2019 Toyota Rav4 Safety Report

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, including a 5-star overall rating, 5-star side impact, and 4-star frontal and rollover ratings, it has a notable number of consumer complaints and a significant recall history. With 849 total complaints, including 24 crashes, 2 fires, and 19 injuries, there are clear areas of concern. The most frequent complaints revolve around the FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (213 complaints) and ENGINE (132 complaints), which align with several critical recalls related to fuel pump failure and engine coolant leaks, both of which can lead to engine stalling and increased crash risk. Additionally, issues with the power liftgate and transmission are frequently reported by owners, despite not being directly addressed by recalls for all specific manifestations. The recall history for the 2019 RAV4 is extensive, with 7 recalls issued. These recalls address serious safety defects such as potential engine stalling due to fuel pump failure, loss of power steering assist, and loss of vehicle control due to cracked front lower suspension arms. Other recalls cover issues like engine coolant leaks, non-activating backup cameras, and incorrect load carrying capacity labels. The high number of complaints related to fuel/propulsion and engine systems directly correlates with the recalls concerning fuel pump and engine coolant issues, indicating these were widespread problems that affected a significant portion of the vehicle population. The complaints also highlight recurring issues with the rear liftgate hinges and transmission performance, which, while not all covered by recalls, contribute to the vehicle's overall reliability concerns. In summary, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 demonstrates strong passive safety through its crash test performance. However, its active safety and reliability are undermined by a substantial volume of consumer complaints and a high number of recalls addressing critical component failures. The most concerning patterns include engine and fuel system failures, steering issues, and suspension defects, all of which have direct implications for vehicle control and crash risk. Buyers should be aware of these known issues and ensure all applicable recalls have been addressed.

Our recommendation: Given the strong crash ratings but numerous recalls and complaints, ensure all 7 recalls have been completed and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine, transmission, fuel system, and rear liftgate before buying a 2019 Toyota RAV4.