OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Toyota RAV4 engine problems
moderate 147 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
147
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
What stands out
Owners have filed 147 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 19 model years of Toyota RAV4 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle. This can cause "Engine Maintenance Required" to be displayed on the instrument cluster or cause the A/C not to function normally. Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Additionally, the vehicle will exhibit DTC(s) P268111 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Ground) and/or P268115 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Battery or Open).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2021 model year Avalon, 2020 – 2022 model year Camry, and 2019 – 2022 model year RAV4 vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS engine may exhibit reduced engine power and/or a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following throttle body Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present in freezing temperatures: •P01201C: Throttle / Pedal Position Sensor / Switch “A” Circuit Voltage Out of Range. •P210015: Throttle Actuator “A” Control Motor Circuit Short to Battery or Open. •P210019: Throttle Actuator “A” Control Motor Circuit Current Above Threshold. •P211172: Throttle Actuator “A” Control System Actuator Stuck Open. The Engine Control Module (ECM) (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic a
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2021 model year Avalon, 2020 – 2022 model year Camry, and 2019 – 2022 model year RAV4 vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS engine may exhibit reduced engine power and/or a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following throttle body Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present in freezing temperatures: •P01201C: Throttle / Pedal Position Sensor / Switch “A” Circuit Voltage Out of Range. •P210015: Throttle Actuator “A” Control Motor Circuit Short to Battery or Open. •P210019: Throttle Actuator “A” Control Motor Circuit Current Above Threshold. •P211172: Throttle Actuator “A” Control System Actuator Stuck Open. The Engine Control Module (ECM) (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic a
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 RAV4 has a widespread coolant bypass valve failure affecting hundreds of owners across multiple model years. The dominant symptom is the "Engine Maintenance Required - Visit Your Dealer" warning message appearing on the dashboard, typically between 20,000 and 120,000 miles. Owners report the message cannot be cleared and often blocks access to the speedometer, odometer, and other critical display information while driving—a safety concern in itself.
Diagnostic code P268115 or P26815 pinpoints the failure to a circuit short or internal malfunction within the valve. Several dealerships have confirmed via diagnostic scans that the valve is either stuck open or closed. The part is a plastic component prone to cracking and leaking coolant into the engine, which can corrode the electrical connector and damage surrounding engine components.
Failure consequences are serious: engine overheating, stalling, loss of vehicle control, blown head gaskets, and catastrophic engine damage if driven without repair. One owner's coolant valve failure cascaded into a $4,500 harness replacement after damaging surrounding components. Replacement costs range from $600 to $1,000 depending on labor and diagnostics. Many parts are on national backorder with lead times of one to three months.
Critically, dealers consistently acknowledge this as a known, recurring problem affecting 2019–2023 RAV4s and Corollas. A Customer Support Program (24TE04) exists but only covers "small leaks," not outright valve failure. Multiple owners report Toyota has not issued a recall despite acknowledging the defect, and a class action lawsuit is pending.
Same Toyota RAV4 engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant Bypass Valve Failure with Circuit Short
The engine coolant bypass valve develops an internal electrical circuit short or malfunction, preventing proper coolant flow regulation and triggering the engine maintenance warning. The plastic valve either sticks open or closed, disrupting the cooling system's ability to regulate engine temperature.
When: 20,000 to 120,000 miles; most commonly reported between 38,000 and 65,000 miles; failures occur at random mileage regardless of maintenance history or usage patterns
Symptoms owners cite: Engine Maintenance Required - Visit Your Dealer warning message on dashboard; Warning message cannot be cleared and blocks access to speedometer and odometer display; Message appears intermittently, especially when AC is activated; Warm fluid dripping from under dash when AC is on; Engine overheating even in cold weather; Vehicle bucking or hesitation during acceleration; Check engine light illuminated; Potential engine stalling or loss of power
Codes mentioned: P268115, P26815
Repairs/costs cited: $600–$1,000 total (diagnostic fee typically $180; replacement part and labor $600–$900); parts frequently on national backorder with 1–3 month lead times; one owner reported cascading failure caused $4,500 harness replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Support Program 24TE04 covers only small coolant leaks, not valve internal failure; no formal recall issued despite acknowledged widespread defect; some owners report Toyota has referred them to NHTSA hotline rather than offering support; multiple dealers confirm this is a known, recurring issue affecting 2019–2023 RAV4s and Corollas; class action lawsuit pending as of June 2024
Coolant Leak from Cracked Valve Damaging Electrical Connectors
The plastic coolant bypass valve cracks or fractures, allowing coolant to leak into the engine. The leaking coolant makes contact with the electrical connector near the valve, corroding and damaging the component. This breaks the electrical circuit between the engine control module and the valve.
When: Varies; can occur early in vehicle life (23,000 miles in one case) to mid-life (65,000+ miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leaking into engine; Coolant odor or unpleasant smells while driving; Engine overheating; Warning message: Engine Maintenance Required; Engine stalling; Misfire in individual cylinders; Potential complete engine failure if left unrepaired
Codes mentioned: P268115, P26815
Repairs/costs cited: Valve replacement $600–$900 plus labor; one owner's leak cascaded into $4,500 harness replacement when corroded connector damaged surrounding components
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; Customer Support Program 24TE04 covers only small leaks; owners report Toyota acknowledges the defect but refuses to address it as a manufacturing defect requiring recall coverage
Engine Overheating and Thermal Runaway Risk
Failure of the coolant bypass valve prevents proper coolant circulation, leaving the engine unable to dissipate heat. In extreme cases, the engine can overheat catastrophically, leading to head gasket failure, engine seizure, or fire.
When: Can occur shortly after valve failure detected or develop progressively if repair is delayed
Symptoms owners cite: Engine temperature gauge rising abnormally; Engine overheating even in cool weather (-4° mentioned in one case); Vehicle bucking or stalling requiring frequent cool-down periods; Loud warning from dealership that continued driving is unsafe; Potential engine seizure
Codes mentioned: P268115
Repairs/costs cited: Immediate replacement required to prevent catastrophic engine damage; one owner reported being told by dealership maintenance manager that continued driving with the warning was unsafe and could result in engine replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall coverage; dealerships advise replacement immediately and uniformly warn that driving without repair risks engine overheating and catastrophic failure
Dashboard Warning Message Blocking Critical Display Information
The Engine Maintenance Required message persistently appears on the digital dashboard display and cannot be cleared, obscuring the speedometer, odometer, cruise control settings, and other critical driving information. This creates a safety hazard by reducing driver visibility of vehicle status and speed.
When: Concurrent with valve failure; typically first sign of the problem
Symptoms owners cite: Persistent Engine Maintenance Required message covering speedometer and odometer; Message cannot be cleared through any reset procedure; Message triggers when AC is activated in some cases; Distraction while driving on freeways or in traffic
Codes mentioned: P268115
Repairs/costs cited: Message cannot be removed without replacing the failed valve; owners report $600–$1,000 cost; some dealerships initially misrepresent this as a normal maintenance reminder
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No workaround offered; Customer Support Program 24TE04 does not address display issues
Plastic Valve Material Degradation
The valve is manufactured from plastic material that degrades or becomes brittle, leading to cracking, warping, and premature failure. Owners and dealers explicitly criticize the use of inferior plastic material for this critical component.
When: Early to mid-life of vehicle (20,000–120,000 miles); no specific threshold identified
Symptoms owners cite: Valve sticks open or closed; Cracking and leaking; Circuit short or open; Engine maintenance warning
Codes mentioned: P268115, P26815
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement valve part cost $126–$200+ labor $600–$800; owners express concern that replacement part may be the same inferior plastic construction and fail again
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; no engineering redesign or material upgrade announced; Customer Support Program 24TE04 treats failure as isolated to leaks rather than systemic material defect
Parts Backorder and Service Unavailability
The coolant bypass valve replacement parts are on widespread national backorder, preventing timely repairs and forcing owners to continue driving with the failure warning active and the engine at risk of overheating.
When: Throughout 2023–2024 period during which complaints were filed
Symptoms owners cite: Repair delayed 1–3 months; Owner continues driving with Engine Maintenance Required message and cooling system at risk; AC may remain non-functional during backorder period
Repairs/costs cited: Lead times of 1–3 months reported; service advisors typically tell owners vehicle is safe to drive while waiting, though this conflicts with warnings about overheating risk
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No priority production or loaner vehicle program documented; one owner mentions Toyota has a Customer Support Program 24TE04 but does not expedite parts availability
Misfire and Engine Control Loss from Valve Disconnection
When the electrical connector to the coolant bypass valve corrodes or the circuit short occurs, the engine control module loses the ability to communicate with and control the valve. This results in misfires, check engine light, and unpredictable engine behavior.
When: Occurs when valve internal failure or coolant corrosion reaches critical level
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Misfire in specific cylinders (cylinder #2 cited); Uneven acceleration or sputtering; Vehicle stalling at traffic lights or during acceleration; AWD system malfunction warning; Cruise control disabled; Lane assist disabled
Codes mentioned: P268115, P26815
Repairs/costs cited: $600–$1,000 replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; Customer Support Program 24TE04 does not cover this scenario
Synthesized from 147 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2019 Toyota RAV4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2019 Toyota RAV4?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 147 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 31,000 and 116,000 miles, with the median around 62,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,000; a quarter make it past 116,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Toyota/RAV4.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.