2019–2025 Toyota RAV4: what to inspect before you bid at auction

Before you bid: what to have checked

Issues documented for this generation. They are patterns for the model, not findings about any specific car, and many depend on the engine, mileage and service history. Confirm on the unit you are bidding on.

• Owner reports of the transmission hesitating and lurching at lower speeds commonly reported
  System: Transmission (minor) · Documented around: ~3,000 mi · About: 2019 model year, gas 8-speed automatic
  Source: carcomplaints.com 2019 RAV4 (50 complaints)
• Milky/discolored engine oil (2.5L A25A-FKS/FXS and M20A-FKS/FXS engines), the subject of Toyota TSB T-SB-0104-21 verified source
  System: Engine (minor) · Documented around: not specified · About: 2018-2022 model years (engine-family-wide, spans pre- and post-2022 refresh)
  Source: Toyota TSB T-SB-0104-21 (2021-12-17), reissued as TSB010421 (2024-02-15)
• Owner reports of roof rail water leaks commonly reported
  System: Body integrity (noises/leaks) · Documented around: ~43,000 mi · About: 2019-2021 model years
  Source: carcomplaints.com 2019 RAV4; topclassactions.com Fishkind filing summary
• Coolant bypass valve cracking/corrosion alleged in a class action (overheating, stalling, coolant reaching electrical components); the case was voluntarily dismissed commonly reported
  System: Engine cooling · Documented around: not specified · About: 2019-2023 model years
  Source: carcomplaints.com news coverage of the filing and dismissal
• Owner reports of engine stalls / low power steering warning while driving in rain or through a car wash commonly reported
  System: Electrical/charging · Documented around: avg 253 mi per NHTSA data cited · About: 2022 model year, coincident with the mid-cycle refresh
  Source: carcomplaints.com 2022 RAV4 electrical page (19 complaints)
• Recall 20V286000 (2019-2020 RAV4/RAV4 Hybrid): "The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly." NHTSA recall 20V286000 consequence: "If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash." verified source
  System: Suspension/steering · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2019-2020 model years
  Source: NHTSA recall 20V286000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V286000), report received 20/05/2020, 9502 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• Recall 23V865000 (2020-2021 RAV4/RAV4 Hybrid among others): "A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying." NHTSA recall 23V865000 consequence: "An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury." verified source
  System: Body hardware · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2020-2022 model years
  Source: NHTSA recall 23V865000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V865000), report received 20/12/2023, 999901 units potentially affected per NHTSA

Recon cost reference

Estimates from the sources shown, priced as of 2026-09-04. Your shop rate, parts sourcing and the car's actual condition decide the real number. These are not quotes.

NHTSA recalls: verify this VIN

A recall that applies to a model is not proof that a specific car has an open recall. Whether this VIN is affected, and whether the repair was done, is shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup. Check it before you bid.

No campaign list is stored for this generation. Look the VIN up with NHTSA.

Manufacturer bulletins (TSBs)

Technical service bulletins are the manufacturer's own guidance to its dealers. A bulletin is not a recall and does not mean a repair is free. Coverage depends on the manufacturer's terms and the VIN.

• T-SB-0104-21 / TSB010421
  Oil dilution / milky oil, A25A/M20A engines
  Reissued 2024-02-15 with expanded engine coverage
  Source: carcomplaints.com TSB listing
• T-TT-0580-19 Rev
  Transmission side-cover fluid leak (UA80/UB80 transaxle)
  Repair procedure bulletin
  Source: carcomplaints.com TSB listing

Sources and when this was researched

Last researched: 2026-09-04. VehicleIQ research for this generation; each item above names its own source and whether it is a verified source or commonly reported. Details change, so treat this as a starting point for your inspection.