RAV4 years to avoid: which 2019 to 2025 RAV4s are safe to buy used

Quick picks

Every 2019 to 2025 RAV4 year at a glance, plus the 2026

So the table below gives my verdict on each year and powertrain, and the free Toyota fixes to ask about on that car's VIN. When I say powertrain, I just mean which kind of RAV4 it is: gas, Hybrid or Prime.

"Gas" means the regular RAV4 with no hybrid system. "Hybrid" is the RAV4 Hybrid, which never plugs in. And "Prime" is the plug-in hybrid RAV4, which Toyota renamed the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid for 2025.

Basically, the numbers that look like 20V682000 are government safety recall numbers. And the shorter codes like 24TE04 are Toyota's own free repair programs, which I explain in the Toyota programs section below. And when you see AWD, that means all-wheel drive.

And keep in mind that a list of recalls for a model year never tells you everything about one particular car. So the table above is a starting point, and running the actual VIN is what tells you which fixes that car still needs. I walk through how to run a VIN in the VIN lookup section below.

Why the "years to avoid" lists online don't agree

So if you've searched for RAV4 years to avoid, you've probably noticed the lists contradict each other. Some name only the 2019. Others name 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024. And because the lists disagree, it's hard to pick a year with confidence.

Now the biggest public record of owner complaints is kept by NHTSA, the U.S. government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Owners file complaints there, and the table below splits them by year and powertrain.

Something to note is that a few complaints each year had no readable VIN, so they're in the total but not in the gas, Hybrid or Prime columns.

Now there are a couple of other things to keep in mind when you read those numbers. First, a 2019 has been on the road six years longer than a 2025, so the 2019 has had a lot more time to collect complaints. And second, the 2019 to 2021 counts are pushed up by a few specific problems. Those are a leaking coolant valve, the Hybrid fuel tank that won't fill, and the long wait for passenger airbag sensor parts.

Toyota also sells hundreds of thousands of RAV4s a year in the U.S. So even 901 complaints is a small share of the 2019s on the road.

And then Consumer Reports, the magazine that surveys its members about their own cars, shows one public sentence on each year's reliability page. The actual scores are for members only.

But that public sentence is still useful. In the table below, "more reliable" means Consumer Reports rates that year as more reliable than the average car. And "predicted" means Consumer Reports is estimating for a newer model.

So the main thing to notice is that Consumer Reports doesn't rate a single 2019 to 2025 RAV4 year below average. That pushes back a lot on the scarier "years to avoid" lists. And the NHTSA complaints point at the 2019 and the 2021 Prime as the weak spots. But neither source gives a reason to avoid a 2023 or 2024.

Now CarComplaints.com still calls the 2019 RAV4 the worst year, almost entirely for hesitating and lurching at slow speeds. But CarComplaints.com has far fewer reports, 137 for the 2019 compared with NHTSA's 901. So it hears from a much smaller group of owners.

The free Toyota programs that cover 2019 to 2025 RAV4s

So Toyota's free repair programs are what most "years to avoid" lists leave out, and they matter most when you're buying used. Toyota has several programs that fix specific problems for free, often long after the normal warranty ends.

Basically, a Customer Support Program is Toyota extending the coverage on one part past the normal warranty. The repair is free at any Toyota dealer, and the coverage stays with the car when it's sold to the next owner. But keep in mind that Customer Support Programs don't show up on NHTSA's recall search. So a dealer usually has to run the VIN to confirm whether a program applies and whether it was done.

And you'll also see a couple of other kinds of fixes in the table below. A service campaign, like 26TC03 or LSC 25TD01, is a free fix Toyota notifies owners about even though it isn't a safety recall. And a service bulletin, like T-SB-0107-19, is Toyota's repair instructions to dealers for a known problem.

So ultimately, a 2019 or 2020 RAV4 with every one of these programs done can be a very different car from one with none of them. And a private seller who says "all maintenance done" usually can't tell you which programs were done. That's why I'd run the VIN check below on any 2019 or 2020 RAV4.

How to look up recalls and Toyota programs by VIN

So you'd ask the seller for the VIN before you go see the car. Then you'd check the VIN in three places, because no single lookup shows everything.

1. Start with Toyota's recall lookup. Type the VIN into toyota.com/recall. Toyota's lookup shows open recalls and service campaigns, like the 26TC03 rain stall fix and the LSC 25TD01 cable seal. And the lookup is free. But Toyota's lookup may not show Customer Support Programs, like the 20TE04, 20TE05 and 20TE06 Hybrid fuel tank programs, so a blank result there doesn't prove a program doesn't apply.
2. Then check NHTSA's recall lookup. Type the same VIN into nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's lookup shows every open safety recall from every carmaker, and it's free too.
3. Then ask a Toyota dealer's service desk. Call or visit any Toyota service desk and ask them to print the VIN's open campaigns and programs. Asking the dealer is the step most people skip. But it's the only way to confirm the Customer Support Programs, like 24TE04, 22TE05 and 22TE09, because those don't show on NHTSA's site.

And if you're buying from a dealer, ask for the repair orders for any program that was already done. Repair orders are the dealer's paperwork for each repair. For a 2019 to 2021 RAV4 Hybrid, the 20TE04, 20TE05 or 20TE06 fuel tank repair order is the one I'd want to see first. The labor codes RAV043, RAV045, RAV047, RAV048 and RAV049 mean new parts went in. The codes RAV041, RAV042, RAV044 and RAV046 mean the car was only inspected and passed. I explain the codes in my RAV4 Hybrid gas tank guide.

Now NHTSA also has a page for each model year with every recall, complaint and service bulletin. These are the pages for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. I also keep both recall lookups, along with other useful RAV4 sites, on my RAV4 owner resources page.

Each RAV4 year in detail

So now I'll go through each year, with what owners actually reported and what I'd check before buying. The owner complaint counts below are NHTSA complaints that mention each problem.

2019 gas RAV4

So the 2019 is the roughest year for the gas RAV4, with seven recalls. These are the ones that matter most:

• Fuel pump (20V682000). The fuel pump can fail and stall the engine, and the fix is a new fuel pump.
• Engine block (20V064000). Some engine blocks, the main metal body of the engine, were cast with tiny holes that can crack and leak coolant. The fix is a new engine. The Car Care Nut, a Toyota master technician on YouTube, says the engine block recall hit a small number of cars. They hadn't seen a single RAV4 that qualified.
• Front lower control arms (20V286000). The front lower control arms, which hold the front wheels to the car, can crack and separate. Toyota replaces both.
• Power steering (20V373000). Water can get into the steering gear and cut the power steering assist.
• Backup camera (19V576000). A damaged plug can stop the backup camera from turning on.

The other two recalls were for weight labels, the labels that list how much weight the RAV4 can carry. Two Toyota distributors, Gulf States Toyota and Southeast Toyota, put on labels that were wrong or faded.

Now the biggest owner complaint on the 2019 gas RAV4 is a leaking coolant valve, with 138 complaints out of 551. In owner complaints up to October 15, 2026, dealers charged about $600 to $850 to fix the valve out of warranty. But Toyota's 24TE04 program now covers the coolant valve for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Roof rail leaks that wet the headliner come next, with about 39 complaints, and Toyota's 22TE05 program covers those.

Then there's the hesitation at slow speeds, with about 32 complaints. Basically, Toyota's bulletin T-SB-0107-19 says some 2019 gas RAV4s hesitate when you speed up from a slow roll.

The hesitation only happens when three things line up. First, you're under about 6 mph. Second, the transmission just shifted down from 3rd gear to 1st. And third, you're pressing the gas pedal less than 40 percent of the way. So the hesitation is a specific low-speed condition, not the car failing.

The fix is an engine computer update, covered by the federal emissions warranty for 8 years or 80,000 miles. Keep in mind that the earliest 2019s are reaching the 8-year limit now. And Toyota kept collecting data on the hesitation in 2020, so some owners still felt it after the update. If a 2019 gas RAV4 still hesitates after the update, I go through what to do in my 2019 RAV4 hesitation guide.

The hesitation is on the 2019 gas RAV4 only. Toyota's bulletin doesn't list the RAV4 Hybrid or the Prime.

And a few smaller complaints are worth knowing. About 17 owners reported brake squeal, which Toyota's bulletin T-SB-0001-22 covers on 2019 to 2025 gas and Hybrid RAV4s. And about 12 owners reported the sunroof glass shattering on its own.

So ultimately, I'd only buy a 2019 gas RAV4 if the VIN shows every recall done and the dealer confirms the 24TE04 and 22TE05 programs are done. The headliner should be dry, and the car should pass a slow stop-and-go test drive. And the price should reflect that the 2019 is the oldest year.

2019 RAV4 Hybrid

So the biggest problem on the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid is the fuel tank. Out of 335 complaints, 191 say the tank won't fill all the way or the fuel gauge reads low. The problem came from the shape of the tank and the fuel sender tilting. The fix is a new tank, a new fuel sender or both, under Toyota's 20TE04 program. I cover the fuel tank problem, the fix and how to check a VIN in my RAV4 Hybrid gas tank guide.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid also has a recall for the brake booster pump (19V544000). The pump can fail and switch off two safety systems: stability control, which helps stop skids, and brake assist. And the 2019 Hybrid shares the engine block and lower control arm recalls with the gas RAV4.

Now the hybrid cable problem only has about 6 complaints on the 2019 Hybrid. But the cable corrosion shows up years later, and Toyota started the 22TE09 program because of dealer repair data, not owner complaints. So I wouldn't take the low count as a sign the 2019 Hybrid is safe from cable corrosion.

Something else to note is the hybrid warranty. So the 2019 has Toyota's older hybrid parts coverage of 8 years or 100,000 miles. The 10-year, 150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty starts with the 2020. And the 2019 Hybrid uses a nickel-metal hydride battery, which I explain in my RAV4 Hybrid battery life guide.

So ultimately, a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid is OK if you've seen the 20TE04 repair order, or the tank takes 9.8 gallons or more when you fill it from the low-fuel light to the first click. Toyota says 9.8 gallons or more is normal, and Toyota only replaces the tank and sender on cars that fail its test. And on an AWD Hybrid, the hybrid cable plug should have been checked and LSC 25TD01 done.

2020 gas RAV4

The 2020 gas RAV4 shares the 2019's fuel pump, engine block, lower control arm and power steering recalls. And the 2020 adds two recalls of its own:

• Steering column (20V734000). Pins in the steering column can affect how the driver's airbag works.
• Passenger airbag sensor (23V865000). The sensor in the passenger seat that detects a person can short out. Then the passenger airbag might not go off in a crash.

Now on the 2020 gas RAV4, the coolant valve has 165 complaints, the most for any one problem on any year. Toyota's 24TE04 program covers the coolant valve.

And 17 owners complained about waiting for parts for the passenger airbag sensor recall. Toyota said the letters telling owners the final repair was ready would go out in phases through January 2026. About 11 to 15 owners also reported a dead 12-volt battery or a RAV4 that wouldn't start.

So ultimately, the 2020 gas RAV4 is a lot like the 2019, just without most of the hesitation. I'd want every recall and program done. And I'd make sure the 23V865000 airbag sensor repair is the final fix, not just the letter Toyota sent while owners waited for parts.

2020 RAV4 Hybrid

So the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid has five recalls: the engine block, the lower control arms, the power steering gear, the steering column and the passenger airbag sensor. The fuel tank is still the top complaint, but with 68 complaints instead of the 2019's 191. The count dropped because Toyota changed parts in mid-2020, and some 2020 Hybrids only needed a new fuel sender under the 20TE05 program.

About 17 owners reported a dead 12-volt battery or a RAV4 that wouldn't start. The Car Care Nut traced early dead batteries to the connected-services module staying on after the car was shut off. That module is the part that links the RAV4 to Toyota's app, and a software update fixed the problem. And about 10 owners reported the sunroof shattering on its own.

So ultimately, the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid is better than the 2019, and it's the first year with the 10-year, 150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty. I'd still check the fuel tank, either with the 20TE04 or 20TE05 repair order or with the fill test from the low-fuel light, and on AWD, that the hybrid cable seal was done.

2021 gas RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid

Now the 2021 gas RAV4 and the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid each have just one recall, the 23V865000 passenger airbag sensor. But the airbag sensor recall is also the biggest complaint. Out of 244 complaints on the 2021 gas RAV4, 64 are about that recall, nearly all from owners waiting a year or more for parts. Owners kept filing those complaints between October 2024 and January 2026.

The coolant valve drops to only 13 complaints on the 2021 gas RAV4, and the hesitation to about 4. The 24TE04, 22TE05 and 23TE01 programs still cover the 2021 gas RAV4 and the 2021 Hybrid.

On the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid, the top complaint is actually the sunroof glass shattering on its own, with 21 complaints. That's the highest count for sunroof glass of any year. The airbag sensor recall has 27 complaints, and the fuel tank 12. Some early 2021 Hybrids are still in the 20TE04 fuel tank program. And 6,300 Hybrids built mid-October to mid-November 2020 are in 20TE06 instead.

So ultimately, the 2021 gas RAV4 and the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid are both good used picks. Consumer Reports' public verdict for the 2021 gas RAV4 is "much more reliable." I'd just confirm the airbag sensor recall is finished. And on an AWD Hybrid, I'd confirm the hybrid cable seal is done.

2021 RAV4 Prime, the first Prime

So the 2021 RAV4 Prime is the one 2019 to 2025 RAV4 I'd be most careful with. I'd want proof every fix is done before buying one. The 2021 Prime has four recalls, and the first two are serious:

• DC-DC converter (23V478000). Basically, the DC-DC converter turns the big hybrid battery's power into the 12-volt power the rest of the car uses. Some converters were damaged at the factory and can short-circuit. Until the converter was replaced, Toyota told owners not to plug in to charge below 41°F. Owners filed complaints from October 2023 to May 2024 saying parts weren't available for months, and some owners were told to park outside.
• Cold-weather stall (23V041000). In cold weather in EV mode, where the Prime drives on battery power alone, flooring the gas pedal could shut the hybrid system down. The fix is a software update.
• Stability control (22V239000). If the driver switched stability control off, it could stay off after a restart. The fix is a software update.
• Headlight aiming caps (20V698000). The caps on the headlight aiming screws weren't closed at the factory.

Now a handful of 2021 Prime owners also reported a sudden loss of power or a "hybrid system malfunction" at highway speed. One owner at 69,000 miles described losing acceleration and power steering on the highway in December 2024. And the Car Care Nut traced early Prime hybrid warnings to a poor electrical ground connection at the DC-DC converter, which updated bolts fixed.

So ultimately, I'd only buy a 2021 RAV4 Prime with written proof that 23V478000, 23V041000, 22V239000 and LSC 25TD01 are all done. And if you can, a 2022 or newer Prime is the safer Prime. I compare the Prime with the RAV4 Hybrid in my Hybrid vs Prime guide.

Is a used 2021 RAV4 Prime safe with the cold-weather stall recall?

So yes, a used 2021 RAV4 Prime is safe to buy once the cold-weather stall recall, 23V041000, is done. The fix is a free software update that takes about an hour at a Toyota dealer. Toyota's own number for the cold-weather stall recall is 23TA01.

Now this is what the cold-weather stall recall covers:

• Only the 2021 RAV4 Prime. The recall covers 16,679 Primes built from November 2019 to June 2021. The 2022 to 2024 RAV4 Prime and the 2025 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid aren't in the 23V041000 recall. The 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid has its own drive power recall, which I cover in the 2026 section.
• What happens. After a 2021 Prime has been driving in EV mode in the cold, pressing the gas pedal hard and fast can make the hybrid battery's voltage drop too fast. Then a warning message comes on, and the hybrid system shuts off, so the car loses drive power. Toyota says nothing warns you ahead of time. The warning message only shows once the shutdown happens.
• Why an unfixed 2021 Prime matters more now. Toyota's report to NHTSA says the hybrid battery wearing down over time could make the shutdown more likely. So an older 2021 Prime without the update is more at risk than a new one was.
• How often it happened. When Toyota filed the recall in February 2023, Toyota knew of 5 warranty claims in the U.S. that might be related. The first report came from Europe in March 2022, from a Prime on a freeway that stopped speeding up when the driver pressed the gas.

What to do if a 2021 RAV4 Prime shuts down while driving

So Toyota's recall notes say the power steering and brakes still work after the shutdown. These are Toyota's steps:

1. Steer to a safe spot while the Prime coasts.
2. Once you're stopped, shift into Park and turn the car off.
3. Press the power button to restart the Prime. Toyota says the restart resets the hybrid system, and you can keep driving.

And until the update is done, Toyota says to avoid driving in EV mode.

How to confirm the cold-weather stall update was done on a used 2021 RAV4 Prime

1. Run the VIN at toyota.com/recall and nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 23V041000 shows as open, the update hasn't been done. But keep in mind NHTSA's lookup only lists recalls that haven't been fixed, so a blank result isn't written proof.
2. Ask for the repair order with recall 23TA01 on it. The repair order is the dealer's paperwork showing the update was done.
3. Or ask any Toyota service desk to print the VIN's recall history. The printout shows which recalls were completed.
4. In California, the dealer hands out a Vehicle Emissions Recall Proof of Correction Form after the update. Toyota's dealer letter says California won't renew a 2021 Prime's registration until the 23TA01 update is done. So ask a California seller for that form.

So for me personally, I'd be comfortable with a 2021 RAV4 Prime that has the 23TA01 repair order, plus written proof that 23V478000, 22V239000 and LSC 25TD01 are done too, like I said above. And if you live where it snows, my RAV4 in snow guide covers how the Prime and the 2026 Plug-in Hybrid handle winter.

2022 gas RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime

So the 2022 RAV4 is where the complaints really drop off. The 2022 gas RAV4 has only one recall, 22V519000, for front passenger seat parts that could interfere with the airbag sensor. That recall covered 3,533 cars across the gas RAV4, Hybrid and Prime.

Now the one thing to check on a 2022 gas RAV4 is the rain stall. Basically, after driving in rain, steam off the radiator can throw off the sensor that measures the air going into the engine. Then the engine can run rough or stall at idle.

The 26TC03 campaign fixes the rain stall for free on gas RAV4s built from late November 2021. The 2022 gas RAV4 has 18 complaints about the engine stopping in or after rain, compared with 3 to 9 for the 2019 to 2021. If you see the "Engine stopped, power steering low" message, my RAV4 warning lights guide explains what that message means.

The 2022 RAV4 Hybrid has two recalls, the seat sensor and the stability control software, and nothing stands out in its 64 complaints. Consumer Reports' public verdict is "much more reliable."

And the 2022 RAV4 Prime has the same DC-DC converter recall as the 2021, plus the seat sensor and stability control recalls. Its 24 complaints don't show anything beyond those recalls. Consumer Reports' public verdict for the 2022 Prime is also "much more reliable."

So ultimately, the 2022 RAV4 Hybrid is one of the safest used picks of all the 2019 to 2025 RAV4s. The 2022 gas RAV4 is good once 26TC03 is done, and the 2022 Prime is good once the converter recall is done.

2023 and 2024 gas RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime

The 2023 and 2024 RAV4 got a new touchscreen system, and most of their recalls are fixed with software updates. These are the two recalls that affect the most cars:

• Backup camera freeze (25V744000). On RAV4s with the 360 camera, which Toyota calls the Panoramic View Monitor, the backup camera image can freeze or go blank in Reverse. The fix is a software update. I cover the 360 camera recall in my 360 camera guide, and my trims guide shows which trims have the 360 camera.
• Blank gauge screen (25V595000). The screen behind the steering wheel can stay blank when you start the car, so no speed or warnings show. Gas RAV4s get an over-the-air update, which means the software comes to the car wirelessly. The Prime may get a new screen. The recall names the gas RAV4 and the Prime but not the RAV4 Hybrid, so run the VIN on a Hybrid. My Technology Package guide covers the gauge screen.

Now on the 2023 and 2024 gas RAV4, the rain stall is still the main complaint. The 2024 gas RAV4 has 26 complaints about the engine stopping, the most of any year, and 26TC03 covers the rain stall. A small 2024 recall, 24V911000, covered about 70 gas RAV4s with loose front brake caliper and hub bolts.

On the 2023 RAV4 Prime, about 21 of the 67 complaints are the blank gauge screen. One owner said the dealer kept them in a loaner car for over 10 weeks waiting on parts, in April 2026. On the 2023 and 2024 RAV4 Hybrid, the top complaints are the brakes and the camera and screen recalls, and nothing points to a hybrid system problem.

Toyota also issued service bulletins for oil leaks at the oil pan seal and the cylinder head cover on some 2023 and 2024 gas and Hybrid RAV4s. And another bulletin, T-SB-0042-24, covers the fuel gauge reading 3/4 to 7/8 right after filling the tank on some Kentucky-built 2023 RAV4 Hybrids. The repair under that 2023 bulletin is only covered by Toyota's 3-year, 36,000-mile warranty, so it isn't a free program like 20TE04.

So ultimately, the 2023 and 2024 are good years in every powertrain. I'd get the camera, gauge screen and 26TC03 fixes done, and on an AWD Hybrid or a Prime, the hybrid cable seal. Only 2024 Hybrids built through mid-February 2024 and 2024 Primes built through early March 2024 are in the 22TE09 cable program. So a late-built 2024 that doesn't show LSC 25TD01 is normal, and I'd ask the dealer to check the VIN.

2025 gas RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

So the 2025 is the last year of the RAV4 design Toyota sold from 2019 to 2025, and the last gas RAV4. Toyota also renamed the Prime the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid for 2025. The 2025 has the fewest complaints of those years, with 46 for the gas RAV4, 46 for the Hybrid and 12 for the Plug-in Hybrid. And nothing stands out beyond the recalls.

All three 2025 RAV4s still share the 360 camera recall (25V744000). The gas RAV4 and the Plug-in Hybrid also share the gauge screen recall (25V595000). The 2025 Hybrid has a weight label recall (26V179000), and a seat bracket weld recall (26V256000) covered only 4 gas RAV4s. And 26TC03 covers 2025 gas RAV4s built through early April 2025. The 22TE09 cable program doesn't list the 2025.

So ultimately, I'd call the 2025 the safest used pick of the 2019 to 2025 RAV4s, in every powertrain.

The 2026 RAV4 so far

Now the 2026 RAV4 is a whole new design, and it only comes as a Hybrid or a Plug-in Hybrid. There's no gas-only RAV4 for 2026. And with only 37 complaints filed by October 15, 2026, it's too early to judge the 2026's reliability.

The 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid already has a recall, 26V659000. Basically, an error in the computer that controls the electric motors can reduce power or shut the hybrid system down at higher speeds. The fix is a software update, and the recall covers 30,978 U.S. cars.

Toyota plans to mail owner letters starting November 22, 2026. Toyota also recalled 5,925 Plug-in Hybrids in Australia for the same fault on October 9, 2026.

And these are the things 2026 owners have reported to NHTSA so far:

• The overhead sunglasses holder pops open while driving. Seven owners reported it, six on the Hybrid and one on the Plug-in Hybrid.
• The sunroof or rear glass shatters with nothing hitting it. Four or five owners reported the glass shattering.
• The pre-collision system brakes hard with nothing ahead. The pre-collision system is Toyota's automatic emergency braking. About 5 owners reported this "phantom braking," one at only 145 miles on an XSE Hybrid.
• A "system malfunction" warning shows with the airbag and parking assist warnings all at once. About 4 owners reported the warnings.
• The windshield shows wavy diagonal lines. Three owners reported the wavy lines to NHTSA, two with a 2026 RAV4 Hybrid and one with a Plug-in Hybrid XSE with the head-up display, which shows your speed on the glass. A 2026 Limited owner posted about the same wavy lines on RAV4World too.
• The Plug-in Hybrid suddenly loses drive power. About 4 to 5 owners reported losing power, and the problem is now the 26V659000 recall.

Toyota has also sent dealers a few tech tips, which are short notes for dealer technicians, and these don't have a fix yet. One tells dealers to report a P1C7F49 trouble code on the 2026 Hybrid rather than repair it. Another covers some 2026 Plug-in Hybrids that won't charge with the cord that came with the car. That happens on a regular outlet (Level 1) or a 240-volt outlet (Level 2).

Other tech tips cover multimedia software for the JBL speakers having no sound and Apple CarPlay dropping out. And one covers a distance-to-empty reading that's too high on the first fill.

So ultimately, the early 2026 RAV4 Hybrid complaints are mostly annoyances and the automatic braking acting up, not engine or hybrid failures. Consumer Reports predicts the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid will be more reliable than average, based on the older generation. But if you're buying a 2026 Plug-in Hybrid, I'd make sure the 26V659000 recall is done.

If the automatic braking bothers you, my guide on turning off automatic braking may help. And my 2026 vs 2025 RAV4 guide covers whether to wait or buy now.

Problems you'll read about that aren't on 2019 to 2026 RAV4s

So some of the scariest RAV4 stories online are about older RAV4s, not the 2019 to 2026 RAV4s. These are the ones I see mixed up most often:

• The 12-volt battery fire investigation and recall cover 2013 to 2018 RAV4s, not 2019 and newer. On those older RAV4s, the battery terminal could touch the hold-down clamp.
• The oil burning stories are about the 2006 to 2008 RAV4.
• The one NHTSA investigation listed on 2019 to 2022 hybrids was a petition about the pedestrian warning sound on all hybrids and electric cars. The petition wasn't about a RAV4 defect, and it closed in August 2023.

Now one thing that does apply is milky oil in very cold weather. A 2024 Toyota bulletin covers 2018 to 2024 Toyotas with the same family of engines as the RAV4. Basically, short trips in extreme cold can let moisture freeze in the oil and trigger an "Oil Pressure Low" warning.

Only 1 NHTSA complaint mentions milky oil on a 2019 or newer RAV4. So it's something to know about if you live somewhere cold, but milky oil isn't a reason to avoid any year.

What to check on any used 2019 to 2025 RAV4

So when you go see a used RAV4, this is the checklist I'd bring:

1. Run the VIN in all three places. Check toyota.com/recall and nhtsa.gov/recalls, then ask a Toyota service desk to print the VIN's open campaigns and programs. The service desk is the only reliable check for programs like the 20TE04, 20TE05 and 20TE06 Hybrid fuel tank programs, because toyota.com/recall may not list them. You can also call Toyota at 1-888-270-9371.
2. On a 2019 to 2021 RAV4 Hybrid, check the fuel tank fix. Ask for the 20TE04, 20TE05 or 20TE06 repair order. Or fill the tank from the low-fuel light to the first click. Toyota says 9.8 gallons or more is normal, and under 9.8 gallons means the tank should go to a Toyota dealer for the free test. My RAV4 Hybrid gas tank guide explains the test.
3. On a 2019 to 2024 RAV4 Hybrid with AWD, or a 2021 to 2024 Prime, check the hybrid cable. Ask if 22TE09 or LSC 25TD01 is done. Then turn on AM radio while in Drive and listen for static.
4. On a 2019 to 2021 RAV4, look at the headliner. Look along the roof rails for water stains. And watch for the "Engine Maintenance Required" message, which can mean a leaking coolant valve.
5. On a 2019 gas RAV4, test for the hesitation. Roll slowly, let the transmission shift down, then press the gas lightly under 6 mph. Feel for a pause before the RAV4 picks up speed.
6. On a 2019 to 2021 gas RAV4 with high miles, ask for the transmission service records. NHTSA has 10 owner complaints of 2019 to 2021 RAV4 transmissions failing or slipping between 83,000 and 159,173 miles, and two class action lawsuits filed in late 2025 haven't been certified or settled. My guide to getting a RAV4 to 200,000 miles has the details.
7. On a 2019 or 2020 Adventure or Limited with AWD, listen for a buzz. Drive for 15 minutes or more, then listen for a buzz or groan at 20 to 30 mph.
8. On a 2022 to 2025 gas RAV4, ask about 26TC03. 26TC03 is Toyota's free rain stall fix.
9. On a 2020 or 2021 RAV4, confirm the airbag sensor fix. Make sure 23V865000 is the final repair, not just the letter Toyota sent while owners waited for parts.
10. On a 2021 or 2022 Prime, confirm the converter was replaced. The converter replacement is recall 23V478000.
11. On a 2021 Prime, confirm the cold-weather stall update. Ask for the repair order with recall 23TA01, which is NHTSA recall 23V041000. I explain the cold-weather stall recall in the 2021 Prime section.
12. Make sure there are two smart keys. The 23TJ01 program sent a second smart key to some 2022 to 2024 RAV4s that were delivered with only one.
13. Get an independent pre-purchase inspection. A mechanic who doesn't work for the seller can spot things a test drive won't.

And if a warning message comes on during the test drive, my RAV4 warning lights guide explains what each one means.

Already own a 2019 to 2021 RAV4? Is yours a lemon?

So if you own a 2019, 2020 or 2021 RAV4 and you've read about these problems, no, your RAV4 almost certainly isn't a lemon. The 2019 to 2021 problems are known, they hit specific parts, and most of them have a free Toyota fix that lasts longer than the warranty. And Consumer Reports rates every 2019 to 2021 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime year as more reliable than the average car, as the table above shows.

What "lemon" means under the law

Basically, a state lemon law covers a new car with a serious defect the dealer can't fix after several tries. And it only covers problems that show up early. Kelley Blue Book's 2026 state-by-state list gives some examples. The window is 1 year or 12,000 miles in Pennsylvania and Illinois, and 18 months or 18,000 miles in Indiana. And it's 3 years or 18,000 miles in Maine.

So a 2019 to 2021 RAV4 is past the lemon law window in those states and most others by now. A few states, like California, Texas and New York, also cover some used cars, but the rules differ from state to state. And most 2019 to 2021 RAV4s are also past Toyota's 3-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and 5-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Both warranties start on the day the car was first sold.

But the free Toyota programs are a different story. Most of them last about 10 years from the day the car was first sold, some with a mileage limit, and the fuel pump programs last even longer. So for a 2019 to 2021 RAV4, the programs are usually what pays for the fix, not the warranty or a lemon law.

Which 2019 to 2021 RAV4 problems are real, and which are internet noise

So these are the 2019 to 2021 problems that are real and widespread enough that Toyota set up a free fix:

• The coolant valve leak on the 2019 to 2021 gas RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid, plus a handful of 2021 RAV4 Primes. The warning sign is "Engine Maintenance Required, visit dealer." Program 24TE04 covers the coolant valve for 10 years or 100,000 miles.
• The roof rail water leak that stains the headliner on the 2019 to 2021 gas RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid, plus about 2,000 RAV4 Primes from 2021. Program 22TE05 covers the leak and the water damage cleanup for 10 years.
• The fuel tank that won't fill on the 2019 to early 2021 RAV4 Hybrid. Programs 20TE04, 20TE05 and 20TE06 cover the tank or the fuel sender for 8 years or 100,000 miles. My RAV4 Hybrid gas tank guide explains the fill test.
• The corroded hybrid cable plug on the 2019 to 2021 RAV4 Hybrid with AWD and the 2021 RAV4 Prime. Program 22TE09 covers the cable for 10 years with no mileage limit, as long as the LSC 25TD01 sealing fix is done by September 30, 2028.
• The fuel pumps on the 2019 to 2022 gas RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid. Recall 20V682000 replaced the fuel pump on the 2019 and 2020 gas RAV4. Programs 23TE04 and 23TE05 cover the low-pressure fuel pump on the 2019 and 2020 gas RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid. And program 23TE01 covers the high-pressure fuel pump on the 2019 to 2022 gas RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid and the 2021 RAV4 Prime.

Now these are the scary stories that don't apply to a 2019 to 2021 RAV4, which I cover in the section on other generations above:

• The oil burning stories are about the 2006 to 2008 RAV4.
• The 12-volt battery fire stories are about the 2013 to 2018 RAV4.
• The engine block recall, 20V064000, was real on the 2019 and 2020 gas RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid. But The Car Care Nut, a Toyota master technician, says the engine block recall hit a small number of cars.

What to do if your 2019 to 2021 RAV4 has one of these problems

1. Run your RAV4's VIN with the three lookups in the VIN lookup section above, so you know which recalls and programs your RAV4 has.
2. Ask a Toyota dealer's service desk to fix the problem under the program by name, like "24TE04 for the coolant valve." Naming the program number lets the service desk look it up on your VIN.
3. If you already paid for one of these repairs, ask Toyota about reimbursement. Toyota's dealer letters for 24TE04, 22TE09 and 23TE01 say the owner letter includes instructions for asking to be paid back. So keep your repair receipts.
4. If a dealer can't fix the problem, call Toyota directly. Toyota's customer line is 1-800-331-4331. Ask for a case number, and keep notes of who you talked to and when.
5. If your RAV4 is still under a Toyota warranty and the dispute goes nowhere, look at arbitration. The FTC's 2024 audit lists Toyota in the warranty arbitration program run by the National Center for Dispute Settlement. How to file is in your Toyota warranty booklet.
6. Report safety problems to NHTSA. You can file a complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. NHTSA uses owner complaints to spot defects, and the complaint counts in the table above all came from owners.

So ultimately, a 2019 to 2021 RAV4 with its free fixes done is a solid car to keep. If you're planning to drive yours a long way, my RAV4 maintenance schedule guide and my RAV4 Hybrid battery life guide cover what to expect as the miles add up.

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