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

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 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 contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that upon accelerating from a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle was uncontrollable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11581101

The vehicle is a 2019 Hertz rental RAV4 Hertz. On October 12, 2023, when I moved the gearstick to reverse the vehicle accelerated uncontrollable at extremely high speed and crashed into a wall. Braking did not stop the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11559958

Unintended acceleration.

NHTSA ODI 11545192

Sudden Unintended Acceleration....ONCE AGAIN! I was pulling into a parking stall of a shopping center at about 2-3 mph. I started to apply the brakes. Simultaneously, the car lurched forward hitting a retention pole. In an attempt to stop the car from going any further, I continued to press down on the brake pedal and shifted into reverse. The EDR shows that the gasoline engine reached 2200 rpms, while the hybrid electric motor reached 2300 rpms. The car performed a backward semi circle maneuver, eventually hitting a cement wall and coming to a stop. Even though there were two (2) impacts (one going forward and one going backward) no air bags were deployed. If there had been people in the area, they easily could have been killed. The damage to the car was extensive and the car was "totaled". The car manufacturer inspected the car and downloaded the Event Data Records. SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAN'T BE REPRODUCED!! There were/are no error codes and all car manufacturers, including my automobile's, refuse to acknowledge the issue. At the very least, could NHTSA PLEASE REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS, ALBEIT INFREQUENT, DANGER?

NHTSA ODI 11523353

Many things

NHTSA ODI 11519375

Vehicle stalled while driving 60mph , vehicle overheated upon restarting

NHTSA ODI 11517941

Vehicle happens to accelerate involuntarily when driving, especially on highway. You'll be driving, and then suddenly it starts to accelerate faster than usual. Had another family member drove vehicle to work, just to confirm if they had the same issue, and they did confirm that the vehicle was involuntarily accelerating at a higher speed on its own.

NHTSA ODI 11485298

Intermittent loss/delay of acceleration power from a stop. When coming out of a stop, pressing the gas pedal warrants no response except the slow creep that occurs just as a result of lifting off the brake. This has happened a handful of times when trying to accelerate from being stopped at a red light. The problem occurs intermittently and I never know when to expect it. The most recent time this problem happened, I pressed the gas pedal all the way to the floor, and still the car did not accelerate. When left in the middle of an intersection, a loss of accelerator power can be deadly. I am a sitting duck as oncoming traffic comes towards me and I just hope they see me. Furthermore, when stalled out at a red light or stop sign, other traffic has to drive around me, risking the safety of other drivers as well. I took it into my Toyota dealership for repair, but since they are unable to replicate the issue, they cannot fix it. I was also met with skepticism; however, searching online has shown that other people have experienced the same problem with the same vehicle. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or any others as of now. No engine lights appear when this happens; this is also what led the dealership to believe there wasn't actually a problem.

NHTSA ODI 11485131

On 12-April, I filed Report #11460592 regarding stuttering and uncontrollable acceleration of Toyota RAV4, 2019 model year, <22000 miles, incident occurred 11-April. Vehicle was taken to Toyota dealership service department on 12-April, returned that day as described in previous report. On 13-April, one day after repair, exact same issue occurred. Family (with 2 children) driving on road, 45MPH speed limit. Hybrid system malfunction alert occurred again. Speed limited drastically to approximately 15mph, with occasional reaccelerating uncontrollably. Vehicle exited as safely as possible and returned home. Vehicle then taken back to dealership for service. Full text of Report #114605 (11-April incident): Driving on 35MPH limit road. Vehicle began to stutter. Vehicle began to communicate warning lights - "PKSB Malfunction" and "Hybrid System Malfunction" and "Check Engine" and alerted to visit dealer. After stopping at red-light, received warning to pull over and stop driving. Vehicle could not exceed ~10mph no matter how much accelerator was depressed and received warning that vehicle had ~2.5 miles until it would cease being able to be driven. For rest of trip to home (approximately 2 miles), vehicle would alternate between 10mph limited state and returning to full acceleration which led to very unsafe driving conditions and abrupt changes in speed. Reached home and parked in drive way. After a few hours, returned to vehicle to take to dealer for service. All 3 error messages remained but no further limitation to 10mph or abrupt speed changes. Dropped off for service at dealership. Dealer notes: "Hybrid system malfunction, check engine light - SCAN FOR CODES, FOUND U010087 LOSS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PCW AND ECM / CLEAR CODES, UPDATE SYSTEM, OPERATING AS DESIGNED." Upon receipt from dealer, no further issues and drove home safely. Vehicle is a 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, bought new in Jan. 2020. Approximately 23000 miles, no previous issues.

NHTSA ODI 11460696

Driving on 35MPH limit road. Vehicle began to stutter. Vehicle began to communicate warning lights - "PKSB Malfunction" and "Hybrid System Malfunction" and "Check Engine" and alerted to visit dealer. After stopping at red-light, received warning to pull over and stop driving. Vehicle could not exceed ~10mph no matter how much accelerator was depressed and received warning that vehicle had ~2.5 miles until it would cease being able to be driven. For rest of trip to home (approximately 2 miles), vehicle would alternate between 10mph limited state and returning to full acceleration which led to very unsafe driving conditions and abrupt changes in speed. Reached home and parked in drive way. After a few hours, returned to vehicle to take to dealer for service. All 3 error messages remained but no further limitation to 10mph or abrupt speed changes. Dropped off for service at dealership. Dealer notes: "Hybrid system malfunction, check engine light - SCAN FOR CODES, FOUND U010087 LOSS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PCW AND ECM / CLEAR CODES, UPDATE SYSTEM, OPERATING AS DESIGNED." Upon receipt from dealer, no further issues and drove home safely. Vehicle is a 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, bought new in Jan. 2020. Approximately 23000 miles, no previous issues. Has been maintained regularly (oil changes, etc. via Toyota Care).

NHTSA ODI 11460592

Took my 2019 RAV4 to Toyota of Orange. Like couple months ago for fuel pump recal but my vehicle stalls when driving on freeway or streets. Looses speed for 4 seconds and its scary reported issues to Toyota of Orange and they don’t fixed anything they only want to sell. They offer me services I don’t need for my vehicle. Got 2021 RAV4 rental from Enterprise and that one work just find no problems had it for about a week. If could get another another dealer that will be great.

NHTSA ODI 11457919

Car hesitates when pulling out from a stop. The natural reaction is to depress accelerator more causing a shift feels like a lower gear and the car pulls out abruptly . This happens very often and I contribute it to lower gas mileage then car is rated at along with accelerated tire wear. I feel it is a safety issue when merging into traffic and causing a possible accident. I've taken my concerns to dealership on numerous occasions with complete disregard of condition calling it a " characteristic" of the vehicle. I feel there needs to be a recall to correct this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11449351

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

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED MY FIRST VEHICLE EVER, IT WAS A USED CAR, AS A NEW CAR OWNER I WAS SUPER EXCITED FOR MY FIRST CAR,DRIVING OUT THE DEALERSHIP! BUT LATER ON FINDING OUT THAT THE CAR HAD SOME SORT OF RECALL ON IT ,NOT KNOWING WHAT THIS MEANT, I STARTED DOING MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD! SAFETY RECALL 20TA02

NHTSA ODI 11396887

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOORS WOULD LOCK RANDOMLY LEAVING HIM LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROWNS TOYOTA OF GLEN BURNIE (7167 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061) WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KOONS ANNAPOLIS TOYOTA (1107 WEST ST, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401) TO GET A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT, TRANSMISSION, TCM, TRANSFER CLUTCH, AND THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,349. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11396799

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VENICE TOYOTA (900 US-41 BYP, VENICE, FL 34285; (941) 484-9000) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED AND THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11389234

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 10 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED, FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED EASTERN SHORE TOYOTA (29732 FREDERICK BLVD, DAPHNE, AL 36526 (251) 250-0161) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO LOCAL DEALER TO OBTAIN A LOANER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11382833

DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65 MILES ON A FREEWAY I DRIVE DAILY. WHILE HAVING THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND DRASTICALLY REDUCED THE SPEED TO ALMOST 0 WHEN THE VEHICLE GOT CLOSED TO ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE LANE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE TURNING WAS NOT ON MY LANE IN FRONT OF ME IT WAS ALREADY IN A SEPARATE LANE MAKING THE TURN. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS 5 TIMES IN THE YEAR I HAVE OWNED IT.

NHTSA ODI 11363561

I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE WHEN MY RAV4 TOOK OFF LIKE A ROCKET AND HIT THE CONCRETE BACK WALL.*DT THE CONSUMER HAS STATED THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ONCE MORE WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS AT THE TAMPA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN THE CELL PHONE PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND DIAGONALLY WENT AHEAD AND COLLIDED WITH 2 OTHER VEHICLES. *AS

NHTSA ODI 11351971

WAS AT DRIVE THROUGH CASH MACHINE, STOPPED, PUT INTO PARK, DID MY TRANSACTION, PUT CAR INTO DRIVE LEFT TO GET TO STREET VIA A SIDE STREET. NOTED AT STOPS THAT THE BRAKES WERE HARD AS WHEN ABS IS NOT QUITE RIGHT. ON A TOWN STREET, TWO PEDESTRIANS STEPPED OUT INTO MY LANE OF TRAVEL. I PUT ON MY BRAKES, HARD. THE ENGINE REV'D AND CONTINUED FASTER AND I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE WOMEN GOT OUT OF THE LANE. I REALLY DON'T RECALL SEQUENCE, I WAS TERRIFIED (HAVE HAD A CAR RUN AWAY WITH ME LONG AGO). BUT I DO KNOW IT WAS REV'ING HARD, I WAS SO TERRIFIED I DID NOT NOTE IF ANY DASH LIGHTS WERE ON, OR WHAT THE TACH (?) WAS DOING. RAV WAS IN DRIVE, I PUSHED LEVER TO N AND FINALLY TO PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN. I HAD PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET, SO FIRED IT UP, AND IT WAS 'NORMAL' BRAKES NO LONGER HARD. I CAUTIOUSLY PULLED OUT INTO THE LANE AND MADE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. IT TRIED ONE MORE TIME TO DO A REV WHEN I PUT THE BRAKES ON, BUT NOT LIKE THAT FIRST TIME AS I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF AND PUT INTO NEUTRAL/PARK. TOYOTA SERVICE PERSON SHOWED CONCERN AND DROVE THE RAV AROUND FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND COULD NOT GET IT TO REPEAT THIS. HE THINKS MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE THE SHOP BYPASS THE AUTOMATIC STOP ENGINE THING, PERMANENTLY BUT THERE'S NOT LONGER A WAY TO DO IN NEWER RAVS. SO PUSHED THE A BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF AND FEAR DRIVING IT. SERVICE MAN WAS GOING TO CALL ME BACK IF HE COMES UP WITH ANYTHING. HE MAY NOT RECALL THE UNINTENTIONAL ENGINE REVS OF A FEW YEARS AGO IN TOYOTAS, WHICH CAUSED ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS. IT WAS NOT THE FLOOR MATS I ONLY HAVE THE RUBBER ONES, 'BOLTED DOWN". FIRST FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE RAV MADE BEARING-LIKE GRINDING NOISES WHEN THE AUTO STOP WAS TURNED OFF SO TURNED IT BACK ON. WHEN A ON OR OFF, VEHICLE JERKS COMING TO A STOP AND WHEN MOVING FORWARD AFTER A STOP. CAR HAS <4000 MILES. BOUGHT NEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329780

1) WHILE DRIVER APPLIES THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BRING VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP ON A CITY STREET, AT A POINT APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 1500 AND 1000 RPM, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE UP TO APPROXIMATELY 2000 RPM WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED, FOR A DURATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE DISENGAGING AND DECELERATING. 2) WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 RPM, WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE DRIVE (D) POSITION, WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE TO APPROXIMATELY 1500 RPM FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND AND LURCH FORWARD AND THEN DISENGAGES AND DECELERATES BACK TO IDLE AS LONG AS THE BRAKE PEDAL REMAINS DEPRESSED.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11328424

I RECEIVED 2 SPEEDING CAMERA TICKETS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION NOTICED TIME TO TIME, FRONT SUSPENSIONS ARE NOT EVEN AND ROUGH, TRANSMISSION IS NOT SMOOTH WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND/OR STOPPING VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327038

ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM AN INTERSECTION AND/OR MILD CRUISING SPEED IN ECO MODE, THERE IS AN OFTEN VIOLENT LURCH FROM STOP OR SURGING AT CRUISING SPEEDS. WITH TRACTION CONTROL SWITCHED OFF, THE PROBLEM IS LESSENED, BUT TRACTION CONTROL BY DEFAULT TURNS BACK ON IN <ONE MINUTE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH MARIETTA AND WORLD TOYOTA THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, LIKELY RELATED TO DRIVE-BY-WIRE, AND THAT TOYOTA HAS NO PLANS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS TO JUSTIFY THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF A "FIX". WE LIVE IN ATLANTA, WHERE TRAFFIC IS INTENSE AND RELIABILITY IS KEY. THIS IS OUR 14TH TOYOTA AND FIRST PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN IGNORED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT GUIDANCE FROM TOYOTA CORPORATE. WE ARE MARKEDLY LIMITING OUR USE OF THE VEHICLE (3K MILES IN 7+ MONTHS) DUE TO RISK OF COLLISION. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AFTER WE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR ONE MONTH.

NHTSA ODI 11309593