NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 13 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owner complaints

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, describing incidents dated August 1, 2020 to August 5, 2025.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 4 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Steering 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11698263 · Filed November 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the suspension. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the sound was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer…
ODI #11679078 · Filed August 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The messages "PKSB Malfunction - Visit your dealer" and "Pre-Collision System Malfunction - Visit your dealer" were displayed on the instrument…
ODI #11667724 · Filed June 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. 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…

Read all 13 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

OCS Sensors May Short Circuit

NHTSA #23V865000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported December 20, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 999,901 vehicles

Repair completion: 61.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 23TA15, 23LA03 · Owners notified October 31, 2024

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Safety consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Steering Column Damage Affects Air Bag Performance

NHTSA #20V734000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported November 25, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 161 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.14% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 20TB17/20TA17 · Owners notified December 18, 2020

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist

NHTSA #20V373000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported June 24, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 46 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 20TB11 / 20TA11 · Owners notified August 17, 2020

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.

Safety consequence

A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB11 / 20TA11.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Front Lower Suspension Arms May Separate

NHTSA #20V286000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm · NHTSA notice

Reported May 20, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 9,502 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.65% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 20TB08 / 20TA08 · Owners notified August 10, 2020

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.

Safety consequence

If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Engine may Leak Coolant

NHTSA #20V064000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported February 6, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 44,191 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.6% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified April 3, 2020

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.

Safety consequence

A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2020 Toyota RAV4 HYBRID SUV AWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

16% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning

1 investigation

13 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Suspension

ODI #11698263

Incident: April 11, 2025 · Filed: November 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the suspension. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the sound was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was determined that the front lower suspension arms were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that while coming to a stop on another occasion, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brake area. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V286000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Engine

ODI #11679078

Incident: August 5, 2025 · Filed: August 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The messages "PKSB Malfunction - Visit your dealer" and "Pre-Collision System Malfunction - Visit your dealer" were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at a local dealer for a coolant fault and parts were ordered to repair the wiring harness. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. Several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related that failure to the Customer Support Program: 22TE09, however the warranty was not valid. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Air Bags

ODI #11667724

Incident: December 27, 2023 · Filed: June 18, 2025

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

Air Bags

ODI #11665902

Incident: June 9, 2025 · Filed: June 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags

ODI #11652826

Incident: December 20, 2023 · Filed: April 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V86500 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and Northridge Toyota (9550 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91324) were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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.

Electrical System

ODI #11641795

Incident: March 15, 2023 · Filed: February 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was jumpstarted; however, two days later the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer twice where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred after 18 months. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the vehicle remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,846.

Air Bags

ODI #11629208

Incident: December 6, 2024 · Filed: December 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. 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.

Structure

ODI #11609794

Incident: February 22, 2022 · Filed: August 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off on several occasions, the liftgate button was depressed and the liftgate was partially raised before freezing. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver’s side liftgate hinge had cracked and snapped, causing the liftgate to become inoperable. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, the liftgate failed to close fully and failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side liftgate hinge had cracked and snapped. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Visibility

ODI #11590020

Incident: May 21, 2024 · Filed: May 21, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the driver's side sideview mirror was vibrating excessively, distorting the image seen. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 53,000. The VIN was not available.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11528079

Incident: April 21, 2023 · Filed: June 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while using the A/C, there was an abnormally foul odor coming from the vents. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a mechanic discovered mice had entered the vehicle through an opening in the engine and that droppings were found in the air filter housing. The air filter was replaced, and the contact was advised to use Lysol spray to spray the air cabin. Upon investigation, the contact's husband discovered that the wiring was made of soy-based materials which attracted rodents to the engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Other Toyota RAV4 Hybrid model years

Check your 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid VIN

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