One of the worst RAV4 years
Owners filed about 2.8 times as many complaints as a typical RAV4 year. The main thing to watch is the fuel system, which half of owners reported by about 1,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2014.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other RAV4 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 886 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota RAV4. The most reported problem area is the fuel system (269, 30% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That is the most complaints of any RAV4 year from 2012 to 2024. It has 7 recalls.
12 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
Get recall alerts for your 2019 RAV4
Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.
Add it to My GarageStart a free car search
Tell us what you want in a 2019 RAV4 and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.
Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2019 Toyota RAV4 before you buy.
Fuel system
269 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 1,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle consistently accepts only approximately 9, 10 gallons of fuel when the fuel gauge indicates empty, resulting in significantly reduced driving range. Issue has been widely reported by other Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners and appears related to fuel tank design. Manufacturer declined assistance and referred responsibility to selling…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Strong gas smell when the engine is turned on. I started feel this issue about 2 year ago, now the gas smell is more stronger every time engine is turned on.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
216 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 9,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
My transmission failed, torque converter. My check engine light came on with "AWD malfunction" on the dash on 10/21/26. I had to get it towed to the closest dealership. I was told it is covered under warranty to replace and repair, the following Tuesday 10/27/2 I havd to call and ask what was going on. They then informed me the part is…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I am reporting a potentially recurring safety-related failure of the electric engine coolant/water pump on my 2019 Toyota RAV4 equipped with the 2.5L A25A-FKS engine. My vehicle recently developed DTC P26CB/P26CB71, indicating an electric engine coolant pump performance/speed problem. The failure caused loss of proper coolant circulation…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
103 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Display of RAV4 Hybrid is malfunctioning as it randomly turns on and off at frequent intervals, the screen turns on an off in a similar manner, the display controls are not operative even if displayed. This occurred right after the Dealer (355 Toyota of Rockville, [XXX] ) conducted a recall procedure on a wire harness. Immediately after…Owner complaint, filed 2026
A coolant leak from the flow shut‑off valve caused the engine maintenance warning light to remain on for an extended period. This issue is covered under Toyota Customer Support Program 24TE04. The warning light is a safety concern because it indicates an active engine‑related malfunction and can mask other warnings. The defect was first…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
93 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 37,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (70), Body: hatchback / liftgate (13).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that while attempting to open the driver's and rear passenger's side doors from outside the vehicle, the exterior door handles fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fractured…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle started shaking, jerking, and vibrating abnormally before stopping. Additionally, the exterior door handles on the front passenger’s side door, rear passenger’s side door, and rear driver’s side door had detached from the vehicle. There were no…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 69,053 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
83 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
2019 Toyota RAV4, Adventure model, AWD. Toyota issues a Toyota Customer Support Program "20TE03" which extends warranty coverage for the front transfer case electro-magnetic clutch in specific 2019, 2020 Toyota RAV4 Adventure and Limited AWD vehicles. Toyota's "brand engagement center" says it covers Adventure models manufactured Mar…Owner complaint, filed 2026
"I am filing a deceptive trade practices and fraudulent service documentation complaint against Rodland Toyota of Everett. I brought my 2019 Toyota RAV4 in for a critical drivetrain defect under an active corporate warranty program. The dealership returned the vehicle to me with official invoice documentation stating they inspected and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
45 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
It happened yesterday , November 3rd at 8:45 am Approx. speed was 35mph to 40 •Location: 934 York Road, Towson, MD •Description: Front-right impact at 40 mph, no airbag deployment, two children in back seat, vehicle had recent 50K service and roof-rail repair, CSP 22TE05, at Sheehy Toyota Cockeysville. Vehicle now at Caliber Collision…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owned a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a left turn at night, the contact did not watch the opposite direction and another driver that was driving 40-50 MPH crashed into the passenger's side of the vehicle, between the rear passenger's side door and the rear passenger's side wheel. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 34,111 miles
Brakes and stability control
38 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 4,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Well, making my research it shows that the RAV4 2020 will have a recall with the brake booster that my car the 2019 is having the same issues and it’s a very expensive fix. My car only has 40,000 miles is still brand new and I don’t understand why am I having this issues with the brake booster RAV4 2020 has a recall for that same part so…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The following information refers to recall notice 19V544000 "SERVICE BRAKES" and "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL" (recall number same for both notices) by Toyota for the 2019 Rav 4 Hybrid: "In 2019, Toyota issued a recall for certain 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vehicles due to a faulty brake assist system, specifically related to a potential…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Steering
33 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The heated steering wheel in my 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid experienced a significant overheating incident that resulted in smoke, bubbling, and damage to the steering wheel's leather covering. Approximately 10 minutes after activating the heated steering wheel function, smoke began coming from the steering wheel. The material beneath the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
We were driving down the highway passing another vehicle when we lost steering and the dash said "Steering Power Loss". We pulled to the side of the road where the vehicle stalled and would not restart. Probably 10-15 minutes later the vehicle started and we eventually made it to our destination. It was quite scary trying to get to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
30 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 45 MPH unintendedly. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the brake pedal, and the accelerator pedal felt stuck, causing the front of the vehicle to…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that upon accelerating from a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle was uncontrollable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 36,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
25 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 2,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The wipers started acting up a few months ago, the low setting would cycle 7 times then stop randomly, the high setting would cycle 11 times then stop randomly. I could reset it by turning off, then on. On 9/22/2026 I was driving home when it started to down pour. The wipers at first did as previous. But at a critical moment they…Owner complaint, filed 2026
On February 2, 2026, while driving approximately 65 mph on the freeway in Wisconsin, the panoramic sunroof glass on my 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium (VIN: [XXX] ) spontaneously exploded. The ambient temperature was approximately 20°F. Crucially, the glass buckled outward, indicating the failure was caused by internal pressure or a…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
24 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Warnings (14), Automatic emergency braking (6), Adaptive cruise control (5).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Rav4 2019 - We lost engine power while driving on the highway at 75 mph. We were in the #2 lane and were fortunate to be able to coast to the side of the road. Quite scary as there were semi trucks behind us.We had been driving for approximately 3.5 hours on the highway at 70-75 MPH. The outside temperature registering on our vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Infotainment Center turns on and off, and will not work. Because the screen turns on and off, the camera for back up intermittently works. May 2025 i took it to Karl Malone Toyota in Sandy Utah. They said to buy a 3rd party, after investigation I confirmed that no display has the options to reset maintenance, change clock on the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Seats and seat belts
20 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am reporting a concern regarding the driver’s seat design in my Toyota RAV4. While driving this vehicle, I experience consistent back pain that can begin within approximately 15 minutes of driving and often persists for about two hours after driving has ended. The pain includes sharp discomfort in my mid-to-upper back and occurs…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Complaint Summary: Seatbelt failure on 2019 Toyota RAV4. Complaint Description: I own a 2019 Toyota RAV4, and the driver-side seatbelt has begun failing. The retractor and locking mechanism are not working reliably. Sometimes the belt won’t retract, sometimes it locks up randomly, and other times it doesn’t lock at all. This is a major…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
16 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving to Kansas on a road trip and we stopped for gas when we noticed the rear drivers side tire tilting inwards (top of tire angled towards the car). We then drove it to a mechanic in Kansas to see if it is safe to drive further. She noticed the bolt for the rear suspension loose and almost out entirely. She then told us we…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Car vibrate at certain speed. Suspects faulty front lower suspension arm. Vehicle show symptoms after third service (toyota care -15000 miles)Owner complaint, filed 2021
Wheels and tires
4 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Dealerships that I have cupping with my tires and a 27,000 mi said that the tires were no good and should be replaced does a 50,000 mi tire and it has spots that are less than 3/32 in tread wear I wouldn't even have checked them at half the tread life or have the service life on a tire the [VIN] knows these tires aren't good and won't…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 23,000 miles
Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, while driving on the interstate the vehicle began vibrating heavily. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Upon inspection it was noticed that the…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Toyota RAV4 complaints by year
Compare the 2019 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2019 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota RAV4 | Among the worst years | 7 |
| 2019 Honda CR-V | Among the worst years | 8 |
| 2019 Mazda CX-5 | Worse than most years | 2 |
| 2019 Subaru Forester | Among the worst years | 3 |
2019 Toyota RAV4 recalls
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Steering Electric power assist system
- Risk
- A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Suspension Lower arm
- Risk
- If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Backup camera
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the back-up camera system and replace the audio display unit, if necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
2019 Toyota RAV4 questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Toyota RAV4?
The most reported problem areas on the 2019 Toyota RAV4 are the fuel system (269 complaints), the engine and cooling (216 complaints) and the electrical system (103 complaints).
Is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 a good year to buy?
One of the worst RAV4 years. Owners filed about 2.8 times as many complaints as a typical RAV4 year. The main thing to watch is the fuel system, which half of owners reported by about 1,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2014. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other RAV4 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2019 Toyota RAV4. The most recent, from Nov 2020, covers the fuel pump. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2019 Toyota RAV4 problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the fuel system gave a mileage of about 1,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 9,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Toyota RAV4 years should I avoid?
The RAV4 years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2019 and 2020. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2014. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2019 Toyota RAV4?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model