2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid ranks 2nd-worst out of 10 model years, with a complaint index of 89, 22 complaints, and 3 recalls. Fuel system issues dominate, making up 64% of complaints, alongside brake booster and suspension arm recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #2 of 10 RAV4 Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 22
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 40
- 41 city / 38 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System14 (64%)
- Brakes4 (18%)
- Airbags1 (5%)
- Electrical System1 (5%)
- Other1 (5%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake pedal fails to respond or requires excessive force to stop the vehicle, in one case leading to a rear-end crash at low speed.
- Fuel gauge and fuel pump shut off early during refueling, leaving the tank well under its advertised capacity and reducing driving range.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end collision, resulting in facial injuries.
- Brake fluid was found leaking behind the brake pedal, later traced to the brake booster pump.
- Water intrusion was found inside a rear door panel after a water-slashing sound was heard while parked.
2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V286000May 20, 2020Suspension, Wheels & Tires9,502 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.
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.
- NHTSA 20V064000Feb 6, 2020Engine44,191 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.
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.
- NHTSA 19V544000Jul 24, 2019Brakes6,925 vehicles
Service brakes
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.
2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 41 MPG
- Highway
- 38 MPG
- Combined
- 40 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other RAV4 Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid ranks 2nd-worst among 10 model years with a complaint index of 89 and an Avoid verdict. Fuel system complaints account for 64% of reported issues.
- What problems does the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid have?
- NHTSA data shows fuel system complaints (14 of 22, or 64% share) about incomplete tank fills and early pump shutoff, along with brake issues (4 complaints) including brake booster leaks and pedal resistance.
- Does the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: a front suspension arm crack risk, an engine block issue shared with other Toyota/Lexus hybrids, and a brake booster pump defect.
- Which RAV4 Hybrid years are better than 2019?
- Among RAV4 Hybrid years with data, 2018 and 2020 rate Good, and 2022 and 2023 rate Best, with complaint indexes as low as 11 and 22 compared to 89 for 2019.
- What is the median mileage for fuel system complaints in the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid?
- NHTSA data lists a median mileage of 400 miles for fuel system complaints, suggesting the issue often appeared very early in ownership.