InsightArise CarsU.S. Owner Complaint Index
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2019 Toyota RAV4 problems, complaints & recalls

Far more Within ±30% year on year

NHTSA has received 901 owner complaints about the 2019 Toyota RAV4, or 115.7 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (complaint index 2.87, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 78 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #70 of 78 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Toyota models its rate is 238% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is 92% higher.

Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count

Complaints filed between 2019-03-15 and 2026-09-28. Median delay from incident to filing: 14 days.

901Complaints
115.7Complaints per year on the road
2.87Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
8Recalls
3.3%Share involving a crash or fire
68Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2018) drew 39.5 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 95.4 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 347 complaints, 338% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Fuel system (27.5% of complaints), followed by Engine (23.8%) and Unspecified or other (10.7%). Fuel system complaints are 6.3 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 30 reports (3.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 23 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 36 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (30% of incidents). In the last 12 months 68 new complaints were filed, versus 95 in the 12 months before — down 28%.

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for this model year. 1 NHTSA investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (defect petition, opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).

Complaint index

  • vs. all tracked vehicles2.87
  • vs. other Toyota models3.38
  • vs. other 2019 models2.57
  • vs. other Compact SUVs1.92
  • Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (347)4.38
  • #70 of 78 · 2019Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

  • 201839.5 per year0.98
  • 2019115.7 per year2.87
  • 202095.4 per year2.36
  • 202187.8 per year2.18
  • 202236.8 per year0.91
  • 202361.0 per year1.51
  • 202473.8 per year1.83
  • 202558.2 per year1.44
  • 202637.0 per year0.92

Toyota RAV4 problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

  • Fuel system248 · 27.5% · 6.34×
  • Engine214 · 23.8% · 1.07×
  • Unspecified or other96 · 10.7% · 1.19×
  • Electrical86 · 9.5% · 0.6×
  • Body & structure83 · 9.2% · 1.01×
  • Transmission / powertrain62 · 6.9% · 0.59×
  • Airbags & seat belts32 · 3.6% · 0.95×
  • Brakes27 · 3.0% · 0.5×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Problem areas: Engine · Electrical · Unspecified or other · Fuel system · Body & structure · Airbags & seat belts · Transmission / powertrain · Brakes · Steering · Wheels, tires & suspension · Driver-assist systems

When complaints were filed

2019: 151 151 2019 2020: 196 196 2020 2021: 90 90 2021 2022: 71 71 2022 2023: 117 117 2023 2024: 137 137 2024 2025: 94 94 2025 2026: 45 45 2026
  • Crashes reported: 28
  • Fires reported: 2
  • Injuries: 23
  • Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

  • <1 yr30.0%
  • 1–2 yrs13.4%
  • 2–3 yrs6.7%
  • 3–5 yrs21.9%
  • 5+ yrs28.1%

Median age at incident: 36 months

What owners report

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2019 · Compact SUVs

ModelsComplaintsComplaints per year on the roadComplaint index
2019 Kia Sportage709.00.22
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan19324.80.61
2019 Mazda CX-527034.70.86
2019 Chevrolet Equinox30539.20.97
2019 Jeep Compass33042.41.05
2019 Hyundai Tucson38349.21.22
2019 Nissan Rogue43756.11.39
2019 Ford Escape59576.41.89
2019 Subaru Forester834107.12.65
2019 Toyota RAV4901115.72.87
2019 Honda CR-V1,105141.93.52
2019 Jeep Cherokee1,660213.15.28

Safety recalls (8)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 20V682000 · 2020-11-04

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.

Risk: 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.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Campaign 20V373000 · 2020-06-24

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.

Risk: 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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM Campaign 20V286000 · 2020-05-20

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.

Risk: 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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Campaign 20V064000 · 2020-02-06

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.

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.

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.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 19V576000 · 2019-08-06

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."

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.

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.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) Campaign 19V544000 · 2019-07-24

Summary: 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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS Campaign 19V503000 · 2019-06-28

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."

Risk: 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.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS Campaign 19V244000 · 2019-03-27

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."

Risk: 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.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations