YearToAvoid

2019 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

Engine complaints make up 239 of 878 total complaints for the 2019 Toyota RAV4, or 27% of all reported issues. NHTSA also lists a related engine recall (campaign 20V064000) covering the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. Median mileage at failure was 6,000 miles.

Engine complaints
239
27% of 878
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
6,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden hesitation or failure to accelerate when pulling away from a stop or parking spot, sometimes followed by a low-speed crash.
  • Several owners report unintended acceleration where the vehicle lurches forward or speeds up on its own despite braking, occasionally striking objects or other vehicles.
  • Some owners noticed rising oil levels after dealer oil changes, suggesting the engine was overfilled or had an internal fluid issue.
  • Owners report grinding, winding, or lurching noises during acceleration and braking that worsened over time.
  • A few owners experienced jerking or jumping motion when slowing to a stop and then trying to accelerate again at low speed.

When 2019 Toyota RAV4 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 15, 2019, latest Sep 15, 2026.

2019 Toyota RAV4 engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter332019 Q12020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
239 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q2 (33).

Engine recalls for the 2019 Toyota RAV4

  1. 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.

Engine complaints by RAV4 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200528 (20%)
  2. 2006220 (31%)
  3. 2007331 (33%)
  4. 2008246 (43%)
  5. 2009129 (39%)
  6. 2010108 (27%)
  7. 201198 (34%)
  8. 201269 (27%)
  9. 201345 (18%)
  10. 201438 (19%)
  11. 201556 (18%)
  12. 201636 (15%)
  13. 201746 (15%)
  14. 201850 (15%)
  15. 2019239 (27%)
  16. 2020205 (32%)
  17. 202146 (12%)
  18. 202234 (23%)
  19. 202332 (21%)
  20. 202446 (26%)
  21. 202518 (21%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 239 engine complaints for the 2019 RAV4, which is 27% of the 878 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2019 Toyota RAV4?
Yes. Recall campaign 20V064000 covers 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles with 2.5L 4-cylinder engines; Toyota dealers inspect and replace the engine block as necessary.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2019 RAV4?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 6,000 miles.
Did the 2019 RAV4 engine issues cause any crashes?
NHTSA data tied to this complaint area shows 8 crashes and 3 injuries reported, though this area's sample includes complaints spanning multiple components, not only the engine.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.