2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, most often about airbags. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
13
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
53,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Airbags is the most-reported problem area, named in 4 of 13 complaints (31%).
  • Engine (2) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (2) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 53,000 mi.
  • The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 5th of 11 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 30% more complaints than the 2019 model year (10).

2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems by category

  • Airbags
    4 complaints
  • Engine
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Electrical System
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Air bags4
Electrical system2
Engine2
Fuel/propulsion system1
Hybrid propulsion system1
Steering1
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments1
Suspension1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k330k–60k60k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid complaints that list mileage.

2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid recalls (5)

  • Recall 23V865000Dec 20, 2023999,901 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.

  • Recall 20V734000Nov 25, 2020161 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 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.

  • Recall 20V373000Jun 24, 202046 vehicles
    STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

    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 20V286000May 20, 20209,502 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

    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 20V064000Feb 6, 202044,191 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000

    Pedestrian alert sounds

    NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov 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 Marc…

Recent 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Nov 7, 2025120,000 miCASuspension
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11698263 · source
  2. Filed Aug 7, 2025130,000 miINEngine
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11679078 · source
  3. Filed Jun 18, 2025DCAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.
    NHTSA complaint #11667724 · source
  4. Filed Jun 9, 2025CAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.…
    NHTSA complaint #11665902 · source
  5. Filed Apr 4, 2025CAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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…
    NHTSA complaint #11652826 · source
  6. Filed Feb 10, 202533,846 miMNElectrical System
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11641795 · source
  7. Filed Dec 6, 2024NJAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.
    NHTSA complaint #11629208 · source
  8. Filed Aug 20, 2024NMBody & Structure
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11609794 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology