UsedScore

2019 Toyota RAV4: Solid

Owners filed 591 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 in its first five years on the road, about 134 for every 100,000 sold: 1.2× the rate of a typical RAV4 year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the fuel or propulsion system (44% of complaints, median 1,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.2×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical RAV4 year
Rank
9th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
591
first five years; 134 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
8
campaigns
5th generation, 2019–2025 (first year of the generation; redesign years often run worse) · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2019 Toyota RAV4 LE

Photo: 2019 Toyota RAV4 LE · Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Fuel and propulsion44% · 262 complaints · median 1,000 miles
  2. Engine14% · 81 complaints · median 5,000 miles
  3. Powertrain9% · 56 complaints · median 5,000 miles
  4. Electrical10% · 60 complaints · median 8,000 miles
  5. Brakes5% · 30 complaints · median 3,000 miles
  6. Air bags6% · 36 complaints · median 8,000 miles
  7. Body and structure8% · 45 complaints · median 28,000 miles
  8. Speed control4% · 26 complaints · median 5,000 miles
  9. Steering3% · 17 complaints · median 5,000 miles
  10. Seats and belts2% · 10 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Engine

Owners of this RAV4 commonly report a coolant bypass valve failure that sets off a persistent maintenance warning, often costing hundreds of dollars to fix. Others describe unexpected stalling, hesitation, or lurching while driving, sometimes tied to recall campaigns that did not cover their specific VIN.

Warning signs:
Many report a dashboard message reading 'Engine Maintenance Required, Visit Your Dealer,' along with stalling, hesitation, jerking, unusual sounds, or multiple warning lights before the engine issue appeared.
What shops did:
Dealers frequently diagnosed and replaced the coolant bypass valve, though the part was often on backorder; some stalling complaints could not be duplicated or repaired.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 65,000 miles, among 32 complaints that give it

“Vehicle shakes when idling, shaking increases overtime.”

“the vehicle hesitated while attempting to accelerate. The contact stopped at a traffic light and the vehicle became inoperable.”

Fuel and propulsion

Many 2019 RAV4 owners, especially Hybrid buyers, report they can't fill the tank to its advertised capacity, cutting their real-world driving range well below what was promised. Dealers frequently acknowledge the issue but say there's no fix yet, and a few owners tie a related fuel-system recall to stalling or hesitation while driving.

Warning signs:
Many notice the fuel pump nozzle clicking off early, the gauge reading full or 3/4-full despite less fuel actually entering the tank, and reduced driving range.
What shops did:
Dealers often say Toyota is aware but has no fix, sometimes reset the computer, replaced the fuel tank or sending unit, or told owners to "top off" manually; a recall repair left some waiting for parts.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 5,000 miles, among 159 complaints that give it

“Vehicle will only fill 9.5gal at pump. Requires not recommended force pumping in order to achieve full tank.”

“The pump cuts off about 3 gallons short. The problem is getting progressively worse and topping up doesn't help either.”

Powertrain

Many owners of this RAV4 describe jerky or delayed acceleration from stops, along with unusual drivetrain noises, and some report more serious transmission, engine or coolant system failures. Dealers have addressed these with software updates or part replacements, though some owners say the issue persisted or was not resolved.

Warning signs:
Owners often notice a delay after pressing the gas followed by a sudden jerk or lurch, grinding or groaning noises around 20-30 mph, warning lights such as hybrid system or check engine malfunction, or sudden loss of power.
What shops did:
Dealers frequently reprogrammed or reflashed the transmission control module, replaced parts such as water pumps, differentials or transmissions, or reported finding no problem at all.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 10,000 miles, among 40 complaints that give it

“Makes an abnormal groaning/buzzing sound when accelerating. Sound occurs between 20-30 MPH when AWD system disconnects rear wheels.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (8)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 20V682000November 20201,525,742 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 20V373000June 202046 vehicles

    Steering: electric power assist system

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 20V286000May 20209,502 vehicles

    Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 20V064000February 202044,191 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling

    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.

    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.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V576000August 201914,215 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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."

    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.

  • NHTSA 19V544000July 20196,925 vehicles

    Service brakes · Electronic stability control (ESC)

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

    Risk: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V503000June 20191,325 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    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."

    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.

  • NHTSA 19V244000March 20193,634 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    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."

    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.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Toyota sent NHTSA 345 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2019 RAV4. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 24TE04 · August 2026 · Warranty extensionAlthough the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience.
  • 22TE09 · May 2026 · Warranty extensionAlthough the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about…
  • T-SB-0051-26 · August 2026This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.
  • T-SB-0110-20 Rev2 · August 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete.
  • T-SB-0104-21 Rev2 · February 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
  • T-SB-0112-24 Rev2 · June 2025Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the…
  • T-SB-0005-24 Rev2 · April 2025Some 2021 model year Avalon, 2020 – 2022 model year Camry, and 2019 – 2022 model year RAV4 vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS engine may exhibit reduced engine power and/or a MIL ON condition with…
  • T-SB-0112-24 Rev1 · January 2025Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the…

All 2019 RAV4 bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
Owners filed 591 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 in its first five years on the road, about 134 for every 100,000 sold: 1.2× the rate of a typical RAV4 year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare RAV4 years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2019 RAV4 problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the fuel or propulsion system (44%), the engine (14%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (9%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2019 Toyota RAV4 been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2019 Toyota RAV4, the most recent in November 2020 (fuel system, gasoline). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Toyota. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 on NHTSA.gov · How we rate