6.5

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
3,500 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (16 reports)
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2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #16

Sep 232019

RAV4 Hybrid LE

  • CVT transmission
  • 390 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid is supposed to have a 14.5 gallon tank. It only will take 9.5 to 9.7 gallons after the Low Fuel Warning system comes on meaning that the tank is not emptying and has about 5 gallons left. I am not sure if I tried to go further if it would let me sit or not. I bought this new and have had 4 other Toyota vehicles which I liked. I will not be recommending this one unless it is corrected or I am made whole for a defective vehicle. I am really upset by this and feel that it is deceptive advertising, not to mention it's essentially a lemon.

- Robert F., Lititz, PA, US

problem #15

Apr 162019

RAV4 Hybrid HV Limited AWD 2.5L Dohc 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 13,112 miles

I got these RAV Hybrid at 4/16/2019, and since I got the vehicle, when the Fuel Gauge red light come on, I only can filled 10 gallon of gas or less. It describe the same complaint on 1/31/2020 in the google news.

I took the vehicle to dealer 3-4 times but never resolve the problem, the mechanic told this is the TOYOTA Engineer problem. I am glad some body file the lawsuit. Hope TOYOTA can take care these problem.

- sding, Seattle, US

problem #14

Oct 152019

RAV4 Hybrid XLE

  • CVT transmission
  • 400 miles

The RAV4 Hybrid is supposed to have a 14 gallon tank. After 3 fill ups, I'm only able to add 10.2 gallons before it says it's full. I've tried topping it off but can only get a 1/4 gallon of gas extra. I wait until the low fuel light comes on and it says I have 25-35 miles left.

I traded a 2016 Prius in and it held exactly the same amount of gas. Is it possible that Toyota stuck Prius tanks in a few of these RAV4's?

I haven't seen any solutions on line for this issue. Has anyone else had any luck getting it resolved?

- Kevin M., Marietta, GA, US

problem #13

Aug 172019

RAV4 Hybrid XLE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

FUEL TANK CAPACITY 14.5 GALLONS CAN ONLY BE FILLED TO 9.5 GALLONS WITH AGGRESSIVE "TOPPING OFF". IN ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL HARM AND VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL DAMAGE, TOPPING OFF IS NOT USED. HOWEVER, THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE 5 GALLONS SHORT OF A FULL TANK (ABOUT 200 MILE RANGE LOSS). Toyota Corporate has no fix. Toyota Dealers have no fix. Everyone says to "wait for recall". I said that could take years. They tell me that's bulls*. I tell them THEY are bulls*. We all need to file a class action lawsuit.

- pips55pb, Kirkland, US

problem #12

Oct 172019

RAV4 Hybrid XLE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

Bought a new 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid because I drive a lot of miles; I was attracted by the average 40 MPG, plus the estimated 560 mile driving range. But when gauge shows “empty”, you can only fill 9 to 10 gallons max in tank. Per Toyota, tank is 14.5 Gal capacity, and “empty” warning comes on when 2 gallons or less remain. So it should allow approximately 12-12.5 gallons to fill; it doesn’t.

I reported this to the dealer, who couldn’t do anything. I also reported it to Toyota National Customer Service, and got a Case Number. When I asked, the Case Manager said that “she was aware that Toyota had a few complaints in other states“.

I have seen dozens of complaints on NTHSA website, plus other Auto websites.

- rav4getit, Camarillo, US

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problem #11

Oct 312019

RAV4 Hybrid XSE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 800 miles

My current MPG is 37.1 miles per gallon. Based on a 14.5 gallon fuel tank, my miles to empty on the screen show 455 miles to emply on a "full" tank. The gas gauge shows past the full mark on the fuel gauge.

The calculations show that I should get at least 537.95 miles to empty. When I received my new car, the tank was full and showed miles to empty at 600 miles per tank and 40 miles per gallon.

When the fuel pump shuts off on automatic fill, I pump at least 2 gallons more and my last tank fill up only shows 537.95 miles to empty.

I have to take my car for it's first service at 5000 miles and I will bring this up. Currently my car mileage is about 3750 miles.

- Hideki H., San Bruno, US

problem #10

Oct 262019

RAV4 Hybrid XLE 2.5L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cannot get this car to accept a full tank of fuel no matter what I try. Only will accept about 10 gallons even though the fuel gauge shows almost empty and the DTE meter is on 10 miles to empty.

Update from Dec 7, 2021: After Toyota acknowledged there was a problem, we took the car in for service and they were able to rectify the problem to our satisfaction.

- jdmotes, PONTE VEDRA BEACH, US

problem #9

May 242019

RAV4 Hybrid Limited Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 400 miles

The 2019 Rav4 Hybrid with a 14.5 gallon gas tank should have a range of almost 600 miles. HOWEVER, it is impossible to fill the tank to full. If you go with a nearly empty tank, you have to put the pump on SLOW, and if you are lucky you get 8 to 9 gallons without holding onto the pump. After that you have to hold it just so, so that it is going very slowly, or it will back up and cut off. If you are lucky you can get a couple more gallons in. You end up with a range closer to 400 miles.

This may not bother some people, but I waited for months for this hybrid vehicle, and one of the main draws is the range, and the mileage. Since I can't fill it up to the same point every time I put gas, I don't really know what mileage I'm getting, but it's nowhere near the advertised mileage. I'm not even getting the HWY mileage driving a combo of city and HWY. But even more bothersome is when you have to spend 10 to 15 minutes trying to get gas in your car. While manually topping it off on slow, if you don't pay attention it will overflow. But even then, the tank's not actually full.

For the first time in my life I bought a fully loaded, new vehicle. I thought I was safe with Toyota. They have not been able to fix this issue. They have no solution. I'm currently working with them to try and get them to buy it back, otherwise I will look into lemon laws. It's very sad.

- Shelley S., Buda, TX, US

problem #8

Jul 202019

RAV4 Hybrid XSE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

After filling up my Rav4, the needle on my fuel gage reads 7/8 full. As I have tried trouble shooting the issue, I found the following. I drive the car until the "miles to empty" read ZERO miles to empty. Went to the gas station to fill up my Rav4. Tank only took 9.5 gallons. It has a 14.5 gallon tank.

SO.... when my Rav4 says that it is empty.... I really have 5 gallons left in the tank.

- Mike B., Georgetown, KY, US

problem #7

Apr 252019

RAV4 Hybrid Limited 2.5L 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles

The car will not fill up. I can get it full by doing the last 1/4 tank very slowly. I have had several gas overflows. When the car is full, it show a range of 450 miles. Gas light comes on with about 4 gallons in the tank. I have spoken with Toyota numerous times and my dealer. No fix was offered.

- Dave T., Glen Allen, VA, US

problem #6

Jan 312020

RAV4 Hybrid LE 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 1,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Very disappointing. I sell the Toyotas. I know they make a great vehicle and the RAV is awesome, but this issue not being able to fill the tank fully, is a problem. I don't need my wife getting gas all over herself when filling up.

- toyotajay, Akron, US

problem #5

Nov 162019

RAV4 Hybrid LE 2.5L I4

  • CVT transmission
  • 500 miles

Not able to fill tank. Vehicle will not accept what it should. After pumping fuel until the handle releases, Toyota doesn't recommend topping off. You get in vehicle and the fuel gauge is at 80% and I wont get over 400 miles a tank, when my first tank was full and got over 500 when I got it from the dealer. Known issue but Toyota does not have a fix yet and they are researching it as I was told by a Toyota rep over the phone after I emailed Toyota's CEO. If you have this issue they recommend bringing it to the dealer and get it on a report but wait until they find a fix, so I was told over the phone.

- Phuong V., Garland, US

problem #4

Jun 032019

RAV4 Hybrid XSE 2.4L Hybrid

  • CVT transmission
  • 250 miles

2019 Rav4 has a 14.5 gal. fuel tank which, when almost empty will only hold about 8 gals. In addition, the gauge reads just over 3/4 full when the automatic shut off on the fuel pump handle clicks off. The worst part is Toyota has been working on the problem for the better part of a year without a solution or recommended repair.

- Kathy K., Custer, WI, US

problem #3

Aug 102019

RAV4 Hybrid ES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles

I drive 6 hours a day and was hoping to not have to fill up as often with this hybrid. When the tank gauge shows empty the gas pump clicks off after around 9 gallons of gas pumped. If I want more in I have to stand there and keep babying the pump a little at a time. I’m having to fill up every other day, same as when I drove a Jeep Wrangler. There must be a solution to this ASAP! We have complained to the dealership twice about it and they said they have heard nothing about it.

- mrshipjet, Wabash, US

problem #2

May 072020

RAV4 Hybrid LE 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 4,674 miles

I purchased a 2019 Rav4 Hybrid brand new back in November of 2019. When I received the vehicle, the miles until empty read 580 miles. As of the writing of this, with what is showing as a full tank only shows approximately 430 miles until empty, The last fill up it was reading approximately 70 miles until empty. I was only able to put 9 gallons of fuel into what is suppose to be a 14.5 gallon tank. When I checked my miles until empty read 431 mile. Basic math on the low side of MPG say 35, should at a minimum read 507 miles until empty.

IT'S LIKE MY GAS TANK IS SHRINKING!!!! For the record I have never gotten less than 35 MPG when tracked by the computer or if I hand calculate it. So clearly there is a problem with the gas tank. According to what I have read Toyota knows about the problem and has yet to find a fix for it. I have tracked every one of my fuel ups on fuelly.com, I do it with all my vehicles, and my MPG have steadily declined since I purchased this vehicle in November of 2019. First tank of fuel I got 44 MPG, my most recent fuel up was barely 35. I could have bought a regular Rav4 and gotten that.

- GenTwo V., Freedom, PA, US

problem #1

Aug 182021

RAV4 Hybrid XLE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

The common problem of only able to put 10 gallons in a 14 gallon tank when reading empty, limiting range. I took it to dealer and got this excuse (I've never heard this before anywhere else): Dealer said on a Rav4 Hybrid, if you run out of gas, it can be expensive to repair because it can damage the high pressure fuel pump (?).

Customer would have to pay for this, so Toyota made a software update that apparently makes the tank read empty at 10 gallon usage and you still have a 4 gallon reserve to make sure you never run out of gas. While this sounds plausible, I call BS. More of a good excuse than an expensive repair.

- Tim H., Lynchburg, US

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