Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2019 Toyota RAV4 HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (11) and fuel system, gasoline (3). The EPA rates it 40 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
40mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2020
Owner complaints
22
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Remedy pending

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.

SuspensionReported May 20, 2020NHTSA 20V286000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.

Engine and engine coolingReported Feb 6, 2020NHTSA 20V064000

Electronic stability control (esc)

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Electronic stability control (esc)Reported Jul 24, 2019NHTSA 19V544000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2019 – Mar 2025
  1. Fuel/propulsion system11
  2. Fuel system, gasoline3
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  4. Service brakes2
  5. Electrical system1
  6. Structure1
  7. Air bags1
  8. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RAV4 Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201617
2017302
201815
201922
202013
202122
20225
20238
20241
20255
202629
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

11 reports
“MY TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID WILL ONLY ACCEPT 9-10 GALLONS OF GAS WHEN FILLING FROM EMPTY. THE TANK IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD 14.5 GALLONS. I FIRST BROUGHT THE ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2019 AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NOT HEARD OF THE ISSUE BEFORE. I BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION AGAIN ON MY LAST VISIT IN JUNE 2020 KNOWING THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AT THIS TIME- A GAS TANK MALFORMATION. I WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE A FIX IN AUGUST 2020. THERE IS STILL NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT CAUSES ME TO FILL UP WAY TOO FREQUENTLY CONSIDERING I PURCHASE A HYBRID TO GET BETTER MILEAGE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11375813

Fuel system, gasoline

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the pump handle would click off inadvertently, preventing the refueling the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2023Fuel system, gasolineODI 11520465

Service brakes, hydraulic

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact discovered that an unknown fluid was leaking behind the brake pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that brake fluid was leaking and that the brake booster pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2025Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11641115
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RAV4 Hybrid AWD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
413840$1,600223
  • RAV4 Hybrid AWD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    41 city · 38 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 14136
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 RAV4 Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (11), fuel system, gasoline (3), service brakes, hydraulic (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid at 40 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026