TANK MORE THAN 10 GALLONS OF 14. MILEAGE IS AS LOW AS 24 MPG FOR A WHOLE TANK, DRIVING VERY CONSERVATIVELY.
Engine, Jan 23, 2020
ONCE THE CAR IS WARMED UP (30 MINUTES OF DRIVING), THE ENGINE MAKES A VERY STRANGE "MOO-ING" SOUND WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING FROM A LOW SPEED. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED NEW). IT DOESN'T SEEM TO AFFECT THE DRIVING BUT IT IS A DISTURBING SOUND & I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.
Engine, Aug 29, 2019
UPDATE TO CLAIM #11233589: AFTER GOING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP A SECOND TIME BECAUSE OIL CONTINUED TO CLIMB UP THE DIP STICK, THE SERVICE DEPT FOUND THAT YOU CANNOT PUT MORE THAN 4.6 QUARTS INTO THE RAV4. THE FACTORY PUT IN 5 QUARTS, AND THE DEALERSHIP ALSO PUT IN 5 QUARTS AT THE FIRST APPT. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN SOLVED SINCE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF OIL IN NOW IN THE CAR.
Power train, Engine, Aug 19, 2019
AT THIS TIME THERE AT LEAST 24 COMPLAINT ABOUT A "LURCHING" PROBLEM AT LOW SPEED AND RE ACCELERATION. A VERY SIGNIFICANT "LURCHING" ALMOST"STALLING" IS VERY APPARENT AS THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION STARTS IN 4TH GEAR...NOT 1ST GEAR FROM A DEAD STOP. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FROM DAY 1 OF CAR PURCHASE. VEHICLE NOW HAS 5600 MILES ON IT.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Aug 16, 2019
1. TRANSMISSION SUDDEN JERKING/SHIFTING WHEN SLOWING DOWN IN CITY AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ANYWHERE FROM 5-10 MPH WILL THEN JERK BACKWARDS THEN FORWARDS MAKING THE CAR JUMP ABOUT 10 INCHES FORWARD. CAN BE REPLICATED AT ANY TIME. 2. CARS FRONT END SUSPENSION SEEMS TO SQUEAK/GROAN WILL PULLING INTO MY BANK OR DRIVE WAY, ALMOST ANY UNLEVELED PAVEMENT. THIS HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEEDS WHEN I CAN HEAR IT WITH VERY LITTLE WIND NOISE. 3. MY SEAT IN THE VEHICLE BROKE AT 7,000 MILES. 4. MY BRAKES SOUND AS IF THE ROTORS ARE BENT WITH SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. 5. NO FIX FOR TRANSMISSION. TODAY THEY ARE REFLASHING THE PCM - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. WE'LL SEE IF THAT WILL FIX THE ISSUE BUT I HIGHLY DOUBT IT FROM THE DAMAGE THAT HAS ALREADY OCCURRED. I AM WORKING WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE WITH THE ISSUE.
Engine, Jul 20, 2019
PURCHASED AUTO 3/20/19 AND AT THAT TIME OIL APPEARED TO BE RIGHT AT MARK ON DIPSTICK. A MONTH LATER NOTICED THE OIL LEVEL RISING. TOOK RAV4 BACK TO DEALER 7/5/19 AND HAD NEW OIL AND FILTER INSTALLED AND DIPSTICK SET AT PROPER MARK. DEALER FELT IT WAS PROBABLY OVERFILLED AT FACTORY. HOWEVER, ON 7/20/19 THE OIL IS NOW 1/2 INCH ABOVE THE MARK SET BY THE DEALER ON 7/5. CONCERNED THIS MIGHT BE PROBLEMATIC FOR ALL RAVS. WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER AGAIN FOR POSSIBLE RESOLUTION.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 14, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-25 SOUTH OF DENVER, CO IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT 75 MPH, THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF. I SUDDENLY HAD NO ENGINE POWER, POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER, BUT CAME CLOSE TO HITTING OR BEING HIT BY SEVERAL VEHICLES. WHEN WE MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES WERE APPEARING ON THE DASH. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT A FEW MINUTES I RESTARTED IT, AND IT DID RUN, THOUGH ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. THERE WAS A DEALERSHIP 9 MILES FROM MY LOCATION, SO I SLOWLY MADE MY TO ARAPAHOE TOYOTA. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THAT SOMETHING CAUSED THE FUEL TO BE SHUT OFF TO THE ENGINE. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY, AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SUSPECT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AS I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND HAD NO LOANER CARS, THEY ESSENTIALLY TOLD ME TO COME BACK THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AND HOPE FOR THE BEST IN THE MEANTIME. SINCE I WAS HEADING TO VACATION THIS IS IMPRACTICAL, SO I WAS STUCK DRIVING A CAR I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE. MY NEXT STEP IS I AM TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN FORT COLLINS, CO, AND TELL THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THAT I WANT THE ISSUE RESOLVED, THE BRAKE LIGHT ELECTRICAL ISSUE FIXED, AND BE ASSURED THAT THE CAR IS SAFE. I'VE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DIE WHILE DRIVING LIKE THAT, LET ALONE ONE WITH ONLY 4580 MILES. I'M APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR 26 MILES IN THE MOUNTAINS TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, AND SO FAR TOYOTA HAS BEEN NO HELP.
Engine, Jun 14, 2019
VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING/WINDING/LURCHING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING, BRAKING AND DURING NORMAL DRIVING. PROBLEM GETS WORSE EVERY DAY.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 24, 2019
VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS CAN OCCUR WHEN LEAVING A PARKING PLACE OR. FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE ENGINE DOES NOT STOP RUNNING. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED THREE TIMES, BUT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE TOYOTA DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS AT THE 5000 MILE INSPECTION AND THERE ARE NO CODES SET NOR DOES IT SET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN IT HAPPENS.