25 complaints reported

2019 Toyota RAV4 Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
25
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Feb 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while seated in the vehicle, while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormally strong plastic burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that a top light was plugged in the trunk, but the light was turned off. After opening the trunk, the contact became aware that the wiring in the trunk had overheated and burned the laundry that was inside the vehicle and the rear passenger's side seat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2026
Nov 2025

One week ago one section of the heated steering wheel was very hot. So much so that I could not touch that area. I took it to the Anderson Toyota dealership in Rockford today. On the way there, I turned on the heated steering wheel, and it started smoking. They said they couldn’t find what was wrong with it, and to replace it would be 1800 because it isn’t in warranty. They suggested I not use it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2025
Sep 2025

Got a "Hybrid System Malfunction" notification on my dash and took it to the dealer. I was notified that my high voltage hybrid cable is corroded, and that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I understand that customer support program 22TE09 exists for this problem, but because my vehicle has over 100,000 miles, it is not covered. If this is a safety issue that Toyota has acknowledged and admitted is an issue, there should be a complete recall. I was FORCED to get the work done at a dealer because Toyota has a hold on the part. I attempted to get an independent garage to do the work, but they were not authorized to even purchase the parts necessary. Ultimately I had no choice but to spend almost $5000 for a safety repair on a 2019 vehicle that Toyota themselves have admitted to the engineering mistake, while also making it impossible to fix outside of a dealer. This is completely unacceptable. Thank you.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2025
Jun 2025

The DCM is nonfunctional, which renders the safety connect features of the car inoperable. Additionally, the Bluetooth microphone is powered by the DCM causing the driver to have to switch the call output on their phone manually taking their focus off the road. This seems to be a widespread issue with many reporting this on online threads and Toyota offering many internal service bulletins. To me this is a major safety concern that is extremely costly to repair.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2025
Dec 2024

My rear backup camera has intermittently worked for almost 2 years now. I was not included in the recall Toyota K05 / NHTSA campaign number 19V576, but I do believe I should be included as the issue describes the issue I have been having. Dealer advised me I need a new camera but the camera works from time to time. The dealer could not replicate my issue in Oct 2023. I’m still having the issue and it has gotten worse.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2022
Nov 2024

I have been told by the Toyota Arapahoe dealer that the DCM in the car is bad. All the services the DCM supposedly provides have NEVER worked on the car, leading me to believe it has been faulty from day one. These include all safety assistance features.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2024
Oct 2024

A distracting message “a connected device is not supported” flashes on my console screen every 10 seconds. This occurs when there are no device or cable connected. It blocks the clock and driving directions if I am projecting them through CarPlay. The SOS emergency system lights flash back and forth from red to green.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2024
Jun 2024

SUV showed on the display that there was a Hybrid System Malfunction. SUV is in a Toyota dealership shop in Aberdeen, WA. I called the shop immediately when the notification came up. Was advised that it was OK to drive until check engine light came on, which it didn't. I only drove to work amd back after the notification and call to shop. The cruise control would turn off and I'd be notified on the screen. Again was told ok to drive until check engine light came on. Approx a week after calling shop, SUV would not start before going to work. Had to be towed to shop. Potential safety issue if this happened while driving on highway or while in a rural/wooded/off main road area with no cell phone service. I was told my the shop that another SUV had recently had the same issue. Shop says that the wiring harness is exposed to the elements as built by Toyota. Has not been inspected by anyone but the Toyota dealership service dept. No warning ahead of time, just a notification while driving that there was a Hybrid System Malfunction amd then a Cruise Control Malfunction.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2024
Nov 2023

My car ran a message of “ Maintenance engine required” and it turns out the COOLANT BYPASS VALVE has gone bad. When turning the AC on the message appears, but went off the message doesn’t appear.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2023
Aug 2023

Engine Maintenance Required light came on. Got it checked out by Toyota Dealer and the coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced. It seems to be a common problem with RAV4s.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2023
Jul 2023

The DATA COMMUNICATION MODULE - the DCM does not work properly. At first the Mic for the phone did not work when using the phone , then my clock and information page on the screen went in and out. I went to a dealership and they charged me $150 for diagnostic and now $1300 to fix. This is a vital piece of equipment for using communication devices hands-free. There is already a campaign to 21-22 RAV 4 models, and I believe this is the same issue only to the 2019 and 2020 also. Here is the link to the campaign. Please help me. https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/2021%E2%80%932022-toyota-vehicles-dcm-data-communication-module-reprogramming-special-service-campaign-ssc-22tc01.2566/

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2023
Jun 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with unknown warning lights illuminated and blinking. The contact stated that the steering wheel became very firm. The contact pulled over on the side of the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that water enter the cabin of the vehicle through the roof rails and caused electrical damages to an unknown wiring harness connector. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed; however, no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 70,811.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2023
Mar 2023

DCM unit failed. It controls Toyota safety connect and all communication to Toyota. If I were to be in an accident the SOS button to get help is inoperable. This has been reported to Toyota. This is a problem for nearly all the DCM units across the entire Toyota platform. Toyota is only willing to fix these defective DCM units under a 3 year 36k mile warranty. Considering the extent of the failure of these units across all their vehicles I believe Toyota should fix this systemic problem with their safety system outside their traditional warranty. Thanks

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2022
Oct 2022

There is a leak coming from the top rails on the 2019 Toyota Rav4. Any time it rains the water runs down the side arm/airbag area which has gone into the electrical system and corroded the wires. In addition the corrosion, the water has caused organic growth to occur underneath the carpets. When it rains, the vehicle will not open without the physical key. Upon opening the door, the radio and all service lights are on. The speedometer goes awry, saying I'm at 9mph while I'm stopped at a red light. The acceleration of the vehicle tugs and takes awhile to get up to speed, which is dangerous. When I get out of the car, the car will not lock. It beeps as if I have left my key in the car. This is also dangerous at night time or in other areas that my car can easily be broken into. This issue occurs when it rains. I have taken it to a local toyota dealership and after numerous tests, figured out the problem is with the guide rails/racks on the tops of the car. They did this by running the car through the car wash. The estimated damage for a manufacturer defect is over 7K. The carpets need replaced due to organic growth and still water. The entire electrical system and board needs replaced.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2022
Oct 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated that an error electrical system warning message was displayed. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where it was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000. The VIN was not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2022
Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and making abnormal sounds. Additionally, the vehicle was intermittently unable to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the roof rack sustained water damage, causing an electrical system failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2022
Jul 2022

I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF A MALFUNCTION IN THE INTELLIGENT CLEARANCE SONAR SYSTEM AND A MALFUNCTION IN THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER BUT ON THE MORNING OF THE APPOINTMENT THE CAR WAS NON-OPERATIONAL IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS CORROSION OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON RAV4 HYBRID FORUMS AND APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE IN REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY WITH SNOW/SALT ROAD TREATMENTS. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2022
May 2022

The terrain selection feature automatically engages "mud & sand" mode while driving. This feature turns off many safety features including, but not limited to traction control and parking collision system. It is very intermittent, and the Toyota dealership was unable to find the problem. The terrain selection features stops working after being turned on to normal again, until the vehicle is turned off for quite some time.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2022
Aug 2021

THIS IS ABOUT OUTDOOR THERMOMETERS ON CARS. IF THEY AREN'T ACCURATE, WHAT GOOD ARE THEY. THEY CAUSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. HERE'S WHY. ON A COLD DAY WITH PRECIPITATION, IF IT ISN'T ACCURATE PEOPLE COULD GET A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. MINE IN PARTICULAR IS THIS. MINE READS 4 DEGREES TOO WARM. THE PROBLEM. IF IT'S RAINING AND IT READS 34 DEGREES, I'M 2 DEGREES ABOVE FREEZING I THINK, I'M SAFE, NO ICE WHEN IN FACT IT'S 30, 2 DEGREES BELOW FREEZING. DO YOU GET MY POINT. IF A CAR IS WARM, IT'S A WARM DAY, THERE IS AMBIENT HEAT ON THE ROAD. I DON'T EXPECT IT TO READ ACCURATELY. IF IT'S COLD, CLOUDY, RAINING, THERE IS NO AMBIENT HEAT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX THIS AND THEY JUST AREN'T THAT ACCURATE ANYWAY. IF THEY AREN'T ACCURATE, THEY SHOULD NEVER BE ON A CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS COULD KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE. AUTO MAKERS SHOULD BE HELD TO AN EXACTING STANDARD ON THESE THINGS OR DON'T INSTALL THEM AT ALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2019
Dec 2020

BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING AFTER NOT DRIVING THE CAR FOR AS LITTLE AS 14 HOURS, ALTHOUGH MOST OFTEN 4-5 DAYS. PER PHONE COMMUNICATIONS WITH TOYOTA (THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY REFUSED TO COMMUNICATE VIA EMAIL), THIS IS NORMAL WITH NEW CARS AND IS BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T DRIVEN ENOUGH. THEY HAVE SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT NOT DRIVING THE CAR FOR 4-5 DAYS IS NOT ENOUGH AND EVEN THAT THE TIME IT HAPPENED AFTER NOT DRIVING IT FOR 14 HOURS IT WAS DUE TO NOT DRIVING IT ENOUGH. THIS WAS NOT COMMUNICATED AT THE TIME OF BUYING THE CAR AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL ONLY SPECIFIES THAT THE CAR NEEDS TO BE DRIVEN AT LEAST EVERY FEW MONTHS TO KEEP THE BATTERY FROM DRAINING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2020
Aug 2020

RADIO SUDDENLY LOSES SOUND, AND THEN COMES BACK VERY LOUD SCARING PASSENGERS AND THE DRIVER. SOMETIMES SOUND NEVER COMES BACK. SCREEN IS FAULTY AND HAS SLOW RESPONSE TO TRANSITION FROM CAMERA TO RADIO AND BACK. UPDATES ARE REQUIRED BUT DEALERSHIPS WANT THEM PAID FOR IF NOT IN WARRANTY

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2019
Jan 2020

WE PURCHASED OUR 2019 RAV4 LIMITED IN LATE DEC 2019 (27TH) AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A REPEATED ISSUE WITH THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (ENGINE 3.0 PREMIUM JBL). WHILE OPERATING THE CAR, THE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF, REBOOT, LOCK UP, DROP CALLS, ETC. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE AFTER 3 DAYS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. WE WILL BE BRINGING THE CAR BACK FOR A SECOND TIME IN 2 MONTHS OF OWNING... TOYOTA HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2020
Dec 2019

THIS CAR IS A HYBRID, AND HAS A SO-CALLED "SMART KEY." THE VEHICLE ENGINE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE CAR, EVEN IF THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ENGAGED. USUALLY, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE THE DRIVER SHOULD TURN OFF THE ENGINE BY PUSHING THE ON/OFF BUTTON BEFORE WALKING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. BUT IT IS POSSIBLE TO INADVERTENTLY FAIL DO THIS PROPERLY, BY EITHER NOT PUSHING THE OFF BUTTON, NOT PUSHING IT HARD ENOUGH, OR FAILING TO FULLY PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK BEFORE PUSHING THE ON/OFF BUTTON. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS A HYBRID, IT IS USUALLY COMPLETELY SILENT EVEN IF THE ENGINE SYSTEM IS STILL ON. THE VEHICLE WILL EMIT 3 SHORT, RELATIVELY QUIET, BEEPS WHEN LEAVING THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL TURNED ON, BUT THE VARIOUS SYSTEMS IN THE CAR OFTEN EMITS THE SAME BEEPS, SO THEY ARE EASY TO INADVERTENTLY DISREGARD. IF THE CAR IS LEFT IN A HOME GARAGE, IT CAN FILL THE HOME WITH LETHAL CARBON MONOXIDE. IF THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED, THE UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE CAN MOVE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE WELL REPORTED FATALITIES FROM THESE DEFECTS. VIRTUALLY ALL OTHER MANUFACTURERS OF VEHICLES WITH SMART KEYS CORRECTED THIS DEFECT YEARS AGO, BY AUTOMATICALLY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE IF THE SMART KEY IS REMOVED. TOYOTA IS CORRECTING THIS ISSUE IN 2020 MODELS. BUT TOYOTA IS NOT, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, CORRECTING IT IN 2019 AND EARLIER CARS. IT WOULD PROBABLY BE A RELATIVELY STRAIGHTFORWARD FIX, WHICH COULD BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A FIRMWARE UPDATE. BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS, POTENTIALLY LETHAL DEFECT, I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL EXISTING 2019 AND EARLIER CARS AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THOUGH I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS SERIOUS, I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE PROBLEM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2019
Jul 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. TOYOTA VACAVILLE (500 ORANGE DR, VACAVILLE, CA 95687, (707) 446-7000) WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE EXITED WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION, WHICH WAS A SAFETY RISK TO THE CONTACT WHEN THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE SECURED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE KEY STILL WOULD NOT EJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2019
Jan 2019

THE BACK-UP CAMERA QUIT WORKING WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE (578 MILES). ANYTIME YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE CAMERA DOES NOT WORK MAKING IT UNSAFE TO BACK IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2019

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has 25 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.