2019 Toyota RAV4 · symptom sheet
Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong
- 54owner reports
- 1,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jan 7, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
255 of the 879 complaints on this car are about the fuel and propulsion. 54 of those describe fuel tank problems.
Tick what matches of 54 reports
Fuel tank problems on other RAV4 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
This group mixes an annoyance with a hazard. On the annoying side, the pump at the gas station keeps clicking off before the tank is full, or the fuel gauge jumps around and reads wrong. On the hazardous side, owners smell gas in or around the car or see fuel dripping underneath. Some say it only happens right after filling up.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the fuel pump module (33 reports) and the fuel sender/sensor (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the fuel and propulsion covers the 2019 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 500 and 4,507 miles, from the 23 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Car is shaking when turned on. Will stall if car is not shifted to gear sometimes. When AC is on, car will jump rpm. car acceleration is weak and will jump to 5-6k rpm. car also smells burnt sometimes when driving. car also smells like gasoline sometimes. car does not hold proper amount of gasoline.”
Filed Nov 18, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 54 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 141 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 97 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 91 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 45 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 39 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 36 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 35 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 31 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 30 reports
- Fuel pump failure 27 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 25 reports