2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the message "Hybrid System Malfunction" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and contacted the dealer, and was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with excessive corrosion to the high voltage wiring harness between the high voltage traction motor and the high voltage battery. The dealer informed the contact that the failure could lead to a vehicle occupant being electrocuted. The dealer determined that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related to the failure of the Toyota Campaign Number: 22TE09. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be covered because the mileage had been exceeded. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11650172

Incident

Mar 13, 2025

Mileage

115,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11641115

Incident

Aug 6, 2024

Mileage

54,000 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact heard a water-slashing sound inside the vehicle. The contact performed an inspection and noticed that the driver's side rear door panel was filled with water. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11626610

Incident

Nov 7, 2024

Mileage

54,000 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down, the contact became aware of an abnormal resistance on the brake pedal, which required excessive force on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The VSC Off warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, who was also unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11555224

Incident

Oct 30, 2023

Mileage

45,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11520465

Incident

Aug 31, 2019

Mileage

100 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, there was fuel leaking onto the floor under the fuel filler neck. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank and fuel sending unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to Toyota Chula Vista (650 Main St, Chula Vista, CA 91911), South Coast Toyota (1966 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627) and Culver City Toyota (9077 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232), where the mechanics diagnosed and determined that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact sought legal advice. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11513091

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STOPPED, A GMC YUKON CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WAS NO REPORTED FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LAKESIDE TOYOTA 3701 N CAUSEWAY BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70002(504) 833-3311 BUT VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,868. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT *DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11403849

Incident

Mar 19, 2021

Mileage

22,868 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11375813

Incident

May 18, 2019

Mileage

4 mi

VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK IS LISTED BY TOYOTA COMPANY AS 14.5 GALLON CAPACITY AND, IN REALITY, THIS TANK'S SHAPE ONLY ALLOWS IT TO FILL TO APPROXIMATELY 9 GALLONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FUEL GAUGES "MILES TO EMPTY" DOES NOT APPEAR TO READ THE AMOUNT CORRECTLY. I HAVE ALMOST RUN OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE'S IMPROPER READING. THE ACTUAL GAS IN THE TANK WAS MUCH LOWER THAN THE VEHICLE ITSELF TOLD ME. THE RANGE IS ADVERTISED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES WHEN IN REALITY IT APPEARS TO BE UNDER 300 MILES DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS HAS PLACED ME AND MY FAMILY IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS WE CANNOT ACCURATELY ESTIMATE HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT IS COMPLETELY EMPTY. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY WIDESPREAD AND OTHER OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ALSO DEALING WITH THE ISSUE. TOYOTA IS ALSO STILL SELLING THE VEHICLE'S 2020 MODEL WHICH APPARENTLY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IS NOT WARNING POTENTIAL BUYERS OF THE DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11321108

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

4,400 mi

I'VE ONLY FILLED THE TANK 4 TIMES SO FAR BUT I CAN NEVER GET IT FULL. THE MOST IT WILL TAKE IS ABOUT 10 GALLONS AND THAT IS ONLY IF I STAND THERE AND FORCE FEED IT MORE GAS VERY SLOWLY WHILE PULLING THE NOZZLE OUT A LITTLE AT A TIME. I HAVE TO FILL IT WAY TOO FREQUENTLY, AND IN THE WINTER IT IS ESPECIALLY INCONVENIENT.

NHTSA ID

11301909

Incident

Dec 30, 2019

MY TANK WON'T FILL BEYOND 9-10 GALLONS - EVEN WHEN IT SAYS EMPTY - THOUGH THE FUEL TANK SIZE SHOULD BE 14.5. HOWEVER, THE TANK WAS AT MAX CAPACITY WHEN PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11290880

Incident

Nov 4, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20- 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED A DODGE VAN. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VESCOVO TOYOTA OF LAS CRUCES (780 S VALLEY DR, LAS CRUCES, NM 88005, (575) 523-5566) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 190824088. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTO BRAKE FEATURE FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350.

NHTSA ID

11258524

Incident

Sep 6, 2019

Mileage

350 mi

AS I PULLED IN TO PARKING SPOT CAR ACCELERATES HIT WALL AND SWERVES AND HITS SPARKED VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11234732

Incident

Jul 25, 2019

Mileage

2,000 mi

FUEL TANK CAPACITY 14.5 GALLONS CAN ONLY BE FILLED TO 9.5 GALLONS WITHOUT AGGRESSIVE "TOPPING OFF". IN ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL HARM AND VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL DAMAGE, TOPPING OFF NOT USED. HOWEVER, THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE 5 GALLONS SHORT OF A FULL TANK (ABOUT 200 MILE RANGE LOSS)

NHTSA ID

11233443

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

500 mi

THERE IS AN INABILITY TO COMPLETELY FILL UP THE GAS TANK. EVEN WHEN REACHING THE EMPTY READING ON THE GAS GAUGE, THE CAR ONLY SEEMS TO FILL 9.5-10 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE ARE IS ADVERTISED AS A 14.5-GALLON TANK, BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THAT MUCH FUEL INTO THE TANK.

NHTSA ID

11230375

Incident

Jul 8, 2019

Mileage

4,000 mi

THE FUEL SAYS EMPTY BUT ONLY TAKES 9 GALLONS ON A 14 GALLON TANK. THE DEALER SAID THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES THIS IS HAPPENING TO AND TOYOTA IS WORKING ON IT. MY SISTER-IN-LAW BOUGHT ONE A WEEK BEFORE US AND SHE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11229761

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

MY 14 GALLON CAPACITY FUEL TANK WILL NOT ACCEPT MORE THAN 9.9 GALLONS. EVEN WHEN I'VE RUN IT TO LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHTS, NEVER DOUBLE DIGIT FILLS. I'VE USED AT LEAST A DOZEN DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS AND SUPPLIERS INCLUDING ONE IN OREGON AND ALWAYS THE SAME LIMITATION. OWNERS MANUAL CAUTIONS AGAINST CONTINUING TO FILL AFTER AUTO SHUT OFF. WE HAVE TRIED FAST FILLS, SLOW FILLS, MANUALLY HOLDING THE NOZZLE AND HOLDING THE TRIGGER, MANY ANGLES ARE FAILING TO GET OVER 9.9! ROTTEN TO GET FAR LESS MILEAGE PER TANK THAN TOYOTA COMMERCIALS SHOW. I AM TEMPTED TO TRY FILLING AFTER THE CLICK OFF. WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE? IS THIS DANGEROUS SYMPTOM OR MANUFACTURING ERROR? CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2504 AND PROBLEM PERSISTS SINCE FORST BOUGHT NEW THROUGH THIS DATE. THANKS!

NHTSA ID

11229116

Incident

Jun 10, 2019

Mileage

1,809 mi

FUEL TANK DOES NOT FILL UP TO FULL. RANGE ADVERTISED AS WELL OVER 500 MILES BUT USUAL RANGE AFTER FILL UP IN 400S.

NHTSA ID

11222043

Incident

Jun 24, 2019

WHEN FILLING UP, THE GAS CUTS OFF VERY EARLY; THE GAS GAUGE WILL ONLY READ 3/4 TO 7/8 FULL. THIS LEADS TO "TOPPING OFF" WHICH IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11221991

Incident

Jun 23, 2019

Mileage

300 mi

WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK THE SAME WAY ALL CARS ARE FILLED, THE FUEL PUMP HANDLE/NOZZLE CLICKS OFF LONG BEFORE THE TANK SHOWS AS FULL. THE TANK IS NOT GETTING FILLED COMPLETELY, AS I CAN [VIOLATE OREGON STATE LAW] AND CONTINUE FILLING IT ABOUT 1.5 MORE GALLONS. 1ST ATTEMPT AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THEY DISMISSED THE CONCERN. 2ND ATTEMPT WAS AFTER I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA AND THE DEALER CALLED ME BACK IN AND WITNESSED THE "UNFULL" TANK UPON FILLING IT USING THEIR IN-HOUSE STATION. I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 27, 2019 BUT I'M READING ONLINE THAT EVERYONE IS GETTING THE RUN AROUND AND WE NEED GOVERNMENT HELP TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

NHTSA ID

11221951

Incident

May 11, 2019

Mileage

400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO DISPLAY THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILSON TOYOTA OF AMES (LOCATED AT 2212 S DUFF AVE, AMES, IA 50010, (888) 485-5650), BUT NO MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ID

11221485

Incident

May 20, 2019

Mileage

200 mi

I AM CONCERNED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE 'SMART KEY' SYSTEM IS SUCH THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING AFTER PARKING THE CAR IN A HOME GARAGE, THEREBY ALLOWING DANGEROUS CARBON MONOXIDE TO ACCUMULATE IN THE HOME. THIS MIGHT HAPPEN BECAUSE OF TWO DESIGN FEATURES OF THE CAR: 1) THE SMART KEY SYSTEM ALLOWS THE CAR ENGINE TO RUN, WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE CAR. WITH TRADITIONAL KEYS, REMOVING THE KEY TURNS OFF THE ENGINE. WITH A 'SMART KEY,' REMOVING THE KEY DOES NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE/HYBRID SYSTEM. THE OWNER MUST REMEMBER TO TURN OFF THE HYBRID SYSTEM. USUALLY, OF COURSE, THE OWNER WILL REMEMBER TO TURN OFF THE CAR, BUT IT WOULD BE ALL TOO EASY TO FORGET. 2) DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM, THE HYBRID MOTOR SYSTEM CAN BE TURNED ON, AND NOT MAKE ANY SOUND AT ALL. HOWEVER, AFTER SOME MINUTES, WHEN THE OWNER HAS WALKED AWAY FROM THE CAR, THE ENGINE WILL TURN ON, TO RECHARGE THE HYBRID BATTERY. THIS WILL PRODUCE CARBON MONOXIDE. IT WOULD BE EASY TO DESIGN THE SYSTEM SO IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF THE HYBRID SYSTEM IF THE CAR WERE LEFT IDLING, OR WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN PARK, FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, PERHAPS AN HOUR. I BELIEVE THIS WOULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT COULD PROBABLY BE IMPLEMENTED AT LITTLE COST WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE. I HAVE READ THAT SOME CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE DONE THIS, BUT TOYOTA HAS NOT. THUS, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH WOULD BE EASY TO CORRECT. I BELIEVE A FIX SHOULD BE REQUIRED FOR NEW CARS, AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A REQUIRED SOFTWARE UPDATE AVAILABLE FOR EXISTING CARS.

NHTSA ID

11204777

Incident

Apr 30, 2019

Mileage

100 mi