NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Toyota RAV4. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
UNKNOWN
The following information refers to recall notice 19V544000 "SERVICE BRAKES" and "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL" (recall number same for both notices) by Toyota for the 2019 Rav 4 Hybrid: "In 2019, Toyota issued a recall for certain 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vehicles due to a faulty brake assist system, specifically related to a potential issue with the brake booster pump which could lead to brake failure; the 2019 Toyota Prius was also included in this recall." The recall covered the manufacturing period 4/26/2019 - 6/3/2019 and a recall notice was issued on 7/24/2019 for the affected vehicles and owners were notified on 9/20/2019. We purchased our vehicle on 9/21/2019 with manufacture date August 2019 and on 12/19/2024 we suffered a brake failure causing damage to the vehicle and our garage. The Rav Hybrid Limited comes with sensors that will auto brake if it believes the speed/distance is insufficient and the brakes have not been applied. The brakes were self-applied at the time and no sensor action occurred. I believe the above recall should be extended to include August 2019 manufacture and should also include any sensors that involve the braking system and/or stability control system. Currently we are dealing with insurance and Toyota, no appraisal costs as yet
The Data Communication Module has failed in my vehicle. This causes several major distractions and increases the risk of an accident. The media screen in the center of the dashboard will send an alert message every 15 seconds saying that ‘the connected device is not compatible’. At night, this alert message is especially bright and distracting. The lights on the SOS button are constantly blinking. More significantly, the SOS button does not work anymore. The only known solution to this problem is either to disconnect the DCM, or to pay more than $1300 to replace it.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the rear hatch door failed to remain securely closed. The contact stated that the failure intermittently occurred and became more frequent over time. Additionally, the front driver’s side seat belt buckle and rear passenger’s side seat belt buckle failed to buckle and lock securely. They also stated that the front driver's side electronic reclining seat made grinding sounds while operating. The contact also stated that water was leaking into the vehicle from the rear passenger’s side quarter panel. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 32,000.
First the problem was the seat belt malfunction and I check it everything was ok do accident or damage and two week later passager side air bag malfunction I took it to toyota the see the problem they said there are no recall and i have pay out of my pocket to fix manufacture malfunction problem.. after there months later my suv would not drive faster is move very slow and now it not even 5 years now and my transmission went out I have replace it
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 45 MPH unintendedly. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the brake pedal, and the accelerator pedal felt stuck, causing the front of the vehicle to crash into a building. There was no property damage. There was no warning light illuminated. The air bags deployed. The contact was able to exit the vehicle. The contact sustained bruising and a fractured rim on the right hand. The emergency units transported the contact to the hospital, where the contact underwent surgery. A police report was filed but the contact did not have the police report information available. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled by the insurance company. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would have the vehicle inspected. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owned a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a left turn at night, the contact did not watch the opposite direction and another driver that was driving 40-50 MPH crashed into the passenger's side of the vehicle, between the rear passenger's side door and the rear passenger's side wheel. The vehicle was propelled 2-3 feet in the air and landed 10 feet away from the collision location. The contact stated that the other vehicle was propelled more than 100 feet away. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's wife was occupying the front passenger's side seat while the contact's daughter was in the booster seat in the rear passenger's side seat. The contact exited the vehicle. The contact did not sustain any injury. The contact's wife sustained soreness in the right leg. The contact stated that he was able to take his daughter out of the vehicle; however, the rear passenger's side door was significantly difficult to open. The contact stated that his daughter had hit her forehead against the rear passenger's side window during the incident and was crying significantly. The contact's friend transported the daughter to the hospital, where several tests were performed. The contact was informed that no internal injuries were found and that the pain would subside. The contact stated that his daughter sustained emotional trauma after the incident. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,111.
Got brand new transmission put in then right after the Coolant leak started into cylinder number 2
Known DCM issue rendering emergency services button and all DCM services inoperable. Will not be able to activate emergency services in the event of collision. Toyota is aware of this design flaw and put out TSB011220, but they won't cover it outside of the warranty. Potential safety issue
Coolant leaked out of a vehicle’s closed-loop coolant system, harming its ability to properly regulate engine temperature. This can cause overheating, stalling, increased emissions, and total engine failure and also allows coolant to leak into and damage surrounding engine components, including a vehicle’s electrical system, the complaint relays. Coolant leak also corroded the sensor on the RAV4 coolant bypass valve, which can caused it to remain in the open or closed position and be unable to properly direct coolant throughout the engine.
I have been told by the Toyota Arapahoe dealer that the DCM in the car is bad. All the services the DCM supposedly provides have NEVER worked on the car, leading me to believe it has been faulty from day one. These include all safety assistance features.
Water leaking under passenger side visor and near passenger side window near the passenger side airbags
Initially thought a seal on the windshield was faulty, so contacted the business who replaced the windshield. Business owner came to owner’s house Mon, Nov 4, 2024. He did a thorough inspection of all areas where water was identified by owner (dash, under the dash, on the driver side floor) and confirmed it was not the windshield. He then inspected the roof rack and determined the roof rack was defective and leaking water from the ceiling of the vehicle, down into the dash, and ultimately onto the floor. He recommended contacting Toyota because this was a known issue. By 12pm on Mon, Nov 4, 2024 owner contacted Toyota alerting them to the issue. An appointment was made to bring the vehicle in for inspection on Mon, Nov 11, 2024. Owners do not have a garage or carport, so a canopy was pitched over the car in an effort to prevent any further water damage and moisture absorbing canisters were placed in the car. The vehicle was not driven in the rain during the period after first noticing the leak and bringing it in to the dealership. Evidence of Electrical Damage: On Friday, November 1, 2024 the driver side seat became extremely hot, to the point of needing to pull over and turn the car off. The seat heater was not turned on at any point during this time. On Saturday, Nov 9, 2024 and Nov 11, 2024 while driving on the highway, the car (normally driven in Eco Mode) unexpectedly switched into Mud&Sand mode and all safety features switched off. Owner was unable to manually override this occurrence. The “Normal” button did not work. After a few minutes, the vehicle switched into the default setting and owner was able to put it back into Eco Mode. On Nov 11, 2024 owner brought vehicle into Toyota for diagnostics. Owner requested that the electrical components also be inspected and was told it was not covered under the Customer Support Program.
Engine maintenance required when AC is turned on. This is an issue with the coolant by pass valve, many rav4 owners have reported but a recall has not been established
I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green and I pressed the gas, the engine sputtered and almost shut off. Just before I came to a stop, the engine revved up and the vehicle accelerated. The uneven acceleration is concerning. I recently replaced the gas cap and serviced the fuel system, which leads me to believe there is a defect with the engine. Later in the day, the check engine light went on and AWD system, cruise control, and lane assist were disabled.
A distracting message “a connected device is not supported” flashes on my console screen every 10 seconds. This occurs when there are no device or cable connected. It blocks the clock and driving directions if I am projecting them through CarPlay. The SOS emergency system lights flash back and forth from red to green.
Toyota has a coolant control valve problem on the RAV4 that it has known is a problem but will not issue a technical service bulletin or recall. It is only covered by the extended warranty. Any other is 800 dollars out of pocket. The warning ️ on the dash blocks the speed indicator and cannot be cleared until the fix is made.
A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected. The car then ran hot and started jerking. I took it to autozone for them to look and could not find anything, I had a mechanic come over to look at it, and he couldn't find anything either. I sent it to Toyota Wolfchase in Memphis TN. Who has stated it will be two or three days before they can even look at it. This seems to be a common problem with Toyota cars yet there's no recall I have seen numerous complaints on Google Reddit, TikTok, and more. I called corporate to make a complaint and they said they don't see any complaints which I know is not true
My coolant bypass valve gave out and Toyota is insisting it’s not covered under warranty my 10 year warranty. Toyota knew there was a defect and didn’t tell consumers.
The coolant bypass valve has leaked. It is available for inspection upon request, however this seems to be a larger ongoing problem across the country with this make, model and year. The check engine light did go on.
The brake caliper remain stuck
[XXX] - Driving my 2019 Rav4 Hybrid Se nearing [XXX] [XXX] traveling 25-30mph suddenly felt like car was moving faster, stop sign came up fast, slammed on brakes with 0 effect! Yelled [XXX]? as I shot across the highway, down the shoulder, coming to rest against a couple small trees. No air bag deployed, wearing seat belts of course, still bumped head on ceiling causing small laceration, neck trauma, and Dr found I had also suffered a Vitreous Detachment (eye). Did not lose consciousness. Vehicle damage appeared to be front left corner but enough underneath to total vehicle. Very fortunate no other vehicles involved and that debris brought car to a stop instead of a big tree or wall. Two witnesses heard brakes... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Rear passenger door keeps flooding after rain. Bottom door seal needs to be physically lifted to the side for water to drain out of the door.
The “Engine Maintenance Required” light came on, indicating issues with the coolant valve. This is become a common issue with the RAV4. If this is becoming a common issue for owners, it needs to be looked into!! I commute and my engine can overheat.
Engine: I got the 100k engine maintenance done. I replace my coolant and got an oil change. The engine maintenance required warning is still on my dashboard and will not go away because the diagnostic reader states I need a new coolant bypass valve. This is not apart of the factory maintenance, alot on rav4 owners are dealing with this, and it is very pricey. I think it is best for this type of situation to be recalled. Brakes: I got my front brakes replaced and I had issues with my front calipers. My mechanic said both calipers had holes in them and caused my brake fluid to leak which has affected my braking alot. It takes a long time to brake and I’ve experienced this even after I’ve paid alot of money to get my driver said caliper replaced, still need to get my passenger side replaced. My mechanic only uses toyota brand supplies so I’m not sure why there isn’t any longevity in the quality of supplies. I’ve only had the vehicle for 2 years.
My 2019 Toyota RAV4 had been making a loud noise at random intervals when driving at high speeds such as freeway speeds. The dealer said they could not reproduce the issue. A couple years later at around 65000 miles my engine maintenance required message came up and would not go away. I took my vehicle to get the code read and there were no codes. I kept smelling fuel or different unpleasant smells when driving the vehicle. The engine maintenance required notice would turn on every single Time I used the AC. I later went to the Toyota dealer and they said the coolant bypass valve had been leaking and causing the engine maintenance notice to come up. This is a new vehicle that has been maintained properly and rarely driven far. The part and labor was $824.
Defective coolant bypass valves on my 2019 Toyota RAV 4 have caused coolant to leak out of my vehicle’s closed-loop coolant system, harming its ability to properly regulate engine temperature. Eventually the message “Engine Maintenance Required Visit Your Dealer” appeared on my dashboard indicating an issue with the engine. An internet search of this error message on the 2019-2023 Toyota RAV4 and Corolla models shows this is a widespread defect, affecting hundreds of Toyota owners. A class action lawsuit has been filed against Toyota regarding defective coolant bypass valves in the 2019-2023 Toyota RAV4 and Corolla models [XXX] et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc) but Toyota has still not addressed this defect with a recall. Attached is a copy of the mechanic invoice I just paid to replace the defective coolant bypass valves on my 2019 RAV4 as the engine was not maintaining temperatures appropriately and in risk of total engine failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I got an alert on my screen that would not go away. It said Engine Maintenance Required.” Went to auto one & there was 0 diagnostics associated with any codes. The guy said that it is the coolant bypass valve and that there is a class action in the works. He said most places charge $600 - $700 to replace and to hold on to my receipts.
Coolant valve failed ($700)shortly after warranty ended; extended warranty did not cover repair. Coolant valve then caused harness to be unusable causing for a $4500 part replacement to be required. During the whole process the Toyota dealership maintenance told me that the engine repair required alert was for normal maintenance and directed me to continue driving with it until my scheduled service every time after speaking with three different people and a mechanic at the dealerships maintenance shop. I was then told after bringing in the car that I could leave although the alert was still present. Finally after the maintenance supervisor looked at my car I was told it was not safe to have been driving. Toyota made a faulty part that they expected to break and still put it in vehicles. They then are not even aware/ do not acknowledge this widespread issue in 2019 and 2020 rav-4s and Carrolas. This defective part can cause the engine to have catastrophic issues as I was later told by the maintenance manager at a Toyota dealership. However, Toyota is leaving car owners and leaders out of thousands of dollars in repairs and not acknowledging or warning customers of a dangerous issue.
Toyota RAV4 5th Gen Power Lift Gate Hinge Issues Unpredictable Failure: If the lift gate or its components fail unexpectedly, it could cause injury to someone loading or unloading items, especially if they are unable to react in time. Obstructed Visibility: If the lift gate detaches while in motion, it could obstruct the driver’s rear visibility, increasing the risk of an accident. Risk to Other Road Users: A detached lift gate or related debris could pose significant danger to pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles on the road. Vehicle Stability and Control: A sudden failure or detachment of the lift gate components could destabilize the vehicle, especially at high speeds. Damage to Emergency Equipment: If the lift gate collapses or detaches, it could damage essential safety or emergency equipment stored in the trunk, leaving occupants unprepared in an actual emergency. Child and Pet Safety Concerns: Families frequently use RAV4s as family vehicles. A collapsing or failing lift gate could pose a serious risk to children or pets while loading or unloading. Potential for Escalating Damage: The failure of hinges or struts could result in cascading damage to other parts of the vehicle, such as electrical systems or the rear windshield, creating additional safety hazards. Delayed Emergency Response: If the lift gate malfunctions or becomes stuck in a partially open or closed position, it could impede access to the cargo area in emergencies, such as retrieving a first aid kit.
Check engine light came on. Ran codes in vehicle and showed code P2681-15 engine coolant bypass valve needs replaced.
A warning message appeared that stated: “Engine maintenance required - Visit your dealer”. At that time my vehicle had 38,796 miles on it. I contacted the Service Advisor at Toyota of Newnan who advised that it was likely the Coolant Bypass Valve on the engine and that they have had issues and repairs relating to that condition on their RAV4 and Corolla models. Their mechanics confirmed that this was the fault and that failing to have it repaired / replaced could result in engine overheating and engine seizing which could result in lose of vehicle control and endanger other vehicles on the road. Sensing the urgency, I had the repair / replacement completed at a cost of $846.68. Service advisor stated that many of the other vehicles with the same problem were still under warranty and repaired at no cost to the consumer. In my opinion this recurring defect among two Toyota model lines is occurring with enough regularity to warrant Toyota issuing at least a Service Bulletin and covering the cost of the repair and reimbursement to those that had to pay for the repair.
Coolent valve needed to be replaced
2019 rav4 at 59,000 miles engine maintenance required popped up. Went to the dealer, service advisor knew exactly that coolant control valve needed to be replaced because it being so common. I looked it up and coolant bypass valves in the 2019–2023 RAV4 and Corolla models. Some owners have reported that this defect could affect the vehicle's performance and longevity. Now I have to spend almost 1,000 for a repair I didn’t even cause because Toyota built a faulty valve.
Toyota Rav4 2019 XLE - Engine Coolant Pump Performance/Stuck Off Error code P26CB milage 56,920 Toyota says this is NOT covered by the 5 year power train warranty. For years Toyota has manufactured this water pump that freezes up due to manufacturing defect that allows the magnetic base housing to rupture. Dealers want to replace entire pump (or at least charge for it) verses replacing the frozen plastic rotor. Dealer claims this is not covered under 5 year power train warranty. Why not? My car temp started climbing and took me hours to get home (10 miles) as I kept stopping for hours waiting for engine cool and sprinkling water from bottles over the engine and trans housing where it butts against the engine (silver brading). (This was late in weekend night - repair shops not open. I do see a recall investigation started (no recall yet) and just wanted to add my complaint to the issue. At first the temp gauge read normal but later started climbing. The engine light did come on the the DB2 said P26CB.
Engine error message showed up after extended warranty expired by 600 miles. To fix the error message Toyota charge $871 total combined diagnostic, part and labor. The problem was coolant by pass valve shorted.
Coolant bypass valve
Maxi-Cosi Emme 360… MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN! When in the locked position with confirmed “locked” emblem visible, the car seat can easily be knocked loose and rotated. There are of course several warning labels on the side that say do not attempt to rotate the seat while in the locked position without using the appropriate release handle. The amount of light force I am apply is extremely minimal and nothing compared to the torsion that will be exerted to the car seat during a serious collision. We have already contacted the manufacturer directly, this is now the second car seat we have received with the same issue. We have been on the phone with tech support. They have no idea what’s happening and cannot resolve the issue. Again, this is a very serious safety concern with the car seat.
Out of the sudden, the engine light started to display a message to check engine and overheating of this took place continuously. My Rav 4 only has 70k miles and I got it pre-certified from the dealer. This error is the Coolant Bypass Valve. This Valve is connected to a radiator hose.
Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding a recurring issue with my 2019 Toyota RAV4, which I believe poses a significant safety concern. The check engine light on my vehicle frequently illuminates, resulting in the disablement of the all-wheel drive (AWD) system. I initially brought my vehicle to a Toyota dealership, where they replaced the charcoal canister (EVAP) three times based on the diagnostic code. Despite these repeated repairs, the problem persists. Suspecting that the issue might be related to the dealership's service, I sought a second opinion from another Toyota dealership. Unfortunately, they provided the same diagnosis and solution, which again failed to resolve the issue. Given that the AWD system is a critical safety feature, especially in adverse driving conditions, I believe this issue should be considered a safety concern and potentially covered by a recall. Further given that the EVAP system is directly tied to the fuel it also should be considered a safety concerns. The repeated failure to address the root cause of the problem not only undermines the reliability of the vehicle but also compromises the safety of its occupants. I kindly request that the NHTSA investigate this matter and consider issuing a recall to address this widespread issue. Your attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated, as it would ensure the safety and satisfaction of Toyota RAV4 owners. Thank you for your time and consideration. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Upon reaching 50k miles, vehicle prompted a "engine maintenance required, please contact dealer" message. Upon inspection at the dealer, I was told this is a common issue in newer Toyota RAV4/Corollas and employees have been seeing this issue continuously. There is no way to bypass this message without getting the part replaced and the replacement runs anywhere ~$800 -$1000. How are so many people dealing with the same issue and Toyota has yet to issue a recall?
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and several unknown messages were displayed. The contact stated that the transmission and steering wheel seized during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that unknown parts were replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted and worsened during the cold months. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
2019 RAV4 with 50120 miles engine maintenance light. It is a very common problem with Rav4s. coolant bypass valve...... My brother has same model same problem. Spent $600 to replace it. Toyota is charging $600-$1000 to replace defective part.
I have the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure that was manufactured with a defective differential, per T-SB-0067-20, Toyota has acknowledged that the differential were defective and that affected thousands of 2019-2020 RAV4 Adventure and Limited trim models. The defective part number is 41110-42050 and the new, superceded part number is 41110-42054. I reached out to Toyota numerous times to rectify the issue has the differential clunks and could seize causing loss of control. My vehicle was deemed a "total loss" due to hail damage and Toyota refuses to assist because of the total loss, but the vehicle was manufactured with the defective part and my vehicle suffers the VERY same issue as that a non-total loss vehicle suffers. The title status is irrelevant as the defective differential was installed BEFORE the total loss, so the title status is inconsequential. This is a safety concern because the differential could fail due to seizure, shatter, explode resulting in a loss of control and injury to me the driver and others on the road. I've expressed this numerous times with Toyota.
Coolant bypass valve
The rear power liftgate metal hinges are peeling away from the body of the vehicle. My liftgate doesn't close properly and is out of alignment to stay safely latched closed and has become 100% unusable. There is a 1.5 inch gap (you can see light and water can enter) on rear pass. side and the door is tightly jammed closed on the rear driver side. After speaking with a Toyota service manager, he casually let me know he sees this frequently. I have learned this is a very known issue yet Toyota will do nothing to prevent these defective hinges from being installed or cover repairs. The service manager told to take it to the collision center to get quoted on a repair. I did and my out of pocket cost (because Toyota won't take responsibility for this defect) is between $700 and $2700, depending how much damage occurred to other components caused by the defective hinges (the collision company has also stated they've done many of these repairs). My vehicle showed no visible sign of failure prior to breaking. It would occasionally fail to close, as if an object was in the way, but upon re-trying to power liftgate button, it would close. Sometimes it would take 3 to 4 times to be successful. But, it never appeared as if it was out of alignment or damaged until last weekend when I tried to close it and it forced closed itself VERY incorrectly. Considering my vehicle was purchased less than 5 years ago, brand new, this shouldn't be happening. It definitely shouldn't be showing this kind of wear on a vehicle I haven't even had to change brakes, tires or a simple headlight on the ENTIRE ownership of the vehicle. When I use those items every single day. My liftgate is used 1 time or less a week. The cost of this repair is half what I still owe on it and I didn't even do anything to cause it, it happened due to faulty hinges that are NOT safe. How do I know my hatch won't open while driving? Or that it won't break opposite and my liftgate becomes unsecured from my suv altogeth
Coolant Bypass Valve Failure Engine Maintenance Required: See Dealer message appears on the drive screen when driving and you can't remove it- which means you can't see your digital speed or what you are setting your cruise at. The failure of this valve will cause the car to overheat which will lead to radiator/engine damage if not taken care of immediately. This part needs to be recalled!!!! RECALL THE TOYOTA COOLANT BYPASS VALVE! It is a faulty part that is failing in all 2019-2020 Toyota models. Mine is a 2019 RAV4. The part is plastic and is failing across the board. It Is costing $996.00 to have this problem diagnosed and fixed so I can drive my car again. I am a teacher and this is a substantial amount of money for a plastic part that should have never been used in the first place. Toyota needs to be held responsible for its cheap and faulty parts. I didn't know if I was going to make it to the dealership or not.
Coolant bypass valve failure The issue has been confirmed by a service center and was told a very common failure in my make & model of car. Warning light came on dash board and immediately had checked at service center. The fix is $900, which is frustrating because a class action lawsuit is being gathered for this same defect in my same model of car.
Engine maintenance required notification came on - told it was due to the coolant bypass valve circuit shorting to the battery
A “Engine Maintenance Required” notification came up on dash boards. When car was taken to dealership and a diagnosis was made they stated that the engine coolant bypass valve was damaged and needed to be replaced. Upon research online it appears that Toyota would be recalling over 44,000 vehicles of the makes RAV4 and Corolla ranging from the manufacturer years 2019-2023. The issue with these vehicles states that potential of a crack forming in the engine, a result of a manufacturing error. Coolant or oil could leak from the crack, leading to the engine stalling, overheating, or possibly catching fire. This issue can be found within several articles. The dealership is wanting me to pay $787+ tax for an issue that appears to be a manufactured issue which later I may not be refunded.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026