2019 Toyota RAV4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has a complaint index of 95, ranks 2nd worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict with 878 complaints and 7 recalls. Fuel System issues dominate at 31% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 1,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 RAV4 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 878
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 25
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
Top 2019 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while slowly parking, causing the vehicle to lurch forward and crash into walls, poles, or other cars.
- Some drivers report the brake pedal was fully depressed but the vehicle kept moving and struck curbs, storefronts, or trees.
- One owner reported the steering suddenly locked up at speed, causing the vehicle to leave the road and roll over.
- Another owner said the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate at low speed before colliding with another car.
- A driver reported the airbags did not deploy after hitting a deer at 45 mph, despite Toyota documentation citing a rail line leak that can affect airbag function.
- One report described a passenger seat that failed to lock and moved back and forth while the vehicle also drifted in and out of its lane.
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?
- Compared to other RAV4 model years, the 2019 ranks 2nd worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 95 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the most common problem with the 2019 RAV4?
- Fuel System complaints are the top issue, making up 31% of all complaints (269 of 878), with a median failure mileage of 1,000 miles.
- Does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2019 RAV4, covering the fuel system, steering, suspension, engine, back-up camera, and load carrying capacity labels. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2019 RAV4 compare to the 2020 and 2021 model years?
- The 2020 RAV4 has a complaint index of 90 and the 2021 has 100, both also rated Avoid, meaning the 2019, 2020, and 2021 RAV4s are the three highest-complaint years among the 21 tracked.