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

Around 2:30 pm on Thursday, December 2, 2021, my wife and I were on our way to the gym for a workout. I was pulling my auto out of my garage. It was in reverse when it stopped half way and did not finish backing out. I put it in drive and then in reverse and I was able to back out. Once out of my driveway, I backed out into the street in reverse. From reverse, I put my car in Drive to start driving on the street. At this point, the car spun out of control and I could not control its movements. The car turned around on the street and drove into my yard. It ran through the yard, spun around through some hedges, onto my driveway and continued back into the yard. At this time it hit a tree in the yard, went back on the road, turned into my driveway before coming to a stop. We got out and inspected the damage. The entire front bumper and the assembly was hanging from the body of the car. The damage was extensive. Thankfully, no one was on the road and the only damage was to my car and my yard. shrubs and tree. This car is a Limited Edition with cameras and braking functions that stop the car if an object comes in its way. The car kept accelerating and did not brake to avoid collision. Note: We bought this 2019 RAV4 in March 2019. It was brand new, full loaded with many safety features. In October of 2019, we heard sounds coming from the front of the car. We took it to Toyota dealership to have it diagnosed. They determined that the Electromagnetic Clutch Assembly needed to be replaced. The car had 7100 miles on the Odometer.

NHTSA ODI 11444623

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, depressing on the brake pedal but the vehicle began to accelerate independently causing the vehicle to crash into a tree trunk. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact stated she had chest and neck pains due to hitting the steering wheel and did go to urgent care but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11443034

After a recall repair order was issued, the repairs were made and now accelerating under load or uphill, the vehicle will accelerate and then bogs down or chokes (the vehicle then loses speed and no longer accelates). The issue has occurred several times while accelerating to freeway speeds on freeway on-ramps (it’s a safety hazard). 1st attempt to repair by the dealer was made on 11/22/2021. 2nd attempt by the same dealership is pending for today 12/08/2021 at 1:30pm.

NHTSA ODI 11443111

My roof rack rail assembly is leaking water down my A and C pillars, and into the inside of my vehicle. When it leaks into my car it also leaks down into my side curtain airbags to the point if I were to get into an accident where the side curtain airbags needed to deploy because of my windshield, they would not which could cause me to lose my life. I have asked my dealership about it and they told me they had numerous roof racks replaced because of the leaking but because my vehicle is no longer under warranty, I have to pay to have the roof racks replaced. I have tried to reseal my roof racks but did not work. The Toyota dealership told me that if resealing didn't work, the only other option was to replace. I cannot drive in the rain, even when it is just sprinkling or wash my car because any sort of water will leak into my vehicle. Toyota will not send a recall out for this issue but is known to be a safety issue with the Toyota dealership and numerous people that own a 2019-2021 Toyota Rav4.

NHTSA ODI 11442037

My sunroof exploded for absolutely no reason.

NHTSA ODI 11441956

The sunroof/moonroof in my 2019 Toyota RAV4 spontaneously exploded while parked overnight in my driveway. There was not any damage on or around that area of my car, nothing above my car. The following morning when I pulled out of my driveway, I noticed a strange sound , retracted my visor and noticed the roof glass was completely shattered in a volcanic like shape. Pieces began to fall as I began to pull back into the driveway.

NHTSA ODI 11440117

Was driving on the freeway and heard a loud pop noise. upon pulling over, i noticed a hole in my in my sunroof (punctured from the inside out)

NHTSA ODI 11439906

I noticed water pooling on the driver side floor after it rained. I determined water was leaking in the drivers side window and streaming down to the floor and wetting the electrical components. An online search found others with a similar problem. It appears to stem from inadequate gaskets on the roof rails. All of my windows have water seeping in during rain. My concern is the electrical components getting wet. I found one example of corrosion that someone posted online.

NHTSA ODI 11438051

Standing water on plastic mat/ passenger-side footwell. Lifted matt up and carpet soaked. Visually and sopping wet to the touch. While driving noise continually of sloshing…. Sounds like water rolling back and forth under passenger seat. Heard Most when slowing or speeding up. Called toyota service departments and currently closed

NHTSA ODI 11437983

Roof headliner leak due to poor design and/or water proofing materials on the clips of the roof top bar. This causes concerns about potential damage to the side air bags and electricals.

NHTSA ODI 11437370

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that whenever it rained, water would enter the cabin of the vehicle. The contact was concerned that it might cause an electrical failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11436646

The roof rails allow water to enter the vehicle along the A pillar where the side curtain airbags and connectors reside. Moisture was found inside the connectors, which will lead to corrosion over time and would cause a failure of the airbags to deploy.

NHTSA ODI 11435207

My RAV4 has factory roof rails and the seals on the rails for drivers and passengers sides have begun leaking which caused water to get inside the liner of the roof and travel down the a pillars to the side curtain airbags. I had the vehicle inspected at Toyota of Terre Haute Indiana. And they confirmed where the leak was at and stated that they have no reports of this issue happening. However there are a lot of people reporting the same issues online.

NHTSA ODI 11434196

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while picking up her husband, upon sitting on the front passenger’s seat, he noticed that the seat was extremely hot. The contact stated that the heated seat feature was in the off position. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and the vehicle was being diagnosed while filing the complaint. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

NHTSA ODI 11433190

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal humming and grinding sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received a recall notification for an unknown recall in regards to a humming sound coming from the transfer case of the vehicle; however, the dealer diagnosed that no issues were found and informed the contact that the recall repair did not need to be completed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving and he had been hearing abnormal bumping sounds from underneath of the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3.

NHTSA ODI 11429299

Roof rails water sealing failure - causing water to enter the vehicle on each side of the front A pillars of the vehicle and is reaching the airbag electrical connections which can lead to airbag failure during an accident due to corroded electrical connections. Vehicle taken to Toyota of North Charlotte to show dealership the damage to the headliner and request a resolution be completed. Dealership inspected vehicle - stated they believed it to be clogged sunroof drain lines and stated if it continues to notify them. Have reached back out to them as rain storm same night as service 8/15/2021 revealed that leak continues. No warning lights have appeared but symptoms are shown by the amount of water dripping into the cabin from these defective roof rails and running down the A Pillars into the dashboard.

NHTSA ODI 11429189

The eco boost made the engine to jump causing the engine Mount to loosing out

NHTSA ODI 11428284

leak at junction of windshield and A-pillar. Potential damage to A-Pillar air bag

NHTSA ODI 11428259

Steering suddenly locked up. Car steered to the right went off the road. Turned over several times and landed upside down. Causing serious injuries to myself and the driver. I was in hospital 3 weeks total with broken ribs , broken vertabrae and dislocated shoulder. Cuts on feet from the glass. Driver had cuts on head and dislocated shoulder. Prior to accident, I had reported (twice) to dealer that steering wheel felt loose. The second time, I had him write it down on report when I came in for oil change. So I have proof that I reported it. They checked steering and said they couldn't find anything wrong; but the problem was it didn't do it all the time. Sometimes it would take quite a few seconds before it would react if I would turn it a little left or right. Eventually, it did lock up and caused the horrible accident. The accident occured on November 26, 2020. I typed that date, but somehow this report changed it to Aug 6 and I can't seem to change it.

NHTSA ODI 11428020

The roof rails in my 2019 RAV4 are leaking into my car. Toyota dealership is aware of this issue in my hometown as I’m not the only person to come forward with this however stated that being there isn’t a recall there is nothing they can do. This is a dangerous as the roof holds air bags, electrical components amongst the mold that it’s causing. I have a son who is highly allergic to the mold spores. Toyota used the cheapest parts available to put this car together. This needs attention as people are paying 35-40000 for these vehicles for this to take place and they turn their backs . Please take this serious please

NHTSA ODI 11427576

Roof leaks in heavy rain or car wash. Water stains noted on the A pillars requiring replacement of the headliner. Concern of water damaging the air bags in the pillars. Now leaking through the front ceiling light with heavy rain.

NHTSA ODI 11427373

When filling the fuel tank when full fuel spills out until the pump handle finally shuts off. Estimated spillage is about 1/2 to 1 cup of fuel. This has happened more than 6 times

NHTSA ODI 11426424

Unknown component or system While driving on the Interstate during rush hour, traveling 60 miles an hour, another vehicle along side us entered our lane and we had to avoid a collision by aggressive braking and steering. Following this maneuver, our vehicle immediately shut down. An 18 wheel barely missed crashing into our rear. It took us approximately 1 minute to realize we needed to put the car in park, step on the brake, and push the ignition button to restart the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11425057

Case number started at Toyota Customer service: 210701002045 Requested an unacceptable time to answer of 8 weeks. There was a recall for this vehicle. I wasnt notified and the recall also doesnt show in any website (Not Toyota not in the goverment one). I went on a trip thousands mile aways from home, I was up in the montains, the car got broken in a very bad place where I had to spend almost $2,000 dollars due to Towing, meal and hotel expenses (as the dealer was closed on a weekend). I am trying to solve this with Toyota but they say I have to wait 8 weeks to start looking at my case. It is unacceptable . I need a reimbursement ASAP.

NHTSA ODI 11425044

vehicle will not accelerate when pushing down on the gas pedal. This can occur when leaving a parking place or from a traffic light.

NHTSA ODI 11424131