2020 Toyota RAV4 Owner Complaints

The power liftgate hinges on my 2020 Toyota RAV4 have bent and deformed during normal use, and the power liftgate no longer opens or closes properly. I purchased the vehicle new in April 2020. The problem appeared at approximately 49,000 miles. The power liftgate has never been struck or misused. My local Toyota inspected the vehicle and confirmed the hinges are damaged. They quoted approximately $2,600 to repair it. This is a WIDELY reported failure on 2019+ RAV4 models and was the subject of a federal class action lawsuit (Hughes v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., N.D. Cal.). Toyota has not issued a recall or extended warranty for this condition, leaving owners to pay upwards of thousands of dollars for repairs to a structural part that is failing under normal use.

NHTSA ID

11776832

Incident

Nov 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced hesitation upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Additionally, while approaching a hill, the vehicle drifted backwards while attempting to accelerate. The failure persisted after several restarts, and several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and a dealer, and it was confirmed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but the contact was informed that the part to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11775480

Incident

Oct 11, 2026

Mileage

89,000 mi

Vehicle electrical failure when Driving with the automatic start/stop option turned on Vehicle shows a low voltage abnormality that kills all my electrical components including battery, sometimes it happens while driving on the Highway at 70 speed

NHTSA ID

11773959

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

On [XXX], my 2020 Toyota RAV4 underwent brake service at an authorized Toyota dealership in New Jersey. The service included replacement of all four brake pads and both front brake rotors. On [XXX], while driving my [XXX] daughter to school, I experienced a sudden and severe loss of braking capability. The driver’s-side rear brake caliper had completely detached from its mounting assembly, rupturing the brake hose and causing a substantial loss of brake fluid. This failure created an immediate and serious safety hazard, as I was unable to brake normally. Fortunately, I was able to avoid a collision, and no injuries occurred. Police responded to the incident, and the vehicle required towing back to the dealership. Following its inspection, the dealership informed me that the caliper mounting bolts had fallen out due to an improperly calibrated torque wrench used during the previous brake service. This explanation was provided verbally, and I have not received written diagnostic findings or independent confirmation of the cause. I specifically requested that the dealership provide a complete report of the damage before performing repairs. Although the service advisor agreed, the dealership completed the repairs without providing the requested report or notifying me beforehand. The vehicle has since been repaired by the same dealership. I do not know whether the failed components or mounting hardware were preserved and remain available for inspection. Given that this critical braking system failure occurred only three days after service, I am reporting the incident for documentation and evaluation of the safety concern. The dealership’s explanation suggests a possible service-related installation failure rather than an established manufacturing defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11773814

Incident

Oct 26, 2026

Power liftgate hinges separating from body. Lift gate is no longer working as designed, liftgate is inoperable.

NHTSA ID

11773378

Incident

Aug 3, 2026

Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint – Loose and Wobbling Hood on 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE. The hood is loose and wobbles excessively. It moves when pressed while closed, appears uneven, and shakes or bounces while the vehicle is in motion. I am concerned that the hood may not be securely latched and could open while driving, creating a serious safety hazard. My vehicle has also undergone front-end accident repairs. I want the hood latch, secondary safety catch, hinges, alignment, mounting hardware, and any components affected by the prior repairs inspected to determine the cause of this issue. I am requesting that Toyota open a formal safety case, document the complaint, investigate whether this condition is a known safety concern, and arrange an appropriate inspection and corrective repair. I would also like Toyota to determine whether the issue is related to a manufacturing defect, a component failure, or the previous front-end repairs. Please provide a case number and written confirmation of the next steps. I am also considering reporting this issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NHTSA ID

11772619

Incident

Oct 26, 2023

Its the sway bar stabilizer bar in the front end of my 2020 rav4 i bought it brand new in 2020. After just 24k miles i had to replace the sway bar now just a few months later ima gonna have to get it back in the shop because its making the same noise as before

NHTSA ID

11766886

Incident

May 18, 2026

While driving on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden loss of engine power and went into a low-power/vapor lock state due to severe fuel starvation. This created a major safety hazard by stranding the vehicle on the highway shoulder and exposing occupants to high-speed traffic. Prior to the power loss, there were no advance warning lights until the engine stalled. A diagnostic scan performed immediately following the incident confirmed code P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low), along with cylinder misfire codes P030027 and P030100. To allow the vehicle to safely limp home from a remote location, an independent technician cleared the diagnostic trouble codes. An independent scan tool report clearly documented and confirmed the low fuel pressure fault prior to code clearance. The dealership subsequently declined to perform a warranty or recall fuel pump replacement citing the absence of active codes upon arrival, despite receiving the timestamped diagnostic report of the failure. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer beyond the dealership's initial turn-away, but the vehicle and diagnostic documentation remain available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11764071

Incident

Aug 19, 2026

cracking, bending, and failing liftgate hinges and struts.

NHTSA ID

11762621

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

During summer 2026 i began to notice a noise/whine above 30mph that would only occur when foot is on accelerator. my vehicle has 83k miles on it (me being only owner with routine maintenance). as a responsible owner, i had my dealer do an inspection. after a drive and a listen, they claimed it was a transmission bearing failure and only solution is a $11k transmission replacement, with the commentary "we had a camry in last week with same issue". Being responsible owner, i got a second opinion from an independent shop who also verified "transmission bearing failure, you will need a new transmission. currently the part is on backorder because so many are needing to be replaced and no one should do a replacement with a used transmission". This is not the quality i expected out of toyota -- transmissions should not be needing to be replaced at 83k miles.

NHTSA ID

11762165

Incident

Aug 31, 2026

The rear liftgate is no longer aligned and does not sit evenly when closed. After noticing the uneven fit, I inspected the liftgate hinges and found that both metal hinge brackets appear to be cracking and splitting at their mounting points. There were no warning lights or messages before the problem appeared. I am concerned that the hinges could fail completely, causing the liftgate to fall unexpectedly, detach from the vehicle, or create a road hazard while driving.

NHTSA ID

11762068

Incident

Sep 4, 2026

Vehicle was parked in my garage and it was 80° outside. I was standing at the door and heard an explosion. I found out that the rear glass on my RAV4 SUV exploded. Just glad the wife or kids were not standing around the vehicle. I have filed on my insurance and it will be taken care of in a few days by my insurance company.

NHTSA ID

11760387

Incident

Aug 27, 2026

"Engine Coolant Bypass Valve failed suddenly on highway (Code P2681-15), risking engine overheat and stall. Toyota acknowledged this defect under CSP 24TE04 but refused assistance due to vehicle having 103,660 miles (just past 100k miles). Failure causes immediate safety and overheating hazard."

NHTSA ID

11759760

Incident

Jun 4, 2026

**VEHICLE:** 2020 Toyota RAV4 LE **VIN:** [XXX] **CURRENT MILEAGE:** 126,776 miles **PURCHASE DATE:** October 2020 **COMPONENT:** Automatic Transmission (Power Train) **PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:** On XXX, I took my 2020 Toyota RAV4 LE to a transmission specialty shop (TJ'S Transmission Service Inc., Bedford, PA) because the automatic transmission was slipping while driving. The professional diagnosis (Invoice #XXX) confirmed the following stored fault codes: P2681, P2816, P08BA, P2713 The technician also confirmed that the transmission fluid was black and contained metal debris, indicating significant internal wear of clutch/band components. While researching these codes, I found that Toyota previously issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) T-SB-0160-18, titled "Transaxle Whine Noise, Harsh Shift, MIL ON, or Reduced Power," which acknowledges these SAME fault codes (P2816, P08BA, P2713, among others) as a known problem in the 8-speed automatic transmission (UA80/UB80 family, manufactured by Aisin). This TSB was officially issued only for the 2017-2018 Highlander and Sienna models, but the 2019 and later RAV4 uses the same transmission family (UB80E/UB80F) for the 2.5L engine, suggesting this is the same design or manufacturing defect that has not been officially acknowledged for this model. This issue represents a safety risk, as unexpected loss of power or transmission slippage while driving (for example, when merging onto a highway or passing) can create a dangerous situation for the driver and other vehicles on the road. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether a similar failure pattern exists in other 2019-2021 RAV4 vehicles equipped with this transmission, and that consideration be given to whether Toyota should extend coverage of TSB T-SB-0160-18 (or issue a specific one) to include the RAV4. No repair was performed at this time due to the high estimated cost without warranty coverage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11757837

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

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

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 59,475. The contact stated that while his father was driving the vehicle, the vehicle stalled several times. The contact's father was a mechanic and was able to repair the vehicle. It was later discovered that Carfax reported the vehicle mileage as 176,009.

NHTSA ID

11740650

Incident

May 26, 2026

Mileage

176,009 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving, the contact observed a swishing noise coming from the rear passenger door. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed the swishing noise when moving the door. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that water had collected in the rear passenger door and all door seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ID

11740599

Incident

Jan 15, 2026

Mileage

87,000 mi

Hinges on the trunk wore out abnormally fast causing the struts to fail and trunk to misalign causing further lift gate damage. Caused a roughly one inch gap in the trunk there light was visible and wind can be felt through. If not addressed the hinge will rip off and the trunk will go with it.

NHTSA ID

11740174

Incident

Feb 1, 2026