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: engine
193 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Oct 27, 2023
Engine maintenance light came on and dealership indicates it’s the coolant bypass valve. This seems to be a common safety issue being ignored by both Toyota and the transportation safety board…
Engine, Oct 24, 2023
Engine coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced. Seems to be a very common issue in 2019-2023 RAV4s but Toyota has not issued a recall and is making customers pay $600-900 to fix. I ask that Toyota take responsibility and issue the recall now so this can be fixed!
Engine, Oct 24, 2023
Coolant bypass valve shorts out and doesn't open or close to allow coolant through it. "Engine Maintenance Required" message pops up for this. Toyota dealer inspected it and it replacing the part. NOT covered under my warranty.
Engine, Oct 20, 2023
Unknown engine maintenance light alert check light Recommend engine coolant bypass valve with gallon of coolant
Engine, Oct 17, 2023
Part # 16260-f0010 - engine coolant bypass valve failed due to open or internal short and caused a Engine maintenance required warning which blocked other safety items on the display. This is a wide spread and known issue for Toyota which can result in engine overheating due to leaking coolant and result in engine failure (severely damage the engine) leading to engine stall and/or fire risk, causing potentially unsafe situations to occur for the driver and others in the vehicle. The error code is "P268115" for "Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Battery or Open". Yes. the problem has been reported with NHTSA by others and from some dealers. When I took the vehicle into the dealership, and they stated that they had many RAV4's come in with this same message. They immediately said it is some engine component failure. There is a related NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V064000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and also a recall related to it (but not for my vehicle's VIN): [XXX] Yes, the component has been inspected by the dealer. No, there was no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear Engine maintenance required warning sign did not go off which is good to have warning but blocking other safety items on the display dash board is a safety hazard. This could only be removed if we spend $185 for diagnostics (which is charged knowingly that this has been a reported/unreported problem around the 2.5-4yr/30-60k miles for the vehicles with this part) and fixing the part at the dealer and resetting the code. The cost of the part is affordable but the labor charge of $700 is exorbitant. The part replacement isn't covered under manufacturer's warranty. This part warrants recall as this is accidental poor manufacturing issue that is outside the scope of normal wear and tear and especially when the owner is not at fault. I'm expecting more repairs in future. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Oct 16, 2023
There was a warning message pop up all the time and I went to Toyota service. They said I need to pay for a coolant bypass valve replacement and it costs approx 600-800 dollars. Also, they did not fill up for the engine oil even it’s in very low to dry position.
Engine, Oct 15, 2023
Engine maintenance required light came on. Scan code came up engine coolant bypass valve stuck open. Had to replace it. Cost me $120 for the part with hoses attached.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 13, 2023
RAV4 53,000 miles on and engine maintenance required prompt came on. No other warning lights on dash. Took it to dealership and it was a coolant bypass valve. Read up on it and it’s been happening to many more people. Was originally charged $900 but got a discount ended up being $825
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 13, 2023
-Inspection found coolant bypass valve seized recommendation, was to replace coolant hose with bypass valve. YES, the car is available for inspection upon any request -Safety risk unknown if not fixed -Michaels Toyota of Bellevue Washington confirmed on September 23rd 2023. I brought the car in originally on September 9th 2023 for a 10,000 mileage service and oil change. when I called to ask why the engine maintenance notice wouldn't turn off. I was scheduled to bring the car back on September 23, 2023 the needed part was not in stock nor covered by the factory or powertrain warranty with 31,2002 miles on it. The warning light came on at the same time the service and oil change was due. I was stopped a month prior by a random mechanic who noticed the car was leaking abnormal amounts of what he said could be coolant on the passengers front undercarriage. This leaking has been happening for approximately a year and I was not notified the previous 3 times the car had been in for inspections.
Engine, Oct 12, 2023
Engine maintenance required “Visit dealer” Light is on and won’t turn off even when resetting the scheduled maintenance data. Needs a 3 point valve according to dealership. $650 cost for that part to make light go away. This is something that needs fixed and recalled as he says it’s a common issue with the RAV4.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 11, 2023
Got an engine maintenance required alert, took to Toyota and they advised the coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced at just 38,000 miles. Googled this and found out many 2020 RAV4 with the same issue at just under 40,000 miles. Also a common issue is the voltage being low and we already had to get the battery replaced once and still get alerts of it being low after replacement. Have to pay today $765 for the coolant bypass to be replaced, will have the receipt later in the day.
Engine, Oct 11, 2023
I have 2020 Toyota rav4 XLE and all of sudden I got "Engine Maintenance Required" When I turn off the AC, this message goes away but comes in when I turn on the AC. I believe, it is coolant bypass valve which needs to be replaced. I read my forums in [XXX] and [XXX] and many others have complaint about the same. Toyota has to have a recall on this poorly manufactured bypass value. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Sep 28, 2023
My RAV4 doesn’t even have 40,000 miles on it. I found out that the coolant bypass system needs to be replaced. After investigating online, I realized that this is a very common problem for RAVs. I believe this should be a recall!
Engine, Sep 27, 2023
ENGINE COOLANT BYPASS VALVE failed internally causing an open circuit.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 21, 2023
I have a 2020 RAV4 Toyota with 60,000 miles.. I have replaced the car battery 3 times now Toyota has no clue why. The 2nd battery only lasted 8 months and it was a name brand battery (Die Hard).. The engine problem started with a warning light that i could not turn off.. I took my car to Toyota and they told me right off (without checking) it was because of a Coolant Bypass Value, the Toyota service lady said it was her 5th Rav4 this week with the same problem. I checked on line and was surprised how many Rav4 customers were complaining about the same issue so i reported it to you.. Toyota is charging me $900 to replace.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 13, 2023
Coolant bypass valve failure my car has less than 50k Dealerships informed me that they fix around 10 a month for that part there is a defect regarding this pump
Engine, Sep 9, 2023
In my 2020 Toyota RAV4, a "Engine Maintenance Required: See Dealer" message came onto my dashboard and would not go away when I cleared it. I took it into the dealership, and they stated that they had many RAV4's come in with this same message. They said it was most likely the engine's coolant bypass valve. After diagnosing the problem, the dealership confirmed it was the coolant bypass valve. This was very expensive to fix, and for a car that is just over 3 years old it seems unusual for this to occur so soon and to so many other card within the same year and time period. This part needs to be recalled and reimbursement should be provided to those who had to pay hundreds of dollars to get this fixed when it is very likely a faulty part.
Engine, Sep 6, 2023
This is a common issue for the 5th Generation Rav4. It doesnt read fault codes on the OBD2 scanner, but the ENGINE MAINTENANCE alert continuously comes up because of a faulty coolant bypass hose/valve. Toyota OEM Part # 16260-f0010. This should be a recall. Instead, we are paying out of pocket to get this fixed.
Engine, Aug 30, 2023
Coolant Bypass Valve on my 2020 RAV4. There needs to be a recall; even Toyota dealerships in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex say that there needs to be a recall. Service advisors say this is a big problem they see daily and with all cars and at all mileage. The cost to replace the Coolant Bypass Valve in my car = $855- RIDICULOUS!! In addition, due to the constant “Engine Maintenance Required” message on the screen triggered by the Coolant Bypass Valve needing to be replaced, that can’t be removed, all other car related information and/or service issues, is unable to be seen…which is dangerous!! Toyota used to be one of the best car manufacturers for quality and reliability, but now, their quality has tanked…
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 27, 2023
Coolant value had to be replaced apparently this happens more than we realize and if it’s a repetitive issue for many I believe it should be looked into. Thanks
Engine, Aug 19, 2023
My car is leaking coolant and needs a new coolant bypass valve. It seems like it is happening to every rav4 and camry. They put in faulty parts.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 19, 2023
I was driving and out of nowhere this warning came on engine maintenance required, and this now a normal maintenance required that means an oil change. The problem with this warning is the coolant bypass valve, and I’m not the only one with this issue, my car has only 32100 miles only, this a ridiculous for a new car. Plus it seem that this issue only comes on with tha A/C on
Engine, Aug 17, 2023
Coolant Bypass Valve failure at 41K miles. Confirmed by dealership. "Engine Maintenance" warning light came on before taking to dealership.
Engine, Aug 12, 2023
Coolant Bypass valve internal short.
Engine, Aug 9, 2023
The engine maintenance required light came on at 56,000 miles and would not reset even after a scheduled oil change. The Toyota dealership neglected to evaluate this light when I brought my car in for servicing. After getting a diagnostic, it was found that the coolant bypass valve needed to be replaced which was at least $600. I was advised that the vehicle was to not be driven long distances as it could result in more damage to the car. This is my 4th expensive repair on this 3 year old car in 1 year. This is my very first Toyota, & I am extremely disappointed. I bought a Toyota anticipating a low maintenance, high quality vehicle and have had nothing but issues.