2019 Toyota RAV4 Power Train

My 2019 Toyota RAV4 8 speed transmission has died. There are 105,000 miles on it. I’ve read that my year and model of car have deficient transmissions and multiple class action lawsuits on this issue.

Safety issue: The vehicle experiences intermittent loss of acceleration and transmission “slip/rev” events, especially when cold, from a stop, or at low speed. At times, the vehicle revs as if in neutral, then re-engages. The driver sometimes must press the accelerator fully to gain speed. In one instance, the vehicle was driven slowly for several miles, pulled over, shut off, restarted, and the function temporarily improved. When it started: Symptoms began immediately after a routine service visit at a Toyota dealership ([XXX]). First noted deceleration going uphill with recovery. Next day, multiple warning indicators/messages appeared and vehicle was towed to the same dealership. Dealer response: Dealership advised transmission replacement based on diagnostic codes and quoted approximately $10,000, stating fluid check was not necessary. Second opinion: Independent shop found transmission fluid level extremely low (reported approx. 1/4 full). They refilled fluid; initially vehicle drove normally, but intermittent slipping/revving continued after pickup (worse when cold/low speed). No external leaks observed by second shop at that time. Current status: Vehicle continues to show intermittent loss of acceleration/slipping behavior, creating a safety risk in traffic. No current check engine light, but symptoms persist. Codes/records available: Codes: P07457F, P28167F, P088A7F, P27137F, C137BA2, C1241, C1280, U1117, B2227. Location: New York. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unsure if the vehicle could be coasted to the side of the road. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,248.

There is a known TSB out for 2019 toyota rav4 and some select other years. The issue is a slow speed transmission issue. It is due to a programming issue. At slow speeds, if you try to go from the brake pedal to the gas pedal too quickly, there is a serious lag before power is delivered to the wheels. Which is very dangerous when making specific turns. An example is what happened to my wife and myself the other day. We were in a median turning lane, cars were coming, as we were coming to almost a stop, my wife went to apply the gas. There was a serious lag before power was delivered and it almost resulted in a T bone collision. My wife went to apply gas, there was no power for several seconds, which caused her to panic and hit the brakes again. In that process, the power was finally delivered to the wheels and caused the car to pull about halfway into the oncoming traffic before it stopped from her applying the brakes. She then hard to quickly reverse to avoid the collision. The TSB calls for a flash of the TCM and a relearn procedure to be done. Which I am having done today due to the severity of the incident we had. This could have 100% caused a serious or fatal accident. The two dealerships I spoke with severely down played it as an issue. This deserves a investigation and a recall to be sent out. I was never advised of the TSB or anything.

Engine stopped power steering low, notification. When in Reverse. Car shuts off and I coast backwards. Have to put it in park and then restart the car.

I’m reporting a safety issue with my 2019 Toyota RAV4 that has recently started and is getting worse. The problem seems related to the start-stop system or something in the powertrain. When I come to a stop—at a stop sign, red light, or roundabout—the car doesn’t always respond normally when I try to start moving again. Sometimes there’s a hesitation, and other times it lurches forward unexpectedly when I lightly press the gas pedal, like you normally would. It feels like a jolt, almost like whiplash. It’s especially dangerous in roundabouts or tight traffic situations because I can’t predict how the car will respond. I’m worried I could accidentally hit another car, or get rear-ended myself because the car doesn’t move smoothly or reliably when restarting from a stop. Even when I turn off the start-stop system, the issue still happens. It feels like a hesitation followed by a sudden surge. The RPMs don’t change, but the car still lurches. Yesterday, for the first time, I noticed the car slightly accelerated on its own after stopping, which was very concerning. I found out through Toyota’s official website that there is a technical service bulletin about this issue that came out before we owned the vehicle. But because it’s not a full recall, the dealership said they wouldn’t fix it unless we paid the $80 diagnostic fee. We’re now just out of warranty. We’re making $580 monthly payments on a car that I don’t currently feel is safe to drive. There are no warning lights or messages on the dash. I’ll be taking it to Le Mieux Toyota in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, in two weeks to have it inspected, but I wanted to report this because I believe it’s a safety issue that should be looked into. I have two small kids and I’m genuinely worried about getting into an accident, especially when merging onto highways or driving in busy intersections. I’ve seen people say this system can be recalibrated, but the fact that this is happening without any dashboard warning and is worse.

The rear differential stopped working in January, 2025 and went into two wheel drive only. The message lit up on the dash board saying the vehicle was driving in two wheel drive only. We were driving home and the roads were slippery. We brought it to Mountain States Toyota and they confirmed there was a technical service bulletin (0086-19) issued in 2019, due to a Toyota manufacturing problem. It was issued three months after we bought the new vehicle. We were never notified and a recall was never issued in 2019 when Toyota knew about it. I contacted Toyota Brand Engagement and they agreed to pay for half of the $4,800 cost to replace the entire rear differential even though they acknowledged it was a Toyota manufacturing problem and possible safety issue. We don't understand why we were not notified about the known manufacturing problem that affected the drive train of an all wheel drive vehicle. We also don't understand why they won't cover the entire cost of the required repair to make the all wheel drive operational when they acknowledge it is a known Toyota manufacturing problem. We believe it is also a safety issue. Thank you! Toyota repair Invoices #1178424, #1169684

Faulty Coolant Bypass Valve. Toyota dealership told me it is the 20th one this week.

Defective coolant bypass valve. Defective valve can cause total engine failure and mechanical failure leading to accident or injury up to and including death. Has been confirmed by service center. Engine service required light is on and will not go off there was no warnings of any issues prior to the light turning on. This is an expensive out of pocket fix in upwards of $1000.00

have experienced transmission problems when stopping, such as the vehicle lurching forward when the gas is pressed again. 69000k miles on car.

I have the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure that was manufactured with a defective differential, per T-SB-0067-20, Toyota has acknowledged that the differential were defective and that affected thousands of 2019-2020 RAV4 Adventure and Limited trim models. The defective part number is 41110-42050 and the new, superceded part number is 41110-42054. I reached out to Toyota numerous times to rectify the issue has the differential clunks and could seize causing loss of control. My vehicle was deemed a "total loss" due to hail damage and Toyota refuses to assist because of the total loss, but the vehicle was manufactured with the defective part and my vehicle suffers the VERY same issue as that a non-total loss vehicle suffers. The title status is irrelevant as the defective differential was installed BEFORE the total loss, so the title status is inconsequential. This is a safety concern because the differential could fail due to seizure, shatter, explode resulting in a loss of control and injury to me the driver and others on the road. I've expressed this numerous times with Toyota.

Car stalled. Towed to dealer. Dealer diagnosed failed electric water pump. Refused to repair under powertrain warranty. I took car to local mechanic for replacement. Upon investigation the rotor in the water pump swelled up causing it to seize, upon reading blogs it appears to be a common problem caused by the antifreeze and material they use to manufacture the rotor in the water pump. I did submit formal complaint to Toyoya Corp and was reimbursed because they agreed it was a powertrain issue. However, I think it possibly should be a recall.

Hesitation on acceleration from slow or rolling stop. When I step on the gas it takes a while to respond also when you slow down and accelerate again it hesitates to go .This has been an ongoing issue. It started around 2500 miles. Vehicle only has around 4000 miles total.

2019 TOYOTA RAV4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE WHILE IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SOUND WAS AN ALERT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER INQUIRED WHY THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF THE BACK.

A warning notice came on the dashboard stating hybrid system malfunction, see dealer at 49,743 miles. The warning notice stayed on and we called the dealer who instructed us to bring the car in for service and not to drive it until serviced. Toyota service said the hybrid harness wires had rusted which caused the malfunction.

Abnormal Buzz/Groan Noise at 20 - 30 mph: The vehicles exhibits (again, as in 7/2020) an abnormal buzz/groan (rear) noise at 20 – 30 mph when accelerating from a stop, and/or at 13 – 20 mph on deceleration after driving the vehicle for 15 – 20 minutes or more. And also a "clunk" noise. This occurs with “Normal” drive mode selected. I am very worry, this very same problem as in 2020 keeps happening!! This is not a 5 star Toyota vehicle for sure, very worry!

ABNORMAL BUZZ OR GROAN NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TRANSFER CASE WHEN SLOWING OR ACCELERATING AROUND 15-20 MPH. TOYOTA TSB IDENTIFIES PROBLEM AS ELECTRO-MAGNETIC CLUTCH SHIFTING FROM 2WD TO 4WD ON CERTAIN MODELS. TOYOTA SAYS NOT A RECALL BUT WILL REPAIR WHICH REQUIRES OPENING THE TRANSFER CASE. BRAND NEW CAR AND TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSFER CASE INSTEAD OF REPAIRING IT. DEALER ORDERED PARTS 3 WEEKS AGO AND STILL NOT DELIVERED. DEALER HAS NOT OFFERED LOANER CAR IN INTERIM.

Abnormal bussing noises under the car when driving.

THERE IS A LARGE CHUNK AND GRIND NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN GOING INTO 4TH GEAR. BOTH UP SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFTING. TOOK THE ISSUE TO TOYOTA, THEY SAID THEY WERE WAITING FOR MORE PEOPLE TO REPORT HE ISSUE BEFORE FIXING THE ISSUE.

SOUND HEARD WHEN GOING FROM ALL WHEEL DRIVE TO FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS. ALSO WHEN STOPPING WHEN WHEN THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE REENGAGES.

DURING A SLOW ROLL, THE VEHICLE JERKS PRETTY BAD. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE RAV4S THAT TOYOTA HASN'T ADDRESSED.

AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN TO FIRST GEAR, WITHOUT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AS ONE ACCELERATES THE VEHICLE MAKES AN ABRUPT FORWARD MOVEMENT. STRONG ENOUGH TO MOVE A PASSENGER BACKWARDS. I HAVE ONLY NOTICE THIS AT LOW SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. DOES NOT HAPPEN AFTER COMPLETE STOP. I WILL RAKE CAR TO DEALER TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION THIS IS NOT NORMAL ON AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

MY 2019 MY 2019 ADVENTURE IS MAKING A GROANING SOUND WHEN I ACCELERATE CONSERVATIVELY BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THIS HAPPENS PROBABLY 50% OF THE TIME. SEEMS TO BE THE AWD SYSTEM. THERE IS A BULLETIN REGARDING IT: HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2019/MC-10169438-9999.PDF . IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM. SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

VEHICLE JERKS AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A "ROLLING STOP." IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE - THERE SEEMS TO BE A DELAY WITH GOING, SO THE CAR JERKS TO KICK INTO THE SPEED IT SHOULD BE. I'VE TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY ALWAYS SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

AS I DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND COME TO A STOP AND RE-ACCELERATE IT JERKS VIOLENTLY! IT FEELS LIKE IT DOES THIS AS IT'S ACCELERATING IN FIRST GEAR ONLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT I'M NOT COMPLETELY SURE. *TR