TWICE THIS VEHICLE HAS STUMBLED WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC, APPLYING GAS FROM A NEAR DEAD STOP. BOTH TIMES WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT IF OTHER DRIVER WAS NOT DRIVING DEFENSIVELY. THIS RAV 4 IS UNSAFE! LESS THAN 5,000 MILES SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW.
2019 Toyota RAV4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most RAV4 years
Owner complaints for the 2019 Toyota RAV4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 258.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAV4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
309 reports with mileage · 568 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 255 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 205 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
205 reports1ST INCIDENT: SITTING AT STOP LIGHT FOR A FEW MINS AS NORMAL. WHEN TIME TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STARTED LURCHING FORWARD IN A HARD JERKING MOTION. 2ND INCIDENT: SLOWER TRAFFIC. WHEN DRIVING IN SLOWER TRAFFIC OR AT SLOWER SPEEDS, ~20-35MPH THE VEHICLE WILL START LURCHING JERKING FORWARD. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTI…
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1ST INCIDENT: SITTING AT STOP LIGHT FOR A FEW MINS AS NORMAL. WHEN TIME TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STARTED LURCHING FORWARD IN A HARD JERKING MOTION. 2ND INCIDENT: SLOWER TRAFFIC. WHEN DRIVING IN SLOWER TRAFFIC OR AT SLOWER SPEEDS, ~20-35MPH THE VEHICLE WILL START LURCHING JERKING FORWARD. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, THERE WERE NO ISSUES FOUND. DEALERSHIP RESET INTERNAL COMPUTER, STATING THAT "VEHICLE IS OPERATING NORMALLY". NEITHER HAS ISSUE HAS YET TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH ANY OTHER DRIVERS AT THIS TIME. I DO TRAVEL WITH DOGS WHO ARE HARNESSED AND SEAT-BELTED IN THE BACKSEAT, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN TO FLOOR OF CAR IF NOT SEAT-BELTED. FOR MYSELF, I GET TOSSED FORWARD SEVERAL INCHES AND HEAD THROWN FORWARD. WHEN DRIVING IN SLOWER TRAFFIC AND/OR STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR LURCHING/HARD JERKING FORWARD WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALL INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPEN ON DRY CITY STREETS. I WOULD ASSUME DURING THESE INCIDENTS OF THE JERKING FORWARD THAT THE BREAK LIGHTS DO NOT ALERT REAR DRIVERS THAT THE CAR IS IN A STOP/GO MOTION.
THE VEHICLE HAS AN ENGINE KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE AT COLD START UP.
MY 2019 TORTOLA RAV4 XLE WITH 6401 MILES ON IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STALLING SINCE I FIRST GOT IT IN AUGUST. I NOTICE IT ESPECIALLY WHEN I DON'T MAKE COMPLETE STOPS. IT WILL STALL AND YANK THE CAR FORWARD. IT IS ANNOYING AND EMBARRASSING THAT MY NEW CAR DOES NOT DRIVE SMOOTH. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER…
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MY 2019 TORTOLA RAV4 XLE WITH 6401 MILES ON IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STALLING SINCE I FIRST GOT IT IN AUGUST. I NOTICE IT ESPECIALLY WHEN I DON'T MAKE COMPLETE STOPS. IT WILL STALL AND YANK THE CAR FORWARD. IT IS ANNOYING AND EMBARRASSING THAT MY NEW CAR DOES NOT DRIVE SMOOTH. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TO GET EVALUATED.
I FORGOT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE (PUSH BUTTON) AFTER PARKING. THE ENGINE RAN FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS UNTIL I RETURNED. UNLIKE THE TRADITIONAL KEY THAT MOST OF US REMEMBER TO TAKE IT AFTER PARKING. REMOVING THE KEY WILL TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I AM OF THE OPINION THAT THIS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE: 1. THE ENGINE COULD OVERHEAT …
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I FORGOT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE (PUSH BUTTON) AFTER PARKING. THE ENGINE RAN FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS UNTIL I RETURNED. UNLIKE THE TRADITIONAL KEY THAT MOST OF US REMEMBER TO TAKE IT AFTER PARKING. REMOVING THE KEY WILL TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I AM OF THE OPINION THAT THIS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE: 1. THE ENGINE COULD OVERHEAT IN HOT SUMMER AND MAY EVEN CATCH ON FIRE 2. ANYONE CAN DRIVE THE CAR AWAY WITHOUT THE KEY. LOW OR TOTALLY NO KEY SIGNAL MEANS THE DRIVER IS NOT NEAR TO THE CAR. THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE RUNNING AT ALL. FOR THE LEAST, THERE SHOULD BE SHOULD BE SOME LOUD ALERT. THE RAV4 BUILT-IN TECHNOLOGY HAS AN AUTO SHUT OFF FEATURE ON ACC MODE AFTER CERTAIN PERIOD AND REMOTE ENGINE START/STOP FEATURE. ONE CANNOT START THE CAR WITHOUT THE KEY NEARBY. WHY CANNOT TOYOTA INCORPORATE THE AUTO OFF FEATURE ON THE KEY SIGNAL LEVEL, I.E. BELOW CERTAIN KEY SIGNAL LEVEL TURN THE ENGINE OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE REPORTED TO TOYOTA. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING AT THIS MOMENT.
TWO WEEKS AGO THE CAR CAME ON WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING THE HYBRID SYSTEM HAD FAILED. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A RELAY VALVE AND SAID THEY HAD BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IN COLD WEATHER WITH OTHER RAV4 HYBRIDS. NOW TODAY, I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WAS LISTING ABOUT 6 ERROR MESSAGES, EVERYTHING FR…
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TWO WEEKS AGO THE CAR CAME ON WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING THE HYBRID SYSTEM HAD FAILED. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A RELAY VALVE AND SAID THEY HAD BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IN COLD WEATHER WITH OTHER RAV4 HYBRIDS. NOW TODAY, I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WAS LISTING ABOUT 6 ERROR MESSAGES, EVERYTHING FROM THE BRAKE POWER BEING LOW, ENGINE FAILURE, ETC. THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.
VEHICLE DOES NOT FUNCTION AS ADVERTISED, ECM APPEARS TO CHANGE SHIFTING, HYBRID, AND GASOLINE USAGE AT LOWER TEMPS. PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WITH ANY VISIBILITY REDUCTION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY BRAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR TO NOT BRAKE AT ALL WITH RADAR CRUISE ACTIVE. ALSO HAVE SAME ISSUE AS OTHERS WITH NOT BEIN…
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VEHICLE DOES NOT FUNCTION AS ADVERTISED, ECM APPEARS TO CHANGE SHIFTING, HYBRID, AND GASOLINE USAGE AT LOWER TEMPS. PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WITH ANY VISIBILITY REDUCTION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY BRAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR TO NOT BRAKE AT ALL WITH RADAR CRUISE ACTIVE. ALSO HAVE SAME ISSUE AS OTHERS WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO FILL TANK MORE THAN 10 GALLONS OF 14. MILEAGE IS AS LOW AS 24 MPG FOR A WHOLE TANK, DRIVING VERY CONSERVATIVELY.
ONCE THE CAR IS WARMED UP (30 MINUTES OF DRIVING), THE ENGINE MAKES A VERY STRANGE "MOO-ING" SOUND WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING FROM A LOW SPEED. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED NEW). IT DOESN'T SEEM TO AFFECT THE DRIVING BUT IT IS A DISTURBING SOUND & I DO…
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ONCE THE CAR IS WARMED UP (30 MINUTES OF DRIVING), THE ENGINE MAKES A VERY STRANGE "MOO-ING" SOUND WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING FROM A LOW SPEED. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED NEW). IT DOESN'T SEEM TO AFFECT THE DRIVING BUT IT IS A DISTURBING SOUND & I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.
UPDATE TO CLAIM #11233589: AFTER GOING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP A SECOND TIME BECAUSE OIL CONTINUED TO CLIMB UP THE DIP STICK, THE SERVICE DEPT FOUND THAT YOU CANNOT PUT MORE THAN 4.6 QUARTS INTO THE RAV4. THE FACTORY PUT IN 5 QUARTS, AND THE DEALERSHIP ALSO PUT IN 5 QUARTS AT THE FIRST APPT. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN SOLVED SIN…
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UPDATE TO CLAIM #11233589: AFTER GOING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP A SECOND TIME BECAUSE OIL CONTINUED TO CLIMB UP THE DIP STICK, THE SERVICE DEPT FOUND THAT YOU CANNOT PUT MORE THAN 4.6 QUARTS INTO THE RAV4. THE FACTORY PUT IN 5 QUARTS, AND THE DEALERSHIP ALSO PUT IN 5 QUARTS AT THE FIRST APPT. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN SOLVED SINCE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF OIL IN NOW IN THE CAR.
AT THIS TIME THERE AT LEAST 24 COMPLAINT ABOUT A "LURCHING" PROBLEM AT LOW SPEED AND RE ACCELERATION. A VERY SIGNIFICANT "LURCHING" ALMOST"STALLING" IS VERY APPARENT AS THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION STARTS IN 4TH GEAR...NOT 1ST GEAR FROM A DEAD STOP. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. HAS BEEN AN ISSU…
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AT THIS TIME THERE AT LEAST 24 COMPLAINT ABOUT A "LURCHING" PROBLEM AT LOW SPEED AND RE ACCELERATION. A VERY SIGNIFICANT "LURCHING" ALMOST"STALLING" IS VERY APPARENT AS THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION STARTS IN 4TH GEAR...NOT 1ST GEAR FROM A DEAD STOP. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FROM DAY 1 OF CAR PURCHASE. VEHICLE NOW HAS 5600 MILES ON IT.
Official recalls
720V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Nov 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
20V373000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Jun 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
20V286000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
May 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
20V064000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Feb 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
19V576000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Aug 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
19V503000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jun 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
19V244000 · Equipment:other:labels
Mar 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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