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U.S. public vehicle records

2019 Toyota RAV4: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

875 owner complaints analyzed

7 distinct recall campaigns

3,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 309 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 255 of 875 complaints (29.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Fuel system concerns16819.2%
Braking behavior728.2%
Electrical and battery issues718.1%
Transmission and shifting495.6%
Engine operation485.5%
Steering behavior424.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Fuel/Propulsion System
255
Engine
203
Unknown Or Other
169
Electrical System
100
Power Train
79
Structure:Body
70
Air Bags
45
Service Brakes
35
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Fuel/Propulsion System255
Engine203
Unknown Or Other169
Electrical System100
Power Train79
Structure:Body70
Air Bags45
Service Brakes35

Fuel/Propulsion System: 255; Engine: 203; Unknown Or Other: 169; Electrical System: 100; Power Train: 79; Structure:Body: 70; Air Bags: 45; Service Brakes: 35

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
257
25,000 to 49,999
25
50,000 to 74,999
15
75,000 to 99,999
5
100,000 to 149,999
7
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000257
25,000 to 49,99925
50,000 to 74,99915
75,000 to 99,9995
100,000 to 149,9997
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 257; 25,000 to 49,999: 25; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (257). 566 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2019
139
2020
193
2021
89
2022
71
2023
114
2024
136
2025
92
2026
41
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
2019139
2020193
202189
202271
2023114
2024136
202592
202641

2019: 139; 2020: 193; 2021: 89; 2022: 71; 2023: 114; 2024: 136; 2025: 92; 2026: 41

Pattern summary

Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 168 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 72 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 71 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11186970 · 2019-03-15 (March 15, 2019)

I EXPERIENCED SEVERAL NEAR MISSES RELATED TO TWO ADAS FEATURES AS I RENTED THIS NEW RAV4 IN ATLANTA. FIRSTLY, THE LANE-CENTERING FEATURE ACTIVELY TRIED TO GUIDE MY VEHICLE OUT OF ITS LANE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING ACROSS OVERPASSES WHERE THE PAVEMENT TYPE TRANSITIONED. THE LEFT AND RIGHT LANE MARKINGS WERE PRESENT ON THE PAVEMENT THROUGHOUT THESE EVENTS. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED WITH FORCE AND SPEED--HAD MY REACTION TIME BEEN HALF A SECOND LONGER, I WOULD HAVE STRUCK VEHICLES NEXT TO ME. SECONDLY, THE VE…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,257 miles reported. Look up ODI 11186970 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11204698 · 2019-04-30 (April 30, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTER CAME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION BOX. THE CONTACT QUICKLY PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER BACK IN THE TRANSMISSION BOX AND NOTIFIED THE RENTAL FACILITY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING TO SWITCH OUT THE VEHICLE WITH THE RENTAL COMPANY. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE RENTAL COMPANY NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,218. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,218 miles reported. Look up ODI 11204698 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11205702 · 2019-05-06 (May 6, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORS SHOOK AND RATTLED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, IT LOOKED AS IF TWO VEHICLES WERE SHOWN IN THE MIRRORS EVERY TIME. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS ESPECIALLY AFFECTED. THE CONTACT'S VISION REMAINED BLURRED WHILE USING THE MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF NORTH SCRANTON (3400 N MAIN AVE, SCRANTON, PA 18508, [phone removed]), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY STATED THE FAILURE WAS A "MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT". THE MANUFACTURER WAS MAD…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,921 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205702 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11209676 · 2019-05-24 (May 24, 2019)

VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS CAN OCCUR WHEN LEAVING A PARKING PLACE OR. FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE ENGINE DOES NOT STOP RUNNING. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED THREE TIMES, BUT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE TOYOTA DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS AT THE 5000 MILE INSPECTION AND THERE ARE NO CODES SET NOR DOES IT SET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN IT HAPPENS.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209676 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11210541 · 2019-05-29 (May 29, 2019)

GRINDING FROM TRANSFER CASE AT 2000 MILES AT 20 - 25 MPH

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11210541 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11218654 · 2019-06-08 (June 8, 2019)

WHILE DRIVING MY 2019 RAV4 ADVENTURE IN SLOW SPEEDS, SPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND BRAKING, I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISIN. IT HAS AN 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WHEN SHIFTING IN THE LOWER GEARS IT MAKES A SOUND NOT USUAL IN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN. ONLY HAD IT FOR THREE MONTHS AND TOOK IT TO SERVICE TO BE NOTIFIED IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION. FIRST TIME I GET THAT AN UNUSUAL SOUND, A SOUND I CAN FEEL IN MY FEET WHILE DRIVING, IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. IT WASN'T MENTIONED IN THE FEATU…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11218654 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11220019 · 2019-06-14 (June 14, 2019)

AFTER CAR HAS WARMED UP, ACCELERATING AROUND 20-30MPH IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AWD SWITCHES TO 2WD.

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11220019 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11220210 · 2019-06-14 (June 14, 2019)

VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING/WINDING/LURCHING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING, BRAKING AND DURING NORMAL DRIVING. PROBLEM GETS WORSE EVERY DAY.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11220210 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

19V244000 · Equipment:Other:Labels

Reported: 2019-03-27 (March 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V503000 · Equipment:Other:Labels

Reported: 2019-06-28 (June 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V576000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Reported: 2019-08-06 (August 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V064000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Reported: 2020-02-06 (February 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V286000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm

Reported: 2020-05-20 (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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V373000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Reported: 2020-06-24 (June 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

Reported: 2020-11-04 (November 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗