2020 Toyota RAV4: won't start

Filed May 30, 2026 · Electrical · CA

If I don't drive the car for 1 to 2 weeks, the car's 12v is completely drained of power and the care needs to be jumped, otherwise, it will not start. This is consistent. I've taken this to several Toyota dealerships and they all have reported my 12v battery is healthy. However, Toyota is aware and is charging for the fix, labelled as T-SB-0089-21. The known issue is a piece of electronics in the car that continually drains power because it does not properly shut off. This should not be a paid fix. This should be a recall. When the car is jumped and the car finally starts, it reports a message saying something about some safety features not available. The car needs to be moved every 2 weeks due to mandatory city street cleaning so at least once every month the car needs to be jumped if not used the week prior.

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Engine, Steering · MD

I was driving the car with no issues on [XXX]- made two 30-minute trips with no issues the same day. During a 15-minute drive, the car was fine until I was at an intersection 12 minutes into the drive [XXX] and [XXX] ). I was stopped at the intersection for maybe a minute, and when the traffic light turned green, I released my brake and went to accelerate when I got the following display message: "Engine Stopped Steering Power Low." The engine turned off, and I couldn't get the car to budge in drive or reverse. When I tried pressing on the gas pedal, it wouldn't budge and felt very stiff. I'm thankful this happened at a smaller intersection on a Sunday evening because my car wouldn't start back up and was stuck in the dead center of this intersection. Cars going East and South all had to drive around me. This put my safety at risk because I had to hop out of my car and redirect people around it until a kind passerby pulled over to help push my car to the right-side turning lane. I was standing in the middle of an intersection on a road with a 35-40 mph speed limit. After pushing the car to the curb and calling a few towing places (maybe 20 minutes later), I tried starting the car again, and it started with no issues whatsoever. I drove it the rest of the way back (for 3 minutes) with no problems, and I made another three 20-25 minute drives on it today. Nothing sounds wrong with the car; it's running with no issues. I would take my car to the dealership for a diagnostic, but I can't afford to right now. I will put my battery on a tender and use a multimeter to check the voltage within the next few days. Regular maintenance has been kept, and the car has never had this happen prior. I've never received the "Engine Stopped Steering Power Low" message prior to this incident. The car is available for inspection upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Electrical · NC

PARASITIC BATTERY DRAIN DEFECT complaint: prior to 07/16/2024, I received a "low voltage" error on my Toyota RAV4 screen a few times. On 07/16/2024, I took it to the dealership. My battery tested "good" and the Toyota dealership charged me 39.95 to tell me that everything was working well on my vehicle. The very next day (24 hours later), 07/17/2024, my vehicle would not start and had to be towed to the dealership. The tow truck driver told me the battery was "dead" (based on his measurement) and leaking acid (based on a smell). Toyota charged me 272.52 to replace the battery on 07/18, that was supposedly "good" two days prior. This is a known issue to Toyota, part of a class action lawsuit referred to as "Parasitic Battery Drain Defect." This is dangerous since I was stranded with a car that would not start in a summer day of high heat, but could have been much worse in other circumstances. The tow truck driver told me that the battery acid could be dangerous. Toyota should be providing a fix and a recall, but they had no solution for me other than a new battery which is a "quick fix" (but not a real solution) as described in the Class Action lawsuit documents.

Filed Jan 22, 2024 · DC

The engine coolant bypass valve was faulty. The car would not start so I was left stranded 15 miles from home and had to have car towed to Toyota dealer. The problem was confirmed by dealer and they were aware that it was a known issue. The vehicle was inspected by multiple Toyota dealerships. My vehicle displayed an engine maintenance light. The dealerships found the code P268115: Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit short to battery or open

Filed Dec 2, 2023 · Electrical · WI

2020 RAV4 hybrid. Vehicle doesn't start; requires a jump, which is inconvenient or unsafe, depending on where it happens. Intermittent occurrence, ~ 3 times/year. Toyota checked 12V battery, pronounced OK, of course the car was driven to the shop for the check, so was operating at the time. I've checked the battery when the car wouldn't start and found it to be a little low (11.5V) but by no means fully discharged. Not associated with leaving components on (we are careful to turn everything off) or weather; the vehicle is garaged in the winter. I turned off the "Bluetooth" system which we never used and haven't had this issue over the past year. Suspect that the "Bluetooth" system was operating even when the vehicle was off?

Filed Jan 4, 2023 · Electrical · MN

The battery in my hybrid Rav 4 repeatedly goes dead if I don't drive the vehicle for 2 days. I reported the issue to my dealership and they charged the battery but it didn't fix the problem. The next time I brought it in for the same issue they did a software update they said would fix it. However, I have had the same problem once more and they again claim it's just a software update to fix, even though there have been no technology changes to my vehicle since they last "fixed it". In consequence, my vehicle will not start reliably which has left my husband stranded after work on a cold January day, and left me stranded at home from getting to work two additional times. Every time I bring it to the dealership they dismiss the problem but none of their attempts have resolved the issue.

Filed Apr 5, 2021 · Electrical · 10,009 miles · TX

Got in the car and it wouldn't crank. Seemed like a dead battery although nothing was left on. Put jumper cables on it and it would not even jump off. It would act like it was going to turn over then would make a clicking noise. Car is not even a year old with 10,000 miles.

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

Filed Dec 26, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 9,172 miles · WV

Car battery completely drained after not being driven for 24 hours leaving me stranded. Car would not start and had to be jump started. There is an electrical issue causing quick and significant battery drain. Car was purchased in september 2020 and has less than 10,000 miles.

Filed Nov 27, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 2,000 miles · NJ

Car did not start after 2 days of not using it.

Filed Nov 27, 2020 · Electrical · 2,200 miles · CA

Car would not start after sitting overnight in my garage. Only has 2,200 miles on it. Dashboard lights flickering saying parking brake malfunction and check engine/ other warning lights came on. Seems to be a huge issue from other reviews. Toyota needs a recall or we need to file a class action lawsuit! Unacceptable. Looking into ca lemon law.

Filed Nov 24, 2020 · Electrical · 10,700 miles · TN

Car would not start after sitting unused for a few days. Battery is fine; car completely dead.