Toyota RAV4 Fuel system problems

2.84 vs. all vehicles Too few recent reports to judge

376 of the 3,075 complaints about the Toyota RAV4 (12.2%) concern Fuel system, making it the model's #4 problem area. That share is 2.8× the Fuel system share across all tracked vehicles.

376Complaints · Fuel system

12.2%Share of complaints

2.84×vs. all vehicles

5Last 12 months

0.5%Share involving a crash or fire

1Related recalls

Analysis

By model year, Fuel system complaints peak with the 2019 model (248, 28% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (1). 5 Fuel system complaints were filed in the last 12 months.

Owners most often describe: “tank”, “gallons”, “fill”, “fuel” and “capacity”. 3 of these reports (0.5%) describe a crash or fire, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.

1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 20V682000 (2020-11-04, model years 2019 and 2020).

By model year

Year	Complaints	Share of complaints
2018	5	1.4%
2019	248	27.6%
2020	82	12.8%
2021	27	5.4%
2022	5	3.0%
2023	7	3.2%
2024	1	0.5%
2025	1	1.0%

When complaints were filed

Last 12 months: 5 · Previous 12 months: 4

Common terms in reports

tank302
gallons226
fill198
fuel265
capacity100
gas192

What owners report

A strong fuel odor was evident in the cabin, and also under the hood after operation. Vehicle use was low, approx. 6K miles from new. My wife reported this to the dealer service department. They said nothing was wrong with the vehicle. Approx.

Fuel system · 2024-03-08 · ODI 11576220 · Crash
While accelerating ~6ft from a complete stop, a minor collision occurred affecting the front right headlight. The air-bags did not activate and the engine compartment was immediately on fire.

Fuel system · 2023-04-05 · ODI 11515666 · Crash · Fire
While driving in the mountains on a hot day, the car suddenly reported numerous faults, including check engine, parking brake malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, AWD system malfunction, and secondary collision brake system malfunction.

Fuel system · 2026-08-23 · ODI 11758893
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while fueling the vehicle, the fuel tank failed to register the correct fuel level.

Fuel system · 2026-03-02 · ODI 11721491
Vehicle consistently accepts only approximately 9–10 gallons of fuel when the fuel gauge indicates empty, resulting in significantly reduced driving range.

Fuel system · 2026-01-07 · ODI 11709358
1)I purchased my car during daylight hours. A few days later I drove my car in the evening and could not see street signs or the road 1/3 of the way up through my windshield. There is a definitive line where the windshield turns black.

Fuel system · 2026-01-06 · ODI 11709145

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

Related recalls

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 20V682000 · 2020-11-04 · Model years: 2019, 2020

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.

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.

Problem areas · Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4 problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

Frequently asked questions

How common are Fuel system problems on the Toyota RAV4?