Complaint volume
620 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Toyota RAV4 Complaints
620 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, grouped by component category.
620 Total complaints
16 Crash reports
5 Fire reports
10 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 16 crash reports, 5 fire reports, 10 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 191 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 14,165 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Toyota RAV4?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Toyota RAV4
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Toyota RAV4 complaints?
16 Crash
5 Fire
10 Injury
0 Fatality
15 Towed
10 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Toyota RAV4 complaint categories?
ENGINE 119
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 78
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 69
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 62
STRUCTURE 41
AIR BAGS 39
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 20
POWER TRAIN 15
STEERING 15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12
620 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Engine maintenance required signed popped on and wouldn’t go away. Took it to the dealership. They say it’s a common coolant bypass valve. Was charged a hefty amount of nearly $700 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | ENGINE | engine coolant bypass valve short to battery | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | ENGINE | At 68,000 miles my Toyota Rav4 needs to have coolant bypass valve replaced. My understanding is this is getting to be a common problem and would like to see it placed on a RECALL. Thank You. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | ENGINE | My 2020 Toyota RAV4, "Engine Maintenance Required: See Dealer" message came on my dashboard and would not go away when I cleared it. I took it into the dealership, and they stated that they had 1000s of RAV4's come in with this same message. They said it was the engine's coolant bypass valve. After diagnosing the problem, the dealership confirmed it was the coolant bypass valve. This was very expensive to fix, $926.67, to be exact. For a car that is just over 3 years old, less than 40,000 miles, Toyota knew of these defective parts and still put them in to get the car out of their factory and onto a dealer’s lot. They do not care if it kills anybody, just get the car sold. Toyota needs to have this bypass valve as a ‘recall’ and issue refunds to THEIR loyal customers, so they call us, loyal customers, not sure how much longer I will be a 'loyal' Toyota customer. I addressed this matter with Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. and the dealership I purchased my 2020 RAV4, Milton Martin Toyota of Gainesville, GA. They just blew it off. So, I went to another Toyota dealership to have the repair done. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | ENGINE | Coolant Bypass valve has stopped working, which can cause engine issues and forces a message on LED display saying Engine Maintenance Required. Local Toyota technician admitted that they've had 100's of these issues with the Rav4 recently and it costs over $500 to fix. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | Engine maintenance light came on and dealership indicates it’s the coolant bypass valve. This seems to be a common safety issue being ignored by both Toyota and the transportation safety board… | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2020 Toyota Rav4 - Cooling valve failure reported and is not covered under warranty or recalled. Car only has 35k miles. This is apparently a common issue as the dealer knew the problem before even doing any diagnosis. Once I told them the "Engine Maintenance Required" message was on, they said "Oh, thats usually the coolant bypass valve". If it is that common an issue it should be recalled. Toyota should take ownership of this issue and fix / reimburse people for the problem. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | Coolant bypass valve shorts out and doesn't open or close to allow coolant through it. "Engine Maintenance Required" message pops up for this. Toyota dealer inspected it and it replacing the part. NOT covered under my warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | Engine coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced. Seems to be a very common issue in 2019-2023 RAV4s but Toyota has not issued a recall and is making customers pay $600-900 to fix. I ask that Toyota take responsibility and issue the recall now so this can be fixed! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have a 2020 Toyota RAV4, two weeks ago the following display appear "Engine Maintenance Require, Visit Your Dealer". I attempted to clear it but it cannot be done. I check online for similar issues. I found that the 2019 Toyota RAV4, Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES300H vehicles have similar issue with the 'coolant bypass valve'. Mine is also a 2.5L 4-Cylinder Engine. I purchase my Rav4 on Feb 24, 2020. My car only has 15,429 miles and a possible fire issue makes me nervous. I also notice than some preselected 2020 RAV4 were added to the recall, but not my RAV. Should I wait till my engine cracks or the cooling system fail? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | Unknown engine maintenance light alert check light Recommend engine coolant bypass valve with gallon of coolant | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | 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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | There was a warning message pop up all the time and I went to Toyota service. They said I need to pay for a coolant bypass valve replacement and it costs approx 600-800 dollars. Also, they did not fill up for the engine oil even it’s in very low to dry position. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | Engine maintenance required light came on. Scan code came up engine coolant bypass valve stuck open. Had to replace it. Cost me $120 for the part with hoses attached. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | -Inspection found coolant bypass valve seized recommendation, was to replace coolant hose with bypass valve. YES, the car is available for inspection upon any request -Safety risk unknown if not fixed -Michaels Toyota of Bellevue Washington confirmed on September 23rd 2023. I brought the car in originally on September 9th 2023 for a 10,000 mileage service and oil change. when I called to ask why the engine maintenance notice wouldn't turn off. I was scheduled to bring the car back on September 23, 2023 the needed part was not in stock nor covered by the factory or powertrain warranty with 31,2002 miles on it. The warning light came on at the same time the service and oil change was due. I was stopped a month prior by a random mechanic who noticed the car was leaking abnormal amounts of what he said could be coolant on the passengers front undercarriage. This leaking has been happening for approximately a year and I was not notified the previous 3 times the car had been in for inspections. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | RAV4 53,000 miles on and engine maintenance required prompt came on. No other warning lights on dash. Took it to dealership and it was a coolant bypass valve. Read up on it and it’s been happening to many more people. Was originally charged $900 but got a discount ended up being $825 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | Engine maintenance required “Visit dealer” Light is on and won’t turn off even when resetting the scheduled maintenance data. Needs a 3 point valve according to dealership. $650 cost for that part to make light go away. This is something that needs fixed and recalled as he says it’s a common issue with the RAV4. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ENGINE | I have 2020 Toyota rav4 XLE and all of sudden I got "Engine Maintenance Required" When I turn off the AC, this message goes away but comes in when I turn on the AC. I believe, it is coolant bypass valve which needs to be replaced. I read my forums in [XXX] and [XXX] and many others have complaint about the same. Toyota has to have a recall on this poorly manufactured bypass value. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Got an engine maintenance required alert, took to Toyota and they advised the coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced at just 38,000 miles. Googled this and found out many 2020 RAV4 with the same issue at just under 40,000 miles. Also a common issue is the voltage being low and we already had to get the battery replaced once and still get alerts of it being low after replacement. Have to pay today $765 for the coolant bypass to be replaced, will have the receipt later in the day. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My Toyota Rav4 2020 had engane maintenance issue drive to dealer alert. I diagnosed the problem an it is the coolant bypass valve that is not working. As I researched, I came to find out that this is a common problem for 2018- 2023 Rav4, Camry, and Corolla. This should be recalled having so many malfunctions on the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Engine bypass coolant Valve needs to be replaced. The Engine Maintenance required light turned On. My car only has 74k miles and a 2020 model car and this is a $900 replacement. This is quite concerning as multiple owners have reported this part failing after even 30k miles. This part needs to be recalled. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ENGINE | My RAV4 doesn’t even have 40,000 miles on it. I found out that the coolant bypass system needs to be replaced. After investigating online, I realized that this is a very common problem for RAVs. I believe this should be a recall! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ENGINE | ENGINE COOLANT BYPASS VALVE failed internally causing an open circuit. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE purchased July of 2020. Just hit 35K miles and an "engine maintenance required" message appeared. The error message would not go away while driving and blocked the entire display screen. There is an issue with the Engine Coolant Bypass Valve that costs $700-$1000 to repair. The part and repairs are not covered by the 60,000 power terrain warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | I have a 2020 RAV4 Toyota with 60,000 miles.. I have replaced the car battery 3 times now Toyota has no clue why. The 2nd battery only lasted 8 months and it was a name brand battery (Die Hard).. The engine problem started with a warning light that i could not turn off.. I took my car to Toyota and they told me right off (without checking) it was because of a Coolant Bypass Value, the Toyota service lady said it was her 5th Rav4 this week with the same problem. I checked on line and was surprised how many Rav4 customers were complaining about the same issue so i reported it to you.. Toyota is charging me $900 to replace. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |