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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2020
THE VEHICLE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACE ON PARK, THE KEY WILL GO DOWN TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION. HOWEVER, WHEN THE KEY IS PUSHED IN TO REMOVE THE KEY, THE KEY WILL NOT MOVE TO THE OFF POSITION, SO THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED. *TR
Steering, Jun 24, 2020
I AM HEARING CLICKING NOISE FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN I MAKE TURNS AT LOW SPEED, SPECIALLY WHILE I AM APPLYING BRAKE (AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL). THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS TOUCHING INSIDE THE STEERING! BUT IT IS NOT CONSTANT. MAYBE ELECTRIC MOTOR OR A COMPONENT IN STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Jun 23, 2020
WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE TAKES LONG TO STOP AND THIS IS A BRAND NEW 2019 RAV4 ? IT ONLY HAS 5K MILES ON IT. I NOTICED A CLINKING SOUND WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND LEFT OR GOING OVER BUMPS. I RESEARCHED THIS AND THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE REGARDING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT DUE TO IT DETACHING FROM THE WHEEL HUB AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE! THERE IS ALSO A RECALL FOR A SAFETY ISSUE ON THE MOTOR TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CRACKS ON THE ENGINE BLOCK DUE TO MANUFACTURE OVERSIGHT! MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE TIME FRAME OF THE RECALL MONTH OF MANUFACTURE??? THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE ON THE REVERSE CAMERA SYSTEM GOING BLANK WHEN REVERSING? I RESEARCHED THIS AND THERE IS ALSO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE? *TR
Power train, Jun 23, 2020
VEHICLE JERKS AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A "ROLLING STOP." IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE - THERE SEEMS TO BE A DELAY WITH GOING, SO THE CAR JERKS TO KICK INTO THE SPEED IT SHOULD BE. I'VE TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY ALWAYS SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 19, 2020
WAS AT DRIVE THROUGH CASH MACHINE, STOPPED, PUT INTO PARK, DID MY TRANSACTION, PUT CAR INTO DRIVE LEFT TO GET TO STREET VIA A SIDE STREET. NOTED AT STOPS THAT THE BRAKES WERE HARD AS WHEN ABS IS NOT QUITE RIGHT. ON A TOWN STREET, TWO PEDESTRIANS STEPPED OUT INTO MY LANE OF TRAVEL. I PUT ON MY BRAKES, HARD. THE ENGINE REV'D AND CONTINUED FASTER AND I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE WOMEN GOT OUT OF THE LANE. I REALLY DON'T RECALL SEQUENCE, I WAS TERRIFIED (HAVE HAD A CAR RUN AWAY WITH ME LONG AGO). BUT I DO KNOW IT WAS REV'ING HARD, I WAS SO TERRIFIED I DID NOT NOTE IF ANY DASH LIGHTS WERE ON, OR WHAT THE TACH (?) WAS DOING. RAV WAS IN DRIVE, I PUSHED LEVER TO N AND FINALLY TO PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN. I HAD PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET, SO FIRED IT UP, AND IT WAS 'NORMAL' BRAKES NO LONGER HARD. I CAUTIOUSLY PULLED OUT INTO THE LANE AND MADE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. IT TRIED ONE MORE TIME TO DO A REV WHEN I PUT THE BRAKES ON, BUT NOT LIKE THAT FIRST TIME AS I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF AND PUT INTO NEUTRAL/PARK. TOYOTA SERVICE PERSON SHOWED CONCERN AND DROVE THE RAV AROUND FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND COULD NOT GET IT TO REPEAT THIS. HE THINKS MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE THE SHOP BYPASS THE AUTOMATIC STOP ENGINE THING, PERMANENTLY BUT THERE'S NOT LONGER A WAY TO DO IN NEWER RAVS. SO PUSHED THE A BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF AND FEAR DRIVING IT. SERVICE MAN WAS GOING TO CALL ME BACK IF HE COMES UP WITH ANYTHING. HE MAY NOT RECALL THE UNINTENTIONAL ENGINE REVS OF A FEW YEARS AGO IN TOYOTAS, WHICH CAUSED ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS. IT WAS NOT THE FLOOR MATS I ONLY HAVE THE RUBBER ONES, 'BOLTED DOWN". FIRST FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE RAV MADE BEARING-LIKE GRINDING NOISES WHEN THE AUTO STOP WAS TURNED OFF SO TURNED IT BACK ON. WHEN A ON OR OFF, VEHICLE JERKS COMING TO A STOP AND WHEN MOVING FORWARD AFTER A STOP. CAR HAS <4000 MILES. BOUGHT NEW. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 13, 2020
WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, WE USED TO BE ABLE TO FILL IT UP ALL THE WAY AND COMPLETELY NOW YOU CAN'T FILL IT UP ALL THE WAY. WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR, WE WERE ABLE TO GET ABOUT 450 MILES WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL. NOW, WHEN WE GO TO FILL UP, WE ONLY GET ABOUT 350 MILES FOR A FULL TANK WHEN FILLING UP THE TANK DOESN'T ALLOW US TO FILL THE TANK UP COMPLETELY THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL! *TR
Power train, Jun 13, 2020
AS I DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND COME TO A STOP AND RE-ACCELERATE IT JERKS VIOLENTLY! IT FEELS LIKE IT DOES THIS AS IT'S ACCELERATING IN FIRST GEAR ONLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT I'M NOT COMPLETELY SURE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 11, 2020
1) WHILE DRIVER APPLIES THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BRING VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP ON A CITY STREET, AT A POINT APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 1500 AND 1000 RPM, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE UP TO APPROXIMATELY 2000 RPM WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED, FOR A DURATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE DISENGAGING AND DECELERATING. 2) WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 RPM, WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE DRIVE (D) POSITION, WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE TO APPROXIMATELY 1500 RPM FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND AND LURCH FORWARD AND THEN DISENGAGES AND DECELERATES BACK TO IDLE AS LONG AS THE BRAKE PEDAL REMAINS DEPRESSED.*DT*JB
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 11, 2020
UNABLE TO FILL GAS TANK FULLY IN ADDITION TO DISPLAYED RANGE BEING INACCURATE. TANK ONLY FILLS ABOUT 3/4 WITH AVERAGE DISTANCE TO EMPTY READING ABOUT 350 MILES, WHICH IS ACTUALLY MORE THAN THE DISTANCE WE ARE ABLE TO TRAVEL BEFORE NEEDING TO REFUEL. *TR
Engine, Jun 6, 2020
I NOTICE THAT MY RAV4 WAS DRIPPING OIL ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. I READ THE REPORTS ON YOUR SITE AND THIS MATTER COULD BE SERIOUS, AND CAN START FIRE.THE CAR IS NEW ONLY 8.000 MILES ON IT. I NEED HELP TO FIX IT. *TR
Engine, Jun 6, 2020
I NOTICED THAT IS A DRIP OF OIL UNDER THE CAR. LOOKS LIKE IT'S COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 2, 2020
I RECEIVED 2 SPEEDING CAMERA TICKETS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION NOTICED TIME TO TIME, FRONT SUSPENSIONS ARE NOT EVEN AND ROUGH, TRANSMISSION IS NOT SMOOTH WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND/OR STOPPING VEHICLE. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2020
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH ON A 65-DEGREE DAY AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT, THE GLASS BLEW OUT AND DOWN THE BACK OF MY CAR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 29, 2020
FUEL TANK DOES NOT FILL TO CORRECT CAPACITY. WHENEVER I FILL MY TANK, EVEN WHEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT IS ON, I AM ONLY ABLE TO FILL APPROXIMATELY 9 GALLONS. THE ADVERTISED CAPACITY OF THE TANK IS 14.5 GALLONS. THIS IS VERIFIED BY THE RANGE AND FUEL INDICATOR ON MY DASHBOARD. THE FUEL TANK STOPS FILLING AT ABOUT 3/4-7/8 OF A TANK AND THEN RANGE INDICATED BETWEEN 380-400 MILES. TOYOTA ADVERTISES A RANGE ON 580 MILES. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT MY CURRENT MPG, I SHOULD BE WITHIN ABOUT 40 MILES OF THIS NUMBER. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 28, 2020
THE GAS TANK SHOULD BE 14 GALLONS, HOWEVER I AM ONLY ABLE TO BUT IN TO THE TANK APROX 8 GALLONS. I CAN FORCE APPROX 1 MORE GALLON BY PULLING OUT THE NOZZLE ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE TRIP ESTIMATOR WILL SAY IT CAN ONLY GO HIGH 300 TO LOW 400 MILES. WHEN I BOUGHT NEW OFF THE LOT IT WAS WITH A MAX FILLED TANK AND TRIP ESTIMATOR WAS AT 500 PLUS MILES. THE GAS GAUGE NEVER SHOWS FULL AND IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ACCURATE AS TO WHEN THE TANK IS LOW/EMPTY COMPARED WITH MILEAGE ESTIMATOR. *TR
Suspension, Other or unspecified, May 28, 2020
CAR LURCHED, SHOOK AND TILTED WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. SAFETY RECALL ISSUED MAY 20, 2020 (20TB08/20TA08) SAYS FRONT LOWER ARM SUSPENSION DEFECT FOUND FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL IN PRODUCTION PERIOD 9/25/19-10/25/19, WHICH POST DATES MY PURCHASE DATE BY SEVERAL MONTHS BUT SEEMS TO INVOLVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS BROADER THAN TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED AND THAT TOYOTA IS BEING DANGEROUSLY DILATORY IN PROVIDING NOTICE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES THAT IT ADMITS MAKE THESE CARS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 28, 2020
GAS TANK SIZE IS 14.5 GAL. BUT ONLY FILLS UP TO 9 GAL. *TR
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 28, 2020
FUEL TANK IS UNABLE TO FILL TO CAPACITY-!4 1/2 GALLON TANK -CAN ONLY FILL. 8 OR 9 GALLONS.*DT*JB *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 26, 2020
CANNOT PROPERLY FILL FUEL TANK. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 26, 2020
THE FUEL TANK ON MY 2019 RAV4 HYBRID DOES NOT FILL UP TO CAPACITY AND ONLY ALLOWS TO BE FILLED UP TO AROUND 10 GALLONS. I HAVE TRIED SEVER DIFFERENT FUELING STATIONS, BRANDS, AND PUMP DISPENSERS BUT NONE OF THEM ALLOW TO CAR TO FILL UP TO IT'S FULL LIMIT. ESTIMATED LOSS OF RANGE IS AROUND 100 MILES PER TANK. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2020
THE CAR'S FUEL TANK DOES NOT FILL UP. EACH TIME I FILL UP, IT ALLOWS APPROX 10-11 GALLONS OF A 14 GALL TANK. UNCLEAR IF THE FUEL GAUGE IS WORKING OR IF THE ALERT FOR NEEDING GAS IS ACCURATE. NOT PERFORMING AS ADVERTISED.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 25, 2020
THE FUEL TANK CAPACITY IS ABOUT 9 GALLONS WAY TOO LOWER THAN THE SPECIFICATION. THIS IS CAUSING TOO MANY TRIPS TO THE GAS STATION THAN EXPECTED. THE PURPOSE OF BUYING A HYBRID IS DEFEATED.
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2020
GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL UP COMPLETELY - LEAVING ABOUT 2-4 GALLONS SHORT THAT COULD NOT GO INSIDE THE GAS TANK REGARDLESS HOW HARD YOU TRIED. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU DO PUMP THE GAS FILL UP. *TR
Steering, Suspension, May 15, 2020
WHEN TURNING RIGHT THE CAR HAS A KNOCKING NOISE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 15, 2020
THE GAS TANK IS ADVERTISED TO HOLD 14.5 GALLONS. WHEN I FILL UP, THE PUMP STOPS AFTER ADDING ONLY ABOUT 8 GALLONS. I CAN VERY SLOWLY ADD MORE, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE HAD IT OVERFLOW AND SPILL WHEN I'VE TRIED THAT. THE SMALLER CAPACITY SEVERELY REDUCES THE NUMBER OF MILES BETWEEN FILLING. I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MPG. A MAIN REASON I BOUGHT THE CAR WAS FOR THE 40MPG. BUT I'VE NEVER GOTTEN THAT. I AVERAGE AROUND 28. *TR