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2020 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most RAV4 years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

195 reports with mileage · 439 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 180 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 90 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports5 fire reports11 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

119 reports
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50 miles · Jun 19, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A WEEK OLD (LESS THAN 1000MILES) AND I NOTICED THE FUEL TANK LID WAS CONSTANTLY POPPING OPEN. REALIZED THAT WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON OR OFF (VERIFIED BY DEALERSHIP MECHANICS) THE GAS TANK FUEL LID WILL POP OPEN. SO, SOMEHOW THE POWER BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE CONTROLS MY GAS TANK LID. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH TOYOTA…

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VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A WEEK OLD (LESS THAN 1000MILES) AND I NOTICED THE FUEL TANK LID WAS CONSTANTLY POPPING OPEN. REALIZED THAT WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON OR OFF (VERIFIED BY DEALERSHIP MECHANICS) THE GAS TANK FUEL LID WILL POP OPEN. SO, SOMEHOW THE POWER BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE CONTROLS MY GAS TANK LID. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH TOYOTA MECHANICS FOR ABOUT 24HRS NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329686

7,300 miles · Jun 8, 2020
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2019 WITH 7 MILES ON IT. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND LEFT IN THE DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALL LIGHTS WHEN ON UPON PRESSING THE START BUTTON, BUT WHEN PRESSED AGAIN, ALL LIGHTS FADED AND THE CAR COMPLE…

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VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2019 WITH 7 MILES ON IT. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND LEFT IN THE DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALL LIGHTS WHEN ON UPON PRESSING THE START BUTTON, BUT WHEN PRESSED AGAIN, ALL LIGHTS FADED AND THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WERE IT WAS KEPT FOR OVER A WEEK. ALL TESTS CAME BACK INCONCLUSIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327740

1,100 miles · Jun 6, 2020
Electrical System

THIS IS MY NEW CAR 2020 RAV4 XLE. I BROUGHT IT IN DEC 2019. ONE DAY I PARKED MY CAR IN EVENING AND NEXT DAY CAR DID NOT START (AFTER 3 MONTH OF USE WITH AROUND 1100 MILES ON IT). I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SEND PERSON TO TOW CAR. THEY DID BATTERY JUMP AND IT WORKED. AFTER THAT I HAVE MANUALLY TURNED OFF ALL THE LIGHTS INSID…

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THIS IS MY NEW CAR 2020 RAV4 XLE. I BROUGHT IT IN DEC 2019. ONE DAY I PARKED MY CAR IN EVENING AND NEXT DAY CAR DID NOT START (AFTER 3 MONTH OF USE WITH AROUND 1100 MILES ON IT). I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SEND PERSON TO TOW CAR. THEY DID BATTERY JUMP AND IT WORKED. AFTER THAT I HAVE MANUALLY TURNED OFF ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAR TILL NOW(HEAD LIGHT IS AUTO MODE) AND HAVE NO BATTERY ISSUE BUT I STILL WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR?S ELECTRIC SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327550

169 miles · Jun 2, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

PURCHASED 5/22/20. UNIT PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. WENT OUT TO USE THE AUTO AND ALL SYSTEMS FAILING IN AUTO. VEHICLE WILL NOT START. BRAKE ALERT, ENGINE ALERT, AIRBAG ALERT, POWER STEERING ALERT, EVERY LIGHT ON INSIDE VEHICLE FLASHING WITH ALERTS THAT THEY ARE FAILING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327007

1,803 miles · May 29, 2020
Electrical System

MY 2020 TOYOTA RAV4 WOULDN'T START. IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR RAN A TEST AND FOUND THAT I HAD A DEAD BATTERY. THIS WAS SURPRISING BECAUSE I ONLY HAD 1,800 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. AFTER THE OPERATOR CHARGED THE BATTERY, I DROVE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. THEY RAN SOME TESTS AND REPLACED THE…

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MY 2020 TOYOTA RAV4 WOULDN'T START. IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR RAN A TEST AND FOUND THAT I HAD A DEAD BATTERY. THIS WAS SURPRISING BECAUSE I ONLY HAD 1,800 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. AFTER THE OPERATOR CHARGED THE BATTERY, I DROVE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. THEY RAN SOME TESTS AND REPLACED THE DEAD BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD 5 BATTERIES FAIL THIS MONTH. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THEY THOUGHT THAT IT EITHER COULD BE AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE BATTERY, OR ELSE THE DIGITAL PARKING BRAKE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. THIS BATTERY PROBLEM COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAVE PEOPLE STRANDED IN WINTER WEATHER.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11326565

2,450 miles · Apr 23, 2020
Electrical System

I HAVE OWNED THIS RAV 4 HYBRID FOR 4 MONTHS. I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY 2500 MILES SO FAR. I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND AREA. RAV4 IS MADE IN CANADA. TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD A DEAD BATTERY AFTER LEAVING PARKED FOR 2-4 DAYS. BOTH TIMES NEED ASSISTANCE FROM A BATTERY CHARGER. HYBRID BATTERY SHOWS OVER HALF CHARGED. THE 12 VOLT…

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I HAVE OWNED THIS RAV 4 HYBRID FOR 4 MONTHS. I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY 2500 MILES SO FAR. I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND AREA. RAV4 IS MADE IN CANADA. TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD A DEAD BATTERY AFTER LEAVING PARKED FOR 2-4 DAYS. BOTH TIMES NEED ASSISTANCE FROM A BATTERY CHARGER. HYBRID BATTERY SHOWS OVER HALF CHARGED. THE 12 VOLT BATTERY SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE. THERE ARE NO AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES. SMARTPHONE APP NOTIFIES ME IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WHEN PARKED. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ISOLATED. MANY COMPLAINTS ON RAV4 FORUMS.

NHTSA ODI #11322088

800 miles · Mar 15, 2020
Electrical System

THIS CAR IS NEW 800 MILES TOTALLY DEAD BATTERY.PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT. TOW SERVICE TOOLS US WAS THE SECOND NEW RAV4 WITH A DEAD BATTERY TODAY.

NHTSA ODI #11318149

3,500 miles · Mar 1, 2020
Electrical System

I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 RAV4 XLE IN DECEMBER 2020, IT IS NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS OLD. I PARKED MY RAV4 IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER GETTING HOME FROM WORK. THE FOLLOWING MORNING MY CAR HAD A DEAD BATTERY. I HAD THE BATTERY JUMPED BY TOYOTA ROADSIDE SERVICE. THE CAR STARTED UP, AND I WAS TOLD TO LET THE ENGINE RUN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES SO TH…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 RAV4 XLE IN DECEMBER 2020, IT IS NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS OLD. I PARKED MY RAV4 IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER GETTING HOME FROM WORK. THE FOLLOWING MORNING MY CAR HAD A DEAD BATTERY. I HAD THE BATTERY JUMPED BY TOYOTA ROADSIDE SERVICE. THE CAR STARTED UP, AND I WAS TOLD TO LET THE ENGINE RUN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES SO THE BATTERY COULD CHARGE. THERE'S NOTHING I COULD HAVE LEFT TURNED ON THE EVENING BEFORE THAT WOULD HAVE RUN THE BATTERY DOWN. IF YOU LEAVE A LIGHT ON, OR A DOOR AJAR THE LIGHTS GO OUT AFTER 20 MINUTES. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH ON TOYOTA RAV4 BATTERY PROBLEMS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11315482

200 miles · Feb 15, 2020
Electrical System

CONTINUATION, LOST WEBSITE.

NHTSA ODI #11309423

Official recalls

6

23V865000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Dec 20, 2023

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

20V734000 · Air Bags:frontal; Steering:column

Nov 25, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.

Steering:column

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

20V373000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jun 24, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB11 / 20TA11.

20V286000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

May 20, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08.

20V064000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Feb 6, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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