2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has a complaint index of 33, ranking 7th of 10 model years, and carries a Good verdict. It has 13 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls, with Airbags as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #7 of 10 RAV4 Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 13
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 40
- 41 city / 38 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags4 (31%)
- Engine3 (23%)
- Electrical System2 (15%)
- Fuel System2 (15%)
- Steering1 (8%)
- Structure & Body1 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the steering became firm or hard to turn at startup, sometimes with the service steering warning light illuminated.
- Some describe the electronic throttle control warning light turning on while driving, traced to the rear motor generator (MGR) needing replacement.
- Several owners waiting on the airbag sensor recall say replacement parts were not available even after the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable repair timeframe.
- One owner found mice had entered through an engine opening, leaving droppings in the air filter housing and causing a foul odor from the vents.
- Others report a vibrating side mirror that distorted the driver's view, and a cracked liftgate hinge that made the liftgate inoperable.
- One owner reported repeated no-start incidents traced to a failed 12-volt battery, recurring even after a jump-start.
2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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.
- NHTSA 20V734000Nov 25, 2020Steering161 vehicles
Steering:column
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."
Risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
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.
- NHTSA 20V373000Jun 24, 2020Steering46 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 41 MPG
- Highway
- 38 MPG
- Combined
- 40 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other RAV4 Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid reliable?
- It ranks 7th out of 10 RAV4 Hybrid model years by complaint index (33) and carries a Good verdict relative to other years, with 13 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls.
- What are the main problems with the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid?
- NHTSA data shows Airbags as the top problem area at 31% of complaints, followed by Engine at 23%, and Electrical System and Fuel System each at 15%.
- Does the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid have an airbag recall?
- Yes, recall 23V865000 covers an airbag sensor issue, and several owners reported waiting for replacement parts to become available.
- What other recalls affect the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls total, covering Airbags, Steering (two separate campaigns), Suspension, and Engine components.
- How does the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid compare to the 2019 and 2021 model years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 33 is lower than the 2019 (89) and 2021 (78) model years, both rated Avoid, making 2020 comparatively better within the lineup.