2019 Toyota RAV4: engine stalls while driving

Filed Aug 22, 2026 · Steering · AZ

We were driving down the highway passing another vehicle when we lost steering and the dash said "Steering Power Loss". We pulled to the side of the road where the vehicle stalled and would not restart. Probably 10-15 minutes later the vehicle started and we eventually made it to our destination. It was quite scary trying to get to the side of the road, in heavy traffic, and pulling over where there really was no shoulder, and not knowing whether the car would eventually restart or what. Although 2019 Toyota Rav4's have been recalled for this very issue, for some reason our VIN is not listed.

Filed May 29, 2026 · CA

The infotainment system of my 2019 RAV4 hybrid will randomly turn off while driving. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 28, 2026 · Transmission · ID

At 92,000 miles my transmission went out and Toyota told me I need a brand new one. It goes in for routine services. It’s available for inspection. For the last few years I addressed the issues of jerky shift motion and it was blown off every time. It is only 7 years old. It stalled out in a busy intersection and wouldn’t move forward or backwards. There were no warning lamps before it went out.

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · OH

While traveling back from out of state, the fuel sensor and fuel gauge failed causing me to run out of gas when the fuel gauge stated I had just a tick under a 1/4 tank of gas left and the app read 35 miles left. While driving on freeway at freeway speed, the car sputtered, bogged down and then stalled, placing me in a very dangerous situation broken down on the shoulder of the freeway in the desolate country at night with semi trucks and cars flying by at estimated between 70-80 mph. While stalled and waiting for help, all the lights except the hazard flashers went out. The Sheriff assisted and added 2 gallons of gas that finally got the car restarted and I was able to get to the gas station which was 1 mile ahead of where I had been stranded. I kept filling the gas tank not allowing it to go under 1/2 tank on the fuel gauge the remainder of the trip home. I took the car to Tansky Sawmill Toyota for service, who thought it was a fuel sensor in fuel tank, which had to be dropped, resulting in a tube from the fuel sender being disconnected and not taking fuel from the other side of the tank and corrosion was cleaned out. They had to go through electrical system to check the fuel gauge which had corrosion on the electrical harnesses and sensors not caused by water or rodents - still unknown cause - resulting in $6500.00 to replace both electrical harnesses 82152-0R370 wire FR Door LH and 82141-oRB80 wire Instrument Panel! Known Toyota defect as the 2019 Rav4 Hybrids have already been recalled. Issues of this type with the regular Rav4s are posted all over the online Toyota boards. My platinum extended warranty on my well cared for 2019 RAV4 with 45,131 miles (purchased at 3 year lease end) refused to all of the charges and the dealership did not budge, sticking me with 6 hours of diagnostic fees over what the warranty allowed in the sum of $1014.37. These harnesses need recalled so no one else is stranded in a very dangerous place on the side of the freeway!

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Transmission · 116,248 miles · FL

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.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

My 2019 Toyota RAV4 experienced a dangerous electrical and transmission failure that ultimately caused the vehicle to stall while driving and made me lose control. For several weeks before the incident, the vehicle showed subtle hesitation when accelerating but no warning lights. After the car stalled and spun out coming off the Ben Franklin Bridge onto I-76 near downtown Camden, police responded, confirmed the vehicle had unexpectedly shut off, and verified there was no crash damage. I later brought the car to the Toyota dealership, where they discovered corrosion on the battery cable, failed ABS sensors, and a weak battery. I paid $668 for a new battery, new cable, and ABS sensor repairs. At that time, the dealership did not inform me of any transmission issues and released the vehicle back to me. I made it only a short distance up the road before realizing the vehicle could not accelerate past 40 mph and was still malfunctioning, so I immediately returned it. The next day, the dealership initially claimed there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, but after I insisted they re-evaluate the car, they then informed me that the transmission was failing and needed replacement. This sequence of electrical instability, combined with the transmission malfunction, ultimately led to the earlier stall where I lost all power steering and braking assist and spun out into the median. The vehicle, diagnostic records, and replaced components are available for inspection. The sudden loss of power and control created a major safety risk to me and other drivers in a high-traffic area.

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

My 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ) suffered sudden engine failure due to coolant intrusion. On Nov 20, 2025, Johnstons Toyota in Harriman, NY (RO#XXX) diagnosed the issue and recorded DTCs P26CA31 and P26CB, which indicate failure of the coolant flow control/bypass valve. The dealer confirmed heavy white smoke from the exhaust with a strong coolant smell and advised the engine had failed, recommending a replacement. This vehicle is part of the early 2019 Japan-built batch widely known for premature electric water pump and coolant-flow system failures. Internal impeller swelling, seal leakage, and bearing seizure can cause coolant pressure spikes and ultimately head-gasket failure with coolant entering the cylinders. This defect has been reported by thousands of RAV4 Hybrid owners (2019–2021). Toyota has addressed it quietly through internal TSBs such as XXX and XXX but no public recall has been issued. The safety risk is severe: the engine began emitting thick white smoke and ran roughly, risking sudden power loss, overheating, or engine seizure while driving. A stall at highway speed could easily cause a collision. Toyota USA opened Case #XXX but declined assistance despite the defect being well documented. This failure was sudden, with no warning lights prior to the incident. Given the widespread nature of this defect and its clear safety implications, I request that the federal safety agency open a formal investigation into the electric water pump/coolant system failures in 2019–2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrids and consider requiring a safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Engine · CO

2019-2023 model year Toyota RAV4s and Toyota Corollas are equipped with defective coolant bypass valves prone to premature failure which can cause coolant to leak out of a vehicle’s closed-loop coolant system, harming its ability to properly regulate engine temperature. This can cause overheating, stalling, increased emissions, and total engine failure and also allows coolant to leak into and damage surrounding engine components, including a vehicle’s electrical system, the complaint relays. The warning message that common appears for this issue is "Engine maintenance required Visit your dealer "

Filed Jul 23, 2025 · Engine · MD

The engine maintenance light came on and I took the car to my independent mechanic. The "soft code" indicates that the coolant system valve/hose (engine coolant bypass valve) is showing in the closed position when it should be open. My mechanic has tried to order a replacement part, but is having trouble finding one. After my personal research, I see that there is a Class Action Lawsuit regarding this part from 2024 indicating that it can cause the car to overheat, stall, and potentially severe engine damage. Toyota has no formal recalls on this, but it has been indicated that some owners have received support from Toyota on models built up to 2021.

Filed Mar 24, 2025 · Engine · 118,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MA

On 01/29/2025 at around 5:30pm I was driving home from work when suddenly the car stalled. I was going about 45 mph on a secondary to Lane Highway that was completely black because there are no street lights in that area. There were all kinds of warning lights flashing on the dash. I let my car drift to the shoulder was able to break and put it in park. I tried turning the vehicle back on but it would not start. My cell phone showed no Wi-Fi connection but I know the area very well and I knew I could walk several feet to a connection. Therefore spite concerns for my safety I had to leave my vehicle in order to call for help. I walked about 30 ft in the pitch black on this highway dressed in dark clothing on a shoulder that was very narrow. There was a pickup truck coming my way who flashed his high beams in my face but did not stop to see if he could help. Actually I was grateful for this because it's a pretty secluded area and I was very frightened for my safety. I was able to get a connection about 30 ft away from the vehicle and called my husband who said he would be on his way. I walked back to the vehicle got in and tried to start it. It would not start but all the warning lights were flashing on the dash. I decided I should take pictures of the warning lights in case we needed that for the dealer. After a couple of minutes I decided to try to start the car again and it did start. I was able to drive down the road to a Wi-Fi connection called my husband to let him know I was on my way. Once I got home the car seemed to be in order but there was one warning light telling us to take it to the dealer because there was something wrong with the hybrid system. We made an appointment to go in on January 31st. They inspected the vehicle to the tune of almost $200 and diagnosed the problem as follows: hybrid EV battery voltage system isolation internal internal electronic failure rear motor corrosion on both hybrid harnesses. Cost to repair $5,500.00

Filed Nov 21, 2024 · CT

Coolant leaked out of a vehicle’s closed-loop coolant system, harming its ability to properly regulate engine temperature. This can cause overheating, stalling, increased emissions, and total engine failure and also allows coolant to leak into and damage surrounding engine components, including a vehicle’s electrical system, the complaint relays. Coolant leak also corroded the sensor on the RAV4 coolant bypass valve, which can caused it to remain in the open or closed position and be unable to properly direct coolant throughout the engine.