CSR

Toyota · NHTSA safety record

2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 22 safety complaints about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the fuel and propulsion system, named in 11 complaints, 50% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 1,809 miles, the median across the 17 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2019 to March 2025 · How this is counted

What is on file

22 complaints on file

22

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

2

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11 · 50%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 3 · 14%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2 · 9%
AIR BAGS 1 · 5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 · 5%
STRUCTURE 1 · 5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 · 5%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 22.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 12.

16 12 8 4
19 20 21 23 24 25

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2025.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Toyota RAV4 HYBRID, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 15.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

20V286000 · May 20, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 9,502 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

20V064000 · February 6, 2020

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 44,191 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

19V544000 · July 24, 2019

The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
The risk
Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 6,925 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 22,868 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STOPPED, A GMC YUKON CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WAS NO REPORTED FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LAKESIDE TOYOTA 3701 N CAUSEWAY BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70002(504) 833-3311 BUT VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,868. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT *DT*JB

NHTSA complaint 11403849. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · 2,000 miles

AS I PULLED IN TO PARKING SPOT CAR ACCELERATES HIT WALL AND SWERVES AND HITS SPARKED VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint 11234732. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · 350 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20- 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED A DODGE VAN. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VESCOVO TOYOTA OF LAS CRUCES (780 S VALLEY DR, LAS CRUCES, NM 88005, (575) 523-5566) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE

NHTSA complaint 11258524, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

115,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the message "Hybrid System Malfunction" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and contacted the dealer, and was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with excessive corrosion to the high voltage wiring harness between the high voltage traction motor and the high voltage battery. The dealer informed the contact that the failure could lead to a vehicle occupant being electrocuted. The dealer determined that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related to the failure of

NHTSA complaint 11650172, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

54,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact discovered that an unknown fluid was leaking behind the brake pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that brake fluid was leaking and that the brake booster pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA complaint 11641115. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

54,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact heard a water-slashing sound inside the vehicle. The contact performed an inspection and noticed that the driver's side rear door panel was filled with water. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA complaint 11626610. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

45,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down, the contact became aware of an abnormal resistance on the brake pedal, which required excessive force on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The VSC Off warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, who was also unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA complaint 11555224. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

100 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the pump handle would click off inadvertently, preventing the refueling the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.

NHTSA complaint 11520465. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, there was fuel leaking onto the floor under the fuel filler neck. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank and fuel sending unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to Toyota Chula Vista (650 Main St, Chula Vista, CA 91911), South Coast Toyota (1966 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627) and Culver City Toyota (9077 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232), where the mechanics diagnosed and determined that the failure could not be duplicated. The

NHTSA complaint 11513091, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 22 1 —
2025 5 2 —
2023 8 1 —
2021 22 1 —
2020 13 5 —
2018 15 0 —
2017 14 0 —

Other 2019 Toyota models

Every Toyota on this site — 281 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst