Home · 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hv · Complaints

What 870 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hv

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (870)Crash / fire / injury (30)Fuel system (267)Engine (203)Electrical system (100)Body & structure (89)Transmission & drivetrain (80)Airbags (45)Brakes (35)Steering (31)Speed control (30)Visibility & wipers (21)

Newest first · 870 complaints · page 35 of 35

Jul 20, 2019

DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE, THE CRACK ON PASSENGER SIDE IS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 INCHES IN LENGTH AND STOPS BY AIRBAG PANEL ON DASH. THE DRIVERS SIDE CRACK IS ROUGHLY TEN INCHES AND IS CONTINUING UP TOWARDS INSTRUMENT PANEL (STILL CRACKING). NO ACCIDENTS, CRACKS GET BIGGER WITH TIME AND DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11233586

Jul 20, 2019Engine

PURCHASED AUTO 3/20/19 AND AT THAT TIME OIL APPEARED TO BE RIGHT AT MARK ON DIPSTICK. A MONTH LATER NOTICED THE OIL LEVEL RISING. TOOK RAV4 BACK TO DEALER 7/5/19 AND HAD NEW OIL AND FILTER INSTALLED AND DIPSTICK SET AT PROPER MARK. DEALER FELT IT WAS PROBABLY OVERFILLED AT FACTORY. HOWEVER, ON 7/20/19 THE OIL IS NOW 1/2 INCH ABOVE THE MARK SET BY THE DEALER ON 7/5. CONCERNED THIS MIGHT BE PROBLEMATIC FOR ALL RAVS. WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER AGAIN FOR POSSIBLE RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI 11233589

Jul 20, 2019

PUCHASED AUTO 3/20/19 AND WITHIN A FEW MILES NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION "JUMPED" WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELEREATING WITHOUT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP (AS SOMEONE TURNING AHEAD OF YOU AND YOU SLOW DOWN BEFORE GETTING TOO CLOSE). BY "JUMPING" IT IS LIKE THE AUTO LURCHES FORWARD (DROPS A GEAR?). I DON'T NOTICE THIS AS MUCH WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MIGHT BE HEAVY FOOTED FOR THE NEW CAR, BUT THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE SINCE I AM NOW VERY AWARE AND TRY VERY HARD TO ACCELERATE GENTLY. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS ONLINE OF THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT I WANTED MY OPINION TO BE WITH THE SAFETY ORGANIZATION, NOT AN ONLINE COMPLAINT SITE.

NHTSA ODI 11233590

Jul 18, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

CONDITION 1 : HEAVY THUMPING IN REAR DRIVELINE WHEN COMING TO A NEAR STOP, IN TRAFFIC OR PARKING CAUSING VEHICLE LURCH FORWARD, AS IF HIT FROM BEHIND FROM BEHIND? SUCH CAN BE HEARD AND FELT BY OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE. CONDITION 2: WHEN COMING TO A NEAR STOP WHEN ACCELERATING BACK AGAIN VEHICLE DELAYS DOWN SHIFT CAUSING MOMENTARY HESITATION BEFORE RESPONDING DO TO LAPSE IN TRANSMISSION GEARING TO FIND PROPER GEAR RESPONCE WHICH LEAVES A SECOND OR TOO HESITATION UPON RE-ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC CONDITION. CONDITION 1: ABOVE IS DUE TO UN-COUPLING AND COUPLING OR READ DRIVELINE WHEELS TO MAINLY MILEAGE RATING. WHICH CREATES A FEELING OF HEAVY WEAR AND TEAR TO PLACED UPON DRIVELING COMPONENTS. VEHICLES IN QUESTION GAS POWERED MODELS ONLY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION LOOK UPON TOYOTA DRIVERS FORUM AND EDMONTON'S CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. CONDITION ON GOING, CONTACTED BOTH DEALER AND TOYOTA DIRECT, DEALER HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT NOR DID TOYOTA, THIS CONDITION IS NOT ISOLATED TO MY CAR, THERE ARE MANY OF SAME ON SITES MENTIONED WITH SAME ISSUES

NHTSA ODI 11233053

Jul 14, 2019Electrical systemEngineFuel system

WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-25 SOUTH OF DENVER, CO IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT 75 MPH, THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF. I SUDDENLY HAD NO ENGINE POWER, POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER, BUT CAME CLOSE TO HITTING OR BEING HIT BY SEVERAL VEHICLES. WHEN WE MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES WERE APPEARING ON THE DASH. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT A FEW MINUTES I RESTARTED IT, AND IT DID RUN, THOUGH ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. THERE WAS A DEALERSHIP 9 MILES FROM MY LOCATION, SO I SLOWLY MADE MY TO ARAPAHOE TOYOTA. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THAT SOMETHING CAUSED THE FUEL TO BE SHUT OFF TO THE ENGINE. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY, AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SUSPECT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AS I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND HAD NO LOANER CARS, THEY ESSENTIALLY TOLD ME TO COME BACK THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AND HOPE FOR THE BEST IN THE MEANTIME. SINCE I WAS HEADING TO VACATION THIS IS IMPRACTICAL, SO I WAS STUCK DRIVING A CAR I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE. MY NEXT STEP IS I AM TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN FORT COLLINS, CO, AND TELL THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THAT I WANT THE ISSUE RESOLVED, THE BRAKE LIGHT ELECTRICAL ISSUE FIXED, AND BE ASSURED THAT THE CAR IS SAFE. I'VE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DIE WHILE DRIVING LIKE THAT, LET ALONE ONE WITH ONLY 4580 MILES. I'M APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR 26 MILES IN THE MOUNTAINS TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, AND SO FAR TOYOTA HAS BEEN NO HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11231792

Jul 4, 20191 injury

2019 TOYOTA RAV4 SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED ON MY DAUGHTER AND ME WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH OVER MONUMENT PASS (7300') IN MIDDLE LANE OF I-25 SOUTH ON MAY 20, 2019. NO VEHICLES WERE IN FRONT OF US IN ANY LANE. STARTLED BY WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT RIGHT ABOVE OUR HEADS, AND WE WERE SHOWERED WITH SHARDS OF GLASS IN THE FRONT SEATS AND SOME IN THE BACK SEAT FLOOR AS WELL. CAUSED BLEEDING ON MY HEAD, ARM, HAND, AND FACE PRIMARILY AS I TRIED TO SHAKE/EXTRACT THE GLASS FROM ME. 5700 MILES ON ODOMETER. VEHICLE WAS RENTED FROM NATIONAL RENTAL CAR. ABOUT AN HOUR EARLIER. THE TEMPERATURE HAD DROPPED TO NEAR FREEZING AS WE CLIMBED THE SUMMIT AND THERE WERE A FEW SNOWFLAKES STARTING TO FALL. NO HAIL WAS SEEN OR HEARD. NO HAIL (OR ANY OTHER) DAMAGE ON ANY OTHER PORTION OF THE CAR. NATIONWIDE INSURANCE VERBALLY REPORTED THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS OF HAIL REPORTED THAT AFTERNOON IN THE STATE OF CO. NO FOREIGN OBJECTS BEYOND THE SUNROOF GLASS WERE FOUND INSIDE THE CAR. PICTURES ATTACHED. ALSO HAVE FULL VIDEO OF THE CAR INSIDE AND OUT AFTER THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11229457

Jul 3, 2019

YOU CAN HEAR WIND WHEN DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE. WHEN YOU GET UP TO 50 MILES PER HOUR IS WHEN U CAN HEAR IT GOOD. ALSO YOU CAN SMELL FREON. I REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALERSHIP WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF PURCHASE.

NHTSA ODI 11229137

Jun 29, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION HARD SHIFTING COMING TO A FULL STOP AND THE LURKING JERK WHEN NOT FULLY STOPPING AND THEN PRESSING GAS

NHTSA ODI 11228331

Jun 29, 2019Electrical system

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2019 RAV4 LIMITED WITH 150 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, NOW HAS ABOUT 460 MILES. A FEW DAYS INTO THE PURCHASE, I NOTICED YELLOW TICK MARKED GLITCHES SHOWING UP ON MY DRIVERS CENTER MAIN CONSOLE. THIS MAIN CONSOLE DISPLAYS MY MPH, SPEED LIMIT, LTA, AND MORE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AS IT WENT AWAY FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN I TURNED ON/OFF MY CAR, BUT IT WOULD SHOW UP AGAIN. AFTER THESE YELLOW TICK MARKS STARTED SHOWING, MY WHOLE MAIN CENTER SCREEN WILL GO BLACK WITH ONLY THE REAR SEAT BELT RED LIGHT, PARK, AND BSM LIGHTS FLASHING. IN ADDITION, MY ANALOG RPM, GAS GAUGE, AND TEMP GAUGE WERE ALL DOWN. I WAS DRIVING BLIND FOR A WHILE, UNTIL I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY/STREET TO RESTART MY CAR SO THAT I CAN SEE MY MAIN DASH (RPM,MPG,TEMP,GAS,ETC) AGAIN. SOME OF THE PICTURES THAT ARE ATTACHED WITH BLACK SCREEN ARE EXAMPLES OF MYSELF TURNING ON/OFF MY CAR WHILE I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC SO I COULD RESTART/SEE ALL OF MY MAIN DASH CONSOLE GAUGES, RPM,MPG, ETC. WHEN MY SCREEN GOES DARK, I HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OTHER CARS TO MATCH THEIR SPEED BECAUSE I WAS BASICALLY DRIVING BLIND. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY! I HAVE A VIDEO OF THIS SCARY OCCURRENCE, BUT THE VIDEO FILE IS TOO BIG TO ATTACH. I TOOK THE CAR IN THE DAY OF THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN AND IT CONTINUE TO SIT IN THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 11228448

Jun 26, 2019Brakes

ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN A FEW DAYS, IT WAS PARKED IN OUR ENCLOSED GARAGE. STARTED VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, LET OF BRAKE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I THEN APPLIED LIGHT THROTTLE AND STILL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULD FEEL RESISTANCE FROM THE REAR WHEELS. I SHIFTED BACK INTO PARK AND MANUALLY CYCLED THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH. NOTICED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. NO AUDIBLE NOISE OF PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR FUNCTIONING. CYCLING THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH DID NOTHING. I TRIED TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON, THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE SITUATION. SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE AND GENTLY APPLIED LIGHT THROTTLE, THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERS AND APPLIED VERY LIGHT THROTTLE. I REPEATED THIS A FEW TIMES AND WITH A SUDDEN LOUD CLUNK THE E- BRAKE RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD. I THEN CYCLED THE E-BRAKE SWITCH A FEW TIMES AND IT APPEARS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AGAIN. THROUGH OUT THIS NO MESSAGES OR WARNING LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED INDICATING ANY PROBLEM WITH THE E-BRAKE OR ANY SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS 2,400 MILES ON IT. IT HAS NEVER BEEN SUBJECTED TO ANY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATES THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THIS ISSUE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD, NO EXPOSURE TO SNOW, MUD, DIRT OR FREEZING TEMPS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! I HAVE NO IDEA IF OR WHEN THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE MAY FAIL TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THERE SUGGESTION WAS TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND HAVE IT TOWED IN. THIS IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE SO ATTEMPTING TO WINCH IT UP ON A TOW TRUCK WOULD LIKELY FREE THE STUCK BRAKE, OR DAMAGE THE DRIVE TRAIN. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING.

NHTSA ODI 11222805

Jun 20, 2019Fuel system

WHEN FILLING MY TANK, AUTO-SHUTOFF HAPPENS WHEN THE TANK IS AT LEAST 2 GALLONS SHY OF BEING FULL. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE MY GAS GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE FULL AND I AM ABLE TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL 2-2.5 GALLONS TO MY TANK, THOUGH IT TAKES A WHILE BECAUSE I HAVE TO PUSH THROUGH ALL THE AUTO SHUTOFFS. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I FILL UP REGARDLESS OS THE STATION I'M FUELING AT.

NHTSA ODI 11221492

Jun 18, 2019

THE ENGINE OF THIS VEHICLE CAN BE TURNED OFF BY PRESSING THE KEYLESS "OFF" BUTTON ON THE DASH WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION HAVING TO BE IN "PARK". I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE DRIVE POSITION ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT I EXITED THE CAR AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. I WAS ABLE TO JUMP BACK INTO THE CAR, START THE ENGINE, ROLL FORWARD, PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. HAD THIS BEEN ON A STEEPER INCLINE I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR AND STOP IT FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS. IT COULD EASILY HAVE HIT OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE WALKING IN THE PARKING LOT. THIS IS A SCARY SITUATION AND COULD BE REMEDIED BY THE MANUFACTURERS BY ENSURING THAT THE ENGINE CAN ONLY BE TURNED OFF WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR FROM THE DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT.

NHTSA ODI 11220895

Jun 14, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

AFTER CAR HAS WARMED UP, ACCELERATING AROUND 20-30MPH IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AWD SWITCHES TO 2WD.

NHTSA ODI 11220019

Jun 14, 2019Engine

VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING/WINDING/LURCHING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING, BRAKING AND DURING NORMAL DRIVING. PROBLEM GETS WORSE EVERY DAY.

NHTSA ODI 11220210

Jun 8, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING MY 2019 RAV4 ADVENTURE IN SLOW SPEEDS, SPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND BRAKING, I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISIN. IT HAS AN 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WHEN SHIFTING IN THE LOWER GEARS IT MAKES A SOUND NOT USUAL IN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN. ONLY HAD IT FOR THREE MONTHS AND TOOK IT TO SERVICE TO BE NOTIFIED IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION. FIRST TIME I GET THAT AN UNUSUAL SOUND, A SOUND I CAN FEEL IN MY FEET WHILE DRIVING, IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. IT WASN'T MENTIONED IN THE FEATURES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT IN THE DEALERSHIP. TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, IT IS VERY ANNOYING FOR A BRAND NEW CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11218654

May 29, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

GRINDING FROM TRANSFER CASE AT 2000 MILES AT 20 - 25 MPH

NHTSA ODI 11210541

May 24, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS CAN OCCUR WHEN LEAVING A PARKING PLACE OR. FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE ENGINE DOES NOT STOP RUNNING. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED THREE TIMES, BUT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE TOYOTA DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS AT THE 5000 MILE INSPECTION AND THERE ARE NO CODES SET NOR DOES IT SET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN IT HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI 11209676

May 6, 2019Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORS SHOOK AND RATTLED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, IT LOOKED AS IF TWO VEHICLES WERE SHOWN IN THE MIRRORS EVERY TIME. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS ESPECIALLY AFFECTED. THE CONTACT'S VISION REMAINED BLURRED WHILE USING THE MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF NORTH SCRANTON (3400 N MAIN AVE, SCRANTON, PA 18508, (570) 489-7584), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY STATED THE FAILURE WAS A "MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT". THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,921.

NHTSA ODI 11205702

Apr 30, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTER CAME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION BOX. THE CONTACT QUICKLY PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER BACK IN THE TRANSMISSION BOX AND NOTIFIED THE RENTAL FACILITY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING TO SWITCH OUT THE VEHICLE WITH THE RENTAL COMPANY. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE RENTAL COMPANY NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,218. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11204698

Mar 15, 2019SteeringSpeed control

I EXPERIENCED SEVERAL NEAR MISSES RELATED TO TWO ADAS FEATURES AS I RENTED THIS NEW RAV4 IN ATLANTA. FIRSTLY, THE LANE-CENTERING FEATURE ACTIVELY TRIED TO GUIDE MY VEHICLE OUT OF ITS LANE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING ACROSS OVERPASSES WHERE THE PAVEMENT TYPE TRANSITIONED. THE LEFT AND RIGHT LANE MARKINGS WERE PRESENT ON THE PAVEMENT THROUGHOUT THESE EVENTS. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED WITH FORCE AND SPEED--HAD MY REACTION TIME BEEN HALF A SECOND LONGER, I WOULD HAVE STRUCK VEHICLES NEXT TO ME. SECONDLY, THE VEHICLE'S FULL-RANGE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL BRAKED ABRUPTLY, ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS, ON NEARLY EVERY OCCASION WHERE HIGHWAY/CITY TRAFFIC SLOWED OR STOPPED. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED DUE TO THE JERKY ACTIONS OF THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLES IN FRONT BRAKED SMOOTHLY DURING THESE EVENTS--ONLY MY VEHICLE SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES WHEN IT COULD HAVE LIGHTLY APPLIED THEM TO SLOW DOWN SAFELY. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA MIGHT HAVE MY DATA FROM 3/13/2019, SINCE A STICKER ON THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE STATES: "VEHICLE DATA TRANSMISSION IS ON! YOUR VEHICLE WIRELESSLY TRANSMITS LOCATION, DRIVING AND VEHICLE HEALTH DATA TO DELIVER YOUR SERVICES AND FOR INTERNAL RESEARCH AND DATA ANALYSIS..." I HOPE THAT NHTSA CAN WORK WITH TOYOTA TO EXAMINE THESE RECORDS AND IMPROVE THESE SYSTEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11186970

← Newer

Working with the data? Download all 870 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hv verdict →