2020 Toyota RAV4: engine stalls while driving

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

While driving on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden loss of engine power and went into a low-power/vapor lock state due to severe fuel starvation. This created a major safety hazard by stranding the vehicle on the highway shoulder and exposing occupants to high-speed traffic. Prior to the power loss, there were no advance warning lights until the engine stalled. A diagnostic scan performed immediately following the incident confirmed code P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low), along with cylinder misfire codes P030027 and P030100. To allow the vehicle to safely limp home from a remote location, an independent technician cleared the diagnostic trouble codes. An independent scan tool report clearly documented and confirmed the low fuel pressure fault prior to code clearance. The dealership subsequently declined to perform a warranty or recall fuel pump replacement citing the absence of active codes upon arrival, despite receiving the timestamped diagnostic report of the failure. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer beyond the dealership's initial turn-away, but the vehicle and diagnostic documentation remain available for inspection upon request.

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Engine · IA

"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). Failure causes immediate safety and overheating hazard."

Filed May 28, 2026 · Electrical · 176,009 miles · NJ

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 59,475. The contact stated that while his father was driving the vehicle, the vehicle stalled several times. The contact's father was a mechanic and was able to repair the vehicle. It was later discovered that Carfax reported the vehicle mileage as 176,009.

Filed Oct 12, 2025 · Engine · MI

Engine light shows on in dash. Stopped to fuel up Car stalled, would not restart Diagnosed fuel pump No prior history of engine issue

Filed Mar 8, 2025 · Electrical · WI

Hybrid System Malfunction. The warning lights came on notifying of an issue with the hybrid system. A certified Toyota service center inspected the vehicle and found the hybrid floor wire traction cable/wiring harness corroded. Issue started 3/1/25, car was inspected on 3/3/25. This is a known issue with Toyota. Vehicle will no longer start and could have shut off while driving without warning.

Filed Sep 27, 2024 · Transmission · MI

Toyota vehicles, namely RAV4’s are having a coolant bypass valve defect. And Toyota is denying this claim and charging to diagnostic and repair. This is a defect and should be set to recall as many owners are experiencing the issue. Mine began on a out of state trip with a engine maintenance light, and leaking fluid from the coolant valve, which can lead to engine stalling and issues while driving. Very dangerous! I took mine to my mechanic and had it repaired since I am beginning not to trust Toyota.

Filed Nov 22, 2023 · Engine · CA

My coolant bypass valve in the engine malfunctioned and shorted at a mere 27,300 miles on the vehicle and I had to bring it into the dealership to be replaced. A coolant bypass valve failing or malfunctioning can cause the engine to overheat, catch fire, or cause complete seizure. Can also cause the vehicle to stall and possibly cause a crash or wreck. Toyota has acknowledged the problem in the RAV4’s but no recalls have been issued. Dealer knew exactly what the problem was when I mentioned that the ‘engine maintenance required’ light came up on my dashboard BEFORE mechanic diagnosed it and confirmed which tells me they are aware of the issue in these cars.

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Engine · TX

Part # 16260-f0010 - engine coolant bypass valve failed due to open or internal short and caused a Engine maintenance required warning which blocked other safety items on the display. This is a wide spread and known issue for Toyota which can result in engine overheating due to leaking coolant and result in engine failure (severely damage the engine) leading to engine stall and/or fire risk, causing potentially unsafe situations to occur for the driver and others in the vehicle. The error code is "P268115" for "Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Battery or Open". Yes. the problem has been reported with the federal safety agency by others and from some dealers. When I took the vehicle into the dealership, and they stated that they had many RAV4's come in with this same message. They immediately said it is some engine component failure. There is a related the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V064000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and also a recall related to it (but not for my vehicle's VIN): [XXX] Yes, the component has been inspected by the dealer. No, there was no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear Engine maintenance required warning sign did not go off which is good to have warning but blocking other safety items on the display dash board is a safety hazard. This could only be removed if we spend $185 for diagnostics (which is charged knowingly that this has been a reported/unreported problem around the 2.5-4yr/30-60k miles for the vehicles with this part) and fixing the part at the dealer and resetting the code. The cost of the part is affordable but the labor charge of $700 is exorbitant. The part replacement isn't covered under manufacturer's warranty. This part warrants recall as this is accidental poor manufacturing issue that is outside the scope of normal wear and tear and especially when the owner is not at fault. I'm expecting more repairs in future. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

Filed Aug 21, 2023 · Transmission · NE

Engine stalled on highway, was fortunate other drivers allowed us to get to the inside lane and on the shoulder. It bucked a couple times a few minutes earlier. A host of warning lights came on the dash. car did restart after ignition cycled off and on. Had over 1/2 tank fuel. Dash warnings that remained on CEL yellow. parking assist Radar and lane assist. Power steering seemed weak. No cruise control. Over the next 550 miles with engine shut offs during fuel stops dash warnings went out and car returned to normal. No longer trust this car with 70,000 miles.

Filed Jul 20, 2023 · Fuel system · FL

Car shut off while driving and once restarted check engine light came on. Safety was at risk because I was driving with cars behind me. After check trouble code it was determined faulty gas pump.

Filed Sep 16, 2022 · Engine · TX

I was driving down the hwy doing 75mph, herd a loud bang and vehical lost all power, was passing an exit right at the moment this happened and immediately pulled out and was able to coast to a stop. The exhaust smoked for a while and it left a huge puddle of what looked like motor oil where it stoped and never started back up again. Ended up having to have it towed to a dealership where im told it threw a rod and being as how there is already a recall on this engine for possible cracks im thinking this model probably need to be added to the recall list. The car has been sitting at the dealership where the tow truck left it. There is a recall involving the possibility that cracks could form in the engine, leading to coolant or oil leaks and stalling, overheating, or engine fires. If I hadnt had both my hands on the wheel I could have lost control and killed myself or worst off if there had been cars around me I could have caused a fatal accident. In this case the problem cant be reproduced as the engine is ruined but would be happy to offer to have it inspected. I have kept up with all the manufacturers maintenance request and there were no signs of a problem prior.

Filed Dec 26, 2020 · VA

Within a week from the date of purchase ,the vehicle did not start , had to be towed back to the dealer, dealer says the vehicle started normally the problem did not duplicate at their end. No fault detected. 9 months later when the vehicle had a mileage of 6066 again it failed to start, had to be towed back to the dealer, dealer again started the vehicle normally no fault was detected, later when the vehicle had the mileage of 7079 the vehicle stalled while in que in a gas station. Flashing notification in the dash board indicated "dirt in the engine" the vehicle was towed back to the dealer for the third time in a year next day dealer says they did not find any issue in the vehicle. My concern is not once but thrice the vehicle stoped working but the the service department just could not diagnose the problem. I am frustrated - 3 breakdowns in the 1st yerar of the performance within 7100 mileage. I think the mechanics of this dealer"s service department are not experienced to detect the problem in a new vehicle. Help