What 870 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hv

Was insinuating engine was over heating even in -4° weather has no hot air plenty of coolant. This is causing the vehicle to "buck" amd having to have to pull over and waiting several minutes to let the engine "cool off" I can make it about 3 miles in-between pull overs. After some research I feel like the issue falls under a current lawsuit against Toyota regarding the coolant valve based on reading other issues and what my rav is doing. It is a several thousand dollar fix through a dealership and one my family can not afford especially if it is a poorly manufactured part of the car. It is one of two vehicles we have and need to daily living especially having a child and no means yo offered another safe vehicle at this time. The coolant pump itself

NHTSA ODI 11703331

The design of some Rav4 grilles (particularly 2019-2024 models) allows rocks and road debris to easily pass through and damage the vulnerable A/C condenser, or radiator behind it, which leads to very expensive repairs. This is what happened to my 2019 Toyota Rav 4. Now I have to pay 1300.00 to get it repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11701639

Lift cylinders of power liftgate are operating at different times causing gate to twist. Liftgate fails to open and close automatically, causing prolonged beeping while liftgate is open. Hinges holding liftgate in place have started to bend and crack apart from the body of the car. An independent auto body shop inspected this issue and recreated the tailgate failure. Quote to repair included replacing hinges, lift cylinders and to recheck electronic connections.

NHTSA ODI 11701480

My 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ) suffered sudden engine failure due to coolant intrusion. On Nov 20, 2025, Johnstons Toyota in Harriman, NY (RO#XXX) diagnosed the issue and recorded DTCs P26CA31 and P26CB, which indicate failure of the coolant flow control/bypass valve. The dealer confirmed heavy white smoke from the exhaust with a strong coolant smell and advised the engine had failed, recommending a replacement. This vehicle is part of the early 2019 Japan-built batch widely known for premature electric water pump and coolant-flow system failures. Internal impeller swelling, seal leakage, and bearing seizure can cause coolant pressure spikes and ultimately head-gasket failure with coolant entering the cylinders. This defect has been reported by thousands of RAV4 Hybrid owners (2019–2021). Toyota has addressed it quietly through internal TSBs such as XXX and XXX but no public recall has been issued. The safety risk is severe: the engine began emitting thick white smoke and ran roughly, risking sudden power loss, overheating, or engine seizure while driving. A stall at highway speed could easily cause a collision. Toyota USA opened Case #XXX but declined assistance despite the defect being well documented. This failure was sudden, with no warning lights prior to the incident. Given the widespread nature of this defect and its clear safety implications, I request that NHTSA open a formal investigation into the electric water pump/coolant system failures in 2019–2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrids and consider requiring a safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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UNKNOWN

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Stopped for gas on 11/6/2025 immediately after getting gas the truck shook twice, the power steering light and engine shut down light came on and the truck turned off. Waited for a few minutes to turn the engine again it wouldn’t start. Got it towed to my nearest dealership who kept it for a day. Said there was nothing wrong with the truck, there was no code showing and they couldn’t determine the cause of the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11700238

One week ago one section of the heated steering wheel was very hot. So much so that I could not touch that area. I took it to the Anderson Toyota dealership in Rockford today. On the way there, I turned on the heated steering wheel, and it started smoking. They said they couldn’t find what was wrong with it, and to replace it would be 1800 because it isn’t in warranty. They suggested I not use it.

NHTSA ODI 11699789

It happened yesterday , November 3rd at 8:45 am Approx. speed was 35mph to 40 •Location: 934 York Road, Towson, MD •Description: Front-right impact at 40 mph, no airbag deployment, two children in back seat, vehicle had recent 50K service and roof-rail repair, CSP 22TE05, at Sheehy Toyota Cockeysville. Vehicle now at Caliber Collision Cockeysville. Claim #060381946 I am experiencing neck, shoulder and rib pain right now, my 5 year old complain about right ankle pain and apparently hit his head on the right side.My 3 year old complain about neck pain yesterday. There was no sign showing any kind of failure on my dashboard. I asked my vehicle to be investigated formally by Toyota engineer asap or forensic expert. I asked my vehicle to be freeze right until proper airbag inspection have been conducted. I have picture of the car showing clearly that none of the airbags worked.

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There is a known TSB out for 2019 toyota rav4 and some select other years. The issue is a slow speed transmission issue. It is due to a programming issue. At slow speeds, if you try to go from the brake pedal to the gas pedal too quickly, there is a serious lag before power is delivered to the wheels. Which is very dangerous when making specific turns. An example is what happened to my wife and myself the other day. We were in a median turning lane, cars were coming, as we were coming to almost a stop, my wife went to apply the gas. There was a serious lag before power was delivered and it almost resulted in a T bone collision. My wife went to apply gas, there was no power for several seconds, which caused her to panic and hit the brakes again. In that process, the power was finally delivered to the wheels and caused the car to pull about halfway into the oncoming traffic before it stopped from her applying the brakes. She then hard to quickly reverse to avoid the collision. The TSB calls for a flash of the TCM and a relearn procedure to be done. Which I am having done today due to the severity of the incident we had. This could have 100% caused a serious or fatal accident. The two dealerships I spoke with severely down played it as an issue. This deserves a investigation and a recall to be sent out. I was never advised of the TSB or anything.

NHTSA ODI 11694789

I stopped for gas; my car would not start. The power steering fluid light came on. I went inside to purchase some but when I returned to the car, there was no place to pour it. After a few minutes the car started. About a month later, my husband stopped for gas and the car killed right after he left the gas station, about 10 minutes later, it started. Took it to a mechanic, they couldn't find anything wrong with it because the check engine light wasn't on and the car wasn't giving any problem codes. About two weeks ago, I stopped for gas, the car wouldn't start. Finally got it started, and the check engine light came on. However, it's still not reading any codes.

NHTSA ODI 11692981

My check engine light is on due to O2 sensor being dirty. While this light is on some features in the car are disabled like cruise control. It might also be that the ABS braking system is turned off! I am not sure but once when the car in front of me abruptly stopped I was surprised my emergency braking did not kick in.

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The car transmission hesitates to accelerate at slow speeds and jerks or lurches forwards in a uncontrollable way. Dangerous at stop signs or on slow or hilly roads. Dealership does not directly acknowledge this issue, despite mechanic mentioning very clearly it is related to T-SB-0107-19 which Toyota dealerships charge to repair. No warning messages. Issue has existed as long as I have owned the vehicle 1.5 years from 61,000 miles to 71,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11691199

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the contact had to use force to maneuver the steering wheel. A yellow light was illuminated, followed by a red light. The message "Power Steering Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the power steering unit sensor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact retrieved DTCs: C05D604 (Electronic Power Steering (EPS) System Internal Failure); C151287 (Malfunction in the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System Torque Sensor); and C15D11C (Electric Parking Brake Failure). The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V373000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,500.

NHTSA ODI 11690813

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while attempting to open the fuel door, the latch failed to unlock as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the spring in the latch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,900.

NHTSA ODI 11690379

I was driving to Kansas on a road trip and we stopped for gas when we noticed the rear drivers side tire tilting inwards (top of tire angled towards the car). We then drove it to a mechanic in Kansas to see if it is safe to drive further. She noticed the bolt for the rear suspension loose and almost out entirely. She then told us we could not drive the car any further because a few more bumps and the bolt would fall out and create major safely concerns. She also noted that she could see where the bolt was rubbing on the rear suspension sub-plate and could see the old rusted damage along with the new damage from recent driving. She also noted the uneven wear on the tire with the tread worn significantly more on the inner side of the tire. We towed it to Denver to have it looked at and the said the bolt and nut need to be replaced along with a tire alignment. There were no warning signs other than my car felt more bouncy than normal. The car bolt has been replaced but you can inspect the surrounding damage if needed. Both the safety of the people in my vehicle and those around me would have been at risk if we didn't notice the tilt and continued the road trip.

NHTSA ODI 11689996

Vehicle states engine maintenance required. Is a consistent reoccurring problem according to dealer. System failure due to manufacturer always puts the user at risk.

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Engine stopped power steering low, notification. When in Reverse. Car shuts off and I coast backwards. Have to put it in park and then restart the car.

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Cooling System over Temperature. Message kept displaying and check engine lit up again since the first service was done by Tech at the dealership on July 15, 2025.

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Got a "Hybrid System Malfunction" notification on my dash and took it to the dealer. I was notified that my high voltage hybrid cable is corroded, and that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I understand that customer support program 22TE09 exists for this problem, but because my vehicle has over 100,000 miles, it is not covered. If this is a safety issue that Toyota has acknowledged and admitted is an issue, there should be a complete recall. I was FORCED to get the work done at a dealer because Toyota has a hold on the part. I attempted to get an independent garage to do the work, but they were not authorized to even purchase the parts necessary. Ultimately I had no choice but to spend almost $5000 for a safety repair on a 2019 vehicle that Toyota themselves have admitted to the engineering mistake, while also making it impossible to fix outside of a dealer. This is completely unacceptable. Thank you.

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Got brand new transmission put in then right after the Coolant leak started into cylinder number 2

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I’m reporting a safety issue with my 2019 Toyota RAV4 that has recently started and is getting worse. The problem seems related to the start-stop system or something in the powertrain. When I come to a stop—at a stop sign, red light, or roundabout—the car doesn’t always respond normally when I try to start moving again. Sometimes there’s a hesitation, and other times it lurches forward unexpectedly when I lightly press the gas pedal, like you normally would. It feels like a jolt, almost like whiplash. It’s especially dangerous in roundabouts or tight traffic situations because I can’t predict how the car will respond. I’m worried I could accidentally hit another car, or get rear-ended myself because the car doesn’t move smoothly or reliably when restarting from a stop. Even when I turn off the start-stop system, the issue still happens. It feels like a hesitation followed by a sudden surge. The RPMs don’t change, but the car still lurches. Yesterday, for the first time, I noticed the car slightly accelerated on its own after stopping, which was very concerning. I found out through Toyota’s official website that there is a technical service bulletin about this issue that came out before we owned the vehicle. But because it’s not a full recall, the dealership said they wouldn’t fix it unless we paid the $80 diagnostic fee. We’re now just out of warranty. We’re making $580 monthly payments on a car that I don’t currently feel is safe to drive. There are no warning lights or messages on the dash. I’ll be taking it to Le Mieux Toyota in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, in two weeks to have it inspected, but I wanted to report this because I believe it’s a safety issue that should be looked into. I have two small kids and I’m genuinely worried about getting into an accident, especially when merging onto highways or driving in busy intersections. I’ve seen people say this system can be recalibrated, but the fact that this is happening without any dashboard warning and is worse.

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26Aug2025 I notified Maplewood Toyota MN I had not been notified of safety recalls when nhtsa site confirmed 7 safety recalls. I had absolutly no response. Now nhtsa site says there are no unrepaired recalls when Toyota of Maplewood has done No repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11685506

At times it is difficult to connect seat belt into the lock I have to press release multiple times and try to lock in and click seat belt several times. It sometimes connect on first try and has taken 20 minutes to connect seat belt. As of 8/12/25 in for repairs at a cost $430 Driver and left set set belt lock replaced

NHTSA ODI 11680269

I am reaching out regarding a structural issue I’ve experienced with my 2019 Toyota RAV4, specifically with the rear power liftgate. Recently, I noticed that the liftgate hinges are beginning to crack and pull away from the body of the vehicle. The alignment of the trunk has shifted slightly, and there is visible damage around the hinge area. This appears to be worsening over time and is beginning to affect the liftgate’s ability to close properly and securely.

NHTSA ODI 11679398

The DCM is nonfunctional, which renders the safety connect features of the car inoperable. Additionally, the Bluetooth microphone is powered by the DCM causing the driver to have to switch the call output on their phone manually taking their focus off the road. This seems to be a widespread issue with many reporting this on online threads and Toyota offering many internal service bulletins. To me this is a major safety concern that is extremely costly to repair.

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