2019 Toyota RAV4: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Dec 18, 2025 · FL

Jerks during acceleration. Lurching sensation when acceleration from a stop or after slowing down for a turn. The engine control module (ECM) not communicating effectively with the transmission, leading to searching for gears, rough shifting and low speed hesitation.

Filed Aug 2, 2024 · Transmission · AZ

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 The defective part number is 41110-42050 and the new, superceded part number is 41110-42054.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.

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · Transmission · MD

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!

Filed Jan 1, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · MA

Battery goes dead and requires a jump start at least twice a week.energency brake does not always release first time.transmission clunks and grinds when shifting.has been to two different toyota dealers who tell me everything is fine and I don't drive it enough.bought it new in 2019 and it now has 2901 miles on it.

Filed Aug 16, 2019 · Transmission · 5,389 miles · NY

Clunking/thud is heard from the rear/under carriage. To duplicate the issue, it must be driven 30-40 min so that differential oil is hot and drive up to 30 MPH then slow down to below 10 MPH to confirm the issue. The issue is limited to 2019 rav4 (with torque vectoring system - only adventure and limited trims) no known tsb to fix the issue. The sound is more like a heavy object (like a bowling ball) is dropped on a carpeted floor and like a muffled sound rather than a sharp mechanical gear rotating sound. The noise is more like a thud and very prominent enough to distract driving. It happens after awd is engaged by falling the vehicle's speed under 20 MPH in eco or normal mode. It does not happen in sport mode where awd is engaged in full-time.

Filed Jun 29, 2019 · Transmission · 50 miles · LA

Transmission hard shifting coming to a full stop and the lurking jerk when not fully stopping and then pressing gas

Filed Jun 26, 2019 · Brakes · 2,400 miles · WA

Electronic parking brake malfunction. The vehicle had not been driven in a few days, it was parked in our enclosed garage. Started vehicle shifted into drive, let of brake and vehicle would not move forward. I then applied light throttle and still the vehicle would not move. I could feel resistance from the rear wheels. I shifted back into park and manually cycled the parking brake switch. Noticed that the parking brake light indicator in the instrument cluster would not illuminate. No audible noise of parking brake actuator functioning. Cycling the parking brake switch did nothing. I tried turning the engine off and back on, this did not resolve the situation. Shifted back into drive and gently applied light throttle, then shifted into revers and applied very light throttle. I repeated this a few times and with a sudden loud clunk the e- brake released and the vehicle moved forward. I then cycled the e-brake switch a few times and it appears to function properly again. Through out this no messages or warning lights were displayed indicating any problem with the e-brake or any system. This vehicle has 2,400 miles on it. It has never been subjected to any environmental contaminates that could possibly cause this issue. It has never been off-road, no exposure to snow, mud, dirt or freezing temps. This is a safety hazard! I have no idea if or when the electronic emergency brake may fail to engage or disengage. I talked to the dealer and there suggestion was to wait until it happens again and have it towed in. This is an all wheel drive vehicle so attempting to winch it up on a tow truck would likely free the stuck brake, or damage the drive train. This is extremely frustrating.