2019 Toyota RAV4 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the fuel tank not filling to its advertised capacity, with the pump shutting off well short of full and driving range estimates that come in lower than expected. Other frequent reports are water entering through the roof rack area, stalling or loss of power, and some describe the vehicle accelerating when the driver did not intend it. Fuel fill reports appear early in ownership, with most coming from vehicles under about 10,000 miles.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank shuts off well short of full

   • 222 complaints (25%)
   • median 650 mi at 1.0 yrs old (138 state mileage)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe filling the tank and having the pump click off after roughly 10 gallons, well before the gauge reads full or the tank reaches its advertised size. Several say the estimated range is lower than advertised as a result, and some try to top off by pulling the nozzle, which they describe as impractical. Dealers reportedly said the behavior was by design or could not duplicate it, and owners say a tank or sender repair did not change the fill level. Most reports come from new vehicles with under about 10,000 miles, and the fill issue is described from the first fill-ups.

   What to check: Fill the tank during a pre-purchase check and note when the pump shuts off and what the range estimate shows. Ask whether any fuel tank or sender repair or customer support program has been performed on the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased the new 2019 RAV4 hybrid on 11/29/2019 at prime motors in saco, maine. It currently has 725 miles on it. When I attempt to fill it it won't fill all the way. It's advertised to have a 14.5 gallon tank but only holds about 10 gallons. The dealership advised me to keep pumping after the pump shuts off. This is very bad advice as it could overflow and cause a fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #11307639, filed 2020-02, 650 miles

   “Mte, gallons to fill up, don't equal the miles to go after a fill up. Have had car a year, have only filled up once more than 10 or so gals, doesn't matter how many miles to empty show on gauges. Don't get anywher near the miles driven that was told to me. I fill up, usually takes about 9-10 gls. Will have less than 500 miles to drive on that tank of gas.driving local and on highway.”

   NHTSA complaint #11373623, filed 2020-11, 1,200 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Water leaks through roof rack and headliner

   • 76 complaints (9%)
   • median 37,000 mi at 2.6 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe rain or car-wash water entering through the roof rack area and running down the headliner and pillars into the cabin. Some report water reaching the airbag and wiring areas, and one describes the vehicle shutting off intermittently. Dealers reportedly replaced the headliner or roof rack hardware, and some say the leak returned after the repair or could not be duplicated. Reports cover a wide mileage range, from about 8,000 to 89,000 miles, with most falling between about 15,000 and 60,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the headliner, roof rack area and carpets for staining or dampness after rain or a car wash. Ask whether any roof rack or headliner repair has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After periods of rain, snowmelting on the car, or going through a car wash, water enters via the roof rack area,potentially exposing the airbags to water. The water caused staining on the headliner all over (a. B, c pillars). The curtain airbags for the front and back seat were in direct contact with the area saturated by water. I tookthe vehicle into the dealership where I purchased it, and they replaced the headliner and roof rack hardware after confirming there was a leak (3/4/21). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11405162, filed 2021-03, 17,500 miles

   “Roof rack is leaking on both sides of my RAV4. I can't get any assistance with getting it fixed. It's a 2019 with 58,000 on it. I have seen several post with the same issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11385795, filed 2020-12, 57,650 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling or sudden loss of power

   • 83 complaints (9%)
   • median 16,500 mi at 1.6 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,834 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the engine stalling at low or highway speeds, losing power on a grade, or showing a hybrid system malfunction warning while the accelerator pedal does not respond. Some say the vehicle would not restart or had to be towed, and one owner had a relay valve replaced after a hybrid system fault. In a few cases the stall was traced to a transmission or head gasket failure, and in one case the owner was told fuel vapor was the cause. Reports range from about 3,000 to over 110,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has a history of hybrid system or engine warnings and check for stored codes. During a test drive, check for hesitation and warning messages during slow stops and on a hill.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2019 tortola RAV4 xle with 6401 miles on it has been experiencing problems with stalling since I first got it in august. I notice it especially when I don't make complete stops. It will stall and yank the car forward. It is annoying and embarrassing that my new car does not drive smooth. I will be taking it to a Toyota dealerships to get evaluated.”

   NHTSA complaint #11309396, filed 2020-02, 3,000 miles

   “Two weeks ago the car came on with an error message stating the hybrid system had failed. I brought it into the dealer and they replaced a relay valve and said they had been having the same problem in cold weather with other RAV4 hybrids. Now today, I went to start the car and it was listing about 6 error messages, everything from the brake power being low, engine failure, etc. The car wouldn't start and had to be towed to the dealership.”

   NHTSA complaint #11307911, filed 2020-02, 4,500 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Sudden acceleration or revving despite braking

   • 75 complaints (8%)
   • median 5,950 mi at 1.5 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle accelerating or lunging forward on its own, sometimes at idle, while parking, or when the brake pedal is pressed, with the engine revving under braking. Several report no warning light before the event, and some describe hitting a wall, a tree or another vehicle. A dealer reportedly said the vehicle was working as designed, and one owner also reports doors locking unexpectedly. Reports range from about 1,000 to 62,000 miles, with most under about 11,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has any unexplained acceleration or brake warning history. On a test drive in an open parking area, check how the vehicle responds to the brake pedal and at idle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was pulling into my garage when my RAV4 took off like a rocket and hit the concrete back wall. The consumer has stated that the incident occurred once more when the consumer was at the tampa international airport in the cell phone parking lot. The vehicle suddenly accelerated and diagonally went ahead and collided with 2 other vehicles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11351971, filed 2020-08, 5,100 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started swaying in and out the lane. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact linked the failure to the lane keep assist feature. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact continued to drive the vehicle and the vehicle violently jerked, forcing the contact to pull over. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was accelerating unintendedly upon releasing the accelerator pedal. The contact immediately pulled over and turned off the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11661798, filed 2025-05, 62,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, fill the tank completely and compare the pump behavior and range estimate with the advertised figures, and inspect the roof rack area for water. Ask for the service history of any stalling, hybrid system warning or unexplained acceleration, and check the vehicle for open recalls.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.