2019 Toyota Rav4
The Verdict
The 2019 Toyota Rav4 has 864 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (456 complaints) and body (228 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Rav4, consider the 2000 model year which has 95% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2000 has 95% fewer complaints
View the 2000 Toyota Rav4 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 3
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 ...
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 1-888-270-93...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 steerin...
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. T...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 vehic...
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 con...
Reported Jun 8, 2019
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 6 |
| 2001 | 46 | 22 | 31 | 42 | 179 |
| 2002 | 60 | 12 | 56 | 69 | 358 |
| 2003 | 46 | 2 | 29 | 54 | 194 |
| 2004 | 41 | 7 | 53 | 30 | 22 |
| 2005 | 44 | 11 | 60 | 16 | 8 |
| 2006 | 377 | 29 | 86 | 165 | 46 |
| 2007 | 522 | 37 | 150 | 251 | 42 |
| 2008 | 272 | 27 | 79 | 170 | 26 |
| 2009 | 207 | 29 | 24 | 42 | 25 |
| 2010 | 250 | 30 | 40 | 48 | 32 |
| 2011 | 148 | 36 | 31 | 47 | 23 |
| 2012 | 142 | 36 | 41 | 31 | 15 |
| 2013 | 95 | 21 | 72 | 38 | 27 |
| 2014 | 65 | 12 | 67 | 34 | 16 |
| 2015 | 122 | 24 | 81 | 49 | 25 |
| 2016 | 72 | 42 | 79 | 28 | 10 |
| 2017 | 84 | 32 | 123 | 42 | 13 |
| 2018 | 107 | 25 | 128 | 40 | 18 |
| 2019 | 228 | 27 | 94 | 456 | 59 |
| 2020 | 178 | 15 | 131 | 276 | 23 |
| 2021 | 142 | 19 | 139 | 55 | 13 |
| 2022 | 63 | 6 | 27 | 31 | 5 |
| 2023 | 64 | 12 | 24 | 31 | 8 |
| 2024 | 81 | 13 | 26 | 38 | 3 |
| 2025 | 41 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 3 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2019 Toyota Rav4 stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
transmission went out at 109,217 k miles had to pay for it out of pocket Toyota doesn't recommend transmission fluid replacement until 120k miles
Door locks failed to lock or unlock via the key fob, intermittent problem
I am having issues with my 2019 RAV 4 rear hatch. The struts/hinges issue is not allowing my rear hatch to open. I feel like one issue caused the other, but warranty will only cover the struts. There is a potential class action lawsuit right now over this issue. Toyota will not do anything about it.
The infotainment system of my 2019 RAV4 hybrid will randomly turn off while driving. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Was in a front driver side T-bone @ 35 miles and hour accident and no Airbags deployed
The Coolant Bypass Valve on my vehicle failed, leading to a risk of sudden engine overheating and potential coolant leaks into the electrical harness. This is a documented defect (CSP 23TE03) that Toyota has failed to address for vehicles over 100,000 miles, creating a safety hazard for high-mileage owners. This is a major concern on a known issue and those that don't have funds to pay for this known failure. They need to do a recall for ALL!
The 8-speed automatic on my 2019 RAV4 (2.5L 4 Cyl) has been shifting super rough at lower speeds, to the point to where downshifts can send the revs into redline territory, but the car really doesn't move. No warning lights, passed state inspection, recently serviced. purchaced this car in Janurary with 50k miles on it and noticed it within a few weeks of driving. I am now at 57k and the issue is signifigantly worse than it was before. Will be taking it to Toyota soon. The safety issues arise when I do not know how the car is going to accelerate or respond to throttle input in traffic. I don't trust the car to handle any fast throttle input if I need to move out of the way quickly.
The rear door (lift gate) hinges are failing and tearing away from the vehicle body, causing misalignment of the rear door, operational failure of the automated lift gate, and water leaking into the interior. This has occurred under normal use conditions. It appears that the hinge design is insufficient to handle the load and forces of normal operation of the door. The failure has been documented in pictures. The Toyota dealership where the vehicle was purchased stated that the vehicle is out of warranty and there is no recall for the hinges, therefore the owner is responsible for repair costs. Had the issue not been found and the hinges failed completely, it could have been extremely hazardous.
My 2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure suffered a sudden catastrophic transmission failure while driving on the highway on April 28, 2026, resulting in loss of forward gears and a dangerous situation. On April 28, 2026, while traveling in [XXX] , my 2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure (159,173 miles) experienced a sudden transmission failure with no prior warning symptoms. The vehicle began slipping, made a whining noise, would not properly upshift or hold speed (became stuck in 3rd gear), and eventually lost all forward propulsion, creating a safety hazard on the road. I had the vehicle towed to Zanesville Toyota in [XXX] . Their diagnosis (copy of repair order attached) revealed severe internal damage including: Torque converter clutch actuator stuck off Multiple pressure control solenoids stuck Transmission slipping and complete loss of all forward gears Fluid full but contaminated with metal debris and clutch material Whining noise The dealer quoted approximately $15,000 for a full transmission + torque converter replacement and denied goodwill assistance. This appears to be part of a known issue with the 8-speed automatic transmission (UB80) in 2019+ Toyota RAV4 models. I am concerned this is a safety defect that can cause sudden loss of power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. I have attached the Zanesville Toyota repair order dated 04/30/2026 documenting the failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am reporting a serious concern and safety issue regarding the SlimFit3 LX car seat. We purchased it for a [XXX] old [XXX] male. After adjusting the head rest to the proper height so that the harness straps were slightly below his shoulder, we placed him in the seat and his head was unnaturally pushed forward and down so that his chin was pushed into his chest. This was caused by the headrest sitting too far forward of the back padding so there was no way for him to keep his head in natural alignment with his back. The contributing factor is the minimal back padding and its inset into the car seat. There should be more padding to move the back forward or the headrest should be retracted into the seat more. We immediately returned the two car seats we purchased because of this and went with a different manufacturer. Not only is this an ergonomic/comfort issue, but it could introduce airway obstructing breathing issues if the child fell asleep. It is an extremely unnatural position. Also, I would be concerned about long term damage to a child's posture after repeated use. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The rear hatch hinges are undersized causing them to fail and undue stress on the motor.
A coolant leak from the flow shut‑off valve caused the engine maintenance warning light to remain on for an extended period. This issue is covered under Toyota Customer Support Program 24TE04. The warning light is a safety concern because it indicates an active engine‑related malfunction and can mask other warnings. The defect was first diagnosed by a Toyota dealership at approximately 97,000 miles, well within the CSP coverage window. The dealership stated the vehicle “did not meet criteria” and refused to perform the repair, even though the symptoms matched those described in the CSP. The issue continued until a second Toyota dealership later confirmed the same defect and replaced the coolant bypass valve. Because the vehicle had since exceeded 100,000 miles, Toyota refused to cover the repair under the CSP, despite the defect being documented earlier within the coverage period. Multiple attempts to resolve the issue with Toyota corporate have resulted in no returned calls or meaningful response. The defect caused prolonged operation with an illuminated engine warning light, which presents a safety risk and indicates a failure to properly address a known issue covered under Toyota’s Customer Support Program
Braking while pulling into a parking space. Instead of slowing down the car accelerated and went over the curb. Maintained pressure on the break but it did not slow the car. Instead the car kept accelerating down an embankment, across an empty street and towards a telephone pole. Turning the steering wheel to the left to avoid the telephone pole the car further descended into a ditch. The car had to be towed and is now deemed to be totaled. The brake- pads had been inspected during a routine maintenance check the day before this accident occurred and they were good. No other vehicle was involved. My personal injury was an abrasion and bruise where my seat belt did it's job. My muscles are sore. The side airbags did deploy after the car stopped. The floor mats were locked in place.
Safety Defect: Data Communication Module (DCM) Failure Affecting Hands-Free Microphone and Safety Connect / SOS Emergency System Vehicle: 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE The DCM (which controls both the CarPlay/Bluetooth hands-free microphone and the Safety Connect SOS emergency button) suddenly failed without any warning or accident. Symptoms: - No one can hear me during CarPlay or Bluetooth calls (microphone inoperative). - Safety Connect / SOS light became intermittent or inoperative (directly impacts emergency calling, crash notification, and roadside assistance). This is a known recurring issue documented in Toyota TSBs T-SB-0112-20 and T-SB-0089-21. Toyota of Hackensack diagnosed it and quoted $1,300 for DCM replacement/update while charging me $200 for diagnosis. They did not disclose during the multipoint inspection that this is a documented safety-related DCM fault. I performed the manufacturer-recommended 12V battery disconnect reset (standard TSB procedure), which fully restored the microphone and returned the SOS light to solid green. However, this is only a temporary fix for a known defect. This failure compromises hands-free calling while driving and the emergency SOS system — both critical safety features. I request NHTSA investigation and urge Toyota to issue a recall or service campaign for all affected 2019–2025 RAV4 Hybrids.
Tailgate problem since Purchase. Tailgate won't close. Gets stuck open. Dangerous. Known issue. Fixed 3 times at Toyota dealer. Faulty hinge and other real parts problems. Dealer says there is a class action lawsuit about the problem. 1st occurred only during Winters starting 2022. Gas door broken 2023. Water leaking into passenger front door 2022. Also door actuator . Have had to replace front 2, now rear broken. Can report separately.
While driving, the moonroof on my 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD suddenly exploded with a loud bang and the glass blew outward. There was no impact, debris, or external cause. The sound was similar to a gunshot. The remaining glass appeared to be pushed upward/outward, not inward. This created a safety hazard due to potential driver distraction and risk of injury from falling glass. This appears consistent with other reported incidents involving spontaneous sunroof shattering. No warning light. Moonroof was shut.Sunny day about 40 degrees outside. Traveling at 68 mph. Dog in crate in back
At 92,000 miles my transmission went out and Toyota told me I need a brand new one. It goes in for routine services. It’s available for inspection. For the last few years I addressed the issues of jerky shift motion and it was blown off every time. It is only 7 years old. It stalled out in a busy intersection and wouldn’t move forward or backwards. There were no warning lamps before it went out.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Maintenance Required - Visit the Dealer" was displayed on the screen. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the coolant flow control valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Customer Support Program: 24TE04. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
I have a 2019 Toyota Rav4 and my liftgate hinges are breaking . The welds are breaking and its causing my truck to no close all the way. Also is truck itself had misaligning itself to the driver side and its also breaking my tail light from the truck hitting it. This is a known problem with this model of car. Toyota has refuse to fix this problem. Leaving people to pay for this repair out of their pocket. The price i have quote for is $2,288.27 that's alot of money. This problem needs to be fix without us coming out of our pocket to fix something that Toyota has known about for some time now. I have been back and forward with my local deal ship snice 3/20/2026. Today i s 3/24/2026 and nothing has changed. I have called Toyota corporate to see if i can some help with is repair. All they keep saying is my car" doesn't meet the reequipments. There should be a recall cause this isnt one two RAV4s its hundreds maybe even tens of thousands.
I have noticed visible rust forming on the roof, specifically the front drivers side adjacent to the inside edge of the roof rail that runs forward to aft on the vehicle. The same stated rust spot is near where the roof meets the windshield. It is available for inspection upon request. My 2019 Toyota Rav4 along with several other 5th generation Rav4 owners online are experiencing rust in the same exact spot. This rust may be a result of the Toyota Customer Service Program (CSP) #22TE05 and T-SB-0016-23 that came of a result of the Fishkind v. Toyota Motor Sales, USA et al. No. Case 2:23-cv-02279 Class Action Lawsuit. This rust may have been formed by the leaking roof rail gaskets that have a slow enough leak rate to penetrate the roof rail clip holes and create moisture and rust over an extended period of time but not high enough of a leak rate to cause excess leakage into the vehicle that would immediately alarm the driver to have the vehicle taken into the dealership for immediate repair before the corrosion and rust can have a chance to spread. After several conversations with Toyota Corporate and my Toyota dealership they have denied me CSP inspection and any coverage or good will assistance through the CSP# 22TE05 & T-SB-0016-23 despite evidence of water residue buildup on the headliner visible through a UV blacklight. Even if the rust is not caused from the roof rail gasket leakage, there are still multiple other instances online of other 5th gen rav4 owners experiencing roof rust in the same exact spot adjacent to the drivers side roof rail near the windshield, which points to a manufacturing defect. My safety will be put at risk when the corrosion worsens and leaks through into the electrical components of the vehicle. My dealership witnessed the rust but denied performing an inspection of the roof rail clips since there is currently visible rust, likely due to the roof rail clips leakage. No manufacturer inspection. No noticeable warning symptoms.
864 total