2020 Toyota RAV4 Brakes Problems

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

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 at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal became inoperable and nearly traveled to the floorboard while attempting to stop the vehicle. A “Pull Over” warning message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with diagnostic trouble code C1391. The contact was informed that the brake booster and master cylinder had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where the same diagnosis was confirmed. The contact was again informed that the brake booster and master cylinder had failed and required replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11735908

Incident

May 5, 2026

Mileage

106,000 mi

•August 19, 2022: All emergency/error code lights came on the dash while driving on highway. The vehicle was taken to Don McGill Toyota for service. In that time, all error codes came back and went away a few times on their own. Vehicle was taken on 08/20/2022 (please refer to service records) in which it was originally deemed there were no issues with the vehicle. Toyota recommended that if the problem persists, bring the vehicle back in. •August 26, 2022: Vehicle emergency lights came back on while driving on the highway again. The vehicle was taken back to Don McGill Toyota for a service emergency. Was told the Vehicle needed a sensor replaced. Got the vehicle back on September 15, 2022. •September 6, 2023: Vehicle emergency lights come back on. The vehicle was taken to Don McGill Toyota. Another part was replaced (please refer to service records) and the vehicle was returned on September 9, 2023. •August 2024: Vehicle emergency lights come back on. The vehicle was taken to Don McGill Toyota for a break service as well as getting this emergency lights issue resolved. The vehicle was picked up 5 hours later, however upon driving a little in the dealership parking lot, emergency lights came back on. Immediately went back and brought it up to the service advisor, who then took the car back for another 1 hour and deemed the vehicle needed to be “recalibrated”. This recalibration was completed, then left the dealership. •September 3, 2024: Vehicle emergency lights come back on. This time the vehicle struggled to brake when the lights came on. The vehicle was taken into Don McGill Toyota for immediate service. Breaks were looked at and recalibration was completed. Vehicle returned on September 6, 2024. •September 14, 2024: Vehicle emergency lights come back on. The vehicle was taken to Don McGill Toyota for emergency service. Brakes were checked and the vehicle was driven around to bring the lights up. The vehicle was given back on October 1, 2024, after the ser

NHTSA ID

11628641

Incident

Oct 21, 2024

Since I've owned the vehicle it has made loud squeaking, scraping, popping, and clicking noises in the suspension and steering. When I first turn the vehicle on and use the brakes they are very loud as if they are worn. I've had the brakes checked and the dealer said the brakes are fine. When I turn the steering wheel it makes a loud crunching rubbing noise that I can feel in the floor board. My vehicle is less than 5 years old and less than 60,000 miles. I've never had a vehicle made so many noises and it's terrifying to wonder if something is just going to break off or stop working.

NHTSA ID

11618398

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

The ABS and brake booster systems failed, and my traction control was not working as intended. Every light related to the braking system came on all at once and the ability to break became slowed, could not stop if needed to at anything other than a slow decline in speed (wouldn’t be able to go to a full stop without ample planning or control - being cut off, too close to a red light or car needing to turn, or on the highway would’ve ended in an accident). Thankfully was on surface streets both times. Problem was recurrent. Toyota dealership confirmed issue and noted loss of braking power but noted the code was intermittent and failure not definitive, hard to reproduce. Attempted to repair issue, which temporarily worked but re-occurred 1 month later. End result - needed to replace battery, stroke position sensor, brake booster with master cylinder/ABS actuator, which was almost $4,000 in repairs, with no promise it would fix the issue. No warning lamps, signs, or notable symptoms before braking failure. Battery died twice before brakes situation, but attributed to a faulty update system sending data continuously.

NHTSA ID

11583044

Incident

Jun 16, 2023

When driving home two weeks ago, I got a message on my screen saying, "A Brake system malfunction was detected. Carefully find a safe place to park, and call dealer". I took it to an ASE certified mechanic, and he says it's a brake booster going bad. This car is my personal vehicle, and at this date has 33,152 miles on it. The mechanic and I cannot find any recalls for my 2020 Rav4 . The mechanic said it's still drivable, and what I should look for when it goes completely out, however I'm afraid to go far as to not knowing when it will go. This is definitely a safety risk, for myself and others on the road.

NHTSA ID

11572341

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

On several occaisions the vehicle has incorrectly detected an impending collision, disconnected the adaptive speed control and applied the brakes forcefully. On one occasion, it happened while driving in heavy slushy snow. Speed control wouldn't reengage. The dealer suggested cleaning off the Toyota logo in front and that resolved the problem. The other times the problem occured, the vehicle was being drive in late afternoon daylight on I 80. The vehicle was in the left lane, going around a tight (for an Interstate) curve with another vehicle in the right lane and slightly ahead. It apparently thought that the other vehicle was in the same lane. i.e., the vehicle had inadequate knowledge of it's position relative to the roadway. Up to that point, it understood that it was in it's own lane. Each time this occurred, the road was (fortunately) relatively empty so no crash occurred.

NHTSA ID

11510038

Incident

Aug 22, 2022

Squealing noise when stopping or braking under 3 mph.

NHTSA ID

11498812

Incident

Dec 25, 2022

I was driving on an Interstate highway with th speed control on in extremely light traffic and very heavy, slushy snow when the brakes were applied full and the instrument panel flashed red. There were (fortunately) no other vehicles in front or behind me. Since there was no reason for stopping, I stepped on the accelerator and the vehicle operated normally EXCEPT that I was no longer able to use the speed control. Calls to Toyota's 800 number were of no help, but a service advisor at Sunrise Toyota suggested cleaning slush off the Toyota logo on the grill. After cleaning the logo, the car operated normally. Toyota subsequently examined the car at the dealer and determined that it was operating as designed. I BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE'S SOFTWARE DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REDESIGNED.

NHTSA ID

11467436

Incident

Mar 12, 2022

My vehicle sometimes accelerate while breaking. Mostly while slowly coming to a stop.

NHTSA ID

11460037

Incident

Feb 10, 2022

The contact owned a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph with the cruise control activated and while coming to a red light, the driver depressed the brake pedal and the braking system malfunctioned causing the vehicle to not stop. The vehicle drove through a red light causing a collision with a second vehicle. During the crash the driver sustained rib and torso injuries, the front passenger sustained injured ribs and fractured tailbone and the rear passenger side occupant sustained a fractured tailbone. No further information was available regarding the second vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The contact indicated that prior to the incident the vehicle had been examined at the dealer for a possible braking problem but no trouble was found. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the incident. In addition, the contact indicated that the backup camera audible alarm was inoperable. The failure mileage was 9,000.

NHTSA ID

11447512

Incident

Apr 3, 2021

Mileage

9,000 mi

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2021 IN ATLANTA GA, THE VEHICLE, WHILE IN MOTION AT AROUND 30MPH, DISPLAYED A 'HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' WARNING AND BEGAN BEEPING AND TREMBLING. THE WARNING SAID THAT THE CAR MUST BE STOPPED WITHIN 0.9 MILES BUT LASTED FAR LESS THAN THAT, FULLY LOSING ANY EFFECT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MID-TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT ON MOMENTUM AND WAS STOPPED WITH A FINAL WARNING THAT BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED. HAD THIS VERY SITUATION OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE, IT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME, AND TO OUR UNBORN CHILD. THE VEHICLE IS 9 MONTHS OLD, WAS PURCHASED NEW, AND HAS AROUND 15,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11395034

Incident

Feb 6, 2021

Mileage

15,000 mi

A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2020 RAV4 XLE HYBRID, I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES SQUEAKS WHENEVER I MAKE A QUICK STOP, OR AFTER I RELEASE THE BRAKES AFTER STOPPING OR WHEN I AM BACKING UP. IT DOESN'T MATTER ON THE KIND OF ROAD THAT I AM ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR A HYBRID TO SQUEAKS DUE TO THE BREAK ACTUATOR. I KNOW PEOPLE WITH TOYOTA HYBRIDS AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11390814

Incident

Nov 30, 2020

Mileage

5,100 mi

AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, WHEN I FOOT OFF THE BRAKE FOR ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE JERKS EVERY TIME.

NHTSA ID

11363257

Incident

Oct 6, 2020

Mileage

25 mi

WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL ON THE FREEWAY. IF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME GOES TO EXIT AND SLOWS DOWN. MY CAR BRAKES EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT EXITING. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY TWO SEMIS ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE ALSO ALMOST BEEN HIT BY A COUPLE OF CARS AS MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY BRAKED ON REGULAR ROADS WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME PULLED INTO A RIGHT HAND TURN LANE AND SLOWED DOWN NEXT TO ME.

NHTSA ID

11342629

Incident

May 22, 2020

Mileage

5,000 mi

ON JULY 3, 2020 AT 2:30PM I WAS PARKING THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A STRIP MALL WHEN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AGAIN AND JERKED BACKWARDS, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, I PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT ON ME AGAIN FOR THE 2ND TIME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAITED FOR THE OWNER OF THE PARKED VEHICLE, THE POLICE ARRIVED ON SITE AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *LN CONSUMER STATED BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*JB

NHTSA ID

11338404

Incident

Jul 3, 2020

Mileage

1,839 mi

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (NEW) ON 6/03/2020. ON 6/16/2020, WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WENT ON AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE WARNINGS TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES, AND THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DROVE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO WORK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THINKING IT MIGHT BE A COMPUTER GLITCH IN WHAT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT TO "TEST" THE BRAKES. THE CAR STOPPED, BUT THE BRAKES SEEMED WEAKER. ULTIMATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER'S SERVICE REP CONTACTED ME TO TELL ME THAT THE BRAKE ASSIST ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. I ASKED IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THEY HAD SEEN BEFORE AND HE SAID NO. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I DETERMINED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL WITH CERTAIN 2019 AND 2020 TOYOTA VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE 2019 RAV4 HYBRID. IN ADDITION, THIS DEFECT AFFECTS NOT ONLY THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. I SUSPECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR IS A CONTINUATION OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2019 MODEL YEAR. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE EITHER CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM OR CHECKED THE 2020 CARS SUFFICIENTLY TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE BRAKE ASSIST ASSEMBLY WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330262

Incident

Jun 16, 2020

Mileage

795 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES 3-4 TIMES AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO PARKED VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE CRASH A WITNESS SAID THE BRAKES MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE DAUGHTER ALSO HEARD A NOISE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE DID CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CRASH OCCURRED FEB 3, 2020. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1300. *DT*JB *BF*JB

NHTSA ID

11306715

Incident

Feb 3, 2020

Mileage

1,300 mi