Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2019 Toyota RAV4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 884 owner complaints for the 2019 Toyota RAV4. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (255) and engine (207). The EPA rates it 28–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
28–30mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Nov 2020
Owner complaints
884
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Fuel system

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 4, 2020NHTSA 20V682000

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.

SteeringReported Jun 24, 2020NHTSA 20V373000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

884 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system255
  2. Engine207
  3. Electrical system103
  4. Structure90
  5. Power train82
  6. Air bags45
  7. Service brakes35
  8. Steering33
  9. Vehicle speed control30

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199647
199757
199885
199963
200040
2001314
2002555
2003327
2004154
2005141
2006704
20071,003
2008575
2009327
2010400
2011287
2012266
2013261
2014207
2015305
2016239
2017307
2018333
2019884
2020639
2021389
2022149
2023164
2024176
202594
Crashes reported
25
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
22
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

255 reports1 fire
“While driving in the mountains on a hot day, the car suddenly reported numerous faults, including check engine, parking brake malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, AWD system malfunction, and secondary collision brake system malfunction. The car lost power and forced us to pull over on the side of a dangerous mountain highway. We powered-off the car for a few minutes and started it again and were able to proceed to our nearby remote mountain destination without another loss of power, but the faults remained. The next day we were able to get the car to a nearby NAPA store to read the check engine codes, which there were only 2 of the "P0087" code. I had them clear the fault codes in order to be able to safely drive the car (~120 miles) back home. Some quick research shows a known issue and TSB for that in our exact high-altitude and high-temperature situation - Toyota T-SB-0058-22, related to a known design flaw with the ECM and fuel suction tube. Luckily, it did not throw the errors again during our drive home. I made an appointment at our local AutoNation Toyota Arapahoe for the following week. I detailed the issue and provided pictures of the errors…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2026Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11758893

Engine

207 reports1 crash
“I am reporting a potentially recurring safety-related failure of the electric engine coolant/water pump on my 2019 Toyota RAV4 equipped with the 2.5L A25A-FKS engine. My vehicle recently developed DTC P26CB/P26CB71, indicating an electric engine coolant pump performance/speed problem. The failure caused loss of proper coolant circulation and resulted in my vehicle overheating while I was driving on the highway. An unexpected cooling-system failure at highway speed creates a safety hazard and can result in severe engine overheating, potentially catastrophic engine damage, and an unexpected need to stop near traffic. Approximately two months before this failure, my vehicle received a separate cooling-system repair from an authorized Toyota dealer under Customer Support Program 24TE04, which covers the flow shut-off valve/water-bypass assembly on certain 2019–2021 RAV4 vehicles. Approximately two months later, the vehicle developed the P26CB coolant-pump fault. Toyota previously documented electric water-pump problems involving P26CB71 on A25A-equipped vehicles. In Tech Tip T-TT-0614-20, dated May 28, 2020, Toyota identified P26CB71, P26CA14, and P26CA31 and/or…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026EngineODI 11767567

Electrical system

103 reports3 crashes2 fires
“As soon as my vehicle hit 100K mileages and there's "AWD System malfunction" sign showed up on dash. Got it done replaced it cost roughly more than $500. After 2 days later another problem shows up on dash this time it was "engine maintenance required" show on dash again. Heard people had the same issue to whoever own 2019 RAV4 and they all had the same for those 2 issues. Toyota company should pay attention for these kind of problems or like some of of recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11763036
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel 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 Nov 3, 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
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263530$2,150302
RAV4 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start · All-Wheel Drive
273430$2,150296
RAV4 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI · All-Wheel Drive
253328$2,300317
  • RAV4
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota RAV4 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%
Overall
5 / 5
Toyota RAV4 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 14082Vehicle 14081
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 problems?

Owners filed 884 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (255), engine (207), electrical system (103). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Toyota RAV4 at 28–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Toyota RAV4?

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

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026