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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.

About this comparison →

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

120 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2024
Unknown Or Other

I began having problems with my liftgate, i would press the button either in my vehicle or on top of the liftgate and it would only go up & down a little bit and stop. I took it to the dealer and was told the hinges are bad and I had to pay almost $500 to repair! Within a few days, I had the same issue again. After doing resea…

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I began having problems with my liftgate, i would press the button either in my vehicle or on top of the liftgate and it would only go up & down a little bit and stop. I took it to the dealer and was told the hinges are bad and I had to pay almost $500 to repair! Within a few days, I had the same issue again. After doing research I saw thousands of people complaining about the same issue and fee I completely wasted my money to the dealer as its worse then ever! Also, the several of the other owners of these vehicles are stating that after they paid to repair the hinges and took vehicles back to dealer, they are being told the need a motor and thats about $3500! I would love to see a recall as I am far form the only person with this issue, I will also be calling Toyota Customer Care as I will request a fix again or a complete refund. Thank you Please contact me if you have any questions.

NHTSA ODI #11585733

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Coolant bypass valve

NHTSA ODI #11584806

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2024
StructureUnknown Or Other

lift gate doesn’t open and close properly

NHTSA ODI #11579590

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Engine maintenance required, visit your dealer. There are a lot of Toyota owners with this issue and they said it is the coolant bypass valve. Toyota needs to fix/recall this issue. They want to charge us 700 dlls but it should be free.

NHTSA ODI #11579370

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2024
Unknown Or Other

I have 48,000 miles on my 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium, received an Engine warning system light on vehicle, I took the vehicle to my local Toyota dealer in Gastonia, NC, to be told it was a faulty coolant bypass valve. I have noticed online that this has been a reoccurring problem with 2019-2020 RAV4. They quoted me a price of $…

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I have 48,000 miles on my 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium, received an Engine warning system light on vehicle, I took the vehicle to my local Toyota dealer in Gastonia, NC, to be told it was a faulty coolant bypass valve. I have noticed online that this has been a reoccurring problem with 2019-2020 RAV4. They quoted me a price of $619.00 to fix. With my car being newer and only having 48,000 miles, I feel this is a fault of Toyota, not mine. Faulty equipment failure on their part.

NHTSA ODI #11578025

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2024
Unknown Or Other

The engine coolant bypass valve was faulty. The car would not start so I was left stranded 15 miles from home and had to have car towed to Toyota dealer. The problem was confirmed by dealer and they were aware that it was a known issue. The vehicle was inspected by multiple Toyota dealerships. My vehicle displayed an engine main…

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The engine coolant bypass valve was faulty. The car would not start so I was left stranded 15 miles from home and had to have car towed to Toyota dealer. The problem was confirmed by dealer and they were aware that it was a known issue. The vehicle was inspected by multiple Toyota dealerships. My vehicle displayed an engine maintenance light. The dealerships found the code P268115: Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit short to battery or open

NHTSA ODI #11567111

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2024
Unknown Or Other

I was driving along at 70 mph on I80 near Park City, UT and heard a noise like a window was rolled down. Check the windows and none were down. Opened the sunroof cover and saw a large hole in the sunroof. It looked like it exploded outward. I duct taped the entire sunroof so it wouldn’t leave the vehicle. I noticed the edges o…

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I was driving along at 70 mph on I80 near Park City, UT and heard a noise like a window was rolled down. Check the windows and none were down. Opened the sunroof cover and saw a large hole in the sunroof. It looked like it exploded outward. I duct taped the entire sunroof so it wouldn’t leave the vehicle. I noticed the edges of the sunroof are cracked. Toyota dealer wanted $11,000+ to repair. Insurance company wants us to use Sunroof Express to repair.

NHTSA ODI #11565354

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Engine bypass valve sensor is faulty. Many users have reported this past 40k miles on RAV4 2019-2021

NHTSA ODI #11558462

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Coolant bypass valve less than 40k miles and there is hundreds of them going bad this needs to be a recall issue

NHTSA ODI #11557699

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2023
Unknown Or Other

2020 Toyota Rav4 - Cooling valve failure reported and is not covered under warranty or recalled. Car only has 35k miles. This is apparently a common issue as the dealer knew the problem before even doing any diagnosis. Once I told them the "Engine Maintenance Required" message was on, they said "Oh, thats usually the coolant …

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2020 Toyota Rav4 - Cooling valve failure reported and is not covered under warranty or recalled. Car only has 35k miles. This is apparently a common issue as the dealer knew the problem before even doing any diagnosis. Once I told them the "Engine Maintenance Required" message was on, they said "Oh, thats usually the coolant bypass valve". If it is that common an issue it should be recalled. Toyota should take ownership of this issue and fix / reimburse people for the problem. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11551642

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