The Used Car Index

2020 Toyota RAV4 problems

NHTSA lists 648 complaints for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, 17 of them mention a crash and 5 mention a fire. 11 complaints mention an injury, with 14 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as TOYOTA RAV4.

At a glance

Complaints
648
With crash
17
With fire
5
With injury (complaints)
11
Injuries
14
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
1,525,742
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
347

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The available sales group does not match this vehicle variant.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE18228.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12118.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12118.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9114.0%
STRUCTURE619.4%
AIR BAGS599.1%
POWER TRAIN385.9%
STEERING284.3%
SERVICE BRAKES172.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING152.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY58
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING5
LANE DEPARTUREASSIST5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL4
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESHATCHBACK/LIFTGATE3
VISIBILITYREARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES3
LANE DEPARTURELANE KEEP2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLACCELERATOR PEDAL2
AIR BAGSAIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure23936.9%0.78
electrical electronic18929.2%0.87
loss of control497.6%0.85
unclear467.1%0.70
restraint or airbag406.2%0.88
structural or corrosion284.3%0.70
fluid or fuel leak223.4%0.68
noise or comfort152.3%0.71
fire or overheating111.7%0.78
visibility or lighting91.4%0.82
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
low39561.0%0.80
moderate22234.3%0.80
high192.9%0.89
none111.7%0.89
critical10.2%0.92

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 648 tagged complaints of 648 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

23V865000

Date: 2023-12-20. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. (excerpt)

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 Le (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V734000

Date: 2020-11-25. Systems: AIR BAGS, STEERING.

Defect: 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 ve (excerpt)

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V682000

Date: 2020-11-04. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Defect: 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 LC5 (excerpt)

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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 cust (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V373000

Date: 2020-06-24. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: 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: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V286000

Date: 2020-05-20. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Defect: 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: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V064000

Date: 2020-02-06. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

DP22005

Opened: 2023-01-27. Closed: 2023-08-07.

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: 22V063000.

Manufacturer communications

347 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM113
EQUIPMENT111
ENGINE36
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING35
STRUCTURE35
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE25
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY19
POWER TRAIN19

11037201

Date: 2026-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.

11037202

Date: 2026-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.

11037186

Date: 2026-08-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyotaa s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customersa ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.

11033412

Date: 2026-05-14. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyotaa s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customersa ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer S

11029896

Date: 2026-02-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.

11028726

Date: 2026-01-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.

11028722

Date: 2026-01-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Some 2018 a 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.

11028713

Date: 2026-01-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Some RAV4 vehicles power seat where the automatic seat adjustment by the memory function does not work.

11028712

Date: 2026-01-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Some 2005 a 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedur

11028711

Date: 2026-01-06. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyotaa s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customersa ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer S

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
RAV4635
RAV4 HYBRID13

Same model, other years

All model years | All Toyota models

Other Toyota models, 2020

Sources

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