AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
2020 Toyota RAV4
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 627 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and fuel system categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 303 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2021 | 3 | 192 |
| Aug 2021 | 2 | 194 |
| Sep 2021 | 3 | 197 |
| Oct 2021 | 2 | 199 |
| Nov 2021 | 3 | 202 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 203 |
| Jan 2022 | 7 | 210 |
| Feb 2022 | 2 | 212 |
| Mar 2022 | 3 | 215 |
| Apr 2022 | 4 | 219 |
| Jun 2022 | 4 | 223 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 224 |
| Aug 2022 | 6 | 230 |
| Sep 2022 | 6 | 236 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 237 |
| Nov 2022 | 4 | 241 |
| Dec 2022 | 4 | 245 |
| Jan 2023 | 5 | 250 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 251 |
| Mar 2023 | 2 | 253 |
| Apr 2023 | 7 | 260 |
| May 2023 | 5 | 265 |
| Jun 2023 | 5 | 270 |
| Jul 2023 | 19 | 289 |
| Aug 2023 | 19 | 308 |
| Sep 2023 | 16 | 324 |
| Oct 2023 | 16 | 340 |
| Nov 2023 | 8 | 348 |
| Dec 2023 | 5 | 353 |
| Jan 2024 | 6 | 359 |
| Feb 2024 | 16 | 375 |
| Mar 2024 | 16 | 391 |
| Apr 2024 | 16 | 407 |
| May 2024 | 24 | 431 |
| Jun 2024 | 10 | 441 |
| Jul 2024 | 27 | 468 |
| Aug 2024 | 8 | 476 |
| Sep 2024 | 23 | 499 |
| Oct 2024 | 11 | 510 |
| Nov 2024 | 8 | 518 |
| Dec 2024 | 11 | 529 |
| Jan 2025 | 3 | 532 |
| Feb 2025 | 3 | 535 |
| Mar 2025 | 8 | 543 |
| Apr 2025 | 12 | 555 |
| May 2025 | 9 | 564 |
| Jun 2025 | 6 | 570 |
| Jul 2025 | 10 | 580 |
| Aug 2025 | 5 | 585 |
| Sep 2025 | 5 | 590 |
| Oct 2025 | 2 | 592 |
| Nov 2025 | 3 | 595 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 597 |
| Jan 2026 | 2 | 599 |
| Feb 2026 | 3 | 602 |
| Mar 2026 | 6 | 608 |
| Apr 2026 | 3 | 611 |
| May 2026 | 9 | 620 |
| Jun 2026 | 4 | 624 |
| Jul 2026 | 3 | 627 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine19228.5%
- Electrical11917.7%
- Fuel system8913.2%
- Body & structure578.5%
- Airbags558.2%
- Powertrain (other)365.3%
- Driver assistance324.8%
- Steering274.0%
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
6 campaigns cover this model year
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.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL; STEERING:COLUMN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Front driver side door is not locking remotely or with manual door lock button. Door lock is open when driving. And need to be locked with finger.
- NHTSA ID
- 11752052
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2026
I ordered a plastic underbody cover (about 12×20 inches) through Toyota Arapahoe and paid $70 for the part. I was given an appointment for installation. When I arrived, I was told that the installation would take an hour and a half, even though the work consisted of fastening nine screws, while the old cover had been factory‑attached with only five simple self‑tapping fasteners, and this work was supposed to be free. After about an hour, I found my vehicle in the general parking lot, with no notification, no status update, and no explanation from the employees. When I asked why the work had not been completed, I was told: “There is not a single screw in the station,” “The screws may arrive in a week,” “The installation will cost about $100.” I asked the manager: “You want one hundred dollars just to fasten nine screws?” At that moment, the situation escalated. A man appeared who claimed to be “the boss of the entire station.” His behavior was aggressive and unprofessional. He refused to give his name or provide a business card. Because I speak English poorly, I asked him to say his name again. I tried to say “last name,” but due to stress I mistakenly said “famaly.” Instead of offering an electronic translator, this person began acting in a disturbing and irrational manner: shouting “family, family!”, rolling his eyes, moving around the room in an agitated way, and repeating the word loudly. I was confused and repeated the word after him, not understanding what was happening. Two other employees approached and began repeating “Go, go,” pressuring me to leave. Their behavior was clearly aimed at intimidation and forcing me out of the premises. After returning home, I measured my blood pressure: 170/90, which is significantly higher than my usual level of 140/80 and is considered a pre‑heart‑attack indicator. This dangerous spike in blood pressure was a direct result of the aggressive and humiliating treatment by the employees of Toyota Arapahoe.
- NHTSA ID
- 11751302
- Incident
- Jul 15, 2026
The contact owned a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while pulling into a vertical spot and making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb, the sidewalk, and continued driving down the sidewalk and crashed into a building. The brake pedal was depressed but was stuck. The vehicle failed to turn off, and the parking brake failed to engage. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags deployed as needed. A Police report was filed. The EMS workers were unable to depress the brake pedal. The undercarriage of the dashboard ripped the skin off both shins. The contact was transported to the trauma hospital, where medical attention was provided for four weeks to close the wounds. A skin graft was performed on both legs. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The black box data was retrieved, which showed the acceleration, but no information if the brake pedal was depressed. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11750253
- Incident
- May 1, 2026
- Mileage
- 25,000 mi
In March 2025 the driver door lock stopped working electronically and would only work manually. In August 2025 the passenger door lock stopped working noisy of the time. In Dec 2025 the rear passenger side does lock stopped working most of the time.
- NHTSA ID
- 11745836
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2025
The front brakes wear out too quickly. In the past 3 years, the front brakes and rotors have had to be replaced 5 times while the rear brakes only once. this is not normal. i have complained to the dealership but they have no answers.
- NHTSA ID
- 11745179
- Incident
- Jun 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle felt like it was going to flip over. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V373000 (Steering). The contact associated the failure with the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11744881
- Incident
- Jun 17, 2026
- Mileage
- 74,000 mi
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that there was an unusual sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact parked and inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that upon opening the rear passenger's side door, the contact noticed water leaking from the bottom of the door panel onto the ground. The contact stated about a gallon of water leaked from the rear passenger's side door panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11743023
- Incident
- May 22, 2026
- Mileage
- 60,000 mi
If I don't drive the car for 1 to 2 weeks, the car's 12v is completely drained of power and the care needs to be jumped, otherwise, it will not start. This is consistent. I've taken this to several Toyota dealerships and they all have reported my 12v battery is healthy. However, Toyota is aware and is charging for the fix, labelled as T-SB-0089-21. The known issue is a piece of electronics in the car that continually drains power because it does not properly shut off. This should not be a paid fix. This should be a recall. When the car is jumped and the car finally starts, it reports a message saying something about some safety features not available. The car needs to be moved every 2 weeks due to mandatory city street cleaning so at least once every month the car needs to be jumped if not used the week prior.
- NHTSA ID
- 11741051
- Incident
- May 26, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some RAV4 vehicles power seat where the automatic seat adjustment by the memory function does not work.
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.
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.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 76 | 3 | 0 | 61.7 |
| 2024 | 166 | 3 | 0 | 63.0 |
| 2023 | 147 | 3 | 0 | 61.8 |
| 2022 | 137 | 1 | 0 | 52.1 |
| 2021 | 381 | 1 | 0 | 54.3 |
| 2020Viewing | 627 | 6 | 0 | 51.3 |
| 2019 | 873 | 7 | 0 | 52.9 |
| 2018 | 330 | 3 | 1 | 65.0 |
| 2017 | 304 | 3 | 1 | 63.4 |
| 2016 | 235 | 3 | 1 | 61.7 |
| 2015 | 302 | 4 | 1 | 67.3 |
| 2014 | 196 | 4 | 1 | 70.6 |
| 2013 | 256 | 2 | 1 | 61.3 |
| 2012 | 260 | 5 | 0 | 57.1 |
| 2011 | 287 | 11 | 1 | 63.9 |
| 2010 | 400 | 14 | 1 | 62.2 |
| 2009 | 327 | 15 | 3 | 67.4 |
| 2008 | 575 | 14 | 4 | 63.0 |
| 2007 | 1,003 | 14 | 4 | 62.7 |
| 2006 | 704 | 11 | 2 | 56.3 |
| 2005 | 141 | 5 | 0 | 56.7 |
| 2004 | 154 | 2 | 0 | 53.3 |
| 2003 | 314 | 0 | 1 | 41.1 |
| 2002 | 527 | 0 | 0 | 38.3 |
| 2001 | 309 | 0 | 0 | 36.1 |
| 2000 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 1999 | 61 | 5 | 0 | 58.6 |
| 1998 | 77 | 5 | 0 | 57.7 |
| 1997 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 46.2 |
| 1996 | 47 | 1 | 0 | 46.0 |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.