KNOWN FAULTS · Toyota
Toyota RAV4 (V) 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid common problems.
2019–2026 · Plug-in hybrid
Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.
10 known faults with sources
Applies if: US bulletin for model years 2019–2023.
Front brake squeal under light braking caused by the anti-squeal shimsBrakes
- Engine / equipment
- RAV4 (V) and RAV4 Hybrid
- Period mentioned
- 2019–2023
- Symptoms
- A high-pitched squeal from the front wheels under light or moderate braking; under hard braking it barely sounds and the car brakes well.
- Possible cause described
- The front pads vibrate. Toyota fixes it by replacing the anti-squeal shim kit on both front sides, with about 50 minutes of labour (bulletin T-SB-0001-22 Rev1, January 2022).
- Check for the garage
- If the car brakes well and only squeals under gentle braking, tell the garage exactly that and ask them to check the front pads' anti-squeal shims before replacing discs. If it also brakes worse, go to the garage now.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryApplies if: Toyota USA tech tip for all its models: it applies if the judder began after wheels, pads or discs were removed or changed.
Brake judder from wheel nuts over-tightened or tightened unevenly (Toyota tech tip)Brakes
- Engine / equipment
- Any Toyota: it depends on how the wheels are tightened
- Period mentioned
- 2016 tech tip for all its models
- Symptoms
- Vibration in the steering wheel and the pedal when braking, even gently and at any speed, often shortly after wheels, pads or discs were changed.
- Possible cause described
- Toyota points out in a tech tip that if the wheel nuts are over-tightened or tightened unevenly (a single one is enough), the brake disc is left with runout and brake judder appears. It happens above all when they are run fully home with an impact gun instead of a torque wrench in a star pattern.
- Check for the garage
- Ask the garage to loosen and re-tighten the nuts with a torque wrench, to the manual's torque and in a star pattern, and to measure whether the discs have been left warped; if so, they will need skimming or replacing.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
Toyota tech tip T-TT-0424-16 (NHTSA no. 10132884): brake vibration, the importance of lug nut torque
View full entryApplies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.
Front arms, brake servo and eCall on the RAV4 VSuspension and steering
- Engine / equipment
- Toyota RAV4 V (petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid)
- Period mentioned
- 2019 onwards
- Symptoms
- Fatigue cracks in the front arms of some cars, a failing brake-servo pump (longer braking distance, warning on the dash) and an eCall left inactive.
- Possible cause described
- Recalls (ADAC): front arms on 524 cars in Germany built on 25/9/2019 and 26/10/2019, the brake servo (over 1,300 cars) and eCall. The guide knows of no other weak points yet.
- Check for the garage
- Check every campaign by VIN.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryApplies if: Toyota USA bulletin for this same engine; ask Toyota whether there is a fix for your car.
Milky oil and low oil-pressure warning in freezing weather (Toyota 2.0 M20A and 2.5 A25A engines)Engine
- Engine / equipment
- Petrol 2.0 (M20A-FKS), 2.0 hybrid (M20A-FXS) and 2.5 hybrid (A25A-FXS): Corolla, Corolla Cross, C-HR, RAV4 and Camry
- Period mentioned
- 2018–2024
- Symptoms
- In sub-zero temperatures with many short trips: milky or discoloured oil on the dipstick and under the filler cap, an “Oil Pressure Low” message on the instrument panel and the engine warning light. Codes P05202A (oil pressure sensor stuck) and P052477 (oil pressure too low).
- Possible cause described
- According to Toyota USA bulletin T-SB-0104-21, moisture from the blow-by gases condenses and builds up in the oil on short trips in extreme cold; when that moisture freezes, oil pressure can drop and the warnings appear. The same milky look appears if coolant mixes with the oil through an internal leak, which is a different and more serious fault.
- Check for the garage
- With the oil-pressure warning, stop the engine and do not carry on until it is checked. The garage first pressure-tests the cooling system to rule out an internal leak; if there is none, it changes the oil and filter, wipes the milky residue off the cap and checks with the engine warm (coolant at about 50 °C) that the warning and codes do not come back. If they do, the diagnosis must continue with the workshop manual.
- Cost cited in the source
- An oil and filter change if there is no internal leak; the bulletin does not cover it under warranty.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryApplies if: Only those built from 2019 to 2022.
Will not start because of the 12 V battery on the Toyota RAV4 and C-HRElectrical and electronic systems
- Engine / equipment
- Toyota RAV4 from 2017 to 2022 and C-HR from 2020 to 2022, all versions
- Period mentioned
- RAV4: 2017–2022; C-HR: 2020–2022
- Symptoms
- The car will not start or does not go to “Ready”; when you unlock it, the dashboard and lights come on weakly or not at all, and several warnings may appear at once. It happens mostly after a few days parked.
- Possible cause described
- The ADAC, the German automobile club, analyses its members’ roadside assistance call-outs every year. In its 2025 statistics it places the 2017–2022 RAV4 and the 2020–2022 C-HR among the worst in their class and, for all the Toyotas on its list, gives a faulty 12 V starter battery as the cause of the breakdowns.
- Check for the garage
- Measure the 12 V battery voltage and load-test it; check that the system recharges it while driving. If it is weak, replace it and ask Toyota whether there is any action for that model. If the car stays parked for days, a battery maintainer helps.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryToyota RAV4 (V) 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid: known faults of the engine according to L'argusEngine
- Engine / equipment
- 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid in the Toyota RAV4 (V)
- Period mentioned
- 2019–2026
- Symptoms
- 12 V battery drains and the car will not start
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) 12 V battery drains and the car will not start: DCM (communication module) fuse.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryToyota RAV4 (V): known faults of the gearbox and transmission according to L'argusGearbox
- Engine / equipment
- Toyota RAV4 (V), all engines
- Period mentioned
- 2019–2026
- Symptoms
- Three clicks when decelerating, 4x4 versions (up to 28/05/2020); Abnormal noises at low speed when switching between 2WD and 4WD (up to 20/08/2019); "4WD system malfunction" light on (up to 15/08/2021)
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) Three clicks when decelerating, 4x4 versions (up to 28/05/2020): Rear differential housing to be replaced. 2) Abnormal noises at low speed when switching between 2WD and 4WD (up to 20/08/2019): Transfer box electromagnetic clutch to be replaced. 3) "4WD system malfunction" light on (up to 15/08/2021): Transfer box to be replaced.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryToyota RAV4 (V): known faults of the chassis, steering and brakes according to L'argusSuspension and steering
- Engine / equipment
- Toyota RAV4 (V), all engines
- Period mentioned
- 2019–2026
- Symptoms
- [parking brake] Parking brake light on (up to 29/09/2021); [tank] Low fuel light comes on too early on the PHEV (up to 30/01/2024)
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) [parking brake] Parking brake light on (up to 29/09/2021): Reprogramming. 2) [tank] Low fuel light comes on too early on the PHEV (up to 30/01/2024): Tank to be replaced.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryToyota RAV4 (V): known faults of the electronics and interior according to L'argusElectrical and electronic systems
- Engine / equipment
- Toyota RAV4 (V), all engines
- Period mentioned
- 2019–2026
- Symptoms
- [multimedia] Multimedia bugs (slow start-up, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto problems, iPhone or Bluetooth connection issues, flat 12 V battery…); [pedals] Accelerator pedal noise from spring vibration; [climate control] Air conditioning compressor noise on the PHEV (up to 05/10/2021)
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) [multimedia] Multimedia bugs (slow start-up, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto problems, iPhone or Bluetooth connection issues, flat 12 V battery…): Reprogramming. 2) [pedals] Accelerator pedal noise from spring vibration: Pedal sensor to be replaced. 3) [climate control] Air conditioning compressor noise on the PHEV (up to 05/10/2021): Control unit reprogramming.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryToyota RAV4 (V): known faults of the body according to L'argusBodywork
- Engine / equipment
- Toyota RAV4 (V), all engines
- Period mentioned
- 2019–2026
- Symptoms
- [doors and openings] Panoramic roof creaks when open while driving (up to 17/08/2020); [doors and openings] Boot lid will not open (up to 22/06/2022); [doors and openings] Doors cannot be locked with keyless entry (up to 25/11/2024)
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) [doors and openings] Panoramic roof creaks when open while driving (up to 17/08/2020): Side rail replacement. 2) [doors and openings] Boot lid will not open (up to 22/06/2022): Lock to be replaced. 3) [doors and openings] Doors cannot be locked with keyless entry (up to 25/11/2024): Front door handle.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.