Home · 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hv · Complaints

What 627 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hv

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (627)Crash / fire / injury (23)Engine (179)Electrical system (119)Fuel system (89)Body & structure (59)Airbags (55)Transmission & drivetrain (36)Steering (27)Brakes (19)Visibility & wipers (17)Engine & cooling (15)

Newest first · 627 complaints · page 3 of 26

Jul 15, 2025SteeringDriver assistance

i cant use my cruise control its not going straight and everytime im turning i can hear a grinding noise its coming from power steering

NHTSA ODI 11673563

Jul 14, 2025SteeringEngine

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)

NHTSA ODI 11673543

Jul 7, 2025Engine

Coolant Bypass Valve failure at 40k miles - 2020 rav4. Replacement at dealership is costing over 800$.

NHTSA ODI 11671670

Jul 5, 2025

Water by-pass hose failure

NHTSA ODI 11671347

Jul 4, 2025Airbags

Dear NHTSA, My name is [XXX] the owner of the above RAV4. It has been probably if not, six months since that I kept on going to my local dealer for the safety recall on my vehicle however, every time I am going to the dealer, they told me that the recall is not available as a yet. I am very concerned about this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11671196

Jul 3, 2025Airbags

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11671054

Jul 3, 2025Airbags

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:  23V865000 (AIR BAGS) However, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 ODI 11671147

Jun 26, 2025Electrical system

The CarPlay disconnects constantly during every drive. It’s is extremely dangerous because when my directions are being displayed the navigation cuts out, and you have to fiddle with your phone to attempt to reestablish the connection.

NHTSA ODI 11669510

Jun 23, 2025Airbags

This recall remedy is overdue and poses a safety risk to passengers. Toyota is currently preparing the remedy for this issue. When the remedy is available, Toyota dealers will inspect the OCS sensors and, if necessary, replace them FREE OF CHARGE. At this time, Toyota estimates the remedy can be available in Quarter 3, 2024, but this is subject to change based on parts availability.

NHTSA ODI 11668507

Jun 16, 2025Engine

The coolant bypass valuve has failed. There looks to be a class action lawsuit currently underway.

NHTSA ODI 11667296

Jun 11, 2025Body & structure

Lift gate will not close properly. Hinges a top of gate are coming undone. Worried gate will open while driving. Had to manually close and hope it closed.

NHTSA ODI 11666283

Jun 8, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngine

My vehicle Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2020 began lost power and jerk on highway driving and then following messages appeared: Hybrid System Malfunction, A malfunction in electronic control of engine, throttle or automatic transmission has been detected and check engine light. This happened in September 2024. Toyota dealership replaced the low fuel pressure sensor A after my complaint and vehicle diagnostic, but it did not help. I recently had the same problem while driving on the highway for a long distance.

NHTSA ODI 11665668

Jun 7, 2025

When attempting to open the rear lift gate wither from the dash or from the key fob rear lift gate partial opens followed by multiple beeps rear lift gift then has to be manually opened or closed

NHTSA ODI 11665546

May 30, 2025Speed controlCrash2 injuries

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 8 MPH to an appointment and making several turns in the parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into the building. There were no warning lights illuminated. The top of the vehicle had to be cut off. The driver had a concussion, soft tissue injuries to the neck and back. The passenger sustained a fractured sternum, soft tissue damage, and dementia injuries, The two occupants were provided medical attention. Both of the occupants were wearing seatbelts. The airbags deployed. There was smoke inside the vehicle due to the airbag deployment. There were no reported fire. A police report was filed. The contact mentioned an engine throttle error. The black data was downloaded by her lawyer, which indicated she was not depressing the brakes. The anti-collision feature did not engage. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11663963

May 23, 2025AirbagsSeats

Failure of the Drivers Side Power Seat.

NHTSA ODI 11662875

May 22, 2025Engine

Coolant Bypass Valve, vehicle is available for inspection. Confirmed by Certified Toyota Dealership. There is a know defect with the Coolant Bypass Valve in 2019-2023 Toyota Rav4. Maintenance Required Light Only Comes on when the Heat is switched to Air Conditioner.

NHTSA ODI 11662507

May 22, 2025Engine

I have a 20202 Rav4 Hybrid and the engine short block has malfunctioned due to no error on my part, in my research there was a recall for this EXACTLY this issues in other cars of this year/make/model - although my vehicle initially did not qualify for this I believe that this in fact related and that Toyota should be responsible for the repair or replacement of the engine. The car is currently with a Toyota Dealership Service Center, Lake City Toyota in Seattle, WA but they have not been helpful. They have given me vague answers and have sent the engine offsite to a machine shop and keep requesting that I pour additional money into fixing an engine that clearly had a manufacturer defect. My car has always been serviced at Toyota dealerships, as suggested by Toyota. My car has never had previous issues until the engine light came on one day, i checked the coolant and it was empty - first replaced the fluid, let it sit overnight, then drove it around the block to circulate the coolant - when the reservoir emptied again I immediately made an appointment to take it in. The Dealership has not given me any paper invoices or written confirmation/notice of what is happening aside form continuing to ask me to pay more money to fix an engine that is clearly related to the national recall issued.

NHTSA ODI 11662539

May 19, 2025Airbags

This safety recall relate to airbag on front passenger seat may not deploy due to an accident..im really afraid the risk it have when invole in an accident...i try to call dealer to ask for repair but they say just wait because the remedy is not available...my car is on year 2020 but they still have not the part to get it fix yet...this is the priority safety matter

NHTSA ODI 11661814

May 19, 2025Airbags

A Safety Recall 23TA15 had been issued on Dec 20,2023. NHTSA Recall ID: 23V865 Toyota has acknowledged that a defect in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) may result in the passenger airbag failing to deploy in the event of a crash. This directly compromises a core safety feature I relied on when choosing this vehicle. Despite the recall being announced months ago, I was recently informed by Toyota Customer Service that no remedy is currently available and that no rental or loaner program is being offered in the meantime. This situation places me in an unacceptable position: I either drive a vehicle that is not fully safe or absorb the personal financial burden of securing alternative transportation—neither of which is a fair expectation of a customer who acted in good faith. I am requesting the following: 1. A clear timeline for when the necessary repair or replacement parts will become available. 2. Immediate access to a safe and comparable loaner or rental vehicle until the recall is fully resolved. 3. Written confirmation that Toyota acknowledges the safety risk and is currently offering no interim solution.

NHTSA ODI 11661938

May 14, 2025

The flow shut off valve coolant it was recall from Toyota

NHTSA ODI 11661062

May 13, 2025Airbags

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ODI 11660764

May 7, 2025Engine & coolingElectrical system

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11659446

Apr 30, 2025Electrical systemEngine

"Engine maintenance required. Visit your dealer" prompt after turning on Air conditioning. Message of Engine coolant bypass valve circuit short to battery or open upon diagnostic test

NHTSA ODI 11657851

Apr 29, 2025Engine

Coolant relief valve failure

NHTSA ODI 11657457

Apr 29, 2025Engine

My Rav4 xle 2020. Starting the engine up it shakes and blows white smokes for 5 seconds and smooths out. This symptoms happens every time when engine is turn on I have to fill coolant once a week.

NHTSA ODI 11657653

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Working with the data? Download all 627 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hv verdict →