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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

Visibility/wiper complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2024
Visibility/wiper

Driving at highway speeds with no other vehicles around, sunroof closed but shade open, sunroof exploded. Edges of sunroof that didn't fall in were pushed up as if an over pressure condition had occurred. There was no evidence of anything striking the glass found upon inspection. Quick internet search confirms others with this s…

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Driving at highway speeds with no other vehicles around, sunroof closed but shade open, sunroof exploded. Edges of sunroof that didn't fall in were pushed up as if an over pressure condition had occurred. There was no evidence of anything striking the glass found upon inspection. Quick internet search confirms others with this same make/model have experienced the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11602886

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2023
Visibility/wiper

It is a common occurence on the 2020 models that the driver and passenger side mirrors begin to extrmely shake after being exposed to water. There are rentention clips that just fall out which results in the mirror itself beiginning to shake extremely making the driver disoriented along with making it very difficult to use see t…

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It is a common occurence on the 2020 models that the driver and passenger side mirrors begin to extrmely shake after being exposed to water. There are rentention clips that just fall out which results in the mirror itself beiginning to shake extremely making the driver disoriented along with making it very difficult to use see traffic coming from behind. Especially in high speed situations such as freeways.

NHTSA ODI #11533188

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2022
Visibility/wiper

Windshield cracked right below windshield wiper on passenger side. No damage prior to crack, appears windshield failed. Car is not even two years old yet. Reading online this is a common failure point for the windshield on the Rav4, but Toyota will not acknowledge it.

NHTSA ODI #11473898

5,400 miles · Mar 15, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

WHEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN COVERED CARPORT SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY POPPED AND SHATTERED

NHTSA ODI #11402996

8,000 miles · Feb 17, 2021
Visibility/wiper

FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER 1/2 OF THE WINDSHIELD, BUT NOT ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE. AS SUCH, THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WILL ICE-OVER DURING NORMAL WINTER SNOW CONDITIONS. ADDITIONALLY, PASSENGER-SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE DEFROSTER AND WILL FREEZE OVER, ALLOWING THE WIPER…

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FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER 1/2 OF THE WINDSHIELD, BUT NOT ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE. AS SUCH, THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WILL ICE-OVER DURING NORMAL WINTER SNOW CONDITIONS. ADDITIONALLY, PASSENGER-SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE DEFROSTER AND WILL FREEZE OVER, ALLOWING THE WIPER TO BUILD-UP ICE THAT MAY SCRATCH THE WINDSHIELD. BECAUSE OF THE AUTOMATIC WEATHER SYSTEM, IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO RUIN YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM THE AUTOMATIC WEATHER SYSTEM TURNING THE WIPERS ON TO FULL IN AN ATTEMPT TO TRY AND REMOVE THE ICE. BECAUSE THE ICE NEVER MELTS, IT CAN'T WIPE THE ICE OFF AND THUS CONTINUES WIPING AT FULL-SPEED. IF THIS PERSISTS, MOTOR WILL BURN-OUT LEAVING BOTH WIPERS OUT OF COMMISSION. I HAD THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY IN NORMAL SNOW CONDITIONS. BOTH SIDES OF WINDSHIELD LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE CENTER 1/2 FROZE OVER AND BECAME HARD TO DEFROST, AND THE PASSENGER-SIDE WIPER HAD AN ICE BUILD-UP. SEEMS TO AFFECT THE 2019-2021 MODEL RAV4 AS WELL AS SOME 4RUNNER MODELS WITH THE SAME DEFROSTER BUILD.

NHTSA ODI #11396617

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

I BOUGHT MY 2020 RAV4 LE VIN: [XXX] LAST JAN.2020 I NOTICED THE BACK DOOR GLASS HAS A LOT OF CIRCLES COMING FROM EFFECT OF SUCTION GLASS HANDLER THESE CIRCLES BECOME VERY VISIBLE WITH HUMIDITY AND CAUSE DECREASE IN MY VISION TO THE BACK OF MY CAR SPECIALTY AT NIGHT I CAN'T DECIDE HOW FAR IS CAR BEHIND ME AND TOTALLY UNSAFE. WHE…

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I BOUGHT MY 2020 RAV4 LE VIN: [XXX] LAST JAN.2020 I NOTICED THE BACK DOOR GLASS HAS A LOT OF CIRCLES COMING FROM EFFECT OF SUCTION GLASS HANDLER THESE CIRCLES BECOME VERY VISIBLE WITH HUMIDITY AND CAUSE DECREASE IN MY VISION TO THE BACK OF MY CAR SPECIALTY AT NIGHT I CAN'T DECIDE HOW FAR IS CAR BEHIND ME AND TOTALLY UNSAFE. WHEN I TRIED TO COMPLAIN TO DEALER THEY ARE SO RUDE AND NOT COOPERATIVE, STORE MANAGER HIS NAME [XXX] SAID YOU CAN COMPLAIN TO TOYOTA NOT US INSISTING ON ITS NOT A DEFECT IN MY CAR . JUST FYI I RECORDED MY COMPLAIN AT DEALER OFFICE 2 TIMES. THEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY FILE CASE NUMBER [XXX] ASKING ME TO GIVE THEM TIME TO INVESTIGATE ON 12/11/ 2020 AT 6:20 PM EST I RECEIVED PHONE CALL FROM CASE MANAGER HER NAME IS [XXX] THE PHONE CALL IS RECORDED SHE SAID AFTER INVESTIGATIONS ALL RAV4 2020 HAS SAME PROBLEM OF CIRCLES IN HATCHBACK GLASS DOOR AND IT COMES FROM THE WAY HOW THE CAR BUILT AND THIS MAKES THE GLASS CONTAINS A LOT OF CIRCLES I TOLD HER THIS DEFECT IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT DECREASES MY VISION SHE SAID TOYOTA DOES NOT CONSIDER THESE CIRCLES A DEFECT ITS JUST BECAUSE THE WAY THE BUILT THE CAR. PLEASE HELP ME I PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO BUY BRAND NEW CAR THEN SURPRISED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA CONSIDER THIS NOT A PROBLEM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11383246

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2020
Visibility/wiper

MY WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY A SMALL ROCK FROM THE VAN ON THE LEFT LANE. IT CAUSED A CHIP BUT IT CRACKED ALMOST 15 INCHES ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD. I HAVE SEEN CHIP FROM MY PREVIOUS VEHICLES BUT IT NEVER LEFT A CRACK, THAT INSURANCE COVERED IT WITH NO DEDUCTIBLE. OTHER THAN NEEDING THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED, IT NEEDS TO BE CALIBRATE…

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MY WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY A SMALL ROCK FROM THE VAN ON THE LEFT LANE. IT CAUSED A CHIP BUT IT CRACKED ALMOST 15 INCHES ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD. I HAVE SEEN CHIP FROM MY PREVIOUS VEHICLES BUT IT NEVER LEFT A CRACK, THAT INSURANCE COVERED IT WITH NO DEDUCTIBLE. OTHER THAN NEEDING THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED, IT NEEDS TO BE CALIBRATED TOO OR SOME SENSORS WON'T WORK. THAT'S ANOTHER $390 PLUS TAX FROM TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER. I SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE FROM AUTOGLASS NOW LOCATED AT RALEIGH, NC, THAT I CONTRACTED TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD, SHE SAID THEY'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF RAV 4 LATELY WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING. I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE AND SPENT $20, JUST TO SPEND $600 COS OF A BROKEN WINDSHIELD. TOYOTA PUT A CHEAP KIND OF GLASS THAT IT CRACKED BY A SMALL ROCK. THIS VEHICLE ISN'T CHEAP EITHER. TOYOTA, WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR US CONSUMERS? THIS IS SUCH A HASSLE AND EXPENSIVE INCONVENIENCE.

NHTSA ODI #11337075

40 miles · May 30, 2020
Visibility/wiper

SIDE MIRRORS VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MAKES IT HARD TO SEE WHEN CHANGING LANES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326582

200 miles · Nov 27, 2019
Visibility/wiper

SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SHAKING WHEN ON HIGHWAY SPEED

NHTSA ODI #11282630

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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