Toyota RAV4 engine problems, 2016–2026
655 of the 3,510 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota RAV4 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2019 (214), 2020 (197), 2021 (41). Filed under the same heading across these years: 10 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Toyota RAV4 engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9% | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 13 | 13% | — | 22 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 38 | 22% | — | 40 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 27 | 16% | — | 48 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 27 | 18% | — | 76 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 41 | 10% | — | 111 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 197 | 30% | 30k | 97 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 214 | 24% | 31k | 91 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 | 34 | 10% | 48k | 25 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 34 | 11% | 32k | 26 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 27 | 11% | 15k | 17 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 16 · 2020: 36 · 2021: 34 · 2022: 33 · 2023: 136 · 2024: 204 · 2025: 123 · 2026: 58
Across the model years, half of the 113 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 6,000 and 65,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
My 2019 tortola Rav4 xle with 6401 miles on it has been experiencing problems with stalling since I first got it in august. I notice it especially when I don't make complete stops. It will stall and yank the car forward. It is annoying and embarrassing that my new car does not drive smooth.
I forgot to turn off the engine (push button) after parking. The engine ran for more than 5 hours until I returned. Unlike the traditional key that most of US remember to take it after parking. Removing the key will turn off the engine. I AM of the opinion that this a critical safety issue: 1.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The messages "PKSB Malfunction - Visit your dealer" and "Pre-Collision System Malfunction - Visit your dealer" were displayed on the instrument panel.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while using the A/C, there was an abnormally foul odor coming from the vents. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a mechanic discovered mice had entered the vehicle through an opening in the engine and that droppings were found in the air filter housing.
Engine maintenance light came on saying to go to dealer at 35,000 miles. The coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced in order to prevent the engine from overheating. Our repair shop coordinated with the dealership who admitted that they commonly see this issue on RAV4 and Corolla models, though there is no recall currently in place
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 20V064000 HighFeb 6, 2020 · 44,191 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.
10 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 20, 2026
- OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.
- Aug 17, 2026
- In wet conditions, water contacting the radiator in the subject vehicles after idling for an extended period can create steam that can cause an incorrect engine sensor reading. This can lead to a warning light, a rough-running engine, or a potential engine stall while idling or operating at low speeds.
- Aug 11, 2026
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
- Jul 22, 2026
- State of Health (SOH): An estimate of battery health that is updated as the vehicle learns from operating and charging conditions over time. Distance Since Last Update: Indicates the distance accumulated since the last SOH calculation. A default mileage value of 40,727 at SOH 100% may be displayed until sufficient vehicle learning is completed. Once SOH value updates from 100%, the Distance Since
- Apr 1, 2026
- Some customers may experience a rough running engine with a MIL ON P140018 DTC. Upon further inspection, a loose C90/C27 connector pin at the EGR valve may be found. To correct this concern, please reference the repair section of this TSB.
- Feb 27, 2026
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- Feb 13, 2026
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual references the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) charger.
The 8 newest are listed; each model year’s page lists every one filed on that year. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Toyota RAV4
Source: the same files- airbag problems
- electrical problems
- fuel system problems
- body and structure problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- brake problems
Every system, every model year: Toyota RAV4 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Toyota RAV4 years have the most engine complaints?
2019, 214; 2020, 197; 2021, 41. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (30%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Toyota RAV4?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 20V064000 (2020). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Toyota RAV4?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 31,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 6,000 and 65,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.