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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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300 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

THE GAS TANK ON MY NEW TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID, MODEL YEAR 2020 WILL NOT EVER FILL TO CAPACITY OR ANYWHERE NEAR IT. I PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2019. THE ADVERTISED RANGE OF THE CAR WAS OVER 500 MILES PER TANK AND MY RANGE IS ONLY 375 MILES TYPICALLY. AFTER A SEARCH ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM EVEN BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR, YE…

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THE GAS TANK ON MY NEW TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID, MODEL YEAR 2020 WILL NOT EVER FILL TO CAPACITY OR ANYWHERE NEAR IT. I PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2019. THE ADVERTISED RANGE OF THE CAR WAS OVER 500 MILES PER TANK AND MY RANGE IS ONLY 375 MILES TYPICALLY. AFTER A SEARCH ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM EVEN BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR, YET I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE DEFECT OF THE TANK BY TOYOTA THAT IT WILL NOT FILL TO ANYWHERE NEAR THE STATED 14.5 GALLONS.

NHTSA ODI #11309704

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

GAS TANK DOES NOT FILL ALL THE WAY

NHTSA ODI #11309444

1,600 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR STOPPED AT GAS STATION WITH FUEL GAUGE EMPTY. CAR ADVERTISED AS HAVING A 14.5G FUEL TANK AND A RANGE OF 550+ MILES. WHEN TANK IS EMPTY IT WILL ONLY ALLOW 10-10.5 GALLONS OF FUEL BEFORE FULL. HAS EXHIBITED THIS BEHAVIOR ALL 4 TIMES BEING FILLED UP. TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS SINCE THE REDESIGNED 2019 MODEL YEAR AND CON…

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CAR STOPPED AT GAS STATION WITH FUEL GAUGE EMPTY. CAR ADVERTISED AS HAVING A 14.5G FUEL TANK AND A RANGE OF 550+ MILES. WHEN TANK IS EMPTY IT WILL ONLY ALLOW 10-10.5 GALLONS OF FUEL BEFORE FULL. HAS EXHIBITED THIS BEHAVIOR ALL 4 TIMES BEING FILLED UP. TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS SINCE THE REDESIGNED 2019 MODEL YEAR AND CONTINUES TO SELL CARS WITH NO NOTIFICATION TO CUSTOMERS LEAVING THEM TO GUESS HOW MUCH FUEL IS LEFT OR, AT WORSE TRY TO OVERFILL TO CAPACITY.

NHTSA ODI #11308536

1,193 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

I PURCHASED MY CAR ON 12-21-19 WITH THE EXPLICIT SALES CLAIM THAT THE 2020 RAV4 HYBRID TANK HOLDS 14.5 GALLONS. I WAS PROMISED THAT I COULD DRIVE OVER 550 MILES ON ONE TANK OF GAS. HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD TO REFUEL MY CAR 3 TIMES ALREADY. EACH TIME WHEN MY CAR FUEL TANK EMPTY LIGHT TURNED ON, I COULD ONLY GET BETWEEN 10-10.8 GALLONS…

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I PURCHASED MY CAR ON 12-21-19 WITH THE EXPLICIT SALES CLAIM THAT THE 2020 RAV4 HYBRID TANK HOLDS 14.5 GALLONS. I WAS PROMISED THAT I COULD DRIVE OVER 550 MILES ON ONE TANK OF GAS. HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD TO REFUEL MY CAR 3 TIMES ALREADY. EACH TIME WHEN MY CAR FUEL TANK EMPTY LIGHT TURNED ON, I COULD ONLY GET BETWEEN 10-10.8 GALLONS UNTIL IT'S 'FULL.' I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE ONLY 354-413 MILES ON A 'FULL' TANK OF GAS, A FAR CRY FROM THE 550 MILES PROMISED. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE OPENED UP A CASE NUMBER WITH TOYOTA CORPORATION. THEY DENY EVER HAVING HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND DO NOT HAVE A FIX. DOING A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE PULLS UP COUNTLESS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR ON CAR FORUMS. I ALSO LEARNED THAT A COUPLE OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS HAVE ALSO BEEN RECENTLY FILED.

NHTSA ODI #11308400

900 miles · Feb 7, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

MY 2020 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID DOES NOT GET THE RANGE NOR FUEL TANK CAPACITY AS ADVERTISED BY TOYOTA. THE FUEL TANK IS SPECIFIED AS 14.7 GALLONS, BUT MAXIMUM THAT I AM ABLE TO PUT IN IS AROUND 12 GALLONS AFTER FUEL TANK IS COMPLETELY EMPTY. BEING ABLE TO PUMP EVEN THIS MUCH FUEL INTO THE TANK IS ONLY POSSIBLE AFTER MANY PUMP RESTART…

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MY 2020 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID DOES NOT GET THE RANGE NOR FUEL TANK CAPACITY AS ADVERTISED BY TOYOTA. THE FUEL TANK IS SPECIFIED AS 14.7 GALLONS, BUT MAXIMUM THAT I AM ABLE TO PUT IN IS AROUND 12 GALLONS AFTER FUEL TANK IS COMPLETELY EMPTY. BEING ABLE TO PUMP EVEN THIS MUCH FUEL INTO THE TANK IS ONLY POSSIBLE AFTER MANY PUMP RESTARTS. THIS IS A BOTH A SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AS I HAVE TO CIRCUMVENT THE AUTOMATIC PUMP STOP.

NHTSA ODI #11307757

450 miles · Feb 5, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

THE ACTUAL FUEL TANK CAPACITY OF THE 2019-2020 RAV4 HYBRIDS DO NOT MATCH THE ADVERTISED CAPACITY. THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO ENTER THE TANK WHEN THE GAUGE SHOWS NEARLY EMPTY IS 9-11 GALLONS IF UNSAFE FUELING PRACTICES ARE USED. THE FUEL NOZZLE FROM THE PUMP MUST BE PULLED OUT FROM THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT IT …

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THE ACTUAL FUEL TANK CAPACITY OF THE 2019-2020 RAV4 HYBRIDS DO NOT MATCH THE ADVERTISED CAPACITY. THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO ENTER THE TANK WHEN THE GAUGE SHOWS NEARLY EMPTY IS 9-11 GALLONS IF UNSAFE FUELING PRACTICES ARE USED. THE FUEL NOZZLE FROM THE PUMP MUST BE PULLED OUT FROM THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT IT FROM SHUTTING OFF WHILE REFUELING.

NHTSA ODI #11307182

1,000 miles · Feb 4, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL FILLING SHUTS OFF WHEN AT GAS PUMP. TANK NOT CAPABLE OF FILLING TO TOYOTA SPEC GALLON CAPACITY (14.5). MAXIMUM 10.5 GALLONS. GREATLY REDUCING OVERALL MILEAGE AND POSING SAFETY RISK WHEN MANUALLY TOPPING OFF GAS TANK.

NHTSA ODI #11306912

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

OUR 2020 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID XSE HAS A FAULTY FUEL TANK. TOYOTA ADVERTISED THAT THE TANK IS 14.5 GALLONS. WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO FILL ABOUT 10 GALLONS.

NHTSA ODI #11306892

359 miles · Feb 1, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON (IN THE MANUAL INDICATES THERE'S ABOUT 2.2 GALLONS LEFT IN THE TANK), I CAN PUMP ABOUT 9 GALLONS OF FUEL INTO THE TANK TO THE FIRST CLICK-OFF FROM THE GAS PUMP. SO, FOR A 14.5-GALLON TANK WITH A *2.2-GALLON RESERVE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT ABOUT 12 GALLONS IN WHEN I FUEL UP, NOT 9 GALLONS. THE F…

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WHEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON (IN THE MANUAL INDICATES THERE'S ABOUT 2.2 GALLONS LEFT IN THE TANK), I CAN PUMP ABOUT 9 GALLONS OF FUEL INTO THE TANK TO THE FIRST CLICK-OFF FROM THE GAS PUMP. SO, FOR A 14.5-GALLON TANK WITH A *2.2-GALLON RESERVE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT ABOUT 12 GALLONS IN WHEN I FUEL UP, NOT 9 GALLONS. THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT SHOW FULL WHEN FUELING AND THE PUMP FIRST CUTS OFF, IT'S BETWEEN 3/4 AND FULL. THE DTE (DISTANCE TO EMPTY) WILL SHOW ABOUT 410 MILES AT THIS POINT. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO FILL THE TANK TO IT'S STATED CAPACITY. THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY A TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA INDICATED TO THE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE IS NO FIX. TOYOTA IS CONTINUING TO SELL THE RAV4 HYBRIDS WITH DEFECTIVE GAS TANKS.

NHTSA ODI #11306432

430 miles · Jan 31, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

TOYOTA ADVERTISED AND SOLD THE CAR WITH 14.5 GALLON TANK, BUT I CANNOT FILL MORE THAN 10 GALLONS BEFORE THE PUMP SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY, AND I DO NOT GET THE RANGE THAT IS ADVERTISED.

NHTSA ODI #11306380

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