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RAV4 Hybrid Fuel Tank Issue Fixed By Toyota Program - UPDATE! Class Action Settlement

Multiple RAV4 Hybrid owners have reported that the fuel tank refill issue is now resolved following a fix by Toyota’s dealers. Here’s what owners of RAV4 Hyrbids are reporting.
RAV4 Hybrid image courtesy of Toyota media support

January 22, 2022 UPDATE! Toyota has settled a nationwide class-action lawsuit related to this issue for all RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime owners. Details of the settlement are pending. Watch this post for details in the coming days.

Prior Post begins:
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners tend to be a very happy bunch. Over the four years of the RAV4 Hyrbid’s existence, Car Compaints has received only 24 owner complaints about the top-selling vehicle. However, one of the rare examples of Toyota hybrid vehicles having a problem is the fuel filling issue that some owners of the RAV4 Hybrid reported. Here is what one owner told CarComplaints, “Fuel tank does not accept more than 7 gallons when empty (capacity is an advertised 14.5 gallons).” That succinct statement perfectly describes the issue. The great news is there is a fix, and it is working.

UPDATE! How 2 Avoidable Defects Destroyed the Toyota RAV4's Reliability Rating

Related Story: The top-Selling Affordable Green Crossover In America Is Toyota's RAV4 Hybrid

Toyota offers Help With RAV4 Hybrid Fuel Tank Filling Issue
In December Toyota issued a letter to owners of the current-generation RAV4 Hybrid. The letter explains that Toyota has launched a Customer Support Program that offers a no-cost fix for the problem. In addition, the program extends the warranty on the systems related to this issue for 8 years and 100,000 miles. This will help to ensure that second owners and those who may not have noticed the problem will have ample time to take advantage of the fix. Torque News requested a sample copy of the letter from Toyota and Toyota sent it along very quickly for use in this story. As always, Toyota's response to our request for help with information was prompt and complete.

Who Is Covered by This New RAV4 Hybrid Fuel Tank Customer Support Program?
Our research indicates that owners of RAV4 Hybrids in both Canada and the United States are covered by this Customer Support Program. Owners of RAV4 Hybrids with the fuel tank issue have reported that they were contacted by Toyota in the form of a letter. They then brought the vehicle in for service, it was repaired, and it now functions properly following the repair.

Those who reported the problem to their local dealer early on were in many cases frustrated. We have seen dealer work orders that suggest there is no problem and that perhaps the owner had trouble with a gas station dispenser.

By contrast, multiple owners have now provided very detailed reports of their experience before and after the fix. These owners report that the issue is now resolved. In one case, an owner also received a dealer-supplied loaner vehicle.

How To Get Your RAV4 Hybrid Fixed
If you have a RAV4 Hybrid with this fuel tank issue here is what you should do:
1) Immediately contact your dealer by phone to report the problem.
2) Ask if the dealer is familiar with the Customer Support Program.
3) If yes, schedule an appointment and ask for a loaner in advance. Ask how long the vehicle will be out of service.
4) If no, reach out to Toyota directly for assistance by calling Toyota Owner Assistance at the below links:
US Toyota Assistance
Canadian Toyota Assistance

The numbers above are also handy if you had this issue investigated and repaired at your own expense. You can request a reimbursement from Toyota if you have your receipts for work completed.

The repair involves replacing parts of the fuel system. Most owners are reporting the repair is not a long appointment, and it is easily handled in a business day. However, as you can see in the comments below, others have reported that the repair took multiple days.

Does the RAV4 Prime Have The Fuel Tank Issue?
Our informal polling of Toyota RAV4 Prime owners confirms for certain that not all Prime trims have this issue. In fact, we could not find any RAV4 Prime owners who could report the problem. One part of the problem is that so few use enough gas to ever need a full tank. One owner, Kate S, told Torque News, "I’m having a hard time using this tank of gas! This car is so darned efficient it’s taking forever!" If we find any RAV4 Prime owners who report this problem we will update the topic.

Related Story: Consumer Reports - No Gas For Toyota RAV4 Prime Over 800 Miles In Testing

Have You Had Your RAV4 Prime Fixed?
If you have had your RAV4 Hybrid repaired, please tell us how the fix is working and offer any suggestions you feel may assist a fellow owner using our comments below this story. Please note that we have made a few updates to the original text based on the very helpful comments from the owners below.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. Following his engineering program, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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Comments

Jay (not verified)    January 18, 2021 - 6:23PM

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My 2021 venza hybrid is only filling roughly 11.5 gallons or so. Not the full 14.5 gallons as advertised. Jeff have you noticed how many gallons your Venza capacity is when filling up? Tha ks

Nolan (not verified)    March 4, 2021 - 2:39PM

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I have had the repairs done on my 2020 RAV4 hybrid. Gas tank still only fills to 10 gallons. Brought it back in to dealer and was told since it fills above 9.8 gallons, it is operating up to manufacturing standards and there is nothing more they can do. Not sure how they can consider a gas tank operating 4.5 gallons under advertised capacity to be acceptable. There is a class action lawsuit started in California for those who are not satisfied with Toyota’s solution that I am now pursuing.

Nancy Shin (not verified)    January 18, 2022 - 10:42PM

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Same thing that happened with you occurred with my Rav 4. It’s still hasn’t been fixed!! I am dealing with Toyota corporate. I told them that if they don’t take care of this problem, I’m taking them to court. I get 11 gallons and I used to have notification of how many miles on full tank is 340 vs 560 advertised. They hacked my Toyota app and I can no longer see the numbers. Shameful!! I’m not stupid and this is only an $800 fix!!

Bill McLaughlin (not verified)    August 18, 2022 - 12:40PM

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I am having same issue on my 2021 Rav4 Prime. Anyone have information on how to join California Class Action Lawsuit or has is been settled yet? On empty I barely get 10.5G and only 435 miles

Caryn Unsicker (not verified)    March 30, 2021 - 9:58PM

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I have the same problem. They were supposed to have replaced the gas tank but I don't think they did. After they supposedly fixed it,I drove it to Columbia Missouri and a third of the way back and it was empty at 352 miles. I drove another 19 mi on the reserve tank and filled it up. it only got 30 miles per gallon. But they keep telling me that the computers and fuel injectors say it's 41 miles per gallon. I told them the computers are off and that the best way to measure the accurate gas mileage is to fill it up, drive it, and fill it up again, then divide the amount of miles you went by the number of gallons used. They're trying to say there's nothing more they can do, and I'm so upset. I'm going to join the class action lawsuit if I can figure out how to do it, or I may just go to a local attorney and find out how to pursue it on my own.

Michael Pastor (not verified)    April 22, 2021 - 12:13PM

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I brought my 2020 Rav 4 hybrid in to fix the fuel tank issue. They said it was repaired. I've been filling my tank up from empty several times. It only take 11 gallons. It was not fixed. I just dropped it off again for repair.

Margaret saari (not verified)    July 30, 2022 - 8:38AM

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Toyota will not fix my 2020 RAV4 hybrid. Can’t get over 7 gal when gauge shows empty! Recalibrated gas gauge and said it was fixed….NOT!! Said Toyota keeps 4 gallons in tank when low fuel light comes on! Called Toyota and he said “just slowly add more gas when the handle clicks off”. I’m starting to hate this car..and Toyota!

PR (not verified)    July 25, 2021 - 7:08AM

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I bought a venza limited and it can only take 75 gallons.... It takes me Almost 10 mins to "spoonful" it another 7 gallons. I've read that doing that has harmed the Evap system Already... I need help to get this fixed.

Robert (not verified)    January 5, 2022 - 12:12PM

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I have owned the 2021 venza for a month. I’m only getting eleven gallons plus into the tank on empty!! Basically, 480 miles per tank of mixed driving. It should be 100 more miles of travel before a fill up.

Kim Bradley (not verified)    January 18, 2021 - 11:26PM

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I have a 19 RAV4 hybrid Limited. After the first fill up, I could never get more than 8 gallons, or so, at the pump, and it always stopped 2-4 hash marks below full, with a range of about 350.
I got the tank replacement a few weeks ago. The first in my town. Now? It fills to above full, and the range reads 460ish.
It didn’t take very long, either. They do need to remove the back seat to get at the rank, so, you’ll need to reinstall any car seats.

NormT (not verified)    January 19, 2021 - 10:37AM

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Sounds like you had a fuel tank replacement while the article says the tank is not replaced?

Why would they continue sell 2020 model hybrids when they know there is a problem?

The RAV4 received a 3 out of 5 in Consumer Reports reliability and considering the price should be much higher.

Doug (not verified)    January 19, 2021 - 11:57AM

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The part that is replaced depends on the production date of the vehicle and where it was made. 2019 models need a new gas tank and fuel sending unit. Sometime in 2020 the new tank design was rolled into production at some plants, but these vehicles still need a new sending unit.

But, yes, that means that Toyota continued to produce this vehicle even when there was a known defect. Because the only other option would be to halt sales of their most popular hybrid model. That's a massive hit to their bottom line. It's a lose/lose situation, to be honest.

On the plus side, almost all of the complaints that caused that lower ranking for the RAV4 have been fixed.

Paul (not verified)    March 4, 2021 - 7:48PM

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I just went through all of this. Someone told me that the reason for the tank problem happened during installation in high heat. In Texas it gets hot enough for the tank to suck in. When it’s climate changes the tank expands back to normal causing it to raise up and go out of level... luckily my dealer believed me. I brought it in when fuel gauge read 1/4 tank. That way the tech is the one filling up tank, and checking sensors/gauge. 4 hours and paid for Lyft rides to/from my home. Dealer replaced fuel tank and sender unit,and gaskets. Also a full tank of gas. All free, no charges. Thank you Toyota!

Rob (not verified)    January 19, 2021 - 4:37AM

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The story above has some mistakes and omissions. Our 2019 RAV4 hybrid fuel tank problem was fixed by Toyota, but it took three days and did require replacement of the fuel tank (and two other parts). Also - the Toyota letter to owners threatens that the owner will have to pay diagnostic costs if Toyota does not believe that their particular car has the problem.

John Goreham    January 19, 2021 - 9:10AM

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Thank you, Rob. Perhaps we are mistaken and the tank is required to be replaced. Based on your comment, and some further research we have opted to edit the story. We also added two edits related to how long the repair might take. Thank you again for highlighting this. Your information may help a fellow owner prepare better for the fix.

Kelly (not verified)    January 19, 2021 - 5:27AM

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RAV 4 Prime owner here. I live in NH and still use a fair bit of gas. I've never had an issue with refilling. Thanks for reporting it in case it happens at a later time.

Paul (not verified)    January 19, 2021 - 7:54AM

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The Rav4 Prime has exactly the same issue as the Hybrid and it is all Hybrids and all Primes that have the issue. There is a saddle design and when the tank is filled to a certain point, the fuel cannot spill over into the other side of the gas tank fast enough and the pump shuts off because fuel starts backing up the filler neck.

John Goreham    January 19, 2021 - 9:05AM

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Hi Paul, please tell us more. Do you own a RAV4 Prime with this problem? Describe the issue you are having if so. We asked owners in the FB RAV4 Prime owners club if they have had the issue. 21 responded that they have had no issues refilling their tanks. One of the 21 did report a conservative low fuel warning. None reported that they have the issue. Maybe our sample size is too small. However, for certain, not all RAV4 Prime owners have this issue. Too many have reported their fuel habits in detail.

James Morris (not verified)    April 18, 2023 - 2:57AM

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I own a 2021 RAV4 Prime. The first time I filled the tank from E the pump clicked off at 10.5 gallons. Thought it was the pump as they do that sometimes, gas doomed overflowed. Have never been able to add more than 10-11 gallons. Dealer says they don’t know anything about it. Called Toyota customer service and they said no recalls on the 2021 Prime. The car was sold on the 600 mile range, mine gets about 475 miles.

Jerry (not verified)    September 13, 2021 - 7:30PM

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I have a 2021 Rav4 Prime which was delivered in late June 2021. On two occassions I have driven until the Low Fuel indicator came on, once with 26 miles and the other with 25 miles DTE. Both times when filling up I was only able to put approximately 10.1 gallons in. I called my dealer today (9/13/21) and have an appointment set up in two weeks for a diagnostic and repair. I'll report back after they have performed the reported fix.

Cutting (not verified)    January 16, 2022 - 9:26AM

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I bought a rav4 prime se in August 2021. The first couple times my range on a full tank read 540 miles. Now when I fill up it is 420. Several times I have used the ice past zero "miles to empty" reading. And still there have been 3 gallons remaining in the tank. There is a good video from a rav4 owner and frequent you tuber from Buffalo that talks about this issue too.

David Tindall (not verified)    January 19, 2021 - 8:15AM

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I had my tank fixed about 2 weeks ago. I cannot get the 550 mile range, more like 480. But my tank fills and I can get about 11 gallons in tank when it says empty. This is an improvement over the 8 to 8.5 gallons I used to get. So the fix works, sort of. No more trying to get an extra gallon in and having overflows. So I am happy.

John Goreham    January 19, 2021 - 9:16AM

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Great info, David. Although I am not an expert on the subject, others have noted that the fuel warning light is conservative and the letter from Toyota also has a chart that sort of describes the situation. From what I have seen so far, it appears that 11.5 gallons consumed is where the low fuel light first illuminates. That works out to almost exactly 20% of the total tank capacity. Glad the repair left you happy. That is what we are hearing from most owners who have reported the results of the repair. Thanks for your comment.