589 of the 3,075 complaints about the Toyota RAV4 (19.2%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 0.9× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
589Complaints · Engine
19.2%Share of complaints
0.86×vs. all vehicles
70Last 12 months
4.6%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (211, 24% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (12). 70 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 143 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
Owners most often describe: “bypass”, “valve”, “engine maintenance”, “coolant” and “maintenance required”. 28 of these reports (4.6%) describe a crash or fire, with 13 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 20V064000 (2020-02-06, model years 2019 and 2020).
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was heard coming from under the hood and would shudder towards the front-passenger side.
Engine · 2026-04-13 · ODI 11730748 · Crash
We were traveling across country from Michigan to Arizona. We were 50 miles outside Tucson, AZ on [XXX]. Traveling 80 mph in a 75 mph zone, in passing lane and felt like car exploded and all airbags deployed and we came to a quick stop.
Engine · 2026-03-05 · ODI 11722251 · Crash
Driving my one owner 2025 Rav 4 Hybrid- pulling into a parking spot while gently pressing on the brake to slow car. Car was slowing then suddenly accelerated while brake pedal still being pressed, lunged forward and hit a wall in front of the parking space.
Engine · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761382
The vehicle experienced a sudden, severe loss of vehicle control while driving twice. Without any warning lights, dash indicators, or stored error codes, it began violently surging and decelerating uncontrollably around 20 mph with severe bucking.
Engine · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11760840
"Engine Coolant Bypass Valve failed suddenly on highway (Code P2681-15), risking engine overheat and stall. Toyota acknowledged this defect under CSP 24TE04 but refused assistance due to vehicle having 103,660 miles (just past 100k miles).
Engine · 2026-08-26 · ODI 11759760
2021 Toyota RAV4 (gas model) has experienced a sudden, unexpected engine stall/shutdown on a public road. The incident occurred while shifting into Drive after backing up in reverse.
Engine · 2026-08-17 · ODI 11757462
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Campaign 20V064000 · 2020-02-06 · Model years: 2019, 2020
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.
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.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Toyota RAV4?
589 of the 3,075 complaints about the Toyota RAV4 (19.2%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 0.9× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Toyota RAV4 model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (211, 24% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (12).
Is there a recall for Toyota RAV4 Engine problems?
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 20V064000 (2020-02-06, model years 2019 and 2020).