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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

What owners actually said

634 reports
9,200 miles · Apr 3, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL GAUGE NOT PROPERTY WORKING AND GIVING INADEQUATE FUEL AMOUNTS LEFT IN TANK. AT 1/2 OF TANK IT'S MISREPRESENTATION OF ACTUAL FUEL LEFT THAT CAN LEAD TO BEING STRANDED.

NHTSA ODI #11406231

408 miles · Mar 20, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

TOYOTA IS SELLING RAV4 HYBRID 2020 WITH DEFECTIVE GAS TANK. THEY ADVERTISE A 14 GALLON TANK AND ONLY 9-10 GALLONS FILL IT. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE STILL SELLING VEHICLES TO THE PUBLIC.

NHTSA ODI #11403990

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

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL TANK CAPACITY WHEN THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW WAS 9.3 GALLONS BETWEEN LOW FUEL LIGHT TO REFUEL CLICK AT GAS PUMP. AFTER FUEL TANK CAPACITY AFTER FUEL TANK AND PUMP REPLACEMENT IS 11.3 GALLONS. THIS IS BETWEEN WHEN THE LOW FUEL INDICATION ASSERTS TO WHEN REFUELING CLICKS AT THE GAS STATION. THIS IS STILL WELL BELOW THE ADVERT…

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FUEL TANK CAPACITY WHEN THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW WAS 9.3 GALLONS BETWEEN LOW FUEL LIGHT TO REFUEL CLICK AT GAS PUMP. AFTER FUEL TANK CAPACITY AFTER FUEL TANK AND PUMP REPLACEMENT IS 11.3 GALLONS. THIS IS BETWEEN WHEN THE LOW FUEL INDICATION ASSERTS TO WHEN REFUELING CLICKS AT THE GAS STATION. THIS IS STILL WELL BELOW THE ADVERTISED FUEL CAPACITY OF 14.5 GALLONS. A SOFTWARE RESET WAS DONE, BUT THE FUEL CAPACITY DID NOT CHANGE. THIS CAUSES US TO REFUEL MORE OFTEN THAN EXPECTED SINCE THE ADVERTISED RANGE OF 500 MILES ON A TANK OF GAS CAN NOT BE ACHIEVED. HAD WE KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR, WE WOULD EITHER NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR OR PAID LESS. TOYOTA IS STILL SELLING THESE CARS WITHOUT WARNING CUSTOMERS OF THE FALSE ADVERTISEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11402874

3,900 miles · Mar 8, 2021
Lane Departure

WHEN THE FEATURE IS ENGAGED, THE CAR CHANGES LANES. HAD IT INSPECTED AND ADJUSTED BY THE DEALER. DEALER SAID "IF I DON'T LIKE THE FEATURE, TURN IT OFF" SO I DO NOT USE THIS "SAFETY" FEATURE AS IT WOULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I'VE ONLY TURNED IT ON WHEN I CAN DO SO SAFELY WITHOUT SOMEONE NEAR ME TO SHOW. FEATURE IS ON…

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WHEN THE FEATURE IS ENGAGED, THE CAR CHANGES LANES. HAD IT INSPECTED AND ADJUSTED BY THE DEALER. DEALER SAID "IF I DON'T LIKE THE FEATURE, TURN IT OFF" SO I DO NOT USE THIS "SAFETY" FEATURE AS IT WOULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I'VE ONLY TURNED IT ON WHEN I CAN DO SO SAFELY WITHOUT SOMEONE NEAR ME TO SHOW. FEATURE IS ONLY ENGAGED OVER 35 MPH SO WHEN I AM ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11399805

6,000 miles · Mar 7, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR 3 OR 4 DAYS I DRIVEN THE BATTERY DIES AND NEEDS TO BE JUMPED TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. NO LIGHTS LEFT ON OR ANYTHING. ON COLD START THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE THAT HAS BEEN GETTING LOUDER OVER THAT LAST FEW MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11399567

1,481 miles · Mar 5, 2021
Electrical System

2020 RAV4 HYBRID: BATTERY KEEPS DYING. PURCHASED 6/22/20, BATTERY DIED MULTIPLE TIMES 3 WEEKS LATER, BATTERY REPLACED 7/16/20. BATTERY DYING AGAIN 2/19/21 AND AGAIN 3/5/21. ONGOING ISSUE. ALSO HEAD UNIT W/USB PORT HAD TO BE REPLACED 12/8/20 AFTER FOUND INOPERABLE MULTIPLE TIMES, THE FINAL BEING 11/9/20. BOTH STOPPED WORKING AFTE…

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2020 RAV4 HYBRID: BATTERY KEEPS DYING. PURCHASED 6/22/20, BATTERY DIED MULTIPLE TIMES 3 WEEKS LATER, BATTERY REPLACED 7/16/20. BATTERY DYING AGAIN 2/19/21 AND AGAIN 3/5/21. ONGOING ISSUE. ALSO HEAD UNIT W/USB PORT HAD TO BE REPLACED 12/8/20 AFTER FOUND INOPERABLE MULTIPLE TIMES, THE FINAL BEING 11/9/20. BOTH STOPPED WORKING AFTER SITTING 1-3 DAYS. MAIN. RECORDS NOT UPLOADED SINCE FILE MAY BE PUBLIC DOMAIN, SENSITIVE INFORMATION ON RECORDS. TOYOTA MAY CONTACT ME DIRECTLY FOR RECORDS HOWEVER, AS I HAVE KEPT ALL OF THEM.

NHTSA ODI #11399439

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE MILEAGE I AM GETTING IS FAR BELOW THE STATED RATING ON THE STICKER. I AM AVERAGING ABOUT 33.5 MPG IN MIXED DRIVING WHEREAS THE STATED RATING IS 41 MPG OVERALL. IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE. THE TANK WAS RECENTLY REPLACED BECAUSE YOU COULD NOT FILL THE TANK. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THE MILEAGE WHICH WAS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF BUYING TH…

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THE MILEAGE I AM GETTING IS FAR BELOW THE STATED RATING ON THE STICKER. I AM AVERAGING ABOUT 33.5 MPG IN MIXED DRIVING WHEREAS THE STATED RATING IS 41 MPG OVERALL. IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE. THE TANK WAS RECENTLY REPLACED BECAUSE YOU COULD NOT FILL THE TANK. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THE MILEAGE WHICH WAS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF BUYING THIS VEHICLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

NHTSA ODI #11397822

5,000 miles · Feb 23, 2021
Electrical SystemLane DepartureSteering

NEW VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR IT'S 5K MAINTENANCE, TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM. I POINTED OUT SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE GAS TANK RANGE, BSM, CAMERA SHUTTING OFF, AND THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE STEARING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO GO STRAIGHT. 5K MAINTENANCE IS PERFORMED, THEY NOTICED THE …

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NEW VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR IT'S 5K MAINTENANCE, TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM. I POINTED OUT SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE GAS TANK RANGE, BSM, CAMERA SHUTTING OFF, AND THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE STEARING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO GO STRAIGHT. 5K MAINTENANCE IS PERFORMED, THEY NOTICED THE CAR NEEDED TO BE REALIGNED. DRIVING HOME, NO DIFFERENCE FROM WHEN FIRST BROUGHT IN. BRING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY, THE DAY AFTER, I'AM NOTIFIED THAT THE CAR IS READY FOR PICK UP, I ASK WERE IF THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND WHAT CAUSED THE AGLINMENT TO GO OUT A SECOND TIME. THERE RESPONSE IS THAT THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF WHAT CAUSED IT. INFORM THEM THAT 1. I'AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND 2. THE LONG TERM DAMAGE THIS IS CAUSING. THEY INFORM ME THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO THE PROCESS, AND HAVE MANAGEMENT INVOLVED. NEXT DAY, MANAGER INFORMS ME THAT THE AGLINMENT MACHINE WAS OUT OF CALIBRATION, HE HAD TO STOP A TECHNICIAN FROM WORKING ON THE CAR, HAD THE MACHINE CALIBRATED, AND THAT HE PERSONALLY PERFORMED THE ALGINMENT. I PICK UP THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE TURNED TO THE LEFT TO GO STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AT 35-45MPH, SLOWING DOWN/STOPPING & ACCLERATING. BRING IT IN NEXT DAY, MANGER HAS 3 ALGINMENTS PERFORMED TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY VARIATIONS, TELLS ME EVERYTHING IS IN SPEC. IT IS SO PERFECT THEY DIDNT EVEN HAVE TO TAKE A WRENCH TO IT. REASSURES ME NUMEROUS TIMES THAT IT IS SAFE AND IN SPEC, HANDS ME A PAPER "PROVING" SO. DRIVE HOME, STEERING WHEEL IS STILL TO THE LEFT. I LOOK AT THE PAPER AND IT CLEARLY LISTS 3 VALUES THAT ARE MARKED AS NOT WITHIN SPEC, AND THAT IT MAY CAUSE WEAR, HANDLING AND SAFETY ISSUES. CAR IS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. DURING THERE TEST DRIVE THE TECH NOTICED THE WHEEL WAS JERKING TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEARING WHEEL NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE & THE ALGIMENT IS OUT OF SPEC.

NHTSA ODI #11397651

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

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