RoadVitals

2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Nov 7, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Dec 20, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 169 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags426.7%
  • Electrical213.3%
  • Engine213.3%
  • Fuel system16.7%
  • Other / unspecified16.7%
  • Steering16.7%
  • Suspension16.7%
  • Visibility16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
23V865000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Dec 20, 2023
999,901 units potentially affected
The 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 air bag from deploying.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The 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 & ManufacturingManufacturer number 23TA15, 23LA03View on NHTSA.gov
20V734000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; STEERING:COLUMN

Nov 25, 2020
161 units potentially affected
The 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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 20TB17/20TA17View on NHTSA.gov
20V373000

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Jun 24, 2020
46 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 & ManufacturingManufacturer number 20TB11 / 20TA11View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

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 electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
Suspension
Filed Nov 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the suspension. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the sound was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was determined that the front lower suspension arms were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that while coming to a stop on another occasion, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brake area. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V286000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11698263
Incident
Apr 11, 2025
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The messages "PKSB Malfunction - Visit your dealer" and "Pre-Collision System Malfunction - Visit your dealer" were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at a local dealer for a coolant fault and parts were ordered to repair the wiring harness. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. Several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related that failure to the Customer Support Program: 22TE09, however the warranty was not valid. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11679078
Incident
Aug 5, 2025
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11667724
Incident
Dec 27, 2023
Airbags
Filed Jun 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11665902
Incident
Jun 9, 2025
Airbags
Filed Apr 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V86500 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and Northridge Toyota (9550 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91324) were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11652826
Incident
Dec 20, 2023
Electrical
Filed Feb 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was jumpstarted; however, two days later the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer twice where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred after 18 months. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the vehicle remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,846.

NHTSA ID
11641795
Incident
Mar 15, 2023
Mileage
33,846 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11629208
Incident
Dec 6, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Aug 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off on several occasions, the liftgate button was depressed and the liftgate was partially raised before freezing. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver’s side liftgate hinge had cracked and snapped, causing the liftgate to become inoperable. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, the liftgate failed to close fully and failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side liftgate hinge had cracked and snapped. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11609794
Incident
Feb 22, 2022

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

22TE09

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer Support Program for repairs related to excessive corrosion to the wire harness connections at the Rear Motor Generator. Excessive corrosion can cause AM Radio Static during certain drive cycles, or the vehicle may not start.

T-SB-0104-21 Rev2

ENGINE

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

T-SB-0106-22 Rev2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

T-SB-0001-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2018 – 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.

T-TT-0797-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

T-SB-0055-24 Rev2

Some 2005 – 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 procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026110036.9
2025520—
2024120—
2023710—
2022521—
2021221146.1
2020Viewing135149.2
2019223157.7
2018150142.3
2017141147.7
2016000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.