Purchased this 2019 RAV4 Hybrid used in January 2024. Vehicle in great shape, no history of accidents, single previous owner, dealer certified, and purchased at a Toyota dealership. Right after purchase, we noticed that the lift-gate didn't quite sit flush with the rear body of the car. After a few more months, the lift-gate struggled to close (it's a power lift-gate and we strictly use the remote or the button on the vehicle to operate it -- never manual force), and on one occasion refused to close. We never put more than a handful of groceries in the back, so no cramming involved where the load might be pressing against the lift-gate when closed.

Took car to our local mechanic last week (an independent who used to work at a Toyota/Lexus dealership), who noticed that both hinges are cracked, one more than the other, and verified that indeed the lift-gate was not installed properly which is why it doesn't sit in place evenly, thus exerting uneven load on the hinges and causing them to crack. The RAV4 forums for this generation feature many, many complaints of this exact problem, so it's not happening just in the odd case.

Called Toyota Canada plus our local dealership to explain the problem, but they confirmed what I had found online: there is no recall for this at the current time, and not even a service bulletin, and no extended warranty. Therefore, I will have to pay out of pocket, which I'll do at my independent mechanic next week, as his rates are cheaper than at the dealership.

Toyota Canada told me that if a recall is issued at some point, I will be reimbursed for the expense I incur for the repair. So if you decide to get yours fixed on your own, be sure to keep your paperwork for reimbursement. And please help to move us forward toward a recall by documenting your problem here on carcomplaints.com, as well as on any Toyota sites. This will build momentum and get more of these hinges replaced before someone's lift-gate falls off while the car is being driven and causes an accident for cars behind you.