2019 Toyota RAV4: hesitation when accelerating

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 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 Oct 3, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

The car transmission hesitates to accelerate at slow speeds and jerks or lurches forwards in a uncontrollable way. Dangerous at stop signs or on slow or hilly roads. Dealership does not directly acknowledge this issue, despite mechanic mentioning very clearly it is related to T-SB-0107-19 which Toyota dealerships charge to repair. No warning messages. Issue has existed as long as I have owned the vehicle 1.5 years from 61,000 miles to 71,000 miles.

Filed Sep 16, 2025 · Transmission · WI

I’m reporting a safety issue with my 2019 Toyota RAV4 that has recently started and is getting worse. The problem seems related to the start-stop system or something in the powertrain. When I come to a stop—at a stop sign, red light, or roundabout—the car doesn’t always respond normally when I try to start moving again. Sometimes there’s a hesitation, and other times it lurches forward unexpectedly when I lightly press the gas pedal, like you normally would. It feels like a jolt, almost like whiplash. It’s especially dangerous in roundabouts or tight traffic situations because I can’t predict how the car will respond. I’m worried I could accidentally hit another car, or get rear-ended myself because the car doesn’t move smoothly or reliably when restarting from a stop. Even when I turn off the start-stop system, the issue still happens. It feels like a hesitation followed by a sudden surge. The RPMs don’t change, but the car still lurches. Yesterday, for the first time, I noticed the car slightly accelerated on its own after stopping, which was very concerning. I found out through Toyota’s official website that there is a technical service bulletin about this issue that came out before we owned the vehicle. But because it’s not a full recall, the dealership said they wouldn’t fix it unless we paid the $80 diagnostic fee. We’re now just out of warranty. We’re making $580 monthly payments on a car that I don’t currently feel is safe to drive. There are no warning lights or messages on the dash. I’ll be taking it to Le Mieux Toyota in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, in two weeks to have it inspected, but I wanted to report this because I believe it’s a safety issue that should be looked into. I have two small kids and I’m genuinely worried about getting into an accident, especially when merging onto highways or driving in busy intersections. I’ve seen people say this system can be recalibrated, but the fact that this is happening without any dashboard warning and is worse.

Filed Dec 6, 2023 · Engine · FL

The car's hesitation when I try to accelerate from a slow roll or lower gear. Resulting in lurches when I try to speed up. We got this car for my daughter she is a new driver and the hesitating and lurching is a problem.

Filed Sep 6, 2023 · Engine · 62,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while attempting to accelerate. The contact stopped at a traffic light and the vehicle became inoperable. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V064000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2023 · Transmission · TX

Hesitation on acceleration from slow or rolling stop. When I step on the gas it takes a while to respond also when you slow down and accelerate again it hesitates to go .This has been an ongoing issue. It started around 2500 miles. Vehicle only has around 4000 miles total.

Filed Aug 12, 2022 · Fuel system · GA

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.

Filed Jan 29, 2022 · Acceleration, Transmission · PA

Car hesitates when pulling out from a stop. The natural reaction is to depress accelerator more causing a shift feels like a lower gear and the car pulls out abruptly . This happens very often and I contribute it to lower gas mileage then car is rated at along with accelerated tire wear. I feel it is a safety issue when merging into traffic and causing a possible accident. I've taken my concerns to dealership on numerous occasions with complete disregard of condition calling it a " characteristic" of the vehicle. I feel there needs to be a recall to correct this issue.

Filed Dec 10, 2020 · Acceleration · 4,500 miles · AL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2019 toyota rav-4. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 10 MPH the vehicle hesitated, failed to accelerate and crashed into a 2008 kia sportage. The driver was able to drive away from the scene. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed. The contact called eastern shore toyota (29732 frederick blvd, daphne, al 36526 (251) 250-0161) but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who referred the contact to local dealer to obtain a loaner vehicle. The failure mileage was 4,500. The contact received a notice of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v682000 (fuel system, gasoline). Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed May 12, 2020 · 834 miles · VA

This toyota rav4 adventure groans/squeaks after it's been running for a while. When this happens there is a 1 to 2 second hesitation and the steering seems unresponsive whenever the sound is heard. The longer the vehicle has been running or the hotter the outside temperature, the more often the sound is heard.

Filed Feb 13, 2020 · Fuel system · UT

Whenever I fill the car with gas, it doesn't get completely full. It leaves the tank about a quarter from full. Also, the car doesn't accelerate well. It hesitates.