2020 Toyota RAV4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Toyota RAV4 ranks 3rd worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 90 and 634 NHTSA complaints. Engine problems dominate at 32% of complaints, and six recalls cover airbags, steering, fuel system, suspension, and engine defects. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other RAV4 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 RAV4 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 634
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 14
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29.5
- 27 city / 33.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
Top 2020 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine205 (32%)
- Other121 (19%)
- Electrical System120 (19%)
- Fuel System90 (14%)
- Structure & Body69 (11%)
- Airbags55 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain38 (6%)
- Steering27 (4%)
- Brakes20 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers17 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly failed or delayed response at low speed, in one case with abnormal noise before pedal application caused a crash.
- Some drivers reported sudden unintended movement forward or backward while braking during low-speed parking maneuvers.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal and rear-end collisions, in some cases resulting in significant occupant injuries.
- Mirror housings were reported to melt or catch fire in more than one case, unrelated to a collision.
- Owners reported a fire that started in a parked, garaged vehicle, with one report linking it to a prior software update for a battery-discharge issue.
- Power steering was described as behaving abnormally at highway speeds around 35 to 39 mph in one account.
2020 Toyota RAV4 recalls
6 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 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
2020 Toyota RAV4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 33.5 MPG
- Combined
- 29.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,200
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
- Compared to other RAV4 model years, the 2020 ranks 3rd worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 90 and 634 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 RAV4?
- Engine complaints make up 32% of all reports (205 complaints), followed by electrical system issues at 19% and fuel system issues at 14%, based on NHTSA data.
- Does the 2020 RAV4 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists six recalls for the 2020 RAV4, covering airbags, steering, fuel system, suspension, and engine components, with the steering and engine recalls issued in 2020.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 RAV4?
- EPA rates the 2020 RAV4 at 29.5 mpg combined (27 city / 33.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,200.
- At what mileage do 2020 RAV4 problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 2,800 miles overall, with electrical system failures also reported at a median of 2,800 miles and engine failures at a median of 10,000 miles.