2020 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 635 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 17 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 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.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V865000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalNov 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."
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 20V734000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 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.
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V682000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemJun 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.
A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V373000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armMay 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.
If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V286000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingFeb 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V064000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
119 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2020
2020 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID PURCHASED DEC 2019 BATTERY DIES AFTER CAR HAS BEEN SITTING A FEW DAYS CAR DOES NOT START HAVE TO TOW TO DEALER
Electrical system, Jul 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL POWER INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AFTER RECHARGING THE BATTERY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO GATORLAND TOYOTA LOCATED AT 2985 N. MAIN ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY POWER WAS DRAINED DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 970.
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2020
FOR THE SECOND TIME NOW THE BATTERY IN THE BRAND NEW 2020 RAV4 XLE (HAD IT FOR LESS THAN A MONTH) WAS DRAINED WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT IN USE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, BATTERY RECHARGED AND TOLD NOTHING WRONG, NO ERROR CODES, ETC. LESS THAN TWO MONTHS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN NOW. CAR BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER AND I AM ASKING FOR A NEW BATTERY TO BE INSTALLED.
Electrical system, Jul 24, 2020
BATTERY DIES WHEN NOT STARTED FOR A FEW DAYS, WITH NO DOORS LEFT OPEN OR LIGHTS LEFT ON, ETC. DEALER STATES THAT DIAGNOSTICS CAME BACK CLEAR AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY. ISSUE STILL PRESENT. VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN THE GARAGE OFF FOR 3 DAYS, WHEN WE NOTICED THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD.
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2020
2020 JANUARY RAV4 XLE AWD. 2 CASES OF DEAD BATTERY. 1ST IN APRIL MILEAGE 2029, 1 WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING. 2ND IN JULY MILAGE 2896, 2 DAYS WITHOUT DRIVING. 1ST TIME; AAA JUMPED IT, TESTED BATTERY SAID IT FAILED. TOOK TO DEALER; NOTHING WRONG, BATTERY TEST GOOD. 2ND TIME; TOYOTA ROAD SERVER JUMPED IT. A SIMPLE SEARCH OF THE WEB SHOWS HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUE. POSSIBLE REPORTED CAUSES; BAD BATCH OF BATTERIES, DCM FW UPDATE (TSB T-SB-0021-20 - DOESN'T APPLY TO OUR CAR), MYSTERY "SENSOR" NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, CONSTANT DATA COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN KEY FOB, POSITIONING SATELLITE OR BLUETOOTH PHONE. THIS IS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!!! PEOPLE ARE BEING STRANDED AT ANY TIME WITH A DEAD BATTERY ON CARS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD!!!
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2020
RAV4 WAS PURCHASED FIRST WEEK OF JUNE 2020. TWO WEEKS LATER, I GO TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. I HAD IT JUMPED AND TOOK IT TO TOYOTA. THE DEALER SAID EVERYTHING WAS WORKING AS IT SHOULD. I TOOK IT HOME. THIS MORNING, THREE WEEK AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, I GO TRY TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO JUMP AND START THE CAR. SINCE THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED IN A MONTH, I HAD THE CAR TOW TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVER NIGHT BOTH TIMES. NO LIGHTS INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR LIGHT WERE ON. NO DOORS AJAR TO DRAW POWER. RADIO WAS TURNED OFF. BOTH FAN AND A/C WAS TURNED OFF.
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2020
2020 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A HOST OF ISSUES SINCE PURCHASED MARCH 1, 2020. TOP THREE ARE: 1) FUEL TANK / FUEL SENDER ISSUE (SEE ATTACHED FROM TOYOTA CORPORATE), 2) REMOTE CONNECT ISSUE (T-SB-0021-20, ALSO ATTACHED), AND MOST RECENTLY 3) SMART KEY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, PKSB FAILURE, BRAKE ASSIST FAILURE, AND A DEAD BATTERY. THESE MOST RECENT FAILURES ARE MOST TROUBLING AS THE CAR WAS TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED GARAGE FOR 60 HOURS, UNTOUCHED. THERE ARE NO AFTER-MARKET INSTALLATIONS, AND NOTHING WAS ACCIDENTALLY LEFT ON; NO HIGH-DRAIN ACCESSORIES TO BLAME. THIS IS STRICTLY AN ELECTRICAL / SOFTWARE / FIRMWARE ISSUE, AND TOYOTA HAS SHOWN ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. HUNDREDS, IF NOT MORE, 2020 RAV4 HYBRID OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE (FOR REFERENCE: HTTPS://WWW.RAV4WORLD.COM/THREADS/DEAD-BATTERY.303636/). THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO BE SOLD AS-IS.
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2020
DEAD BATTERY AFTER 1 MONTH OF PURCHASE
Electrical system, Jun 28, 2020
NEW VEHICLE, PARKED IN ENCLOSED GARAGE, AT HOME FOR THIRTY-SIX (36 ) HOURS. VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY SIX-HUNDRED (600) MILES. WIFE MADE ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. NO LIGHTS, NO HORN FUNCTIONING. CALLED TOYOTACARE FOR ASSISTANCE.. THEY RESPONDED AND DETERMINED THE NEW BATTERY HAD FIVE (5) VOLTS. THIS WAS DESCRIBED AS A TOTALLY DEAD BATTERY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, TOYOTA OF OLYMPIA (WASHINGTON) REPLACED THE DEAD BATTERY AND INSTALLED A BATTERY TRICKLE CHARGER. THE NEXT DAY, WE DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST FIVE HOURS AND PARKED IN CLOSED GARAGE. BATTERY VOLTAGE WAS 12.67 VOLTS. AFTER THREE HOURS, PARKED, THE BATTERY WAS 12.69. THE NEXT MORNING AT 6AM THE BATTERY WAS 12.63. WITHIN THREE HOURS (9AM) THE BATTERY WAS 12.45 VOLTS. ANY BATTERY AT 12.45 VOLTS IS CONSIDERED A DEAD BATTERY. WITHIN TWELVE HOURS THE BATTERY DIMINISHED FROM FULLY CHARGED TO DEAD VISITED THE WEB SITE OF CARGURUS AND LOCATED APPROXIMATELY SIXTEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM- DEAD BATTERY AFTER VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS.
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2020
I BOUGHT A NEW 2020 RAV4 HYBRID XSE IN JANUARY. TWO WEEKS AGO, I WENT OUT IN THE MORNING TO DRIVE IT AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD LEFT IT PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE CAR LOCKED. THE CAR HAD 5,400 MILES. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO JUMP IT AND GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY SUGGESTED I WASN'T DRIVING IT ENOUGH ? *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2020
VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A WEEK OLD (LESS THAN 1000MILES) AND I NOTICED THE FUEL TANK LID WAS CONSTANTLY POPPING OPEN. REALIZED THAT WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON OR OFF (VERIFIED BY DEALERSHIP MECHANICS) THE GAS TANK FUEL LID WILL POP OPEN. SO, SOMEHOW THE POWER BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE CONTROLS MY GAS TANK LID. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH TOYOTA MECHANICS FOR ABOUT 24HRS NOW. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2020
VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2019 WITH 7 MILES ON IT. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND LEFT IN THE DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALL LIGHTS WHEN ON UPON PRESSING THE START BUTTON, BUT WHEN PRESSED AGAIN, ALL LIGHTS FADED AND THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WERE IT WAS KEPT FOR OVER A WEEK. ALL TESTS CAME BACK INCONCLUSIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2020
THIS IS MY NEW CAR 2020 RAV4 XLE. I BROUGHT IT IN DEC 2019. ONE DAY I PARKED MY CAR IN EVENING AND NEXT DAY CAR DID NOT START (AFTER 3 MONTH OF USE WITH AROUND 1100 MILES ON IT). I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SEND PERSON TO TOW CAR. THEY DID BATTERY JUMP AND IT WORKED. AFTER THAT I HAVE MANUALLY TURNED OFF ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAR TILL NOW(HEAD LIGHT IS AUTO MODE) AND HAVE NO BATTERY ISSUE BUT I STILL WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR?S ELECTRIC SYSTEM. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jun 2, 2020
PURCHASED 5/22/20. UNIT PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. WENT OUT TO USE THE AUTO AND ALL SYSTEMS FAILING IN AUTO. VEHICLE WILL NOT START. BRAKE ALERT, ENGINE ALERT, AIRBAG ALERT, POWER STEERING ALERT, EVERY LIGHT ON INSIDE VEHICLE FLASHING WITH ALERTS THAT THEY ARE FAILING. *TR
Electrical system, May 29, 2020
MY 2020 TOYOTA RAV4 WOULDN'T START. IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR RAN A TEST AND FOUND THAT I HAD A DEAD BATTERY. THIS WAS SURPRISING BECAUSE I ONLY HAD 1,800 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. AFTER THE OPERATOR CHARGED THE BATTERY, I DROVE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. THEY RAN SOME TESTS AND REPLACED THE DEAD BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD 5 BATTERIES FAIL THIS MONTH. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THEY THOUGHT THAT IT EITHER COULD BE AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE BATTERY, OR ELSE THE DIGITAL PARKING BRAKE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. THIS BATTERY PROBLEM COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAVE PEOPLE STRANDED IN WINTER WEATHER.*JB
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2020
I HAVE OWNED THIS RAV 4 HYBRID FOR 4 MONTHS. I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY 2500 MILES SO FAR. I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND AREA. RAV4 IS MADE IN CANADA. TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD A DEAD BATTERY AFTER LEAVING PARKED FOR 2-4 DAYS. BOTH TIMES NEED ASSISTANCE FROM A BATTERY CHARGER. HYBRID BATTERY SHOWS OVER HALF CHARGED. THE 12 VOLT BATTERY SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE. THERE ARE NO AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES. SMARTPHONE APP NOTIFIES ME IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WHEN PARKED. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ISOLATED. MANY COMPLAINTS ON RAV4 FORUMS.
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2020
THIS CAR IS NEW 800 MILES TOTALLY DEAD BATTERY.PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT. TOW SERVICE TOOLS US WAS THE SECOND NEW RAV4 WITH A DEAD BATTERY TODAY.
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2020
I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 RAV4 XLE IN DECEMBER 2020, IT IS NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS OLD. I PARKED MY RAV4 IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER GETTING HOME FROM WORK. THE FOLLOWING MORNING MY CAR HAD A DEAD BATTERY. I HAD THE BATTERY JUMPED BY TOYOTA ROADSIDE SERVICE. THE CAR STARTED UP, AND I WAS TOLD TO LET THE ENGINE RUN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES SO THE BATTERY COULD CHARGE. THERE'S NOTHING I COULD HAVE LEFT TURNED ON THE EVENING BEFORE THAT WOULD HAVE RUN THE BATTERY DOWN. IF YOU LEAVE A LIGHT ON, OR A DOOR AJAR THE LIGHTS GO OUT AFTER 20 MINUTES. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH ON TOYOTA RAV4 BATTERY PROBLEMS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE.
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2020
CONTINUATION, LOST WEBSITE.