Is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 a bad year?
887 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 216, 8.3× a quiet RAV4 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 8.3× the complaints of a quiet RAV4 year, spread over 4k–66k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 RAV4 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 15,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 214 (24%) | 4k–66k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 90 (10%) | 3k–56k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 103 (12%) | 4k–64k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 35 (4%) | 1k–15k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 33 (4%) | 2k–45k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 30 (3%) | 4k–25k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 22 (2%) | 2k–15k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 269 (30%) | 0k–5k miles · mostly behind | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 83 (9%) | 2k–11k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 45 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 18 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 17 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 12 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 15,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 887 complaints: 25 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 22 say the car was towed.
74 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My 2019 RAV4 adventure has a strong coolant smell, I filled the reservoir and in a few months got low level again, the smell is only with the engine running, I don't see any leaks.
Twice this vehicle has stumbled when trying to make a left turn across traffic, applying gas from a near dead stop.
Vehicle shakes when idling, shaking increases overtime. Mechanic verified EGR malfunction along with diagnostic coinciding with problem.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 15,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Toyota RAV4: 7
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist. A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly. If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally. A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a damaged electrical connector, the back-up camera may not activate when the vehicle is in reverse. If the backup camera system does not activate and the driver does not check his/her surroundings while reversing, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 147
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Toyota RAV4. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota's New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first)…
Some vehicles may have a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes…
Some 2018 - 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an "Engine Maintenance…
Some vehicles may exhibit reduced engine power and/or a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following throttle body Diagnostic Trouble Codes…
Neighbouring years
2018 RAV4: 329 complaints, keep it · 2020 RAV4: 640 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Toyota RAV4 year
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Questions
Is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 a bad year?
887 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 216, 8.3× a quiet RAV4 year. At 15,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 8.3× the complaints of a quiet RAV4 year, spread over 4k–66k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Toyota RAV4?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (214), body structure (90), electrical system (103), brakes (35), steering (33). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 4k–66k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-682), Steering (NHTSA 20V-373), Suspension (NHTSA 20V-286), Engine (NHTSA 20V-064) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.