ENGINE COOLANT BYPASS VALVE - This is on every Rav4 forum - over 1 million views for this issue on just 1 YouTube video explaining it - which is an obvious sign that it’s a problem- not only with RAV4’s but with Corolla’s also. The worst part is finding out the part only costs 60-80$ but because on RAV4’s the hose that is connected to the actuator is pressure fitted (unlike Corollas) you have to replace the duo together and if you don’t have a lift you have to be a contortionist with spaghetti arms to remove and replace it. Or..: take it somewhere and they quote prices ranging from 650-1150. Service shops know people don’t have car lifts - so they are taking advantage of an issue that takes 1 hr at the most to do and saying it’s a 4 hr job. And then what? I replace it with the same defective part and have to do this every 35k miles? At the very least they could initiate a customer support program. It’s just insane that they refuse to acknowledge this as a defective part for which we - their customers should not have to bear the burden of paying for.

Update from Apr 25, 2024: Took it to an independent garage. Labor $120, Got the part (16260-F0010) and 1 gallon of coolant from the dealer $175. Total repair $295. There is a 10 min video on youtube posted by jrdgreat showing how to replace this on a Rav4. After researching the issue, I came to realize you really dont have to replace the hose/valve combo. If you take a flathead screwdriver and jimmy the hose over the little ridges/barbs (there are 3 ridges on the stem) you can detach it without damage to the hose. Then you can just replace the valve/actuator with the kind they use on the Corollas (#16671-F2010) which has a smooth stem and clamp instead of being pressure fitted around a barbed stem. This will save you money on the part and time on labor and you wont need a lift to get to the area where the lower hose connects to the transmission cooler, or the area behind the crank case that the middle hose connects. If you go this route, the hardest part will be removing the 12mm bolts that connect the valve to the bracket. Then remove the bracket itself. Battery removal is optional for more room. Good Luck

Engine maintenance light required came on in my Toyota RAV4 2019 car. I took it to the Toyota dealer and they diagnosed that my coolant bypass valve bids to be replaced, looks like this is a common problem. I paid $670 for replacing it!!! The part cost was $187.74 and labor at Kendall Toyota dealer was $462.50!!! This is such a ripoff!

I researched how much the part costs elsewhere and I found out it costs $86.70! This is my 4th Toyota and probably the last. I am very disappointed. Toyota was known for its reliability and this is why I always was buying it. Japan is known for its good quality work and cars previously made in Japan never broke. Once the production was moved to US and they start putting this plastic Chinese parts, the quality went down. This problem is common in Toyota RAV4 and I will be contacting the corporate regarding this crazy costs of replacing part. If that won’t work will contact Toyota headquarters in Japan. This should be a recall because it’s a common problem which is well documented by people on internet. I want my money back!

I have a 2019 RAV4 XLE and at 2000 miles, I smelled coolant. Took it in and after 2 days they replaced the rear main seal. 3 days later, I smell coolant again. Took the car back. After a long wait they brought the car back to me and said they just needed to bleed the coolant system (does that seem a bit odd that bleeding it would make the smell stop?). Couple days later AGAIN I smell coolant. Took it back and they just quickly put me in a loaner and scooted me along. That was last Saturday. It is now Thursday. The service manager called and said that the car now had an oil leak that they have to find where its coming from. The engine is currently out of the vehicle...I feel like this could be a Lemon Law issue but I don't know. We have spoken with the company and they were less then friendly. In fact the Toyota rep was down right RUDE! (Interesting side note-both loaner cars I had smelled of coolant as well. One was a RAV4 and the other a Highlander!! Don't buy a 19 Toyota or just go get a Honda....Toyota has lost it.....RIP