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2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems

The most common problem on the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is airbags. Its complaint count is close to a typical RAV4 Hybrid model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
13
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
17514 warranty
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    4
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Acceleration
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    4
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 5

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported December 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 23V865000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported November 25, 2020 · 161 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 20V734000 · Recall details

Steering: electric power assist systemReported June 24, 2020 · 46 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 20V373000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported May 20, 2020 · 9,502 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Toyota's interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08.

Recall number 20V286000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported February 6, 2020 · 44,191 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.
Risk
A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371 or Lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.

Recall number 20V064000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Defect investigations

Pedestrian alert soundsOpened January 27, 2023, closed August 7, 2023

the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP22005

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 175

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 175 bulletins for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

What 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 7, 2025 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the suspension. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the sound was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was determined that the front lower suspension arms were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that while coming to a stop on another occasion, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brake area. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V286000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2025 · Engine · 130,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The messages "PKSB Malfunction - Visit your dealer" and "Pre-Collision System Malfunction - Visit your dealer" were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at a local dealer for a coolant fault and parts were ordered to repair the wiring harness. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. Several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related that failure to the Customer Support Program: 22TE09, however the warranty was not valid. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Airbags · DC

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Airbags · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 4, 2025 · Airbags · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number 23V86500 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and Northridge Toyota (9550 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91324) were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 10, 2025 · Electrical · 33,846 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was jumpstarted; however, two days later the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer twice where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred after 18 months. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the vehicle remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,846.

Filed Dec 6, 2024 · Airbags · NJ

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Aug 20, 2024 · Body · NM

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off on several occasions, the liftgate button was depressed and the liftgate was partially raised before freezing. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver’s side liftgate hinge had cracked and snapped, causing the liftgate to become inoperable. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, the liftgate failed to close fully and failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side liftgate hinge had cracked and snapped. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 21, 2024 · Visibility · 53,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the driver's side sideview mirror was vibrating excessively, distorting the image seen. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 53,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jun 21, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 23,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while using the A/C, there was an abnormally foul odor coming from the vents. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a mechanic discovered mice had entered the vehicle through an opening in the engine and that droppings were found in the air filter housing. The air filter was replaced, and the contact was advised to use Lysol spray to spray the air cabin. Upon investigation, the contact's husband discovered that the wiring was made of soy-based materials which attracted rodents to the engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Compare the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

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Questions about the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Is the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid reliable?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, close to a typical RAV4 Hybrid model year.

What is the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid year score?

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?

Airbags, with 4 complaints. Next is electrical (2).

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid have?

5 recalls, covering air bags, steering and suspension.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 23V865000, 20V734000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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