2020 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
90/100
#3 most-complained of 21 RAV4 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 carries a complaint index of 90 and ranks 3rd worst among 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 634 complaints, 6 recalls, 17 crashes, 5 fires, and 14 injuries for this year.
- Complaints
- 634
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 17 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29.5
- 27 city / 33.5 hwy
Top 2020 Toyota RAV4 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended braking or complete brake failure at low speeds, sometimes leading to a crash into a parked or stopped vehicle.
- Some drivers describe the vehicle lurching forward or jerking backward while parking with the brake pedal depressed.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including rear-end and pole collisions, resulting in serious injuries.
- Side mirror housings reportedly melted or caught fire in separate incidents at similar mileage.
- One owner reported a garage fire linked to the vehicle after a dealership software update tied to a battery-discharge repair.
- Power steering behavior was described as becoming heavier or unpredictable at highway speeds by one owner.
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 a good year to buy?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 RAV4 a complaint index of 90, the 3rd worst of 21 model years tracked, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other RAV4 years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2020 RAV4?
- Engine complaints lead, making up 32% of all complaints (205 of 634), with a median failure mileage of 10,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 RAV4 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 RAV4 covering airbags, steering, fuel system, suspension, and engine components; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- Were there any fires or crashes reported?
- NHTSA data shows 17 crashes, 5 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths tied to 2020 RAV4 complaints.
- How does 2020 compare to other RAV4 years?
- The 2020 RAV4's complaint index of 90 is close to 2019 (95) and 2021 (100), both also rated Avoid, while years like 2014 (index 5) and 2013 (index 10) rate Best.