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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

102 reports
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25,000 miles · Aug 25, 2020
Electrical System

RADIO SUDDENLY LOSES SOUND, AND THEN COMES BACK VERY LOUD SCARING PASSENGERS AND THE DRIVER. SOMETIMES SOUND NEVER COMES BACK. SCREEN IS FAULTY AND HAS SLOW RESPONSE TO TRANSITION FROM CAMERA TO RADIO AND BACK. UPDATES ARE REQUIRED BUT DEALERSHIPS WANT THEM PAID FOR IF NOT IN WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI #11351083

8,000 miles · Jul 31, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

WATER STAINS ON THE INTERIOR HEADLINER WHERE THE PLASTIC A-PILLAR COVER MEETS THE ROOF. THIS APPEARS ON BOTH SIDE OF THE CAR. THE WATER LEAKS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR NOT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A LOT OF ELECTRONIC WIRES / CONNECTORS / SIDE AIRBAGS AND DRIVER DASH PANEL AND THEY ALL GET WET AND APPEAR THEY …

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WATER STAINS ON THE INTERIOR HEADLINER WHERE THE PLASTIC A-PILLAR COVER MEETS THE ROOF. THIS APPEARS ON BOTH SIDE OF THE CAR. THE WATER LEAKS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR NOT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A LOT OF ELECTRONIC WIRES / CONNECTORS / SIDE AIRBAGS AND DRIVER DASH PANEL AND THEY ALL GET WET AND APPEAR THEY GET CORRODED THUS IMPAIRING FUNCTION OF THE CAR AND CREATE DANGER OR UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE A PIN THAT MOUNTS THE ROOF RAILS TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. WATER WILL LEAK INSIDE THE CAR AFTER RAIN OR CAR WASH. THE ISSUE APPEARS WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND WHILE IN MOTION BUT DURING MOVEMENT WATER LEAKS FASTER.

NHTSA ODI #11342628

80,647 miles · Jul 16, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

THE CAR HAS STALLED TWICE OUT OF THE BLUE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE VAPOR LOCK HAD GAS IN IT. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE $1000. THE EXCUSE WAS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE YOU RUN THE RISK OF GAS GETTING INTO THE VAPOR LOCK EVERY TIME YOU FILL UP... THAT IS BULL. IT STALLED IN MOTION TWICE ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11339778

31,231 miles · Jun 26, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #11330942

2,000 miles · Jan 30, 2020
Electrical System

WE PURCHASED OUR 2019 RAV4 LIMITED IN LATE DEC 2019 (27TH) AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A REPEATED ISSUE WITH THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (ENGINE 3.0 PREMIUM JBL). WHILE OPERATING THE CAR, THE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF, REBOOT, LOCK UP, DROP CALLS, ETC. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE AFTER 3 DAYS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. …

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WE PURCHASED OUR 2019 RAV4 LIMITED IN LATE DEC 2019 (27TH) AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A REPEATED ISSUE WITH THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (ENGINE 3.0 PREMIUM JBL). WHILE OPERATING THE CAR, THE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF, REBOOT, LOCK UP, DROP CALLS, ETC. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE AFTER 3 DAYS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. WE WILL BE BRINGING THE CAR BACK FOR A SECOND TIME IN 2 MONTHS OF OWNING... TOYOTA HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI #11302948

1,000 miles · Dec 27, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

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.

NHTSA ODI #11291649

1,000 miles · Dec 15, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL TANK IS FAULTY AND DOES NOT HOLD 14.5 GALLONS OF GAS AS LISTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE GAS GAUGE IS FAULTY AND IS NOT ACCURATE. OTHERWISE TOYOTA IS COMMITTING FRAUD BY MAKING SUCH CLAIMS WHICH MY RAV4 DOES NOT DELIVER. THIS HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JULY 2019. THE TANK CAN ONLY BE FILLE…

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THE FUEL TANK IS FAULTY AND DOES NOT HOLD 14.5 GALLONS OF GAS AS LISTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE GAS GAUGE IS FAULTY AND IS NOT ACCURATE. OTHERWISE TOYOTA IS COMMITTING FRAUD BY MAKING SUCH CLAIMS WHICH MY RAV4 DOES NOT DELIVER. THIS HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JULY 2019. THE TANK CAN ONLY BE FILLED WITH 10 GALLONS OF GAS AFTER THE FUEL GAUGE IS ON EMPTY AND THE 'DISTANCE TO EMPTY' IS ZERO WITH REFUEL NOW WARNING. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH A FAULTY GAS GAUGE WHICH IS NOT ACCURATE. EVEN AFTER FILLING WITH 10 GALLONS, THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER FULL AND SHOWS ONLY 7/8 TANK FILLED. 14.5 GALLONS X 35.7 MPG SHOULD SHOW 517 MILES TO EMPTY, BUT MILEAGE COMPUTER ONLY SHOWS 392 MILE RANGE. 392 MILE RANGE DIVIDED BY 35.7 MPG IS 10.9 GALLONS IN THE TANK. IF THIS CAR HAS A 14.5 GALLON TANK IT IS FAULTY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE RAV4 AND RANGE. THIS WILL PREVENTS ME FROM TAKING LONG CROSS COUNTRY TRIPS IN RURAL AREAS UNLESS I HAVE TO GAS UP AT SMALL RURAL GAS STATIONS AND NOT ALLOW ME THE RANGE TO KEEP DRIVING DURING LONG TRIPS. I AM TOLD NOT TO LET THE GAS TANK RUN DRY SINCE THAT COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE FUEL PUMP WHICH COULD START A FIRE IF HOT ENOUGH. I WANT TOYOTA TO FIX MY GAS TANK AND GAS GAUGE SO THAT IT WILL HOLD 14.5 GALLONS OF GAS AND ALLOW ME A DRIVING RANGE OF OVER 500 MILES AS ADVERTISED. I WANT A SAFE CAR THAT GIVES ME THE MILEAGE AND CLAIMED RANGE WHICH ARE WHY I BOUGHT THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11289181

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2019
Electrical System

THIS CAR IS A HYBRID, AND HAS A SO-CALLED "SMART KEY." THE VEHICLE ENGINE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE CAR, EVEN IF THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ENGAGED. USUALLY, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE THE DRIVER SHOULD TURN OFF THE ENGINE BY PUSHING THE ON/OFF BUTTON BEFORE WALKING AWAY FROM …

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THIS CAR IS A HYBRID, AND HAS A SO-CALLED "SMART KEY." THE VEHICLE ENGINE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE CAR, EVEN IF THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ENGAGED. USUALLY, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE THE DRIVER SHOULD TURN OFF THE ENGINE BY PUSHING THE ON/OFF BUTTON BEFORE WALKING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. BUT IT IS POSSIBLE TO INADVERTENTLY FAIL DO THIS PROPERLY, BY EITHER NOT PUSHING THE OFF BUTTON, NOT PUSHING IT HARD ENOUGH, OR FAILING TO FULLY PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK BEFORE PUSHING THE ON/OFF BUTTON. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS A HYBRID, IT IS USUALLY COMPLETELY SILENT EVEN IF THE ENGINE SYSTEM IS STILL ON. THE VEHICLE WILL EMIT 3 SHORT, RELATIVELY QUIET, BEEPS WHEN LEAVING THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL TURNED ON, BUT THE VARIOUS SYSTEMS IN THE CAR OFTEN EMITS THE SAME BEEPS, SO THEY ARE EASY TO INADVERTENTLY DISREGARD. IF THE CAR IS LEFT IN A HOME GARAGE, IT CAN FILL THE HOME WITH LETHAL CARBON MONOXIDE. IF THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED, THE UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE CAN MOVE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE WELL REPORTED FATALITIES FROM THESE DEFECTS. VIRTUALLY ALL OTHER MANUFACTURERS OF VEHICLES WITH SMART KEYS CORRECTED THIS DEFECT YEARS AGO, BY AUTOMATICALLY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE IF THE SMART KEY IS REMOVED. TOYOTA IS CORRECTING THIS ISSUE IN 2020 MODELS. BUT TOYOTA IS NOT, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, CORRECTING IT IN 2019 AND EARLIER CARS. IT WOULD PROBABLY BE A RELATIVELY STRAIGHTFORWARD FIX, WHICH COULD BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A FIRMWARE UPDATE. BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS, POTENTIALLY LETHAL DEFECT, I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL EXISTING 2019 AND EARLIER CARS AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THOUGH I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS SERIOUS, I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11279609

578 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Electrical System

THE BACK-UP CAMERA QUIT WORKING WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE (578 MILES). ANYTIME YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE CAMERA DOES NOT WORK MAKING IT UNSAFE TO BACK IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

NHTSA ODI #11265390

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. TOYOTA VACAVILLE (500 ORANGE DR, VACAVILLE, CA 95687, (707) 446-7000) WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE EXITED WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION, WHICH WAS A SAFETY RISK TO THE CONTACT WHEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. TOYOTA VACAVILLE (500 ORANGE DR, VACAVILLE, CA 95687, (707) 446-7000) WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE EXITED WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION, WHICH WAS A SAFETY RISK TO THE CONTACT WHEN THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE SECURED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE KEY STILL WOULD NOT EJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11234851

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.

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