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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 | 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 | 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 |
| Jul 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Car has 26K miles on it (3 year 2 months old). A light appears saying Emergency Engine Maintenance is required. After research as this error is not in manual, found out it was a failed coolant bypass valve and this was a common failure/faulty equipment but we are being asked to pay full price to repair. A simple internet search shows 100's of consumers with same issue in same model and low miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | Coolant Bypass Valve breaks easily and in many RAV4s and Corollas. When this happens an "Engine Maintenance Required" see your dealer message comes up in the heads up display and won't go away. Makes seeing the important details of speed, miles to empty, etc on the screen impossible read. It is a known issue by Toyota and they refuse to do a recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Coolant bypass valve required replacement due to faulty equipment, causing sensor to read “engine maintenance required”. Costs $650 to replace and dealership will not cover in warranty or admit fault. Many other Rav 4 owners are having same issue. This should not be on the customer, but rather Toyota for having faulty equipment in vehicle. Also “engine maintenance required” sensor will not go away. Since this is not an engine issue, this is unsafe, false alarming. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | Over a month ago, I had an engine maintenance required error light come up on my dashboard. I had done some research and found that this has been an ongoing issue with multiple RAV4s. I discussed this recently with the dealership as well as contacting Toyota’s customer service and they did not address the issue as a concern and replied I would have to have the dealership run a diagnostic to see what the issue was. I already knew the answer from multiple threads I had read prior to my appointment. I ended up paying $190+ for the diagnostic of what I already knew was going to be the issue. And now I have an appointment to have the part changed next week for another $600+ | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE | The coolant bypass valve failed. If this was not repaired it could have resulted in leaking coolant which would eventually cause engine failure. The issue started with a message on the dash stating there was "engine maintenance required" on 6/28/2023. I took my vehicle to my service provider the next day, 06/29/2023. The dealer service tech knew exactly what the issue was before diagnostics because they had 4 RAV4's come in that week with this same issue. The bypass valve was replaced on this visit and I paid for the job. I have since seen many posts online with this same failure on 2019 and 2020 RAV4 models. It appears Toyota had a recall for this in 2020 for Hybrid RAV4's and some non hybrid RAV4's but apparently my vehicle and many others were not included in this recall. https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1127163_some-2019-2020-toyota-and-lexus-hybrids-recalled-for-coolant-leak-concern This recall needs to be extended for the other vehicles like mine that are currently being affected by this faulty part. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Only 46,000 miles and needing a Coolant Bypass Valve replacement | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |