2019 Toyota RAV4 problems owners report most
2019 Toyota RAV4 problems are documented in public: owners have filed 879 complaints with NHTSA, the earliest in 2019 and the most recent in 2026. Sorting those by the component the filer named puts the fuel and propulsion system clearly first, at 255 of the 879 complaints, 29 per cent of everything filed.
A complaint is not a repair bill and not a defect finding. It is one owner telling the regulator something went wrong. What makes the count useful is the concentration: when one component takes 29 per cent of everything filed on a car, the pattern is doing more than chance.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 255 | 29% |
| ENGINE | 206 | 23% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 169 | 19% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 102 | 12% |
| STRUCTURE | 89 | 10% |
| POWER TRAIN | 80 | 9% |
Against the 2018 car, this model year has drawn 165 per cent more complaints (879 against 332). The 2018 car was led by its electrical system instead, so the pattern shifted between the two years. A rise is worth more attention than a fall here, because a newer car has had fewer years on the road to accumulate reports.
Of those complaints, 25 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Filers reported 21 injuries.
Recalls on the 2019 Toyota RAV4
A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator found a safety defect, and the repair is free at a franchised dealer however old the car is. There are 7 recalls on this model year. Your own car may be covered by some, all or none of them, so check the VIN rather than the model.
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.
The risk. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
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.
The 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. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix. 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.
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.
The risk. A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
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.
The risk. If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
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."
The risk. An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
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."
The 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.
The 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. 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.
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."
The risk. If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
In owners own words
These are complaints filed about the fuel and propulsion system, quoted as written. They are one persons account rather than a diagnosis, and they are here because a symptom described by a driver is easier to recognise than a component name.
While traveling back from out of state, the fuel sensor and fuel gauge failed causing me to run out of gas when the fuel gauge stated I had just a tick under a 1/4 tank of gas left and the app read 35 miles left. While driving on freeway at freeway speed, the car sputtered, bogged down and then stalled, placing me in a very dangerous situation broken down on the shoulder of the freeway in the desolate country at night with semi trucks and cars flying by at estimated between 70-80 mph. While stalled and waiting for help, all the lights except the hazard flashers went out. The Sheriff assisted
The engine on my Rav4 suddenly stopped without any notification while I was driving it on the freeway. I could have been severely injured from the risk of being rear ended by vehicles behind me. I have experienced this twice now, and both times, I have been on a busy highway in the middle of rush hour traffic. While driving, the engine would start sputtering and the vehicle will jolt and shake, eventually causing a warning message to appear that says power steering low, engine shutting off, place vehicle in Park. Then, when I turn the engine off, and try to restart it, it would flash a mess
ON DEC 14, 2020 I RECEIVED AN INTERIM NOTICE FROM TOYOTA CONCERNING MY 2019 RAV 4. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW (LEFTOVER) ON MAY 29, 2020. WHEN I RECEIVED THE INTERIM RECALL I HAD HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST SEVEN MONTHS WITH APPROXIMATELY 3500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SUBJECT OF RECALL: VEHICLE MAY STALL WHILE DRIVING. "THE VEHICLE MAY STOP OPERATING (STALL) AND THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO RESTART IT". "IF A VEHICLE STALL OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH". "WE WILL NOTIFY YOU AGAIN WHEN THE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE".I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH SINCE IT INVOLVES MY SAFETY AS T
EVER SINCE I FIRST DROVE MY RAV4 OFF THE LOT, I NOTICED IT HAD A RANGE OF 580 MILES TO EMPTY. I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT EVER SINCE THE FIRST TIME I SAT IN THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO THE FUEL PUMP, I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET IN NO MORE THAN 10 GALLONS AND MY METER WOULD ALWAYS SHOW 2 TICKS BELOW FULL, WHICH IS ABOUT 3/4 OF THE METER GAUGE. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, SO I TRIED PUMPING IN MORE GAS AFTER IT AUTO SHUTOFF AND EACH TIME IT WOULD PUMP A BIT AND THEN STOP. IF I TRICKLED GAS INTO THE CAR, IT WOULD FILL UP EVENTUALLY AND THE NEEDLE WOULD FINALLY SHOW THE NEEDLE PAST FULL AND DTE OF 530 MILES
LESS THAN ONE MONTH AGO, I PURCHASED A NEW 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID LIMITED THAT WAS BUILT IN JAPAN AND HAD ONLY 7 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE CAR WAS ADVERTISED TO GIVE COMBINED 40 MPG AND HAVE A 14.5 GALLON FUEL TANK. I NOW HAVE APPROXIMATELY 2 THOUSAND MILES ON THE CAR AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE EVERY TIME THAT I GET GAS IN MULTIPLE STATES AND GAS STATIONS. THE TANK WILL NOT FILL UP AND THE GAS PUMP SHUTS OFF BEFORE THE TANK IS FILLED. EVERY TIME THAT I FILL UP, THE FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS STAYS ABOUT 2-3 LINES BELOW THE FULL MARK. TWO DAYS AGO I DROVE THE CAR UNTIL IT STOPPED DISPLA
WHEN THE TANK REGISTERS EMPTY, IT ONLY FILLS ABOUT 9/10 GALLONS BEFORE THE PUMP SHUTS OFF AND I DON'T GET THE FULL MILEAGE RANGE. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO TOYOTA DEALER AND HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW '19. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE UP THE GAS DISPLAY NEEDLE REGISTER PAST 'F' (A NORMAL SIGNAL ON MOST CARS) AND THE CAR'S RANGE REGISTERED 548 MILES TO EMPTY. THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I EVER SAY THESE HIGH DISPLAYS NUMBERS. AT MY FIRST FILL UP, THE TANK DISPLAYED 3/4 FULL AT SHUTOFF AND RANGER AT 430ISH. THE SUBSEQUENT FUEL FILLS CONTINUED NEAR THESE
Every component, by complaint count
The full breakdown of what owners named when they filed. Components below the top ten are grouped out of this table.
| Component | Complaints | Share of all complaints |
|---|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 255 | 29% |
| ENGINE | 206 | 23% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 169 | 19% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 102 | 12% |
| STRUCTURE | 89 | 10% |
| POWER TRAIN | 80 | 9% |
| AIR BAGS | 45 | 5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 35 | 4% |
| STEERING | 32 | 4% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 30 | 3% |
What parts cost for the 2019 Toyota RAV4
Prices read from one AutoZone store for this exact year, make and model, covering 8 kinds of part and 154 products. AutoZone year, make and model catalog prices. Engine, trim, transmission and VIN fitment are not confirmed. They are what the shelf said on the day, not a quote.
| Part | Listed | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 18 | $124.99 to $369.99 | $234.99 |
| Brake rotors | 19 | $43.49 to $185.99 | $72.99 |
| Brake pads | 31 | $29.99 to $223.99 | $54.99 |
| Engine air filter | 14 | $18.99 to $68.99 | $31.49 |
| Cabin air filter partial | 11 | $13.99 to $47.99 | $31.49 |
| Wiper blades partial | 47 | $8.79 to $42.99 | $19.99 |
| Oil filter | 8 | $6.99 to $18.99 | $12.99 |
| Spark plugs | 6 | $8.49 to $28.99 | $11.99 |
The cheapest way to keep it serviced
Taking the lowest listed price in each routine maintenance category, the filters, plugs and wipers for this car come to $57.25 in parts. That is parts alone, before labour, tax and the oil itself, and it assumes the cheapest option fits your engine.
Battery. 18 products listed, from the TotalPro Group Size 47 / H5 Battery H5-T at $124.99 up to the OPTIMA Yellow Top Group Size 48 / H6 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery DH6 at $369.99. A refundable core deposit of $22.00 is charged on top and returned with the old part. AutoZone's own labels account for 11 of them, starting at $179.99.
Brake rotors. 19 products listed, from the PowerStop Disc Brake Rotor JBR1738 at $43.49 up to the PowerStop Disc Brake Rotor Set JBR1763XPR at $185.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 4 of them, starting at $88.99.
Brake pads. 31 products listed, from the Duralast Ceramic Brake Pads D1879 at $29.99 up to the EBC Yellowstuff High Friction Organic Performance Brake Pads DP42378R at $223.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 8 of them, starting at $29.99.
Fitment is by year, make and model only. Engine, trim and transmission were not selected, so confirm the part number against your own car before buying. Prices change and vary by store.
How other model years compare
The same nameplate across the years we hold. Complaint counts fall naturally for newer cars because fewer of them have been on the road for long, so read the column as a rough signal rather than a ranking. In this set the 2019 Toyota RAV4 has drawn the most complaints and the 2016 Toyota RAV4 the fewest.
What to check on the fuel and propulsion system
Reports here cover stalling, hard starting, a loss of power under load and fuel gauges reading wrong. On hybrids and electrics the same category collects battery and drive unit faults, so read the individual complaints to see which kind this car draws.
Buying a used 2019 RAV4
Start it from properly cold and listen to how long it cranks. Ask when the fuel filter and pump were last touched, and on a hybrid ask for a battery health report rather than taking a dashboard bar as the answer.
If you already own one
Get a fuel pressure reading before replacing a pump. These parts are expensive, frequently replaced on a guess, and the symptom often comes from a filter, a sensor or a wiring fault instead.
- Start from cold and note how long it cranks.
- Ask for a fuel pressure test before approving a pump.
- On a hybrid, ask for a battery health report with figures.
- Check whether the fault appears only below a certain fuel level.
Where the 2019 Toyota RAV4 problem data comes from
Every figure on this page is counted from complaints and recalls published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, read October 12, 2026. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by the agency before publication. We count each complaint once per component it names, so a complaint naming two components appears in both rows.
- NHTSA recalls and complaintsRead October 12, 2026
- NHTSA record for the 2019 Toyota RAV4Read October 12, 2026
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