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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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Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Went to start car and received warning that smart key was not working Unable to turn on car followed instructions in manual car would not turn on and all power lost Unable to open doors Called AAA and technician stated front battery was drained no power and that battery bad Took to dealer who stated it was computer problem that …

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Went to start car and received warning that smart key was not working Unable to turn on car followed instructions in manual car would not turn on and all power lost Unable to open doors Called AAA and technician stated front battery was drained no power and that battery bad Took to dealer who stated it was computer problem that caused battery to be drained This is a safety issue as this appears to be a recurring problem Should not be occurring in new car

NHTSA ODI #11419265

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2021
Electrical System

2020 Hybrid Toyota RAV4 would not turn on, indicating "Smart Key System Malfunction" - has less than 7,000 miles on it, is driven daily, and no lights or other electrical components were left on in the vehicle between the last time it was driven and when it failed to start. Toyota Roadside Assistance was able to jump the 12V bat…

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2020 Hybrid Toyota RAV4 would not turn on, indicating "Smart Key System Malfunction" - has less than 7,000 miles on it, is driven daily, and no lights or other electrical components were left on in the vehicle between the last time it was driven and when it failed to start. Toyota Roadside Assistance was able to jump the 12V battery and get it started, but warned that it is not a long-term fix.

NHTSA ODI #11418641

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE BUILTIN ON A DCM FIRMWARE UPDATE THAT FIXES AN ISSUE WITH REMOTE START AND WILL KILL THE 12V BATTERY EVEN BUT REFUSES TO NOTIFY OWNERS OR EVEN STATE PUBLICLY IF THEY INSTALLED THIS DURING THEIR INSPECTION ON MY CAR. HAVE BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD AT LEAST ONE BATTERY REPLACED IN A 1 Y…

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TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE BUILTIN ON A DCM FIRMWARE UPDATE THAT FIXES AN ISSUE WITH REMOTE START AND WILL KILL THE 12V BATTERY EVEN BUT REFUSES TO NOTIFY OWNERS OR EVEN STATE PUBLICLY IF THEY INSTALLED THIS DURING THEIR INSPECTION ON MY CAR. HAVE BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD AT LEAST ONE BATTERY REPLACED IN A 1 YEAR OLD CAR. HTTPS://WWW.RAV4WORLD.COM/THREADS/REMOTE-START-SOS-APP.309804/

NHTSA ODI #11414125

10,009 miles · Apr 5, 2021
Electrical System

GOT IN THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T CRANK. SEEMED LIKE A DEAD BATTERY ALTHOUGH NOTHING WAS LEFT ON. PUT JUMPER CABLES ON IT AND IT WOULD NOT EVEN JUMP OFF. IT WOULD ACT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TURN OVER THEN WOULD MAKE A CLICKING NOISE. CAR IS NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD WITH 10,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11406408

1,481 miles · Mar 5, 2021
Electrical System

2020 RAV4 HYBRID: BATTERY KEEPS DYING. PURCHASED 6/22/20, BATTERY DIED MULTIPLE TIMES 3 WEEKS LATER, BATTERY REPLACED 7/16/20. BATTERY DYING AGAIN 2/19/21 AND AGAIN 3/5/21. ONGOING ISSUE. ALSO HEAD UNIT W/USB PORT HAD TO BE REPLACED 12/8/20 AFTER FOUND INOPERABLE MULTIPLE TIMES, THE FINAL BEING 11/9/20. BOTH STOPPED WORKING AFTE…

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2020 RAV4 HYBRID: BATTERY KEEPS DYING. PURCHASED 6/22/20, BATTERY DIED MULTIPLE TIMES 3 WEEKS LATER, BATTERY REPLACED 7/16/20. BATTERY DYING AGAIN 2/19/21 AND AGAIN 3/5/21. ONGOING ISSUE. ALSO HEAD UNIT W/USB PORT HAD TO BE REPLACED 12/8/20 AFTER FOUND INOPERABLE MULTIPLE TIMES, THE FINAL BEING 11/9/20. BOTH STOPPED WORKING AFTER SITTING 1-3 DAYS. MAIN. RECORDS NOT UPLOADED SINCE FILE MAY BE PUBLIC DOMAIN, SENSITIVE INFORMATION ON RECORDS. TOYOTA MAY CONTACT ME DIRECTLY FOR RECORDS HOWEVER, AS I HAVE KEPT ALL OF THEM.

NHTSA ODI #11399439

5,000 miles · Feb 23, 2021
Electrical SystemLane DepartureSteering

NEW VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR IT'S 5K MAINTENANCE, TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM. I POINTED OUT SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE GAS TANK RANGE, BSM, CAMERA SHUTTING OFF, AND THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE STEARING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO GO STRAIGHT. 5K MAINTENANCE IS PERFORMED, THEY NOTICED THE …

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NEW VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR IT'S 5K MAINTENANCE, TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM. I POINTED OUT SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE GAS TANK RANGE, BSM, CAMERA SHUTTING OFF, AND THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE STEARING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO GO STRAIGHT. 5K MAINTENANCE IS PERFORMED, THEY NOTICED THE CAR NEEDED TO BE REALIGNED. DRIVING HOME, NO DIFFERENCE FROM WHEN FIRST BROUGHT IN. BRING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY, THE DAY AFTER, I'AM NOTIFIED THAT THE CAR IS READY FOR PICK UP, I ASK WERE IF THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND WHAT CAUSED THE AGLINMENT TO GO OUT A SECOND TIME. THERE RESPONSE IS THAT THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF WHAT CAUSED IT. INFORM THEM THAT 1. I'AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND 2. THE LONG TERM DAMAGE THIS IS CAUSING. THEY INFORM ME THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO THE PROCESS, AND HAVE MANAGEMENT INVOLVED. NEXT DAY, MANAGER INFORMS ME THAT THE AGLINMENT MACHINE WAS OUT OF CALIBRATION, HE HAD TO STOP A TECHNICIAN FROM WORKING ON THE CAR, HAD THE MACHINE CALIBRATED, AND THAT HE PERSONALLY PERFORMED THE ALGINMENT. I PICK UP THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE TURNED TO THE LEFT TO GO STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AT 35-45MPH, SLOWING DOWN/STOPPING & ACCLERATING. BRING IT IN NEXT DAY, MANGER HAS 3 ALGINMENTS PERFORMED TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY VARIATIONS, TELLS ME EVERYTHING IS IN SPEC. IT IS SO PERFECT THEY DIDNT EVEN HAVE TO TAKE A WRENCH TO IT. REASSURES ME NUMEROUS TIMES THAT IT IS SAFE AND IN SPEC, HANDS ME A PAPER "PROVING" SO. DRIVE HOME, STEERING WHEEL IS STILL TO THE LEFT. I LOOK AT THE PAPER AND IT CLEARLY LISTS 3 VALUES THAT ARE MARKED AS NOT WITHIN SPEC, AND THAT IT MAY CAUSE WEAR, HANDLING AND SAFETY ISSUES. CAR IS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. DURING THERE TEST DRIVE THE TECH NOTICED THE WHEEL WAS JERKING TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEARING WHEEL NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE & THE ALGIMENT IS OUT OF SPEC.

NHTSA ODI #11397651

6,400 miles · Feb 12, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

LEASED MY 2030 RAV 4 XLE AWD IN LATE NOV 2019 IN JULY 2020 THE ENGINE STOPPING WHEN BREAKING FEATURE WOULD NOT WORK. MESSAGE SAID BATTERY CHARGING. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG THAT DIDN'T DRIVE IT ENOUGH. TOOK IT HOME. A WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN.DEALER KEPT IT OVERNIGHT TO CHECK…

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LEASED MY 2030 RAV 4 XLE AWD IN LATE NOV 2019 IN JULY 2020 THE ENGINE STOPPING WHEN BREAKING FEATURE WOULD NOT WORK. MESSAGE SAID BATTERY CHARGING. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG THAT DIDN'T DRIVE IT ENOUGH. TOOK IT HOME. A WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN.DEALER KEPT IT OVERNIGHT TO CHECK THE FULL ELECTRIC SYSTEM. FOUND NOTHING WRONG TOLD YOU DRIVE IT MORE. HAPPENS EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE. JUMP TO FEBRUARY 2021. DRIVING IT MORE PARKED CAR OUTSIDE 30 DEGREE NIGHT. NEXT MORNING WENT TO TAKE MY SON TO WORK AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DEAD. NOTHING WORKED. DIDN'T LEAVE ANYTHING ON, EVERYTHING LIKE IT ALWAYS WAS. CALLED TOYOTA SERVICE WHO SENT SOMEONE TO JUMPSTART IT. THAT WORKED. I WAS TOLD TO LET IT RUN FOR 30 MINS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOYOTA OF MASSAPEQUA NY. THEY CHECK THE BATTERY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT TO PREFORM A FIRMWARE UPDATE. I AM JUST READING THAT THE CAR BATTERY SHUTTING DOWN IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS. I HOPE THE FIRMWARE UPDATE WORKS BUT KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW I'M NOT SURE. WISH THE UPDATE WAS DOWN BACK IN JULY. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL ALL 2020 RAV 4

NHTSA ODI #11395956

4,976 miles · Jan 27, 2021
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME, DID NOT TURN ON AT ALL.VEHICLE WAS ONLY AT ABOUT 5K TOPS. CALLED ROADSIDE & WAS GIVEN A JUMPSTART.

NHTSA ODI #11390406

12,000 miles · Jan 25, 2021
Electrical System

VEHICLE PARKED FOR LESS THAN 24 HRS. 14 MONTHS OLD, APPROX 12,000MI. BATTERY TOTALLY DRAINED. LEFT STRANDED WITHOUT VEHICLE USE. INDICATES SMART KEY PROBLEM, TRIED OTHER KEYS. BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED.

NHTSA ODI #11389797

9,172 miles · Dec 26, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

CAR BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED AFTER NOT BEING DRIVEN FOR 24 HOURS LEAVING ME STRANDED. CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSING QUICK AND SIGNIFICANT BATTERY DRAIN. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2020 AND HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11385068

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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