You might be able to snag an excellent clearance deal on a 2019 Toyota RAV4, but going with that model could also be a gamble. According to drivers, the 2019 RAV4 has a lot of expensive issues. The 2020 Toyota RAV4 and older models from 2018, 2017, and more have a lot fewer problems reported. 

Is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 A Good SUV? 

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 starts around $25k, which is the same starting price that the 2020 model has. However, you might be able to find a lower price at clearance events or for a slightly used model as dealerships make room for the 2021 RAV4 Prime. 

In terms of fuel efficiency, the 2019 RAV4 is great. It gets up to 26 mpg in the city and up to 35 mpg on the highway. It can tow between 1,500 to 3,500 lb and is offered in all-wheel-drive. There aren’t any notable upgrades with the 2020 model, so if they’re the same price, go with the 2020 model. It has better reviews. 

2019 Toyota RAV4 Transmission Problems 

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has a lot of reports for transmission issues. Drivers are noticing that giving their RAV4 a little gas fails to get it going. They experience a delay before moving forward. The RAV4 also seems to have pretty jerky movements at low speeds. 

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Other drivers noticed their Toyota RAV4 would suddenly jerk forward and then stop for a few seconds, causing a whiplash-like effect. Sometimes while attempting to speed up on the highway, the delay in power almost caused accidents. When going to the dealership to solve this issue, mechanics couldn’t determine the problem and reset the vehicles, but that doesn’t seem to work. 

2019 Toyota RAV4 Electrical Issues 

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is also known for having annoying electrical issues. Some drivers noticed that their power locks don’t work. The RAV4 didn’t automatically lock when shifting into drive or when going over 15 mph like it’s supposed to. Another driver found that no matter what, their key fob can’t be detected. 

Another issue involves the infotainment center glitching. Drivers found that their phone calls get dropped, the radio randomly turns off and on, and would sometimes restart. Other drivers felt frustrated because their infotainment center would freeze. Other drivers noticed that they had a faulty fuel gauge in their Toyota RAV4 SUVs and had to keep up with their fuel manually. 

2019 Toyota RAV4 Brake Problems 

Need to stop? Well, trusting your 2019 Toyota RAV4 to stop in time might not be the best idea. Some drivers noticed a grinding sound very early on with their brand new RAV4s. Other drivers noticed that they had to slam on the brake pedal to come to a stop, but more pressure was applied to the front than the back. As a result, they accidentally pulled off some epic nose dives. 

Other drivers noticed a high pitched squeal coming from their brakes before hitting 5,000 miles with their Toyota RAV4. Then the service brakes light would appear. Sometimes it would stay on after being serviced, and sometimes upon inspection, the brakes wouldn’t need any work.