2019 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

203Engine complaints

23.4%Of all 868 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM254 · 29.3%

ENGINE203 · 23.4%

Unspecified / other168 · 19.4%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM99 · 11.4%

POWER TRAIN79 · 9.1%

Share of the 868 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2019 Toyota RAV4 overview page.

What owners report

“UPDATE TO CLAIM #11233589: AFTER GOING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP A SECOND TIME BECAUSE OIL CONTINUED TO CLIMB UP THE DIP STICK, THE SERVICE DEPT…”NHTSA complaint 11252167 — filed 08/29/2019

“AT THIS TIME THERE AT LEAST 24 COMPLAINT ABOUT A "LURCHING" PROBLEM AT LOW SPEED AND RE ACCELERATION. A VERY SIGNIFICANT "LURCHING" ALMOST"STALLING" IS VERY…”NHTSA complaint 11245080 — filed 08/19/2019

“1. TRANSMISSION SUDDEN JERKING/SHIFTING WHEN SLOWING DOWN IN CITY AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ANYWHERE FROM 5-10 MPH WILL THEN JERK BACKWARDS THEN…”NHTSA complaint 11244389 — filed 08/16/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2019 Toyota RAV4: 203 of 868 complaints on file (23.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have in total?

868 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 25 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 21 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.