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

879 reports, newest first.

  1. Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2021

    CAR LOST POWER TWICE, GOING UP A STEEP GRADE. 'HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' WARNING CAME ON THE SCREEN, GAS PEDAL DID NOT WORK AT ALL. I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BOTH TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE. DRIVING UP A STEEP MOUNTAIN, ABOUT 50F WEATHER.

  2. Suspension, Feb 7, 2021

    HAD AN ALIGNMENT PERFORMED AT TIRE DISCOUNTERS. AFTERWARDS THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE FRONT RIGHT CAMBER WAS OUT OF SPECS. THEY ATTEMPTED TO BRING SPECS WITHIN OEM BUT UNABLE TO. REQUIRED TO PURCHASE CAMBER KIT FROM TOYOTA TO PERFORM NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES.

  3. Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 4, 2021

    FUEL TANK DOES NOT FILL UP TO MAXIMUM AND LEAVES ABOUT 3-4 GALLONS SHORT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE LATE 2019. I'VE BROUGHT THIS US TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.

  4. Power train, Feb 3, 2021

    ABNORMAL BUZZ OR GROAN NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TRANSFER CASE WHEN SLOWING OR ACCELERATING AROUND 15-20 MPH. TOYOTA TSB IDENTIFIES PROBLEM AS ELECTRO-MAGNETIC CLUTCH SHIFTING FROM 2WD TO 4WD ON CERTAIN MODELS. TOYOTA SAYS NOT A RECALL BUT WILL REPAIR WHICH REQUIRES OPENING THE TRANSFER CASE. BRAND NEW CAR AND TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSFER CASE INSTEAD OF REPAIRING IT. DEALER ORDERED PARTS 3 WEEKS AGO AND STILL NOT DELIVERED. DEALER HAS NOT OFFERED LOANER CAR IN INTERIM.

  5. Engine, Feb 2, 2021

    REGARDING COMPLAINT # 11390472 I HAVE NOT HAD A RESPONSE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW VIA R-MAIL; BJCOLLIER44@GMAIL.. THANK YOU. AS YET, THE ISSUE, HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

  6. Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 1, 2021

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

  7. Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2021

    THE CAR STALED AND I HEARD A WEIRD NOISE , LIKE A RIPPING SOUND, I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT PERSON WHEN I TOOK MY CAR FOR OIL CHANGE.

  8. Engine, Jan 28, 2021

    I AM WONDERING EXACTLY WHEN THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM.. (IT INVOLVES, 20V-064. ALSO, 20V01200. I AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY WERE NOTIFIED OF "LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP .PRIOR TO 10/28/2020. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE... WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE OCTOBER 28TH, 2020. I TRULY THINK THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE SELLING IT TO US ON THE 28TH. OF OCTOBER, 2020..

  9. Engine, Jan 26, 2021

    SECOND TIME IN COLD WEATHER, LOSS OF POWER ON INTERSTATE ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH FLASHING AND FLASHING THROUGH SEVERAL CODES. FULL TANK OF GAS BOTH TIMES, WITH HEAT IN GAS TANK. ENGINE RUMBLING AND RUNNING ON 2WD, VERY WEEK POWER BOTH TIMES.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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

  13. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2021

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

  14. 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)

  15. Fuel system, Diesel, Vehicle speed control, Jan 21, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VENICE TOYOTA (900 US-41 BYP, VENICE, FL 34285; (941) 484-9000) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED AND THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

  16. 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.

  17. Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 14, 2021

    SOME TIMES AT TAKE OFF ENGINE SHUDDERS AS IF TO DIE. AT TIMES WHEN STOPPED WITH CAR IN GEAR AND WINDOW DOWN CAN SMELL ANTIFREEZE. MY WINDOW IS HARDLY EVER DOWN. SOMETIMES EXITING THE CAR I CAN SMELL IT FAINTLY.

  18. Steering, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2021

    MAKE A STRETCH NOISE WHEN I MAKE TURN SHARP ,AND STEERING BECOME STIFF

  19. Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2021

    COMPLAINT NUMBER 11282036, WHERE IS IT ON THE WEBSITE? THIS WAS MY COMPLAINT CONTACT ME TO LET ME KNOW, WHY IT IS NOT ON THE WEBSITE

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 1, 2021

    BATTERY GOES DEAD AND REQUIRES A JUMP START AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK.ENERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT ALWAYS RELEASE FIRST TIME.TRANSMISSION CLUNKS AND GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING.HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS WHO TELL ME EVERYTHING IS FINE AND I DON'T DRIVE IT ENOUGH.BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2019 AND IT NOW HAS 2901 MILES ON IT.

  23. Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2020

    ROOF RACK IS LEAKING ON BOTH SIDES OF MY RAV4. I CAN'T GET ANY ASSISTANCE WITH GETTING IT FIXED. IT'S A 2019 WITH 58,000 ON IT. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL POST WITH THE SAME ISSUE.

  24. Wheels, Dec 29, 2020

    DEALERSHIPS THAT I HAVE CUPPING WITH MY TIRES AND A 27,000 MI SAID THAT THE TIRES WERE NO GOOD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED DOES A 50,000 MI TIRE AND IT HAS SPOTS THAT ARE LESS THAN 3/32 IN TREAD WEAR I WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE CHECKED THEM AT HALF THE TREAD LIFE OR HAVE THE SERVICE LIFE ON A TIRE THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS THESE TIRES AREN'T GOOD AND WON'T REPLACE THEM THE TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THEM AND PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT THESE TIRES ARE FAILING AFTER 25,000 MILES

  25. Power train, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 29, 2020

    CRUISE CONTROL AND OTHER SAFETY ISSUES RANDOMLY GO OFF LINE. WHEN DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL TURN OFF, AS DO THE ELECTRONICS. FURTHER, THE AUTOMATIC BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE RANDOM TO THE POINT I HAVE TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM. I HAVE PICS AND VIDEO, CANNOT CHANGE FORMAT, DON'T KNOW HOW.