← New search

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
6,800 miles · Feb 17, 2021
Power Train

HYBRID MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11396574

7,200 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Unknown Or Other

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE DRIVEWAY FOR LESS THAN 24 HOURS, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS, DISENGAGE THE SHIFT FROM PARK, OR START THE ENGINE. THE BATTERY APPEARED TO HAVE CHARGE AS THE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. TOYOTA UPDATED THE SOFTWARE, BUT THIS FIX DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11396331

6,400 miles · Feb 12, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

LEASED MY 2030 RAV 4 XLE AWD IN LATE NOV 2019 IN JULY 2020 THE ENGINE STOPPING WHEN BREAKING FEATURE WOULD NOT WORK. MESSAGE SAID BATTERY CHARGING. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG THAT DIDN'T DRIVE IT ENOUGH. TOOK IT HOME. A WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN.DEALER KEPT IT OVERNIGHT TO CHECK…

Read full complaint

LEASED MY 2030 RAV 4 XLE AWD IN LATE NOV 2019 IN JULY 2020 THE ENGINE STOPPING WHEN BREAKING FEATURE WOULD NOT WORK. MESSAGE SAID BATTERY CHARGING. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG THAT DIDN'T DRIVE IT ENOUGH. TOOK IT HOME. A WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN.DEALER KEPT IT OVERNIGHT TO CHECK THE FULL ELECTRIC SYSTEM. FOUND NOTHING WRONG TOLD YOU DRIVE IT MORE. HAPPENS EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE. JUMP TO FEBRUARY 2021. DRIVING IT MORE PARKED CAR OUTSIDE 30 DEGREE NIGHT. NEXT MORNING WENT TO TAKE MY SON TO WORK AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DEAD. NOTHING WORKED. DIDN'T LEAVE ANYTHING ON, EVERYTHING LIKE IT ALWAYS WAS. CALLED TOYOTA SERVICE WHO SENT SOMEONE TO JUMPSTART IT. THAT WORKED. I WAS TOLD TO LET IT RUN FOR 30 MINS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOYOTA OF MASSAPEQUA NY. THEY CHECK THE BATTERY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT TO PREFORM A FIRMWARE UPDATE. I AM JUST READING THAT THE CAR BATTERY SHUTTING DOWN IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS. I HOPE THE FIRMWARE UPDATE WORKS BUT KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW I'M NOT SURE. WISH THE UPDATE WAS DOWN BACK IN JULY. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL ALL 2020 RAV 4

NHTSA ODI #11395956

15,000 miles · Feb 7, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2021 IN ATLANTA GA, THE VEHICLE, WHILE IN MOTION AT AROUND 30MPH, DISPLAYED A 'HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' WARNING AND BEGAN BEEPING AND TREMBLING. THE WARNING SAID THAT THE CAR MUST BE STOPPED WITHIN 0.9 MILES BUT LASTED FAR LESS THAN THAT, FULLY LOSING ANY EFFECT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MID-TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE …

Read full complaint

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2021 IN ATLANTA GA, THE VEHICLE, WHILE IN MOTION AT AROUND 30MPH, DISPLAYED A 'HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' WARNING AND BEGAN BEEPING AND TREMBLING. THE WARNING SAID THAT THE CAR MUST BE STOPPED WITHIN 0.9 MILES BUT LASTED FAR LESS THAN THAT, FULLY LOSING ANY EFFECT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MID-TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT ON MOMENTUM AND WAS STOPPED WITH A FINAL WARNING THAT BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED. HAD THIS VERY SITUATION OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE, IT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME, AND TO OUR UNBORN CHILD. THE VEHICLE IS 9 MONTHS OLD, WAS PURCHASED NEW, AND HAS AROUND 15,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11395034

320 miles · Feb 5, 2021
Structure

ON A CITY STREET, THIS IS A UNSAFE CONDITION ,THE CAR DO NOT HAVE A TOWING EYELET OR HOOK.VEHICLE BECAME STUCK, NO WAY TO BE REMOVE FROM STREET ,ACCIDENT ETC. .ALL RAV4 BEFORE HAVE THIS TOWING EYELET OR HOOK OR METAL RING TO HOOK A CHAIN AND REMOVE THE CAR FROM A DANGER SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #11394880

2,500 miles · Feb 3, 2021
Structure

WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE THROUGH A CAR WASH THE EDGE OF THE HOOD BY THE WINDSHIELD BUCKLES, FLEXES AND THEN RETURNS TO IT'S NORMAL SHAPE. THE HOOD ALSO HAS A RIPPLING APPEARANCE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS AROUND 70 MPH

NHTSA ODI #11394455

5,100 miles · Jan 30, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane DepartureService Brakes

A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2020 RAV4 XLE HYBRID, I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES SQUEAKS WHENEVER I MAKE A QUICK STOP, OR AFTER I RELEASE THE BRAKES AFTER STOPPING OR WHEN I AM BACKING UP. IT DOESN'T MATTER ON THE KIND OF ROAD THAT I AM ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR A HYBRID TO SQUE…

Read full complaint

A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2020 RAV4 XLE HYBRID, I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES SQUEAKS WHENEVER I MAKE A QUICK STOP, OR AFTER I RELEASE THE BRAKES AFTER STOPPING OR WHEN I AM BACKING UP. IT DOESN'T MATTER ON THE KIND OF ROAD THAT I AM ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR A HYBRID TO SQUEAKS DUE TO THE BREAK ACTUATOR. I KNOW PEOPLE WITH TOYOTA HYBRIDS AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11390814

4,976 miles · Jan 27, 2021
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME, DID NOT TURN ON AT ALL.VEHICLE WAS ONLY AT ABOUT 5K TOPS. CALLED ROADSIDE & WAS GIVEN A JUMPSTART.

NHTSA ODI #11390406

12,000 miles · Jan 25, 2021
Electrical System

VEHICLE PARKED FOR LESS THAN 24 HRS. 14 MONTHS OLD, APPROX 12,000MI. BATTERY TOTALLY DRAINED. LEFT STRANDED WITHOUT VEHICLE USE. INDICATES SMART KEY PROBLEM, TRIED OTHER KEYS. BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED.

NHTSA ODI #11389797

4,600 miles · Jan 25, 2021
Lane Departure

I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF INSTANCES WHERE MY VEHICLE'S LANE KEEP ASSIST WILL RANDOMLY JERK ME OUT OF MY LANE. IN SEPT 2020 I EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT EVENT OF THIS HAPPENING WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE OF AN INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE JERKED RIGHT SUDDENLY, PULLING THE VEHICLE INTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND ALMOST DROVE ME O…

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF INSTANCES WHERE MY VEHICLE'S LANE KEEP ASSIST WILL RANDOMLY JERK ME OUT OF MY LANE. IN SEPT 2020 I EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT EVENT OF THIS HAPPENING WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE OF AN INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE JERKED RIGHT SUDDENLY, PULLING THE VEHICLE INTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND ALMOST DROVE ME OFF THE INTERSTATE. ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT INSTANCE HAPPENED ON 1/23/2021. I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON I-44 AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF 3 LANES. MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT INTO THE LEFT LANE OF TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, THE VEHICLE NEXT TO ME SWERVED ONTO THE SHOULDER THINKING I WAS GOING TO HIT THEM. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REGULAR INCIDENTS OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT NOT AS SEVERE AS THESE TWO.*DT*DT THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON I-44, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE LEFT TOWARDS TRAFFIC. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR TECHNICIANS WERE ABLE DULICATE THE FAILURE BUT, UNABLE TO REPAIR IT.

NHTSA ODI #11389740

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