2019 Toyota RAV4 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Model data compiled from public NHTSA records; may be incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date. General information, not professional advice — see Terms.
One honest thing before you start
We're car-data nerds, not mechanics. This checklist is general information — not professional advice — built from real recall records and thousands of owner complaints to make you a sharper shopper. Think of it as triage, not a diagnosis.
Before any money moves, get an independent inspection from a qualified mechanic (typically $100–$250). Our data comes from public sources and may be incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date — no checklist catches everything.
So here's the deal: use this to decide whether a car is worth that inspection. You're evaluating and buying the car entirely at your own risk — we're not liable for anything this checklist misses, anything it gets wrong, or any loss resulting from your purchase decision. Fair?
Known issues for the 2019 RAV4
5
Fuel/Propulsion System complaints Red flag
Note any stalling, hesitation, or fuel smell on the test drive, and verify that open fuel-system recalls were completed. (255 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 255 NHTSA complaints
Engine complaints Red flag
Watch the temperature gauge and warning lights on a long test drive, and look for leaks under the engine. (205 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 205 NHTSA complaints
Electrical System complaints Red flag
Test all electronics — lights, windows, infotainment, and driver aids — and confirm no warning lights stay on. (102 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 102 NHTSA complaints
Structure complaints Red flag
Look for water stains, rust, and panel gaps; check door, hood, and trunk seals. (89 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 89 NHTSA complaints
Power Train complaints Red flag
Note any hesitation, harsh shifting, or slipping during city and highway driving. (80 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 80 NHTSA complaints
Verify on NHTSA → · How we get our data →
94 additional complaints were filed without a specific component.
Open recalls
7
Fuel System, Gasoline Red flag
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine and Engine Cooling Red flag
A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering Red flag
A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension Red flag
If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Equipment Check
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Back Over Prevention Red flag
If the backup camera system does not activate and the driver does not check his/her surroundings while reversing, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Equipment Check
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 31-point checklist
31
0 / 31 checked · 0 red flags ·
Before you go
We may earn a commission — it keeps the checklist free.
Check the VIN history on EpicVIN
Check it on CarFax (we don't earn from this)
Get an OBD2 scanner DEMO
Paperwork & history
Exterior & wheels
Interior & electronics
Under the hood
Test drive (15+ min, city + highway)
This tells you whether the car deserves a pro inspection (typically $100–$250) — it's not the inspection.
2019 RAV4–specific issues
Your verdict
Keep inspecting — you're under halfway. The red-flag items matter most.
No red flags? Nice. A pro's eyes on it before your money moves is still the play.
Two red flags just saved you the inspection fee. Plenty more cars out there.
We may earn a commission — it keeps the checklist free.
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2019 RAV4. The most serious involve Fuel System, Gasoline (20V682000) and Engine and Engine Cooling (20V064000). Ask the seller for proof each recall was completed.
What are the most common complaints about the 2019 RAV4?
The top complaint areas are Fuel/Propulsion System (255 complaints) and Engine (205 complaints), out of 878 total complaints.
What should I check before buying a used 2019 RAV4?
Run through the full inspection checklist below, verify any open recalls were completed, and get an independent pre-purchase inspection. Pay special attention to Fuel/Propulsion System, which drew 255 complaints for this model-year.