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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

90 reports
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6,000 miles · Jan 13, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

TOYOTA STATES THE RAV4 HYBRID HAS A 14.5 GAL GAS TANK. WHEN GAS GAUGE SHOWED 27 MI LEFT, I WAS ONLY ABLE TO PUT 11.8 GAL IN TANK. DEALER TOLD ME TO JUST ASSUME I HAD MORE GAS LEFT. THIS WAS AFTER THEY HAD REPAIRED THE RECALL ON THE TANK APPROVED BY TOYOTA. NO WAY TO KNOW HOW FAR I COULD GO. THE RECALL DIDN'T WORK

NHTSA ODI #11387892

4,000 miles · Jan 9, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL-TANK CAPACITY IS LISTED AT 14.5 GALLONS THE TANK WON'T ACCEPT MORE THAN 9 OR 10 GALLONS.

NHTSA ODI #11387321

23,350 miles · Dec 26, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL TO CAPACITY.. I AM STOPING AT GAS STATIONS ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I AM FLYING THROUGH GAS ..AND IT'S A HYBRID ..WON'T FILL MORE THAN 9 OR 10 GALS .. THE VEHICLE HAS NO RANGE FOR A HYBRID WHICH IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY SAY WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO SELL YOU ONE.. HAD I KNOWN I WOULD BE AT A GAS…

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VEHICLE GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL TO CAPACITY.. I AM STOPING AT GAS STATIONS ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I AM FLYING THROUGH GAS ..AND IT'S A HYBRID ..WON'T FILL MORE THAN 9 OR 10 GALS .. THE VEHICLE HAS NO RANGE FOR A HYBRID WHICH IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY SAY WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO SELL YOU ONE.. HAD I KNOWN I WOULD BE AT A GAS STATION EVERY 3 DAY'S WITH A HYBRID I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT IT

NHTSA ODI #11385044

120 miles · Dec 11, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN I FILL MY GAS TANK, IT DOES NOT SHOW FULL. I BOUGHT THIS SUV 4/17/2020. ALSO, BURNS THROUGH GAS QUICKLY. I SEEM TO GO GET GAS OFTEN AS IT QUICKLY BURNS THROUGH HALF A TANK, THEN STAYS THERE FOR A WHILE THEN QUICKLY DOWN TO 1/4 TANK. I WAS SENT FROM TOYOTA THAT THEY KNEW THIS IS A PROBLEM BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX. NOW WHEN …

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WHEN I FILL MY GAS TANK, IT DOES NOT SHOW FULL. I BOUGHT THIS SUV 4/17/2020. ALSO, BURNS THROUGH GAS QUICKLY. I SEEM TO GO GET GAS OFTEN AS IT QUICKLY BURNS THROUGH HALF A TANK, THEN STAYS THERE FOR A WHILE THEN QUICKLY DOWN TO 1/4 TANK. I WAS SENT FROM TOYOTA THAT THEY KNEW THIS IS A PROBLEM BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX. NOW WHEN I CALL THEM, THEY TELL ME THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. YET IN THEIR LETTER SAID DO NOT TOP OFF AND DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE FUEL LIGHT OR WILL RUN OUT OF GAS.

NHTSA ODI #11383042

200 miles · Dec 6, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

THE 14.5-GALLON GAS TANK IN MY 2020 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID HAS A DEFECT THAT PREVENTS THE TANK FROM BEING FILLED TO CAPACITY. THIS DEFECT NOT ONLY FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL AND STATE GAS TANK REGULATIONS, WHICH PROHIBIT THE SALE OF VEHICLES THAT CANNOT FILL 90 PERCENT OR WITHIN TWO GALLONS OF THEIR NOMINAL GAS TANK CAPACITY, BUT…

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THE 14.5-GALLON GAS TANK IN MY 2020 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID HAS A DEFECT THAT PREVENTS THE TANK FROM BEING FILLED TO CAPACITY. THIS DEFECT NOT ONLY FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL AND STATE GAS TANK REGULATIONS, WHICH PROHIBIT THE SALE OF VEHICLES THAT CANNOT FILL 90 PERCENT OR WITHIN TWO GALLONS OF THEIR NOMINAL GAS TANK CAPACITY, BUT SUFFER FROM A SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED DRIVING RANGE. THE FUEL TANK DEFECT PREVENTS ME FROM GETTING ANYWHERE NEAR THE VEHICLES' ADVERTISED 550-PLUS-MILE RANGE (I AVERAGE 400-425 GALLONS A TANK), WHICH WAS A MAJOR SELLING POINT AND FOR WHICH I PAID A PREMIUM PRICE FOR; THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY INTERVAL I HAVE TO FILL UP ON GAS. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL, I MAY RUN OUT OF FUEL WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR LEAVE ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY OR DESERTED ROAD AND WITH A NY WINTER, IT IS JUST NOT SAFE TO BE STRANDED IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WHEN IT IS FREEZING COLD OUTSIDE. RUNNING OUT OF FUEL MAY ALSO DAMAGE MY VEHICLES FUEL SYSTEM TOO! THE OWNER'S MANUAL WARNS THAT IF MY VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF FUEL OR THE FUEL IS TOO LOW, THE HYBRID SYSTEM MAY NOT BE ABLE TO START.

NHTSA ODI #11378093

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL TANK IS RATED AT 14.6 GAL BUT THE MOST I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT IS 11 GAL. THE ISSUE IS CONSISTENT ACROSS EVERY FUELING PERIODS AND AFTER TAKING IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER TWICE, THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN THAT THE FUEL TANK HAS NO ISSUES. I HAVE SHOWN THE PROOFS TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND …

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THE FUEL TANK IS RATED AT 14.6 GAL BUT THE MOST I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT IS 11 GAL. THE ISSUE IS CONSISTENT ACROSS EVERY FUELING PERIODS AND AFTER TAKING IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER TWICE, THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN THAT THE FUEL TANK HAS NO ISSUES. I HAVE SHOWN THE PROOFS TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND YET THEY DENY CLAIMS.

NHTSA ODI #11377489

8 miles · Dec 1, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2020 RAV4 HYBRID ON 7/1/2020 AND WAS TOLD THE CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITION WITHOUT ANY ISSUE. STARTED WITH 2ND TANK OF GAS FILL UP, I NOTICE THE METER READING IS NOT CORRECT. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR AWAY ON 7/1/2020, THE READING SHOW SOMETHING LIKE "520 MILES TO EMPTY". WITH THE 2ND TANK FILL UP, THE READ…

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I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2020 RAV4 HYBRID ON 7/1/2020 AND WAS TOLD THE CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITION WITHOUT ANY ISSUE. STARTED WITH 2ND TANK OF GAS FILL UP, I NOTICE THE METER READING IS NOT CORRECT. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR AWAY ON 7/1/2020, THE READING SHOW SOMETHING LIKE "520 MILES TO EMPTY". WITH THE 2ND TANK FILL UP, THE READING CHANGED TO "480 MILES TO EMPTY". WHEN COMES TO THE 4TH TANK FILL UP, THE READ IS NOW SHOWING "410 MILES TO EMPTY". ALSO, BASED ON THE CAR SPECIFICATIONS, THE TANK SIZE IS 14.5 GAL, BUT I CAN ONLY FILL UP AROUND 10 GALLONS OF GAS, THE TANK WOULD BE FULL. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT TODAY. I WAS JUST TOLD THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ALONG WITH SOME OTHER PARTS ON THE ALMOST BRAND NEW CAR. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. TOYOTA SOLD THE CAR WITH MAJOR ISSUE TO ME AND WITHOUT DISCLOSE THE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF THE SALE. THE ISSUE WAS LONG EXIST BEFORE I PURCHASE THE CAR AFTER GOOGLED THE ISSUE ONLINE. THEY SHOULD HAVE DISCLOSED THE FAULTY ISSUE OF THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE.

NHTSA ODI #11377400

5,000 miles · Nov 15, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL TANK DOES NOT FILL COMPLETELY AND SHOWS INACCURATE READING ON THE DRIVER CONSOLE

NHTSA ODI #11374750

440 miles · Nov 13, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN THE EMPTY LIGHT ON THE GAS TANK OF MY TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID LE TURNS ON, I AM ONLY ABLE TO FILL THE TANK WITH 10.5 GALLONS. TOYOTA SPECS STATES THAT THE FUEL TANK SHOULD HAVE A 14.5 GALLON CAPACITY, AND WHEN THE EMPTY LIGHT TURNS ON, THERE SHOULD BE 2.3 GALLONS LEFT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE COMMUNICATED THIS TO TOYOTA HEAD…

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WHEN THE EMPTY LIGHT ON THE GAS TANK OF MY TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID LE TURNS ON, I AM ONLY ABLE TO FILL THE TANK WITH 10.5 GALLONS. TOYOTA SPECS STATES THAT THE FUEL TANK SHOULD HAVE A 14.5 GALLON CAPACITY, AND WHEN THE EMPTY LIGHT TURNS ON, THERE SHOULD BE 2.3 GALLONS LEFT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE COMMUNICATED THIS TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND TO ROSEVILLE TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA, BUT THEY STATE THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT WITHIN THE LIST OF AFFECTED CARS, AND THEY REFUSE TO CHECK ON THE ISSUE TO CONFIRM MY COMPLAINT AND ADD MY VIN TO ANY PROGRAM OR SUPPORT THEY MIGHT HAVE.

NHTSA ODI #11374583

1,500 miles · Nov 6, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

THE GAS TANK IS RATED AT 14.5 GALLONS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET MORE THAN 10 GALLONS OF GAS AT FILL UP ONCE I HAVE GONE 30 MILES AFTER I HAVE 0 MILES REMAINING TO FILL UP. I CAN NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR 580 MILES AS TOYOTA HAS STATED. I DO GET AROUND 43 MPG DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC ONLY.

NHTSA ODI #11373461

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.

Go deeper into Toyota RAV4 problems