What 870 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hv

The electronic power steering light intermittently illuminates, particularly when the start-stop system is engaged. I recently brought my vehicle to the Toyota dealership where a diagnostic test was performed. However, no fault codes or issues were identified at that time. Despite this, the warning light continues to appear.

NHTSA ODI 11641885

On 01/29/2025 at around 5:30pm I was driving home from work when suddenly the car stalled. I was going about 45 mph on a secondary to Lane Highway that was completely black because there are no street lights in that area. There were all kinds of warning lights flashing on the dash. I let my car drift to the shoulder was able to break and put it in park. I tried turning the vehicle back on but it would not start. My cell phone showed no Wi-Fi connection but I know the area very well and I knew I could walk several feet to a connection. Therefore spite concerns for my safety I had to leave my vehicle in order to call for help. I walked about 30 ft in the pitch black on this highway dressed in dark clothing on a shoulder that was very narrow. There was a pickup truck coming my way who flashed his high beams in my face but did not stop to see if he could help. Actually I was grateful for this because it's a pretty secluded area and I was very frightened for my safety. I was able to get a connection about 30 ft away from the vehicle and called my husband who said he would be on his way. I walked back to the vehicle got in and tried to start it. It would not start but all the warning lights were flashing on the dash. I decided I should take pictures of the warning lights in case we needed that for the dealer. After a couple of minutes I decided to try to start the car again and it did start. I was able to drive down the road to a Wi-Fi connection called my husband to let him know I was on my way. Once I got home the car seemed to be in order but there was one warning light telling us to take it to the dealer because there was something wrong with the hybrid system. We made an appointment to go in on January 31st. They inspected the vehicle to the tune of almost $200 and diagnosed the problem as follows: hybrid EV battery voltage system isolation internal internal electronic failure rear motor corrosion on both hybrid harnesses. Cost to repair $5,500.00

NHTSA ODI 11641560

A warning message "Engine Maintenance Require Visit Your Dealer" appeared on my vehicle dashboard screen on approximately May 22, 2024. I googled and looked up on Facebook group and many other owners shared their experiences who encountered the exact issue with the Engine coolant bypass valve, and it requires a replacement, or else it could overheat and cause damages to the engine. Those owners who got it replaced and shared it costs about $1,000 or more at the dealership. I went to a local mechanic shop, and they diagnosed the exact issue as expected, and they were able to replace the part at a much lower cost than the dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11638627

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.

NHTSA ODI 11632935

The vehicle suddenly started to smoke and burn by itself when driving on the super crowded highway. I immediately stopped the vehicle and found that the burning site was the bottom of the front-left head of the vehicle (please see the images attached). The mechanician I visited after judged that the fire may due to failed electrical parts or system. He suggested to visit a Toyota dealer for recall. However, the Toyota dealer (Crown Toyota, 1201 Kettering Dr, Ontario, CA91761) declined my request with the reason that my vehicle has passed warranty time. The vehicle was just inspected in the Toyota dealer a few days ago. The dealer's inspection report shows that the vehicle does not have any problems besides suggesting to replace tires and front brakes.

NHTSA ODI 11632904

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.

NHTSA ODI 11632084

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.

NHTSA ODI 11631969

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

NHTSA ODI 11631815

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

NHTSA ODI 11631685

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)

NHTSA ODI 11630932

The contact owned a 2019 Toyota Rav4 XLE. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive lane assist efforts. The contact stated while driving at various speeds near a right turning lane, the lane assist engaged erroneously, causing the vehicle to jolt and pull towards the right turning lane. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the contact was informed that the lane assist was operating as designed. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with cruise control mode a rainstorm suddenly started. The contact stated he disengaged the adaptive cruise control mode and allowed the vehicle to decelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle jolted to the right. The contact stated while attempting to correct the steering wheel, the vehicle hydroplaned. The vehicle veered off the road at 50-60 MPH and hit several trees, was stuck in the trees, and became crushed. The air bags deployed. The driver's side windshield was shattered. The contact was able to push the door open and to climb out of the vehicle. The contact also received assistance from bystanders. The ambulance examined the contact but was not immediately transported to the hospital due to cost. The contact later went to the hospital where he underwent a brain scan, but no brain damage was found. The contact sustained nerve damage in left arm, injured leg, left arm twitching, head trauma, back, neck, and heart injury. The contact also sustained significant PSTD. The contact stated that a branch that pierced the engine was initially pointing toward the driver's side cabin. A police report was filed but the contact was irate and could not provide the information over the phone. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the incident, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 11,386.

NHTSA ODI 11629926

I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a manufacturing defect in my vehicle and the refusal by Toyota to honor its responsibilities for repair despite clear acknowledgment of the issue. In October 2024, I discovered a small water leak from the roof of my vehicle. I attempted to schedule an appointment with the nearest Toyota dealer, but the timing of their available appointments conflicted with my work schedule, and it was not possible for me to get a timely appointment. In an effort to mitigate the leak, I tried to fix it myself until I could get the vehicle to the dealership. Upon visiting the dealership, I was informed that the issue was a manufacturing defect, but they refused to repair my vehicle because I had attempted to fix the issue myself. This worsened the leak, as they did not return my vehicle to its original condition. I was then informed that I would have to bear the full cost of repairs. I had no prior knowledge of any recall associated with my vehicle. After conducting my own research, I discovered that Toyota had acknowledged the manufacturing defect affecting my vehicle model but had not notified me or issued a recall. I reached out to Toyota’s customer service, and they assured me that they would approve the repair through the dealership. However, after approximately a month of waiting, Toyota informed me that they would not cover the costs of the repair, and they declined to take any further responsibility.

NHTSA ODI 11629392

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.

NHTSA ODI 11629204

My car frame floods every time it rains. This flooding includes my sunroof drain clogging. As a result of the water retention in my car’s frame, my cars safety system controller units are being corroded and thus I DO NOT have any reliable safety monitoring system. I have looked into this and this a COMMON complaint for Toyota 2019-2021 Rav4 sunroof cars. I have had the sunroof drain cleared multiple times but the issue remains. So far it has impacted my tire pressure safety monitoring systems. This is a MAJOR safety issue as the electrical safety monitoring system controller units are NOT properly functioning as a result of poor water drainage.

NHTSA ODI 11629224

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

NHTSA ODI 11628859

In September 2023 I kept getting a warning on my 2019 Toyota RAV4 saying “engine maintenance required”. My car had roughly 50,000 miles. I was not due for an oil change and I serviced my vehicle regularly. I tried to take it to autozone to read the code but nothing came up and they said I just needed an oil change which I knew wasn’t true. I finally took it to a local Toyota dealership on September 23, 2023 and the first thing the advisor said to me after I told her about the warning message was “I already know what’s wrong with it, you’re like the 4th car today with the same issue”. The issue was a defective coolant bypass valve. The advisor said the cars most affected were RAV4’s followed by corollas and it was happening at random mileages. I asked if there was a recall and there wasn’t, she advised me to call Toyota to make a complaint which I did and nothing happened. I had to pay around $1000 to get a defective part fixed that Toyota knew about and still hasn’t issued a recall. Theres a class action lawsuit currently involving 2019-2023 corollas and RAV4s, but I still don’t understand why there hasn’t been a recall. If I didn’t get it repaired, my engine could have overheated multiple times causing more issues. They are knowingly not recalling a defective piece of a equipment that has been installed in hundreds of thousands of cars.

NHTSA ODI 11627064

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.

NHTSA ODI 11626605

Water leaking under passenger side visor and near passenger side window near the passenger side airbags

NHTSA ODI 11625484

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.

NHTSA ODI 11625508

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.

NHTSA ODI 11624987

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

NHTSA ODI 11622773

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.

NHTSA ODI 11621662

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.

NHTSA ODI 11620818

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.

NHTSA ODI 11620817

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.

NHTSA ODI 11620195