Complaint volume
625 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
625 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, grouped by component category.
625 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 69
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 62
STRUCTURE 42
AIR BAGS 39
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 20
STEERING 16
POWER TRAIN 15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12
625 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2024 | ENGINE | While driving with the air conditioner on a message appears on the instrument panel ENGINE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED. From researching this message on the internet it appears this is due to an engine coolant bypass valve problem. From this internet search it appears to be happening to many other peoples Rav4. The cost of having this valve replaced appears to be close to $1000. It appears that this problem is a common thing. Toyota needs to have a recall on this problem. Most people report this happening at various mileage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | STRUCTURE | This vehicle is equipped with a power back door (PBD) that has begun to malfunction. March 29, 2024 was the first occurrence of the PBD malfunction when the opened back door would not fully close after clicking the appropriate button on the electronic key switch. There were no warnings that preceded the malfunction. The PBD would only close the back door a few inches before stopping. Additional clicks only closed it a few more inches and manual closing (requiring significant pressure) was required to fully close the door. Additional random occurrences of this PBD malfunction have happened over the past six months and have now become so frequent that on September 30, 2024 I turned off (via the multi-information display) the PBD function and must now resort to fully manual opening and closing of the back door. Based on multiple other complaints filed with NHTSA for this particular vehicle (2020 Toyota RAV4; NHTSA ID Numbers 11572353, 11572802, 11573768, 11579590, 11585733), I inspected the edges of the back door, the body's back door cavity, and the two back door spindles for damage, foreign objects, dirt, etc. that might impede PDB operation and found none. I also inspected the two back door hinges and saw no damage, no warping, no corrosion, and no movement of the hinges from their original installation locations. This PBD malfunction affects safety as the force required to manually open and close the back door is significant and operation of the back door might be impossible for people not physically able to effect the force needed. The vehicle is available for inspection and has not yet been inspected by the Toyota dealer where I purchased the vehicle in August 2020 or by others. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Toyota vehicles, namely RAV4’s are having a coolant bypass valve defect. And Toyota is denying this claim and charging to diagnostic and repair. This is a defect and should be set to recall as many owners are experiencing the issue. Mine began on a out of state trip with a engine maintenance light, and leaking fluid from the coolant valve, which can lead to engine stalling and issues while driving. Very dangerous! I took mine to my mechanic and had it repaired since I am beginning not to trust Toyota. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ENGINE | Premature coolant bypass valve failure. Vehicle has less than 70k miles, but past warranty, "Engine Maintenance Required-See Dealer" light randomly came on one day and would not go off. Scanner pulled no codes as to what the issue would be. Found out it is a known issue as hundreds, if not thousands of Toyota drivers, have experienced this and that specific warning message indicates that it is due to the coolant bypass valve having failed. Clearly this is a known issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side rear side door became flooded after inclement weather. The contact stated that while attempting to open the door, there was a slushing sound coming from the door. The vehicle was not taken to be inspected. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 68,000 |
| Sep 2024 | ENGINE | Maintenance light is keep showing even after the oil change. After the inspection, mechanic found that it is due to Coolant Bypass pipe/hose. I didn't see a recall but I had to get it done before it get worse. It cost around $500 to change the Coolant Bypass pipe/hose with labor. Hence, I reporting to escalate it and requesting for reimbursement. Thanks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | After only 35k miles the car start showing a failure in the coolant by pass valve that could cause major failure of the engine. It has been reported that it is an ongoing situation with most 2020 rav4. The repair is not covered by warranty and it cost over $700. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ENGINE | I noticed an “engine maintenance required” message on my dash when driving home yesterday. I took the car to the dealership today to have it inspected. I was told I need to “replace the engine coolant bypass valve malfunction” for $738.31. Even though I only have 38,984 miles on the car I was told it was outside of the basic warranty and was not covered by powertrain warranty. When I looked online on several Toyota Forums I noticed other 2019/2020 Toyota RAV4 owners were reporting the same exact issue. I believe this warrants an inspection to see if a nationwide recall is needed and Toyota should cover the cost and refund any and all out of pocket expenses. I’ve driven Toyotas my entire adult life and have never had any issues like this before. It’s very disappointing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My mechanic could not clear the "Engine Maintenance Required. Visit the Dealer." message after a routine oil change on my 2020 Rav4. It turns out that the coolant bypass valve is defective. I am now aware of the many, MANY issues other Rav4 owners are having with this same part and that a class action suit has been filed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | AIR BAGS | 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 local dealer was not 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where the battery was replaced. After the battery was replaced, the "Battery Charging" message would display on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced several times due to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12,000 |
| Sep 2024 | ENGINE | Engine Maintenance Light: Dealer found codes 48257 for coolant bypass valve short to open | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | AIR BAGS | Recall for passenger air bag may not deploy. Remedy is not yet avaliable, I purchased a safe vehicle for my family and now I shouldn’t have passengers in the front. Vehicle was in an accident 7/29/2024 and air bags did not deploy. I feel very unsafe driving this vehicle. Vehicle is still waiting for parts to be repaired from accident. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant bypass valve failure. The contact was informed that the coolant bypass valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that coolant bypass valve had been replaced twice. The contact stated that previously in August 2024, the failure had occurred, and the coolant bypass valve was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 65,793. | Crash: No Fire: No | 65,793 |
| Sep 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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 confirm parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | AIR BAGS | Dear NHTSA, I am writing in reference to my Toyota RAV4, which is currently under an open recall. The tracking number for this issue is 11613535, and the VIN of my vehicle is 2T3F1RFV4LC120724. I am extremely dissatisfied with the way both Toyota and the dealer have been handling this recall, as they continue to shift responsibility between each other without providing a proper resolution. I have already communicated my personal experience and concerns directly to Toyota in writing. Driving this vehicle has caused immense fear and anxiety for both me and my family, and the situation has wasted a significant amount of my time and energy. Therefore, I kindly request your intervention to directly contact Toyota and help resolve this issue. I have also submitted my specific concerns and requests to Toyota, with their case number being #240909001372. I ask for your assistance in contacting Toyota to alleviate my concerns and ensure that this matter is resolved promptly. Thank you for your attention and assistance in this urgent matter. Sincerely, Xunan Feng | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | AIR BAGS | My 2020 Toyota RAV4 has a recall, and I want to address it as soon as possible because I am very worried about this issue when driving. Right now, I feel anxious and uneasy, and I don't dare to drive the car anymore. I contacted Toyota, but they are evading the issue and have not provided a timeline for the repair. I also contacted the dealer where I purchased the car, but they are not taking responsibility for the recall. I hope you can help me and ensure this recall is resolved immediately, as it concerns the safety of both myself and my passengers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | AIR BAGS | 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 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ENGINE | The failed item was the coolant bypass valve, message came on of " engine service required" It has been replaced by the dealer Mileage at failure 40643 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's and both passenger's side doors were filled with water inside the door panels. The contact stated that the water had to be shaken out of the door panels. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer being serviced, the dealer unofficially informed the contact that the failure was due to failed door seals. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 25,000 |
| Sep 2024 | SUSPENSION | I took my car to the dealer this week and was told I need to replace both front lower control arms. I noticed other cars for that year have a recall for this specific problem so I called Toyota but I was told that I had 0 recalls on my vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ENGINE | The engine coolant bypass valve requires replacement. This could result in engine failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ENGINE | 2020 RAV 4 little under 34,000 miles. Coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced. “Engine maintenance required visit your dealer” takes place on dash and cannot be cleared. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Air coolant bypass valve malfunction. Engine maintenance error message pops up, does not cool properly. Leaking ac fluid. Confirmed by dealership. Costs around 800 to 900 dollars to repair. Parts must be ordered ahead of time. No warning, just message showed up and will not go away. Doesn't let me see the speed I am going on the display since error message keeps popping up every minute. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The start and stop system malfunction error message came on and warning sound . Its the second time it happened | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |