2019 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 16 RAV4 years
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has a complaint index of 100, the worst among 16 model years, with 878 complaints and 7 recalls. Fuel System issues lead at 31% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 27%, earning it an Avoid verdict.
- Complaints
- 878
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 25 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26 city / 34 hwy
Top 2019 Toyota RAV4 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System269 (31%)
- Engine239 (27%)
- Other172 (20%)
- Electrical System105 (12%)
- Structure & Body103 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain80 (9%)
- Airbags45 (5%)
- Brakes38 (4%)
- Steering32 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers22 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or making low-speed turns, sometimes ending in a collision.
- Some describe the vehicle hesitating or failing to accelerate at low speed before crashing into another vehicle.
- Several report headlights that produce inadequate lighting at night, contributing to a crash while turning.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed frontal or animal-strike impacts.
- A few owners describe brake pedal application followed by unexpected acceleration instead of stopping.
2019 Toyota RAV4 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
- NHTSA 20V373000Jun 24, 2020Steering46 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
- 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.
2019 Toyota RAV4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
- Among 16 RAV4 model years tracked, 2019 ranks worst with a complaint index of 100 and 878 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other RAV4 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2019 RAV4?
- Fuel System complaints make up 31% of all reports (269 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 1,000, followed by Engine issues at 27% (239 complaints).
- Does the 2019 RAV4 have a recall?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2019 RAV4, covering the fuel system, steering, suspension, engine, back-up camera, and labeling issues. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How many crashes and fires were reported for the 2019 RAV4?
- NHTSA data shows 25 crashes, 2 fires, and 21 injuries linked to 2019 RAV4 complaints, with no deaths reported.
- How does the 2019 RAV4 compare to other years?
- The 2019 RAV4 has a complaint index of 100, far higher than the Best-rated 2014 RAV4 (index 0) and 2012 RAV4 (index 7), making 2019 the year to avoid.