2020 Toyota RAV4

The Rear Hatch started to get stuck. It is automatic so you would normally press a button to open and close and it would slowly move up or down and close shut on its own. When the issue started, it would "pop open" but stay stuck to a point where I would need to manually lift it open. (hitting my head on it often) Right before I took it to the dealership service, it would not close properly. While it seemed close, the notification showed it open therefore, not allowing me to lock my car and the lights on the car would need to stay on while car was parked and off. Driving home, the "open door" notification was beeping non-stop. Once again I had to open and close manually until it was considered "closed" Brought the car into the Toyota Dealership to assess. They found that the power lift gate hinges on the door were coming off and it needs to go to an Auto Body for realignment. I performed research online and found this to be a very common issue with the Toyota RAV4's. I have had leased 2 RAV4's prior to this one and never had a problem (those were manual hatches) [XXX] [XXX] My car has 33k miles on it although this issue (not as severe) started a while ago. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? THE HINGES ARE BROKEN ON THE HATCH How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS IS PUT AT RISK BECAUSE THE HINGE IS BROKEN. THE HATCH WILL NOT CLOSE THEREFOR COULD FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? THE ISSUE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP BUT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM, ANOTHER APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED TUESDAY10/22 Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO This is not a rare issue. I have seen dozens upon dozens of articles on Google, Facebook and Reddit of others dealing with the same exact issue. Examples: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

This vehicle is equipped with a power back door (PBD) that has begun to malfunction. March 29, 2024 was the first occurrence of the PBD malfunction when the opened back door would not fully close after clicking the appropriate button on the electronic key switch. There were no warnings that preceded the malfunction. The PBD would only close the back door a few inches before stopping. Additional clicks only closed it a few more inches and manual closing (requiring significant pressure) was required to fully close the door. Additional random occurrences of this PBD malfunction have happened over the past six months and have now become so frequent that on September 30, 2024 I turned off (via the multi-information display) the PBD function and must now resort to fully manual opening and closing of the back door. Based on multiple other complaints filed with NHTSA for this particular vehicle (2020 Toyota RAV4; NHTSA ID Numbers 11572353, 11572802, 11573768, 11579590, 11585733), I inspected the edges of the back door, the body's back door cavity, and the two back door spindles for damage, foreign objects, dirt, etc. that might impede PDB operation and found none. I also inspected the two back door hinges and saw no damage, no warping, no corrosion, and no movement of the hinges from their original installation locations. This PBD malfunction affects safety as the force required to manually open and close the back door is significant and operation of the back door might be impossible for people not physically able to effect the force needed. The vehicle is available for inspection and has not yet been inspected by the Toyota dealer where I purchased the vehicle in August 2020 or by others.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side rear side door became flooded after inclement weather. The contact stated that while attempting to open the door, there was a slushing sound coming from the door. The vehicle was not taken to be inspected. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's and both passenger's side doors were filled with water inside the door panels. The contact stated that the water had to be shaken out of the door panels. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer being serviced, the dealer unofficially informed the contact that the failure was due to failed door seals. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

The contact's son owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that when it rained, rainwater entered the vehicle onto the passenger’s side front door panel. The contact stated that the sound of the water slushing around in the front passenger's door panel was very distracting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed door trim. The contact was informed that the front passenger’s side door trim needed to be cut and drained. The contact stated that there was more than a gallon of water released from the front passenger's side door panel drain. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side rear doors were retaining water. The water was sloshy inside the doors while driving. The contact had to drain the water from both doors. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.

Trunk lift gate unable to close or open properly due to faulty lift gate shock and strut supports as diagnosed by dealership in January 2024. As of then there is was no ETA on parts to complete repair and was blamed on Toyota not supplying enough parts beyond new vehicles and warranties vehicles. Only resolution was to not use the trunk, or as little as possible and told that I was added to a 700+ person waiting list.

For about a year now the back hatch has not opened or closed properly. It sometimes stops just after the latch releases and will not go up. Sometimes it will not come down when you use the switch or it only comes down a few inches and stops. Recently the rear hatch is not aligned with the door opening and does not shut properly. When the rear hatch is closed, you can see that it is not seated in the opening. One side is still open. You can hear road noise from the rear hatch. I worry that exhaust fumes are getting in the rear hatch.