Complaint volume
626 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
626 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, grouped by component category.
626 Total complaints
17 Crash reports
5 Fire reports
11 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 17 crash reports, 5 fire reports, 11 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 194 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 15,183 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?
17 Crash
5 Fire
11 Injury
0 Fatality
16 Towed
10 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Toyota RAV4 complaint categories?
ENGINE 119
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 78
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 70
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 62
STRUCTURE 42
AIR BAGS 39
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 20
STEERING 16
POWER TRAIN 15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12
626 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | I was driving and out of nowhere this warning came on engine maintenance required, and this now a normal maintenance required that means an oil change. The problem with this warning is the coolant bypass valve, and I’m not the only one with this issue, my car has only 32100 miles only, this a ridiculous for a new car. Plus it seem that this issue only comes on with tha A/C on | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power while accelerating. The contact heard a ding and became aware of an irregular voltage spike, steering power, and other unknown messages were displayed before quickly disappearing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,600. | Crash: No Fire: No | 172,600 |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My Engine Maintenance Required light had appeared on dashboard and found out that is my coolant bypass valve that needed to be replaced. had on online, to find that this is a issue with Toyota, that people had to have this replaced. I had purchased my vehicle back in 2021, and just had this issue 2023. I took to the dealership and was told that it was that part. they are replacing the part going through the extended warranty insurance, but this is concerning, that if this OE part has a defect, that once my warranty expires that I will have this problem again and have no way on coverage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | Coolant Bypass Valve failure at 41K miles. Confirmed by dealership. "Engine Maintenance" warning light came on before taking to dealership. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The engine maintenance light came on to visit the dealer. It's because of the Coolant Bypass Valve. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Got an oil change Monday 8/7/23 When I left the dealership & arrived home the “engine maintenance required” light came on. Contacted dealership next day (service was done at Maita Toyota of Sacramento) let them know about what happened they told me they’d do a diagnostic on the vehicle. Car was at 43,772 miles when I dropped it back off at dealership. They ended up letting me know the diagnosis was the coolant by pass value / hoses were bad and needed to be replaced. However - Toyota would not cover the repair because of their current powertrain warranty expiring on my vehicle. After researching online this seems to be a common issue with this year of rav4. I was luck enough to have extended warranty and only had to pay a $200 deductible but had I not it would be been almost $800 I would have had to pay. Toyota should be made aware of this issue. As an overheating issue can cause dozens of other problems with the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | Coolant Bypass valve internal short. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | A known issue that has been occurring to many people with the coolant bypass valve system going out very soon after purchasing. I bought a 2020 Toyota rav4 and my bypass coolant valve has malfunctioned and needs replaced and of course is outside of the warranty. Per many google searches this is a common issue and should be addressed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | The Engine Maintenance Required Visit your Dealer came on and wouldn’t go away. I took it into Toyota and they charge $166 dollars to run a diagnostic. Plus what ever it cost to fix it. Turns out that 2020 Toyota RAV 4 Have an issue with the coolant by pass it’s a pipe if left unfixed it can make the car over heat and it’s part of the radiator can cost $700 to fix at the dealership. My car is only 3 years old it shouldn’t have this issues and be costing my hundreds of dollars to fix. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | The engine maintenance required light came on at 56,000 miles and would not reset even after a scheduled oil change. The Toyota dealership neglected to evaluate this light when I brought my car in for servicing. After getting a diagnostic, it was found that the coolant bypass valve needed to be replaced which was at least $600. I was advised that the vehicle was to not be driven long distances as it could result in more damage to the car. This is my 4th expensive repair on this 3 year old car in 1 year. This is my very first Toyota, & I am extremely disappointed. I bought a Toyota anticipating a low maintenance, high quality vehicle and have had nothing but issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | There is a known issue with the coolant bypass valve failing. Dealerships are charging over $600 to fix and many people are having the same issue. The engine maintenance required message is persistent, and will not allow you to bypass it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Coolant bypass valve just gave out on car was informed by dealership that this is an ongoing problem with my make of car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | The vehicle has a message engine maintenance required. The Toyota dealership diagnostic was that the coolant bypass valve needed to be replaced. The dealer told us they are getting at least 6 Rav4 a week coming in with the same issue. The part replacement isn't covered manufacturer under warranty. This needs to be a recalled part. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | Coolant Bypass Valve failure/malfunction. Frequently reported issue for model/year. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | AIR BAGS | I was traveling at approximately 40mph when a car ran a light and came across in front of me at an intersection. I T-boned the other persons car which totaled my vehicle. The airbags in my vehicle did not deploy and I feel they should have. I was injured and have been to a doctor. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | The coolant bypass valve is defective on a 3 year old single owner, well maintained under 50,000 miles vehicle. This is a wide spread and known issue for Toyota which can result in engine overheating, causing potentially unsafe situations to occur for the driver. This can also severely damage the engine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The Coolant flow control valve is malfunctioning. This was diagnosed by a Toyota dealer. My car is 3 years old and has 56k miles. Upon doing more research, a lot of people have complained that the same things are happening to their vehicles as well. To my understanding, this is not something typical for a car as young as mine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | Coolant Bypass Value Replacement required on my 2020 Rav 4. I have 33,000 miles & purchased in 2019, so it is not covered under warranty. The dealer is charging me over $850 to replace. I have been told by the Dealer that this is a "KNOWN" problem with this and other Toyota models. Why is there not a recall or extended warranty on this repair if so many owners are paying hundreds of dollars on relatively newer cars with the same FAULTY PRODUCT? I would like Toyota to reimburse me. I am having the car repaired tomorrow because I have been told it is dangerous to use the vehicle in this condition. Please assist me with ways to get reimbursed from Toyota and for others to receive repairs at no cost, especially on vehicles under 5 or 6 yrs old. thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | Coolant valve replacement | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN | $900 Coolant Valve Bypass repair at Toyota Dealership, only 32k miles on vehicle. Unbelievable. Incredibly common failure on 2020 Rav4’s. Wouldn’t be such an issue if the part wasn’t built with cheap plastics | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | It is a common occurence on the 2020 models that the driver and passenger side mirrors begin to extrmely shake after being exposed to water. There are rentention clips that just fall out which results in the mirror itself beiginning to shake extremely making the driver disoriented along with making it very difficult to use see traffic coming from behind. Especially in high speed situations such as freeways. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 2020 Toyota Rav4, just around 25K miles, took to dealership to get regular maintenance service, (oil change, tire rotation). After a couple days, "engine maintenance required" message pops up. Plugged in code reader and brings up code "P268115" for "Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Battery or Open". This issue is popping up for many recent year Toyota models (Rav4, Camry, Corolla) and is not being repaired by Toyota for free. They are charging $600 - $1000 to repair faulty part that is not the owner's fault and issue needs to be recalled. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | At approximately 60K on my 2020 Toyota Rav4 XLE The Engine Maintenance Required Visit Your Dealer message came on my dash. It's been a known issue for many Rav4's not to mention other Toyota models for the engine coolant bypass switch to have gone bad. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and whom I may be transporting can be put at risk if the engine refuses to start or operate as normal and can leave us stranded. The problem is known by Toyota and many of these valves have been replaced at the dealer for a very high cost. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | Dash reported "Engine Maintenance Required / Visit Dealer" - dealer said it was a "coolant bypass hose", not covered by any warranty. $100 part but engine-out procedure costs $800. This vehicle has less than 40,000 miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |