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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
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Engine Maintenaince Required, Visit Dealer message came on, googled problem and Coolant Bypass Valve keeps popping up.

NHTSA ODI #11590350

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2024
Engine

Engine maintenance required, contact dealer Alert displaying to replace coolant bypass valve. Vehicle has 38,144 miles. Internet search of this issue has been reported by several consumers with vehicles less then 4 years old. Not covered under warranty and quoted at $700- ridiculous!

NHTSA ODI #11590086

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2024
Engine

The vehicle start showing the ( Engine maintenance required) message around 40k miles. The bypass coolant valve needs to be replaced. The dealership did confirm the issue. The issue will result in the engine overheating or seizure. A lot of people who own RAV4 2019-2024 had the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11590051

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2024
Engine

Engine Maintenance Required

NHTSA ODI #11589404

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2024
Air BagsCrash

The contact owned a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 55MPH, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle head-on. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained a bruised chest and severe pain that required medical attention. A police report was …

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The contact owned a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 55MPH, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle head-on. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained a bruised chest and severe pain that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed, however, the contact was unaware of the whereabouts. The insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). However, a notice was received after the crash. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI #11589370

48,000 miles · May 16, 2024
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the "Engine Maintenance Required" warning illuminated. The contact stated that the instrument cluster displayed the warning; however, all information, including the speedometer, mileage, fuel, and temperature gauge went blank. The contact…

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The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the "Engine Maintenance Required" warning illuminated. The contact stated that the instrument cluster displayed the warning; however, all information, including the speedometer, mileage, fuel, and temperature gauge went blank. The contact stated that power was not lost and was able to continue driving to the destination. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the instrument cluster functioned as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure and occurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #11589158

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Toyota RAV 4 vehicles prior to their 2023 versions are subject to CAN bus injection attacks resulting in the theft of the vehicle. I demand that Toyota provide the encryption fix to all previous years of vehicles and/or provide a physical method for protecting vulnerable spots where CAN bus attacks can occur. Methods like air …

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Toyota RAV 4 vehicles prior to their 2023 versions are subject to CAN bus injection attacks resulting in the theft of the vehicle. I demand that Toyota provide the encryption fix to all previous years of vehicles and/or provide a physical method for protecting vulnerable spots where CAN bus attacks can occur. Methods like air gapping connections to devices accessible to the outside of the vehicle as well as better encryption for their keys.

NHTSA ODI #11589085

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2024
Structure

OVER A PERIOD OF TME WATER HAS BEEN COLLECTING IN THE RIGHT REAR DOOR. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE RAV4 OF THIS PARTICLE YEAR. DURING MY SEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE DRAIN HOLES AT BOTTOM OF THE DOOR UNDER A RUBBER GASKET. I LIFTED THE GASKET UP AND THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER …

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OVER A PERIOD OF TME WATER HAS BEEN COLLECTING IN THE RIGHT REAR DOOR. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE RAV4 OF THIS PARTICLE YEAR. DURING MY SEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE DRAIN HOLES AT BOTTOM OF THE DOOR UNDER A RUBBER GASKET. I LIFTED THE GASKET UP AND THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT CAME OUT. AFTER A COUPLE MORE RAINS THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED FROM AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM AND THEY STATED THAT THE GASKET ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED , BUT NOT ONLY THE RIGHT REAR DOOR BUT ALL THREE OF THE OTHER DOORS AS WELL, BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THE WATER WAS GETTING IN THE DOORS. I HAD TO PAY OVER $500 IN ORDER TO GET THIS REPAIR WHICH I FEEL THE COST SHOULD BE ABSORBED BY TOYOTA BECAUSE A DESIGN FLAW. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ODI #11588996

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2024
Engine

engine maintenance required light, after much research it shows it is a common defect in 2019-2022 models. Coolant Bypass Valve malfunction or failure. This can lead to overheating/fire. Appeared at 70k, all maintenance done by certified toyota dealership

NHTSA ODI #11588981

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2024
Engine

Engine maintenance light comes on this is not the maintenance light this morning light is not in the owner's manual I had to Google the problem to find out the answer it is a faulty coolant bypass valve my car has 47,000 miles other people have reported the same issue Toyota won't acknowledge and won't fix the problem there are …

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Engine maintenance light comes on this is not the maintenance light this morning light is not in the owner's manual I had to Google the problem to find out the answer it is a faulty coolant bypass valve my car has 47,000 miles other people have reported the same issue Toyota won't acknowledge and won't fix the problem there are complaints from many other people about this

NHTSA ODI #11588958

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