What 869 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

I have a 2019 all-wheel-drive limited and for the last two months it has been slipping into mud and sand mode. It happens when I shift from driving to park or drive to park, and if I’m standing idle it will slip into mud and sand mode and switch off a few minutes later. Dealership says it’s the sensors but I had my sensors checked and there is no issue there.

NHTSA ODI 11480975

There is a known issue with 2019+ Toyoya RAV4 where the Roof Rack Rails seaks leak water into the Driver and Passenger SRS A Pillar, i don't understand why there isn't a TSB for this, im concerned that the water intrusion will damage the Airbags or Electrical components and cause the airbag to deploy or cause improper SRS A pillar airbag operation. I'm also concerned about rust, A Quick google search and youtube will show the issue occuring but toyota is only fixing it under warranty, i don't think this should happen on a car under 3 years old with less than 50,000 miles. I do notice a foul odor in the car which led me to find this related TSB T-SB-0094-21 for a similar issue but none for Roof Rack Seals. Toyota has updated the Seals to thicker ones from the flimsy paper gasket to thicker plastic since 2019 so they know about the issue and have corrected it but only under warranty. i did see complaints on carcomplaints.com also but i'm out of factory warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11480241

The rear hatch trunk doorr does not operate correctly. The hinges holding the door on could fail leaving the door to fly off the vehicle. Apparently this is a known problem on this make and model of this vehicle and toyota is unwilling to repair the problem

NHTSA ODI 11479177

Fuel pump was replaced in May 2020 under recall. Recalled part had 12 month warranty. Rav4 was purchased used in May 2022 and in June, engine started stuttering. Contacted Toyota Field Reps at local dealership and they reset codes and suggested running different and better gas. A case was opened. In July, when filling up car, the car would not start at the pump. The car had to be towed on Sunday. Toyota Field Reps made aware that car would crank after banging on the fuel tank. A service call was placed again and before we could get it to the dealership on Thursday, when the car was filled up again at a different gas station, it would not start at the pump again. It was towed a second time to the dealership and Toyota did multiple tests to determine the fuel pump and hose over the saddle tank needed to be replaced. Toyota would not honor that replacement part saying this was the customers responsibility now. We paid for the replacement today 8/11/22 and drove it one hour and filled it up again and it hesitated and would not crank at the pump, finally fired up and then dies at the red light in traffic. It was taken back to the dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11479084

LTA NOT WORKING EVEN IF IT SHOWS ITS ON. IF ITS ON IT WILL NOT STAY IN LANE IF NO MARKERS ON ROAD ARE SHOWN WILL PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT TO FIND CENTER OF LANE. WHICH IS A HAZARD. FROM LOOKING FOR ANSWERS ON WEB IT SHOWS TOYOTA HAS NO FIX FOR NONE WORKING OF LTA. FROM LOOKING AT FOURM OF THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS THAT IF THEY DO TAKE INTERST THERE'S A LOT OF CAR AND SUV AND TRUCKS WITH THIS PROBLEM ON ROAD TODAY. SO TOYOTA WILL HAVE FORK OVER BIG CASH TO FIX PROBLEM OF THE NONE WORK LTA ON THIS VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11477693

hi, the driver lower seat frame being detached, the right slide is seized /stuck on the rail track and inoperable causing risk for unsafe driving equipment. I have a child and cannot drive with a broken seat - I don't reach it is a liability for safety! thanks, very respectfully [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11477462

The 2019 Toyota Rav4 has a problem with Water leakage. Check the Internet for very specific details. Water is leaking from the roof mounted roof rails. This leak is causing water to enter the car and drip significant amounts of water down both A-Pillars. The A-Pillars support & Hold Airbags. The concern is that the water intrusion can cause damage to the airbags and/or the wiring to the airbags. This water damage could either prevent the airbags from deploying or cause the airbags to prematurely deploy. Toyota has yet to acknowledge the issue. They claim the water is coming from clogged sunroof drains. While this can be a cause it is NOT the sole cause. I had my vehicle into the dealer on 6/22/22 and they claimed the problem was the clogged sunroof drains. Last night was the 1st significant rain in the area since the visit. This morning BOTH A-pillars had significant water damage. So this means 1 of 2 things. If the leak is from the sunroof drains, they have a design issue as these were just cleared by Totyota. OR, as Many other owners of 2019 Rav4's have discovered there is a flaw in the roof rail design. Both issues need to be resolved ASAP, before there is a failure in the airbag system. Additionally, this water leak is causing a potential buildup of toxic mold

NHTSA ODI 11476344

About a year ago, I was unable to make or receive calls through my vehicle. I could hear the other side talking, but they could not hear me. Additionally, I could not make voice commands through my vehicle. The microphone was not working at all. I advised my dealer and they indicated they did have a service bulletin regarding this issue, but everything they tried did not fix it. the dealer indicated to me that it was going to cost me almost $2,000 to have it fixed. I don't have an extra $2,000 laying around to fix this problem, so I've just been using my phone to my ear normally. It's much safer to have handsfree talking and commands, don't you think? I have 64,000 miles on my vehicle, so its out of manufacturer warranty. Shouldn't this be some type of recall? Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11475716

Myself and others, in online forums, have experienced roof water leaks. This has been traced by some to faulty roof rail seals. The safety concern here is that when it rains or I wash my vehicle I get rain soaking into my A pillars near the airbags. I've attached a photo showing rain water dripping out of one of my A pillars near the airbag as described.

NHTSA ODI 11474906

I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF A MALFUNCTION IN THE INTELLIGENT CLEARANCE SONAR SYSTEM AND A MALFUNCTION IN THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER BUT ON THE MORNING OF THE APPOINTMENT THE CAR WAS NON-OPERATIONAL IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS CORROSION OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON RAV4 HYBRID FORUMS AND APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE IN REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY WITH SNOW/SALT ROAD TREATMENTS. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI 11474983

My vehicle 2019 Toyota Rav 4 Limited has transmission and engine issues as well as a roof rack leak. I have reported this to Toyota via 1-800-331-4331, which was not helpful. Israel stated that there is nothing that Toyota Cooperate can do about this issue. Both the transmission and engine had been previously repaired at Toyota of Laredo to no avail. Currently my vehicle is awaiting repair at Cavander Toyota in San Antonio. No loaner was provided despite me being a home health therapist who needs her vehicle to work.

NHTSA ODI 11473988

I got a “Engine Maintenance Required” warning message. I check with the dealer, the dealer inspected and told about a faulty coolant bypass valve which the dealership told us a common problem for Toyota RAV4 model year 2019,2020,2021. The dealer told to always check if the engine temperature is shooting. They asked me to order the part and it took close to a week to get the part and then to replace it. A faulty coolant bypass valve risked my vehicle of a failure of the cooling system and so the engine. I had to pay $126.25 for the part and $658.08 labor charge to replace the part. Since it is a common problem the manufacturer has to recall and replace the faulty part and pay the cost of the part and labor for replacing the faulty part.

NHTSA ODI 11472240

When you are yielding and not having to make a complete stop by pressing the brake and then return to the gas the vehicle makes a loud bang noise like the engine is going to stall and then the car lunges forward with a big jerk. This is very scary when you have a lot of vehicles coming toward you. We are also having a problem with the roof rack leaking and could be hazardous if the air bag is getting wet if you look on line many people are complaining of these problems with the Rav4 2019 XLE. I purchased this car for my daughter when she graduated high school for safety and now it scares me for her to drive it. We did have a mechanic inspect it and informed us it did happen to him but could not find where it was coming from. He did inform us others with this model were having the same issues. No warning lamp or messages came on.

NHTSA ODI 11471070

Maintenance requires message appeared. Coolant bypass valve/tube needs replacement. 2 Days from the end of factory warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11470772

This Rav4 developed a leak in the roof by the front and back windows. Found many references to this on the internet. It is a known problem for this vehicle that is not being addressed by Toyota. This problem can cause mold and damage to the side air bags. This is clearly a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11470396

Roof rail leak known to Toyota leading to potential compromise of SRS airbags and any other electrical wiring within anterior pillars. Long term water damage can lead to corrosion of components within that area. Toyota assessed and confirmed water intrusion due to roof rail leak. Leak became visible to owner due to water marks on headliner. Of note, Toyota refuses to accept blame for water intrusion and provide remedy.

NHTSA ODI 11470402

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the coolant valve bypass had malfunctioned. The contact was informed that the parts were back-ordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11469651

Warning Light/Message On. When I go to Toyota Service Center they said it is DTC Rear Disconnect System Performance. You will feel that sometimes the gear with late disconnected then you need to slow down.

NHTSA ODI 11468781

Sudden engine stall while driving

NHTSA ODI 11468565

There is a leak coming from the top rails on the 2019 Toyota Rav4. Any time it rains the water runs down the side arm/airbag area which has gone into the electrical system and corroded the wires. In addition the corrosion, the water has caused organic growth to occur underneath the carpets. When it rains, the vehicle will not open without the physical key. Upon opening the door, the radio and all service lights are on. The speedometer goes awry, saying I'm at 9mph while I'm stopped at a red light. The acceleration of the vehicle tugs and takes awhile to get up to speed, which is dangerous. When I get out of the car, the car will not lock. It beeps as if I have left my key in the car. This is also dangerous at night time or in other areas that my car can easily be broken into. This issue occurs when it rains. I have taken it to a local toyota dealership and after numerous tests, figured out the problem is with the guide rails/racks on the tops of the car. They did this by running the car through the car wash. The estimated damage for a manufacturer defect is over 7K. The carpets need replaced due to organic growth and still water. The entire electrical system and board needs replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11468674

Abnormal Buzz/Groan Noise at 20 - 30 mph: The vehicles exhibits (again, as in 7/2020) an abnormal buzz/groan (rear) noise at 20 – 30 mph when accelerating from a stop, and/or at 13 – 20 mph on deceleration after driving the vehicle for 15 – 20 minutes or more. And also a "clunk" noise. This occurs with “Normal” drive mode selected. I am very worry, this very same problem as in 2020 keeps happening!! This is not a 5 star Toyota vehicle for sure, very worry!

NHTSA ODI 11466925

My roof rails are leaking in the A frame, causing roof to be wet , possible damage to airbags and corrosion of electrical components. Toyota has came out with a replacement part to fix what’s causing the leak in the roof rails ,so they know there is a issue

NHTSA ODI 11466994

Water is entering vehicle from roof rack over the driver side A-pillar. The headliner is getting wet, and the side curtain airbags are located in this area. The concern is that the water will affect airbags, along with issues with mold and rust.

NHTSA ODI 11466704

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Alternator failed at 43,000 miles. The vehicle has been repaired by Toyota Authorized Dealer and is unavailable to be inspected for the same issue. This issue occurred suddenly. My car flashed a charging alert, which I couldn't read because I was driving. Shortly afterward, my power steering on my vehicle went out, making it hard to steer and the car stalled in the middle of the road. When I placed my blinkers on, I was informed by another driver that they couldn't see my blinkers. If this had occurred on the highway, this could have been a more significant safety concern. The authorized dealer confirmed that the alternator failed—no other explanation of why it failed. The authorized dealer only inspected it. The issue appeared on May 10. The only warning provided was a charging alert. This appeared minutes before I lost power steering and the car stalled.

NHTSA ODI 11466506

Fuel pump malfunction. Stalling out with no warning or no previous issues

NHTSA ODI 11465553