I stopped for gas; my car would not start. The power steering fluid light came on. I went inside to purchase some but when I returned to the car, there was no place to pour it. After a few minutes the car started. About a month later, my husband stopped for gas and the car killed right after he left the gas station, about 10 minutes later, it started. Took it to a mechanic, they couldn't find anything wrong with it because the check engine light wasn't on and the car wasn't giving any problem codes. About two weeks ago, I stopped for gas, the car wouldn't start. Finally got it started, and the check engine light came on. However, it's still not reading any codes.
2019 Toyota RAV4: won't start
6 of the 887 complaints about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 describe won't start.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Won't start by model year
What owners say
A Hybrid System Malfunction warning appeared about 1 week ago. The car was taken to the Toyota dealer who said that the car was safe to drive and that they would need to order a part and it will probably be weeks before they get it because so many other cars have the same problem. Three days later the car will not start with several errors including Brake Power low, PKSB Malfunction, and Precolllision System Malfunction. Toyota is not providing any coverage for any of our repair, car rental or now the need to tow the car.
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
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.
Fuel pump was replaced in May 2020 under recall. Recalled part had 12 month warranty. Rav4 was purchased used in May 2022 and in June, engine started stuttering. Contacted Toyota Field Reps at local dealership and they reset codes and suggested running different and better gas. A case was opened. In July, when filling up car, the car would not start at the pump. The car had to be towed on Sunday. Toyota Field Reps made aware that car would crank after banging on the fuel tank. A service call was placed again and before we could get it to the dealership on Thursday, when the car was filled up again at a different gas station, it would not start at the pump again. It was towed a second time to the dealership and Toyota did multiple tests to determine the fuel pump and hose over the saddle tank needed to be replaced. Toyota would not honor that replacement part saying this was the customers responsibility now. We paid for the replacement today 8/11/22 and drove it one hour and filled it up again and it hesitated and would not crank at the pump, finally fired up and then dies at the red light in traffic. It was taken back to the dealership.
Two weeks ago the car came on with an error message stating the hybrid system had failed. I brought it into the dealer and they replaced a relay valve and said they had been having the same problem in cold weather with other rav4 hybrids. Now today, I went to start the car and it was listing about 6 error messages, everything from the brake power being low, engine failure, etc. The car wouldn't start and had to be towed to the dealership.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or...
- Customer support program 24TE04
- Engine
- Frequently Asked Questions CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 24TE04 Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles...
- This Customer Support Program provides coverage as it applies to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak on...
- Obsolete notice
- The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the...
- Condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information Display...
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371 or Lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.
Recall number 20V064000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 won't start
Is won't start a common problem on the 2019 Toyota RAV4?
6 of 887 owner complaints about the 2019 Toyota RAV4 (1%) mention won't start. The model year with the most reports is 2020.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2019 Toyota RAV4?
There is 1 recall and 43 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2019 Toyota RAV4
Overheating 48Fuel gauge 44Stalling 44Check engine light 38Jerking 38Water leak 35Fuel pump 27Grinding brakes 21Hesitation 17Engine failure 15Sunroof shattered 15Adaptive cruise 13Collision warning 12Loss of power 12Sudden acceleration 10Airbag light 8Transmission failure 8No deployment 7Harsh shifting 7Headlights 7Warning lights 7ABS 6Backup camera 5Door locks 5Lane assist 5Slipping 5Wipers 5
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