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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 14, 2020
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 14.5 GALLONS CAN ONLY BE FILLED TO 9.5 GALLONS WITHOUT AGGRESSIVE "TOPPING OFF". IN ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL HARM AND VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL DAMAGE, TOPPING OFF NOT USED. HOWEVER, THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE 5 GALLONS SHORT OF A FULL TANK (ABOUT 200 MILE RANGE LOSS)
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 14, 2020
RAV4 2019 HYBRID WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO FILL IT PAST APPROXIMATELY 10 GALLONS. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED THEY WERE AWARE OF SAID ISSUE AND THAT TOYOTA CURRENTLY DOESN'T NOT HAVE A FIX OR ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. WHEN I SEARCHED INDEPENDENTLY I NOTICED THAT MANY PEOPLE SIGHT THIS SAME ISSUE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 13, 2020
MY 2019 RAV4 XSE, PURCHASED IN MAY 2019, GAS TANK REFUELING ALWAYS AUTOMATICALLY STOPS PREMATURELY AT FUEL GAUGE 1/3 TO 3/4 FULL. THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH EVERY REFUELING SINCE THE FIRST FUELING WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW. THE PROBLEM REDUCES THE EFFECTIVE RANGE ON ONE TANK OF NORMALLY DISPENSED GAS BY 100 - 200 MILES. FILLING VERY VERY SLOWLY TO COAX THE TANK TO ACCEPT A PROPERLY FULL FILL CAN CAUSE NO AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF OF THE GAS PUMP TO OCCUR, WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE FUMES OR OVERFILLING.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 9, 2020
THIS VEHICLE CANNOT BE FILLED WITH THE AMOUNT OF GAS ADVERTISED. IT HAS A 14.5 GALLON FUEL TANK AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO PUT MORE THAN 10 GALLONS IN IT EVEN WHEN THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR IS ON. THIS LEADS TO DANGEROUS AND ENVIRONMENTALLY UNSAFE TRICLKLE-FILLING. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PUCHASED ~6 MONTHS AGO.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 7, 2020
MY 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID XLE (PURCHASED IN CA) WILL NOT ALLOW A FULL FUEL TANK FILLUP. ONCE THE 'EMPTY' WARNING COMES ON, THE 14.5 GALLON TANK WILL ONLY ACCEPT ABOUT 9 TO 10 GALLONS BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. EVEN IF YOU SLOWLY 'TRICKLE' THE GAS IN, IT SHUTS OFF BEFORE 11 GALLONS ARE IN. CAR IS NOT PROVIDING ANYWHERE NEAR THE AVERAGE ESTIMATED DRIVING RANGE OF APPROXIMATELY 560 MILES, AS ADVERTISED BY TOYOTA. THIS REDUCES CREDIBILITY OF THE TOYOTA FUEL STATUS WARNING, MAKING IT MORE LIKELY DRIVERS MAY RUN OUT OF FUEL ON BUSY FREEWAY OR REMOTE HIGHWAY. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TO TOYOTA NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RECEIVED A CASE #.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 7, 2020
PURCHASED 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 THIS NOVEMBER AND I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE GAS TANK. IT ONLY FILL 80% OF THE TANK NOT COMPLETELY FULL. WHEN TRYING TO FILL MANUALLY TO THE FULL GAUGE THE GAS OVERFLOWS AND SPILLS WHICH CREATES GAS SPILL ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND FLOOR. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS ASAP.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 7, 2020
QWNER OF A 2019 RAV 4 HYBRID, XSE. I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE EARLY AUGUST 2019. AND HAVE FELT EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH BEING UNABLE TO 'FILL' THE GAS TANK TO IT'S CAPACITY. IT'S EXASPERATING THAT WITH A 14 GALLON TANK, AT FILL UP IT WILL ACCEPT ONLY 9-9.5 GALLONS OF FUEL AT MOST BEFORE THE FUEL FILL SENSOR WILL NOT ACCEPT FURTHER REFUELING. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN AUGUST, DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE LOT, THE ESTIMATED MILEAGE ON A FULL TANK WAS 513 MILES. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FILL THE TANK TO GET THAT ESTIMATION OF MILEAGE SINCE. THE BEST I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET IS 443, THE TANK WILL NOT ACCEPT THE FUEL. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE I EXPECTED TO AVG. 40-42 MILES/GAL, I GET APPROXIMATELY 34-35 MPG. THIS TOO IS ALSO RIDICULOUS. I DRIVE THE CAR IN ECONO MODE TO FURTHER ENHANCE BETTER MILEAGE. I WILL REPORT TO TOYOTA...I USE THE CAR MAINLY FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PASS A FEW GAS STATIONS, IS NOT WHY I BOUGHT THIS CAR! I FEEL THAT THE ESTIMATED HEIGHT MPG WAS GROSSLY OVERSTATED BY TOYOTA.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 7, 2020
FUEL TANK CAPACITY NOT AS ADVERTISED (14.5 GALLONS). MAXIMUM INPUT IS 9-10 GALLONS AFTER FUEL LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE IS AT 16,000 MILES. CAPACITY PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FOR LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 7, 2020
WHEN THE TANK REGISTERS EMPTY, IT ONLY FILLS ABOUT 9/10 GALLONS BEFORE THE PUMP SHUTS OFF AND I DON'T GET THE FULL MILEAGE RANGE. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO TOYOTA DEALER AND HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW '19. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE UP THE GAS DISPLAY NEEDLE REGISTER PAST 'F' (A NORMAL SIGNAL ON MOST CARS) AND THE CAR'S RANGE REGISTERED 548 MILES TO EMPTY. THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I EVER SAY THESE HIGH DISPLAYS NUMBERS. AT MY FIRST FILL UP, THE TANK DISPLAYED 3/4 FULL AT SHUTOFF AND RANGER AT 430ISH. THE SUBSEQUENT FUEL FILLS CONTINUED NEAR THESE LOW NUMBER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT MY OBSERVATION AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS JUST HOW HYBRIDS WORK. I THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND BEGAN A CASE FILE. AFTER SEVEN MONTHS OF WORKING WITH THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SALEM OREGON AND TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY FINALLY AGREED TO TESTED MY VEHICLE FOR THE FUELING PROBLEM. AT THAT POINT, THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. AT THAT POINT, I BEGAN THE PROCESS OF A BUYBACK FOR MY CAR WITH TOYOTA. WITHIN TWO DAYS, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SWITCH OUT MY GAS TANK FOR A NEW GAS TANK THAT WAS MADE OVERSEAS. I WAS TOLD THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AFTER RECEIVING MY NEW GAS TANK, THE NEW TANK STARTED TO EXHIBIT THE SAME DIFFICULTIES AS THE LAST TANK. I'M NOW BACK AT SQUARE ONE. I BEGAN COLLECTING DATA AGAIN ABOUT THE FUELING PROBLEM. THIS TIME, THE TANK WAS FEELING A BIT HIGHER THAN 3/4 AND SOMETIMES EVEN NEARING THE'F' LEVEL, BUT THE RANGE NEVER MOVED PAST 460 (TOYOTA ADVERTISED THAT MY CAR WOULD RECEIVE 550+ RANGE MILES ON A FULL TANK). AS I TRACKED MY FUELING PROBLEM, I NOTICE THAT WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY TAKING IN 9 TO 10 1/2 GALLONS FROM 'EMPTY' TO 'F'. I'M CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY BY NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL IN HAVE IN MY VEHICLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 6, 2020
OUR RAV4 HYBRID WILL RARELY FILL MORE THAN 9-10 GALLONS IN THE TANK. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS AFTER A NEW TANK HAS BEEN FILLED THE NEEDLE WILL NOT BE ALL THE WAY AT FULL. ONE OF THE REASONS I WAS SOLD ON THE VEHICLE WAS IT'S RANGE, BUT THIS TANK ISSUE MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2020
GAS TANK IS SUPPOSEDLY 14 GALLONS BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT TAKE MORE THAN 9 GALLONS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 4, 2020
BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALER IN 10/19. 14.5 GAL FUEL TANK WILL NOT ACCEPT MORE THAN 9.8 GALLONS EVEN AFTER ~20 MILES AFTER IT SHOWS 0 MILES OF RANGE. THIS LEAVES 3-4 GALLONS (>120 MILES OF RANGE) UNAVAILABLE!! NOT AS ADVERTISED. TOYOTA IS AWARE, BUT DOING NOTHING!!!
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2020
I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FILL THE GAS TANK FULL FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF OWNERSHIP. THE PUMP CUTS OFF ABOUT 3 GALLONS SHORT. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND TOPPING UP DOESN'T HELP EITHER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO HELP SAYING TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY SOLUTION FOR IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2020
COULD NOT FILL THE GAS TANK FULLY. IT TAKES ONLY 9.834 GAL OF FUEL INSTEAD OF 14.5 GAL. THIS IS WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM, BUT TOYOTA SEEMS NOT TO ISSUE ANY RECALL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 2, 2020
PURCHASED A NEW 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID AWD XLE ON 10/24/19. FUEL CAPACITY APPEARS TO BE ABOUT 11 GALLONS, AS OPPOSED TO THE 14.5 GALLONS ADVERTISED. I HAVE RUN THE CAR DOWN TO BELOW 10MILES OF RANGE MULTIPLE TIMES AND GET THE SAME RESULT. THIS 25% UNDERSTATEMENT OF FUEL CAPACITY TRANSLATES INTO ROUGHLY 100 MILES LESS OF TOTAL RANGE THAN THE ADVERTISED 537-595 MILES OF RANGE. SEE ATTACHED PICS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 31, 2019
TANK WAS ADVERTISED AS HAVING A CAPACITY FOR 14.5 GALLONS. I AM NOT ABLE TO FULLY FILL THE TANK, ONLY PUTTING IN 9 TO 10 GALLONS MAXIMUM. TOYOTA HAS STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO FIX. I AM UNABLE TO GET THE MILEAGE RANGE I WAS PROMISED UPON PURCHASE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2019
THE GAS TANK IS QUOTED AS HAVING 14.5 GALLON CAPACITY AND I AM ONLY TO FILL UP 10 GALLONS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2019
FUEL TANK ONLY HOLDS 10 GALLONS, TANK SHOULD HOLD 14 GALLONS. REDUCES DRIVING RANGE AND TIME TO FUEL UP - WHICH WAS THE MAIN REASON WE BOUGHT THIS CAR. WHEN DROVE CAR OFF DEALERSHIP LOT, DRIVING RANGE WAS 440 - DROVE 6 HOURS WITHOUT HAVING TO FILL UP. DRIVING RANGE WAS NEVER MORE THAN 340 AFTER THAT AND HAD TO FUEL UP ABOUT EVERY 3 HOURS. REPORTED TO TOYOTA CORPORATE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2019
THE GAS TANK DOES NOT FILL ALL THE WAY, SO I HAVE HAVING TO GO BACK AND PUMP MORE GAS INTO THE TANK. THIS SOMETIMES CAN LEAD TO OVERFLOW AND THE GAS LEAKING TO THE GROUND AND CAN BE HAZARDS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 29, 2019
UNABLE TO COMPLETELY FILL THE FUEL TANK. STOPS ABUT 4 GALLONS SHORT. HAPPENS ON EVERY FILL. I HAVE TO TRICKLE FILL IT TO GET CLOSE TO A FULL TANK. HAPPENS AT EACH FILL UP
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 27, 2019
ADVERTISED FUEL TANK CAPACITY OF 14.5 BUT ONLY ABLE TO US 9-10 GALLONS OF THE TANK, WILL NOT FILL UP AS ADVERTISED ~550 MILE RANGE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR THE ESTIMATED DRIVING RANGE AND WE AREN'T GETTING ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THAT. TOOK TO DEALER AND NO EXPLANATION OR ACTION WAS GIVEN. HELP
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 27, 2019
FUEL TANK WILL NOT FILL TO FULL CAUSING ATTENDEES/USER TO TRICKLE AND ATTEMPT TO TRICK THE VEHICLE TO ACCEPTING MORE FUEL. RANGE OF VEHICLE IS GREATLY REDUCED AS A RESULT OF LESS FUEL AVAILABLE TO A TANK OF GAS.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 27, 2019
FUEL TANK APPEARS UNABLE TO BE FILLED COMPLETELY. ALTHOUGH PUMP CLICKS OFF (ON MULTIPLE STATION'S PUMPS), FILL LEVEL ON FUEL GAUGE IS SELDOM ABOVE 7/8 FULL, AND SOMETIMES LESS. DURING ONE SERVICE VISIT TO ADDRESS THIS, DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WERE ONLY 9.2 GALLONS IN THE 14.5 GALLON TANK IMMEDIATELY AFTER A FILL-UP.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 27, 2019
ON ALL OCCASIONS, WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF FUNCTION OF THE GAS PUMP ACTIVATES WHEN THE IN VEHICLE GAS GAUGE INDICATES ABOUT 3/4 FULL. I CAN THEN PROCEED TO ADD APPROXIMATELY THREE MORE GALLONS IF I "NURSE" THE FLOW OF GAS INTO THE TANK. I AM ACUTELY AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF THIS PROCESS IN THAT GASOLINE COULD SPLASH BACK AT PERSON FILLING THE TANK.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 27, 2019
UPON PRESSING BRAKES WHILE GOING THRU A POT HOLE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL DEACTIVATES AND FLASHES LIKE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIFTING OR WITHOUT ROAD GRIP.