Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1600–25K
1725–50K
850–75K
175–100K
7100–150K
2150K+
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 26, 2021
Electrical System
2020 Hybrid Toyota RAV4 would not turn on, indicating "Smart Key System Malfunction" - has less than 7,000 miles on it, is driven daily, and no lights or other electrical components were left on in the vehicle between the last time it was driven and when it failed to start. Toyota Roadside Assistance was able to jump the 12V bat…
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2020 Hybrid Toyota RAV4 would not turn on, indicating "Smart Key System Malfunction" - has less than 7,000 miles on it, is driven daily, and no lights or other electrical components were left on in the vehicle between the last time it was driven and when it failed to start. Toyota Roadside Assistance was able to jump the 12V battery and get it started, but warned that it is not a long-term fix.
NHTSA ODI #11418641
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2021
Unknown Or Other
I purchased this vehicle in 2020 and from then this has happened twice and no information was provided when I serviced my vehicle or when the vehicle was repaired last time. The battery died earlier with a warning but this time, the battery died again without a warning. The battery was changed in August within 7 months of purcha…
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I purchased this vehicle in 2020 and from then this has happened twice and no information was provided when I serviced my vehicle or when the vehicle was repaired last time. The battery died earlier with a warning but this time, the battery died again without a warning. The battery was changed in August within 7 months of purchasing the vehicle and after that in the next 8-9 months, the battery died. I am scared to use this vehicle anymore because you never know when the battery will die and the service center people have no information about why the battery got drained out. I saw few more similar complaints online. The vehicle was idle or not used only for 3 days.
NHTSA ODI #11417880
14,000 miles · May 17, 2021
Visibility
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF GLASS WAS SHATTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT INCIDENT OR IMPACT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOIN…
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THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF GLASS WAS SHATTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT INCIDENT OR IMPACT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS EXTREMELY BUSY AND WAS UNABLE TO INSPECT OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
NHTSA ODI #11417489
5,972 miles · May 16, 2021
Unknown Or Other
SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE, WHICH I PURCHASED IN JUNE 2020, THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS WARM AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING. I DO NOT SMELL IT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG. I HAVE TAKEN IT THE DEALER 5 TIMES AND AFTER…
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SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE, WHICH I PURCHASED IN JUNE 2020, THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS WARM AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING. I DO NOT SMELL IT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG. I HAVE TAKEN IT THE DEALER 5 TIMES AND AFTER MANY SYSTEMS TESTS, THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE SMELL IS "NORMAL" AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #11416790
10,500 miles · May 5, 2021
Wheels
TWO RIGHT HAND SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING ABOUT LOW TIRE PRESSURE AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, THIS IS A BRAND NEW 2020 LEASED VEHICLE (1 YEAR OLD). ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11415329
8,100 miles · Apr 29, 2021
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROOF RACK INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN AND A BY THE A-PILLAR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WATER COULD CORRODE THE AIR BAGS CAUSING THEM TO NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THERE WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROOF RACK INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN AND A BY THE A-PILLAR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WATER COULD CORRODE THE AIR BAGS CAUSING THEM TO NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA (2460 VETERANS BLVD, KENNER, LA 70062) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ROOF RACK SEALS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,100.
NHTSA ODI #11414499
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine
TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE BUILTIN ON A DCM FIRMWARE UPDATE THAT FIXES AN ISSUE WITH REMOTE START AND WILL KILL THE 12V BATTERY EVEN BUT REFUSES TO NOTIFY OWNERS OR EVEN STATE PUBLICLY IF THEY INSTALLED THIS DURING THEIR INSPECTION ON MY CAR. HAVE BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD AT LEAST ONE BATTERY REPLACED IN A 1 Y…
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TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE BUILTIN ON A DCM FIRMWARE UPDATE THAT FIXES AN ISSUE WITH REMOTE START AND WILL KILL THE 12V BATTERY EVEN BUT REFUSES TO NOTIFY OWNERS OR EVEN STATE PUBLICLY IF THEY INSTALLED THIS DURING THEIR INSPECTION ON MY CAR. HAVE BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD AT LEAST ONE BATTERY REPLACED IN A 1 YEAR OLD CAR. HTTPS://WWW.RAV4WORLD.COM/THREADS/REMOTE-START-SOS-APP.309804/
NHTSA ODI #11414125
5 miles · Apr 6, 2021
Seats
UNLESS ALL BACK PASSENGER SEATBELTS ARE FASTENED, THE 'FASTEN SEATBELT SEAT' LIGHT AND BEEPING CONTINUOUSLY GOES OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN NOTHING IS ON THE SEATS AND NO ONE IS SEATED IN THESE SEATS. THIS HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY ONGOING, WHILE DRIVING, SINCE THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE DEALER LOT IN MAY 2020.
NHTSA ODI #11406644
11,500 miles · Apr 6, 2021
Unknown Or Other
BAD BATTERY- MY 2020 RAV4 WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 4 DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. WHEN TRYING TO START IT, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD (NOTHING WAS LEFT ON). JUMPED BATTERY AND IT RAN FOR A FEW HOURS. IT SAT AGAIN FOR 2 HOURS AND THEN THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11406643
10,009 miles · Apr 5, 2021
Electrical System
GOT IN THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T CRANK. SEEMED LIKE A DEAD BATTERY ALTHOUGH NOTHING WAS LEFT ON. PUT JUMPER CABLES ON IT AND IT WOULD NOT EVEN JUMP OFF. IT WOULD ACT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TURN OVER THEN WOULD MAKE A CLICKING NOISE. CAR IS NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD WITH 10,000 MILES.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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