2020 Toyota RAV4
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 47 |
| 1997 | 54 |
| 1998 | 77 |
| 1999 | 62 |
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 309 |
| 2002 | 527 |
| 2003 | 314 |
| 2004 | 154 |
| 2005 | 141 |
| 2006 | 704 |
| 2007 | 1003 |
| 2008 | 575 |
| 2009 | 327 |
| 2010 | 400 |
| 2011 | 287 |
| 2012 | 260 |
| 2013 | 257 |
| 2014 | 197 |
| 2015 | 303 |
| 2016 | 237 |
| 2017 | 305 |
| 2018 | 330 |
| 2019 | 875 |
| 2020 | 630 |
| 2021 | 382 |
| 2022 | 141 |
| 2023 | 150 |
| 2024 | 170 |
| 2025 | 81 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
29% of complaints: engine — 180 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
"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).
NHTSA ODI report, 20260826
19% of complaints: electrical system — 119 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and instrument cluster/panel.
CRASH FIRE INJURY14% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 89 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: structure — 59 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and hinge and attachments.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200709
9% of complaints: air bags — 55 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air bag/restraint control module.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Recall for passenger air bag may not deploy. Remedy is not yet avaliable, I purchased a safe vehicle for my family and now I shouldnât have passengers in the front. Vehicle was in an accident 7/29/2024 and air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240913
The contact owned a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 55MPH, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle head-on. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240517
Got T-boned going through a traffic light and was hit at approximately 15-20mph on my driver side. Most of the damage occurred to the front driver door and wheel. Airbags did not deploy, unsure if they should have?
NHTSA ODI report, 20240114
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V064000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V286000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS).
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.
Campaign 20V373000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles.
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.
Campaign 20V734000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V682000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 23V865000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2020 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (180 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (119 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (89 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V064000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V286000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V373000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V734000 (air bags, steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V682000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V865000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2020 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota RAV4?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.