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
879 reports, newest first.
Structure, Dec 13, 2023
Tailgate hinges ripping and tailgate will not close properly. no accident no abuse, this is something that is happening to a lot of Rav4's.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 13, 2023, crash
The vehicle is a 2019 Hertz rental RAV4 Hertz. On October 12, 2023, when I moved the gearstick to reverse the vehicle accelerated uncontrollable at extremely high speed and crashed into a wall. Braking did not stop the vehicle.
Structure, Dec 6, 2023
The available component that failed would be the liftgate hinge. My safety is put at risk because the powerlift gate is leaning toward the left side heavily and limiting away from the frame of the vehicle. Although this is latched down, others are a risk because if the liftgate detached from the vehicle, others could be seriously injured. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle has been reviewed by the dealer, as well as, a body shop. There were no warning lamps or messages for this problem. The problem was initially noticed when the trunk was gapping on one side and rubbing aggressively on the opposite side. The dealer said that it was with the hinge after I brought it to their attention. Toyota is not covering cost to have it repaired because they deemed it a “wear and tear” and a body shop deemed it a manufacturing issue. I am paying for said repair out of my own pocket which is not morally correct for a manufacturer issue.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 6, 2023
The car's hesitation when I try to accelerate from a slow roll or lower gear. Resulting in lurches when I try to speed up. We got this car for my daughter she is a new driver and the hesitating and lurching is a problem.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 28, 2023
The vehicle does not get anywhere near the advertised fuel tank capacity. The fuel tank size IS 14.5, but when fueling it gets >10. Causing the vehicle to get nowhere near the maximum mileage until empty.
Steering, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 26, 2023
In line at a restaurant drive through around 2pm, raining, wipers on. engine cut off and power steering low message displayed. Car would not restart for several (30 minutes) Cause unknown. All battery, starter, alternator test came back fine.
Structure, Nov 26, 2023
All 4 of the doors on my 2019 Toyota RAV4 have been filling full of water whenever it rains ever since I bought it from the dealership. Then the rainwater leaks out into the interior ceiling fabric, as well as the sides of the vehicle, staining it b/c black mold is growing! Also, it sounds like a cooler full of water sounds whenever the car is moving! Weighs it down too of course...also it frequently smells like something is burning inside the cabin, but can't figure out where it's coming from.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed reading "All Wheel Drive Malfunction”. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V064000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Engine, Nov 21, 2023
Coolant bypass valve failure - risk of engine overheating
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 19, 2023
In my Rav4, I had a message pop up that said "Engine Maintenance Required" and it wouldn't go away. I couldn't get rid of it. So I took it to the dealership and they immediately said that I needed my engine coolant bypass valve replaced. They also said it has been a constant issue with other Rav4 vehicles, but there has not been a recall yet. So I paid $650 to get the valve replaced and the continuous message taken off.
Other or unspecified, Nov 18, 2023, crash
Vehicle accelerated uncontrollably in reverse at 50-60 mph and crashed into a wall, almost killing me. I could not stop the vehicle. Braking did not stop it.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 18, 2023
Car is shaking when turned on. Will stall if car is not shifted to gear sometimes. When AC is on, car will jump rpm. car acceleration is weak and will jump to 5-6k rpm. car also smells burnt sometimes when driving. car also smells like gasoline sometimes. car does not hold proper amount of gasoline.
Electrical system, Nov 17, 2023
My car ran a message of “ Maintenance engine required” and it turns out the COOLANT BYPASS VALVE has gone bad. When turning the AC on the message appears, but went off the message doesn’t appear.
Forward collision avoidance, Nov 6, 2023, crash
Pre-Collision System (PCS) failed. My daughter during sunset (sun glare) struck the vehicle in front of her, that suddenly braked due to sun glare. Toyota hasn't look at PCS system yet and the car is at the repair shop, but I did open a case with Toyota to investigate failure and access onboard data. Auto repair shop will check the system, but no malfunction warning on the car's warning display. There were no warning present prior to accident or post-accident.
Engine, Nov 1, 2023
Engine maintenance repair light came on and it ended up needing the coolant valve replaced. Cost over $700 out of pocket when part alone is less than $100. After research, this seems to be happening to many newer models of RAV4 when warranty is expired.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 30, 2023
Engine Maintenance Required light on due to a faulty Coolant Bypass Valve. After doing research online, there are many 2019 and 2020 RAV4 that have been having this problem. The dealer said the same thing. Would like to put this on the record in hopes that a recall will happen in the future.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 28, 2023
I have 2019 Toyota RAV4. 69,000 miles. I had issue this week when I was driving and park. The gas given by it self after I park the vehicle. and today all of the sudden stop on the road. The dash board shows me EPS light, Battery sign.
Engine, Oct 24, 2023
engine coolant flow shutting valve code p268115 over heating vehicle
Structure, Oct 23, 2023
It was observed several points of rust and corrosion in the middle of the roof, and the paint and clear coat was out in this rust points.
Engine, Oct 20, 2023
Engine light came on for the engine Coolant bypass valve. Common problem. Toyota wants 800$ to repair.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2023
Water Pump failure; check engine light came in while the car was not moving.
Engine, Oct 14, 2023
2019 RAV4 experienced a check engine light and was overheating due to a faulty Coolant Bypass Valve made by Toyota. If unchecked and not replaced it could cause catastrophic failure to engine due to overheating. Toyota charges between $600-1100 for replacement and it is not covered under warranty because Toyota claims it is not part of power train. Had to be replaced at dealer who explained that it is a common issue with this vehicle .
Engine, Oct 11, 2023
At 41K miles it pop up out of no where and for no aparent reason engine maintanance required. Took the dealer it was the engine coolant bypass malfunctioning. Car has all maintanance up to date by toyota dealer.
Engine, Oct 10, 2023
The Engine Maintenance Alert appears on the screen. Mechanic confirmed it is the coolant bypass valve that has been shorted. Forums from other similar model RAV4 report the same issue at low mileage. This can cause the car to stall at high speeds.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 10, 2023
"Engine Maintaince Soon" light continues to go off while driving the car making the dashboard impossible to use. Took the Rav4 to the dealership and said it would be $536 to replace the coolant bypass valve. It is a know issue on 2019 and newer Rav4 Toyota vehicles and needs to be recalled.