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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 →

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.

25 crash reports2 fire reports16 injury reports

What owners actually said

877 reports
4,800 miles · Sep 10, 2019
Power Train

19 RAV4 XLE AWD TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND POWER TRAIN. MY VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN UNDER 5K MILES AND I NOTICED TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS. FIRST, RPM MOVES UP AND DOWN WHEN I SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. I DON'T SEE RPM SHIFTS WHEN I REDUCE THE SPEED IN RANGE OF 10MPH BUT I SEE RPM MOVES UP AND DOWN WHEN THE REDUCTION BECOMES GREATER LIKE 15 AND 20…

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19 RAV4 XLE AWD TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND POWER TRAIN. MY VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN UNDER 5K MILES AND I NOTICED TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS. FIRST, RPM MOVES UP AND DOWN WHEN I SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. I DON'T SEE RPM SHIFTS WHEN I REDUCE THE SPEED IN RANGE OF 10MPH BUT I SEE RPM MOVES UP AND DOWN WHEN THE REDUCTION BECOMES GREATER LIKE 15 AND 20 MPH. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS A HESITATION AND LURCHES. ONCE THE VEHICLE'S SPEED IS REDUCED UPTO EITHER 4 MPH OR 5 MPH AND TRY TO SPEED UP, I CAN TELL IT HESITATES AND LURCHES. AS A RESULT, I WITNESSED RPM JUMPS HIGH ALL OF SUDDEN. THE VEHICLE HAD SOFTWARE UPDATE ON 9/9/2019 AND I TOOK VIDEO RECORD AND POSTED ON YOUTUBE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=FRUVFZAUPTQ&T=11S

NHTSA ODI #11254351

5,000 miles · Sep 8, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE WILL ONLY FILL 9.5GAL AT PUMP. REQUIRES NOT RECOMMENDED FORCE PUMPING IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE FULL TANK. VEHICLE SYSTEM GUAGE WILL INCORRECTLY READ FULL DESPITE MISSING 4-5GALLONS. FUEL GUAGE RAPIDLY DROPS QUICKLY. I HAVE GIVEN TOYOTA 4 VISITS TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE REPLACED FUEL SYSTEM BUT ISSUE PERSIST.

NHTSA ODI #11253943

3,000 miles · Sep 5, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF BUT THE FUEL INDICATOR SHOWS 1 -2 BAR LESS THAN FULL . MAXIMUM POSSIBLE FUEL THAT I WAS ABLE TO FILL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEAR EMPTY IS 10.2 GALLONS (ITS STILL 1 - 2 BARS BELOW FULL)

NHTSA ODI #11253503

3,000 miles · Sep 5, 2019
Power Train

AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES CAR MAKES GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING PAST 2-30 MPH AND ANOTHER GRINDING NOISE WHILE DECELERATING BELOW 20-30MPH. WAS TOLD THAT REAR DRIVELINE DISCONNECT FEATURE IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 3000MILES ODO AND BEEN GETTING LOUDER

NHTSA ODI #11253499

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

MY 2019 RAV4 XSE HYBRID MODEL WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED AND I BEGAN TO NOTICE SOME DISCREPANCIES IN WHAT THE VEHICLE HAD ADVERTISED FOR DTE VERSUS SIZE OF THE TANK. THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL SAYS THIS CAR HAS A 14.5 GALLON TANK, BUT THE LAST 3 TIMES I HAD GONE TO REFILL, THE PUMP USUALLY SHUTS OFF AROUND 9-11 GALLONS AND THE METER JUMPS…

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MY 2019 RAV4 XSE HYBRID MODEL WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED AND I BEGAN TO NOTICE SOME DISCREPANCIES IN WHAT THE VEHICLE HAD ADVERTISED FOR DTE VERSUS SIZE OF THE TANK. THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL SAYS THIS CAR HAS A 14.5 GALLON TANK, BUT THE LAST 3 TIMES I HAD GONE TO REFILL, THE PUMP USUALLY SHUTS OFF AROUND 9-11 GALLONS AND THE METER JUMPS BACK TO THE FULL MARK. THE MANUAL ALSO SAYS THERE'S A 2.2 GALLON RESERVE FOR SAFETY, BUT THAT MATH DOES NOT ADD UP TO HOW MUCH I FILL UP WHEN THE GAS LIGHT TURNS ON. 30MI LEFT ON DTE, I USUALLY RUN IT UNTIL I HAVE ABOUT 10MI LEFT AND EVEN THEN UPON REFUEL I BARELY BREAK THE 10 GALLON MARK, SO WHERE'S THE OTHER 2.3 GALLONS (MINUS THE 2.2 RESERVE)? I CURRENTLY GET ON TOTAL AVERAGE 38.8 MPG. AFTER A FULL REFILL, THE NEEDLE IS AT THE FULL MARK, MY DTE AT THE TIME USUALLY REPORTS 475 MPG, BUT EACH TIME MY REFILL LIGHT COMES ON, MY ODO METER (I RESET EACH TIME AT REFUEL) ONLY HAS ME AT ABOUT 380-400 MILES DRIVEN. NOW, I GET THAT DTE DYNAMICALLY CHANGES, BUT WITH OVER 100 ESTIMATE MILES DIFFERENCE? THAT'S COMPLETELY INSANE AND FALSE ADVERTISING. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT EVERYTIME I RESTART MY CAR, THE DTE ALWAYS SOMEHOW LOSES A FEW MILES FROM THE LAST REPORTED NUMBER. SO SAY I HAVE 400 MILES AND DROVE 20 IN TRIP A (DTE ~380MI), I WOULD TURN OFF THE CAR, TURN IT BACK ON, AND THE DTE WOULD REPORT 373 OR SOMETHING IN THAT BALLPARK. EACH AND EVERY TIME THE DTE ALWAYS SEEMS TO REDUCE UPON ENGINE START, WHICH GETS ME CLOSER TO MY TOTAL MILEAGE BY REFUEL AROUND 380...A FAR CRY FROM THE INITIAL ~475MI. THERE'S BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHERS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE AND IT'S COMPLETELY DISHEARTENING TO HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON A HYBRID VEHICLE NO LESS THAT I CAN HARDLY GET 400 MILES ON A FULL TANK WITH A CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATING DTE MEASUREMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11253483

2,233 miles · Aug 31, 2019
Steering

APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2019 TOYOTA RVA4, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK DURING THE WEEK OF AUGUST 1,2019 ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT ALMOST HITTING AN 18 WHEELER WITHOUT ME STEERING IN THAT DIRECTION. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER SWERVING AGAIN TOWARDS THE RIGHT ALMOST HITTING A CAR. DUR…

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APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2019 TOYOTA RVA4, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK DURING THE WEEK OF AUGUST 1,2019 ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT ALMOST HITTING AN 18 WHEELER WITHOUT ME STEERING IN THAT DIRECTION. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER SWERVING AGAIN TOWARDS THE RIGHT ALMOST HITTING A CAR. DURING THE WEEK OF AUGUST 5,2019 THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THIS TIME THE STEERING WHEEL WARNING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT STATED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY WHICH I DID. ON AUGUST 17TH I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO BE CHECKED. INITIALLY A YOUNG SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I WAS PERSISTENT IN HAVING MY CAR CHECKED. AFTER THE YOUNG SERVICE MANAGER SPOKE TO A SENIOR SERVICE MANAGER, HE SUGGESTED TO THE YOUNG MANAGER THAT IF I AM BEING PERSISTENT THEN SHE NEEDS TO DO A CODE DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR. I WAS TOLD AN ISSUE WAS FOUND AND THEY HAD TO KEEP MY CAR. ON AUGUST 21,2019 I RECEIVED A CALL STATING MY CAR WAS READY. I ASKED WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR HAD TO BE RECALIBRATED. THE CAR WAS TESTED FOR 14 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS, BUT I SHOULD KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANY OTHER STEERING ISSUES. I MUST SAY I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING A CAR WITH STEERING ISSUES. IT IS STILL SWERVING ON OCCASIONS,BUT NOT AS SEVERE.

NHTSA ODI #11252628

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2019
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #11252167

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN FUELING, HOSE STOPS AND CLICKS, BUT TANK ONLY READS A LITTLE BIT OVER 3/4 FULL. WHEN TOPPING OFF MULTIPLE TIMES (WHICH THE GAS STATION ADVISES NOT TO DO), TANK READS UP TO 7/8 MAX. TANK FILLS LITTLE OVER 10 GALS, BUT MARKETED AT 14.5.

NHTSA ODI #11251850

30 miles · Aug 26, 2019
Visibility/wiper

DRIVER SIDE MIRROR PROBLEMS: 1. MIRROR DISTORTION: CAUSES IMAGES IN THE MIRROR TO BE BLURRY. ISSUE IS ESPECIALLY APPARENT IN SUNNY DAYS. 2. THE TRIM, ESPECIALLY THE SILVER ONE, AND THE A/C VENT EXCESSIVELY REFLECTS ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR. 3. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SLIGHTLY ROUGH DR…

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DRIVER SIDE MIRROR PROBLEMS: 1. MIRROR DISTORTION: CAUSES IMAGES IN THE MIRROR TO BE BLURRY. ISSUE IS ESPECIALLY APPARENT IN SUNNY DAYS. 2. THE TRIM, ESPECIALLY THE SILVER ONE, AND THE A/C VENT EXCESSIVELY REFLECTS ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR. 3. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SLIGHTLY ROUGH DRIVING SURFACES, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WOBBLES.

NHTSA ODI #11246480

2,500 miles · Aug 23, 2019
Power Train

WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING FROM 20 MPH TO 30 MPH THERE IS A FARTING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I CAN FEEL IT THROUGH THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11246131

Official recalls

7

20V682000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Toyota RAV4 problems