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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 879

Of the 2019 reports, 25 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 21 people were injured.

Primary concernFuel/propulsion system255 reports · 29% of complaints
Owner complaints879Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Fuel/propulsion system255
  2. Engine206
  3. Other or unspecified169
  4. Electrical system102
  5. Structure89
  6. Power train80
  7. Air bags45
  8. Service brakes35

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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: fuel/propulsion system

255 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 1, 2021

    FUEL TANK DOES NOT FILL UP ALL THE WAY. MISSING ABOUT 3 GALLONS.

  2. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 25, 2021

    UNABLE TO FILL TANK TO PROPER AMOUNT STATED IN THE MANUAL. PUMP CLICKS OFF PRIOR TO THE TANK FILLING BUT IT SAYS IT IS FULL. MILEAGE TO EMPTY IS LESS THAN STATED WHEN PURCHASED. RAN OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING! THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND TOYOTA IS GIVING RUN AROUND TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT.

  3. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 25, 2021

    DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK DESIGN ONLY ALLOWS ABOUT 8-9 GALLONS RATHER THAN THE 14.5 GALLONS ITS DESIGNED TO HOLD. TOYOTA SENT A LETTER LAST YEAR THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT ITS NOT OFFICIALLY A RECALL. THEY SAID THEY WOULD ADDRESS IT BUT NO WORD FROM THEM YET. DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME TO LOOK AT IT. ITS AS IF THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE.

  4. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2021

    GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL UP IN THE HYBRID MODEL. IT STOPS AT AROUND 8 GALLONS, LEAVING ALMOST 1/4 TANK CAPACITY. THIS HAS BEEN THE SITUATION SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALER IS AWARE AND VERIFIED THE ISSUE

  5. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2021

    FUEL GUAGE DOES NOT WORK. IT SHOWS EMPTY WHEN THERE IS GAS IN THE TANK

  6. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 21, 2021

    ON DEC 14, 2020 I RECEIVED AN INTERIM NOTICE FROM TOYOTA CONCERNING MY 2019 RAV 4. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW (LEFTOVER) ON MAY 29, 2020. WHEN I RECEIVED THE INTERIM RECALL I HAD HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST SEVEN MONTHS WITH APPROXIMATELY 3500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SUBJECT OF RECALL: VEHICLE MAY STALL WHILE DRIVING. "THE VEHICLE MAY STOP OPERATING (STALL) AND THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO RESTART IT". "IF A VEHICLE STALL OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH". "WE WILL NOTIFY YOU AGAIN WHEN THE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE".I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH SINCE IT INVOLVES MY SAFETY AS THE DRIVER. AS STATED THERE IS NO REMEDY. THE 'LIST' AT TOYOTA WAS STARTED IN JAN OF 2020 FOR AFFECTED MODELS. MY CAR WAS ADDED TO THE LIST IN OCT WHICH MEANS I DROVE FOR TWO MONTHS BEFORE BEING NOTIFIED OF A VERY SERIOUS RECALL. THE REPAIR PLAN IS DIVIDED INTO PHASES. MY RAV 4 WAS PHASE 10 (!!) BUT HAS BEEN MOVED TO PHASE 11. THE TARGET DATE FOR REPAIR IS LATE MARCH BUT SINCE THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM I DOUBT THIS DATE IS FEASIBLE. AFTER A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH WITH TOYOTA VIA THE DEALERSHIP AND MY INSISTENCE THAT THE CAR IS A DANGER TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS, I LEFT MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED A LOANER. I AM A 70 YEAR OLD WIDOW AND SPENDING $36,000 FOR A CAR WAS A VERY BIG DECISION. I AM STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP INDEFINITELY.I HAVE SPOKEN WITH TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT REPURCHASING THE CAR FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE BUT APPARENTLY THEY RARELY DO THIS. THE FACT THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT PART LEADS ME TO CONCLUDE TOYOTA IS RECKLESS AND UNCARING ABOUT THE LIVES OF ITS BUYERS. I HAVE DEALT WITH MANY RECALLS IN MY LIFETIME BUT NOTHING AS FRIGHTENING AS THIS. I FEEL STRONGLY TOYOTA HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CONSUMER TO OFFER A MONETARY (REPURCHASE PRICE) SOLUTION TO THE INTERIM RECALL . (I DON'T KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD)

  7. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 17, 2021

    RECEIVED NOTICE FROM TOYOTA IN OCTOBER REGARDING DEFECT IN LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION SINCE.

  8. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 7, 2021

    FUEL TANK WILL NOT FILL COMPLETELY. WHEN FUELING, THE PUMP CONSISTENTLY SHUTS OFF BEFORE TANK INDICATOR REACHES "FULL". TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO FIX MY VEHICLE DESPITE THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM NOTIFICATION WHICH IS CURRENTLY OCCURRING. I VISITED MY DEALER WHO WAS ABLE TO FILL THE TANK BY REPEATEDLY ADDING SMALL AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE EACH TIME THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF. NEW JERSEY, WHERE I RESIDE, DOES NOT ALLOW FOR SELF-SERVICE FILLING AND IT IS NOT PRACTICAL, NOR SAFE, TO FILL THE VEHICLE IN THIS MANNER. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SHAPE OF THE FUEL TANK AND/OR THE FUEL SENDER GAUGE. GIVEN TOYOTA'S UNWILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS THIS KNOWN ISSUE, AND THE HAZARDOUS SITUATION CREATED BY REPEATEDLY RESTARTING THE FUEL PUMP AFTER EACH SHUT-OFF IN ORDER TO REACH "FULL" ON THE TANK, TOYOTA SHOULD BE MANDATED TO INITIATE A RECALL OF ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, WHERE "AFFECTED" INCLUDES ALL VEHICLES THAT FAIL TO FILL THE TANK AFTER THE INITIAL SHUT-OFF OF THE FUEL PUMP.

  9. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2021

    TWO MONTHS AGO I RECEIVED A RECALL PAPER. IN PURSUIT OF THIS, I TALKED TO SHORE TOYOTA THAT THE ENGINE RECALL PAPER HAS ARRIVED IN MY CAR AND I HAVE TO WORK FOR IT, BUT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TILL NOW AND EVEN TODAY IT IS 1/5/21 THE PAPER HAS COME IN ITS FOR THAT, BUT IT IS NOT KNOWN WHEN THE WORK WILL BE DONE. I OFTEN CALL SHORE TOYOTA BUT THEY DON'T ANSWER THE SAME.

  10. Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 18, 2020

    RECALL FIX NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL LATE JANUARY POSSIBLY FEB. UNTIL THEN DRIVING WITH A POSSIBLE FUEL TANK FAILURE.

  11. Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 11, 2020

    VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WHICH MAY STOP OPERATING. IF THE VEHICLE STALL OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF CRASH

  12. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 30, 2020

    THERE HAS BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS CAR FOR OVER A MONTH NOW WITH NO REMEDY. IF THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CAUSE A HIGHER CHANCE OF A CRASH, WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO FIX? IT IS UNSAFE!

  13. Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 9, 2020

    ONLY ABLE TO PUT 9 OR 10 GALLONS INTO THE GAS TANK WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INDICATING EMPTY. THE TANK IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A 14.5-GALLON CAPACITY. FACTORY REFUSES TO OFFER ANY CONSIDERATION FOR THIS ANNOYING ISSUE.

  14. Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 7, 2020

    MTE, GALLONS TO FILL UP, DON'T EQUAL THE MILES TO GO AFTER A FILL UP. HAVE HAD CAR A YEAR, HAVE ONLY FILLED UP ONCE MORE THAN 10 OR SO GALS, DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY MILES TO EMPTY SHOW ON GAUGES. DON'T GET ANYWHER NEAR THE MILES DRIVEN THAT WAS TOLD TO ME. I FILL UP, USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 9-10 GLS. WILL HAVE LESS THAN 500 MILES TO DRIVE ON THAT TANK OF GAS.DRIVING LOCAL AND ON HIGHWAY.

  15. Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 2, 2020

    I AM UNABLE TO GET THE 14.5 GALLONS WHEN FILLING UP. MOST OF THE TIME, I GET ABOUT 10 GALLONS. THIS DROPS THE RANGE FROM THE ADVERTISE 600 TO ABOUT 520 MILES.

  16. Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2020

    THE FUEL TANK WILL ONLY TAKE ABOUT 12 GALLONS OF GAS INSTEAD OF IT'S 14.5 GALLON CAPACITY. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD TOYOTA WAS WORKING ON A FIX AND WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN IT WAS SOLVED. CAN THIS PROBLEM CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE.?

  17. Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2020

    WHEN I FILL UP MY GAS TANK IT'S NEVER FULL ACCORDING TO THE FUEL GAUGE. CLUSTER SHOWS 350 MILES TIL EMPTY

  18. Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 28, 2020

    NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 20V012 RECALL DATE: JANUARY 13, 2020 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 20TB02 STILL NO CONTACT FROM DEALER ON WHEN REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP WILL BE AVAILABLE. 11 MONTHS SEEMS EXCESSIVE.

  19. Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 25, 2020

    AFTER WAITING FOR 10 MONTHS, TOYOTA HAS STILL NOT DELIVERED A FIX FOR THEIR KNOWN FUEL TANK CAPACITY PROBLEM IN THEIR 2019 RAV4 HYBRID MODEL. TOYOTA CONTINUES TO STATE THAT THE 14.5GAL TANK HAS A CAPACITY OF MORE THAN 500 MILES, WHILE OWNERS STRUGGLE TO PUT MORE THAN 9-10 GALLONS INTO THE VEHICLE. THE REDUCED RANGE AND INCONSISTENT FUEL LEVEL READINGS HAVE LEFT ME UNSURE AS TO HOW MUCH FUEL THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY HAS, RESULTING IN FREQUENT FUEL STOPS AND AN OBSERVED RANGE OF CLOSER TO 300MILES.

  20. Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 20, 2020

    VEHICLE REFUELING PERFORMANCE. THE GAUGE DOES ACCURATELY REFLECT THE CONTENTS OF THE GAS TANK. 14 GAL TANK EMPTY WILL NOT TAKE MORE THAN 8 GAL OF GAS. RESULTING IN A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU ARE OUT OF GAS.

  21. Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 1, 2020

    THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE REFUELED FULLY WITHOUT TOPOFF, REDUCING THE DRIVING RANGE OF THE VEHICLE.

  22. Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 25, 2020

    THE FUEL TANK TANK DOES NOT FILLING UP COMPLETELY AND GIVES MISLEADING INFORMATION THAT IT IS FULLY FILLED UP WHEN IN FACT IT IS ABOUT 3-4 GALLONS SHORT. THE GAS STATION PUMP AUTOMATICALLY STOP EVEN THE GAS TANK WAS NOT FULLY FILLED UP

  23. Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 19, 2020

    SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AUGUST 2109 I NOTICED THE FUEL TANK WOULD ONLY HOLD ABOUT 8 GALLONS OF GAS FROM EMPTY. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE CAR IN AWHILE LATER AND WAS TOLD TOYOTA WAS WORKING ON A FIX AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN IT WAS SOLVED. I WAITED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY SAID THEY COULD PUT IN A NEW FUEL TANK BUT IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T CORRECT THE ISSUE AND WHEN THEY'RE FIX CAME OUT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME. THEY WERE CORRECT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I'VE WAITED PATIENTLY AND THE CAR IS NOW 1 YR OLD. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD NO FIX YET. I ASKED THE REPRESENTATIVE IF SHE COULD GIVE ME THAT IN WRITING AND SHE REFUSED. I LET HER KNOW THAT TOYOTA SOLD ME A PRODUCT THAT WAS NOT AS ADVERTISED ON FUEL RANGE AND TANK CAPACITY. A QUESTION TO NHSTA WOULD BE IF WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS SAFETY CERTIFIED WAS IT DONE WITH A FUNCTIONING FUEL TANK OR THEIR DEFECTIVE TANK? CAN THIS PROBLEM CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE.?

  24. Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 8, 2020

    MY 2019 RAV4 LE HAS A 14.5 GALLON FUEL TANK AND ONLY TAKES ABOUT 8 TO 9 GALLONS OF GAS WHEN I FILL UP FROM EMPTY. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I WAS GETTING 450 MILES PER FULL TANK AND NOW THE MOST I GET IS 330. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS GETTING 22 MILES TO THE GALLON AND NOT 26 MPG WHICH WOULD BE ON THE LOW END.

  25. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 16, 2020

    THE CAR HAS STALLED TWICE OUT OF THE BLUE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE VAPOR LOCK HAD GAS IN IT. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE $1000. THE EXCUSE WAS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE YOU RUN THE RISK OF GAS GETTING INTO THE VAPOR LOCK EVERY TIME YOU FILL UP... THAT IS BULL. IT STALLED IN MOTION TWICE ON A CITY STREET.