Toyota RAV4 Complaints (2020)

652 consumer complaints on file.

#11773959October 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
Vehicle electrical failure when Driving with the automatic start/stop option turned on Vehicle shows a low voltage abnormality that kills all my electrical components including battery, sometimes it happens while driving on the Highway at 70 speed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773814October 26, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
On [XXX], my 2020 Toyota RAV4 underwent brake service at an authorized Toyota dealership in New Jersey. The service included replacement of all four brake pads and both front brake rotors. On [XXX], while driving my [XXX] daughter to school, I experienced a sudden and severe loss of braking capability. The driver’s-side rear brake caliper had completely detached from its mounting assembly, rupturing the brake hose and causing a substantial loss of brake fluid. This failure created an immediate and serious safety hazard, as I was unable to brake normally. Fortunately, I was able to avoid a collision, and no injuries occurred. Police responded to the incident, and the vehicle required towing back to the dealership. Following its inspection, the dealership informed me that the caliper mounting bolts had fallen out due to an improperly calibrated torque wrench used during the previous brake service. This explanation was provided verbally, and I have not received written diagnostic findings or independent confirmation of the cause. I specifically requested that the dealership provide a complete report of the damage before performing repairs. Although the service advisor agreed, the dealership completed the repairs without providing the requested report or notifying me beforehand. The vehicle has since been repaired by the same dealership. I do not know whether the failed components or mounting hardware were preserved and remain available for inspection. Given that this critical braking system failure occurred only three days after service, I am reporting the incident for documentation and evaluation of the safety concern. The dealership’s explanation suggests a possible service-related installation failure rather than an established manufacturing defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773378October 24, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Power liftgate hinges separating from body. Lift gate is no longer working as designed, liftgate is inoperable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772619October 21, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint – Loose and Wobbling Hood on 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE. The hood is loose and wobbles excessively. It moves when pressed while closed, appears uneven, and shakes or bounces while the vehicle is in motion. I am concerned that the hood may not be securely latched and could open while driving, creating a serious safety hazard. My vehicle has also undergone front-end accident repairs. I want the hood latch, secondary safety catch, hinges, alignment, mounting hardware, and any components affected by the prior repairs inspected to determine the cause of this issue. I am requesting that Toyota open a formal safety case, document the complaint, investigate whether this condition is a known safety concern, and arrange an appropriate inspection and corrective repair. I would also like Toyota to determine whether the issue is related to a manufacturing defect, a component failure, or the previous front-end repairs. Please provide a case number and written confirmation of the next steps. I am also considering reporting this issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766886September 25, 2026
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Its the sway bar stabilizer bar in the front end of my 2020 rav4 i bought it brand new in 2020. After just 24k miles i had to replace the sway bar now just a few months later ima gonna have to get it back in the shop because its making the same noise as before
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764071September 14, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden loss of engine power and went into a low-power/vapor lock state due to severe fuel starvation. This created a major safety hazard by stranding the vehicle on the highway shoulder and exposing occupants to high-speed traffic. Prior to the power loss, there were no advance warning lights until the engine stalled. A diagnostic scan performed immediately following the incident confirmed code P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low), along with cylinder misfire codes P030027 and P030100. To allow the vehicle to safely limp home from a remote location, an independent technician cleared the diagnostic trouble codes. An independent scan tool report clearly documented and confirmed the low fuel pressure fault prior to code clearance. The dealership subsequently declined to perform a warranty or recall fuel pump replacement citing the absence of active codes upon arrival, despite receiving the timestamped diagnostic report of the failure. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer beyond the dealership's initial turn-away, but the vehicle and diagnostic documentation remain available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762621September 7, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
cracking, bending, and failing liftgate hinges and struts.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762068September 4, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
The rear liftgate is no longer aligned and does not sit evenly when closed. After noticing the uneven fit, I inspected the liftgate hinges and found that both metal hinge brackets appear to be cracking and splitting at their mounting points. There were no warning lights or messages before the problem appeared. I am concerned that the hinges could fail completely, causing the liftgate to fall unexpectedly, detach from the vehicle, or create a road hazard while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762165September 4, 2026
POWER TRAIN
During summer 2026 i began to notice a noise/whine above 30mph that would only occur when foot is on accelerator. my vehicle has 83k miles on it (me being only owner with routine maintenance). as a responsible owner, i had my dealer do an inspection. after a drive and a listen, they claimed it was a transmission bearing failure and only solution is a $11k transmission replacement, with the commentary "we had a camry in last week with same issue". Being responsible owner, i got a second opinion from an independent shop who also verified "transmission bearing failure, you will need a new transmission. currently the part is on backorder because so many are needing to be replaced and no one should do a replacement with a used transmission". This is not the quality i expected out of toyota -- transmissions should not be needing to be replaced at 83k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760387August 28, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle was parked in my garage and it was 80° outside. I was standing at the door and heard an explosion. I found out that the rear glass on my RAV4 SUV exploded. Just glad the wife or kids were not standing around the vehicle. I have filed on my insurance and it will be taken care of in a few days by my insurance company.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759760August 26, 2026
ENGINE
"Engine Coolant Bypass Valve failed suddenly on highway (Code P2681-15), risking engine overheat and stall. Toyota acknowledged this defect under CSP 24TE04 but refused assistance due to vehicle having 103,660 miles (just past 100k miles). Failure causes immediate safety and overheating hazard."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757837August 18, 2026
POWER TRAIN
**VEHICLE:** 2020 Toyota RAV4 LE **VIN:** [XXX] **CURRENT MILEAGE:** 126,776 miles **PURCHASE DATE:** October 2020 **COMPONENT:** Automatic Transmission (Power Train) **PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:** On XXX, I took my 2020 Toyota RAV4 LE to a transmission specialty shop (TJ'S Transmission Service Inc., Bedford, PA) because the automatic transmission was slipping while driving. The professional diagnosis (Invoice #XXX) confirmed the following stored fault codes: P2681, P2816, P08BA, P2713 The technician also confirmed that the transmission fluid was black and contained metal debris, indicating significant internal wear of clutch/band components. While researching these codes, I found that Toyota previously issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) T-SB-0160-18, titled "Transaxle Whine Noise, Harsh Shift, MIL ON, or Reduced Power," which acknowledges these SAME fault codes (P2816, P08BA, P2713, among others) as a known problem in the 8-speed automatic transmission (UA80/UB80 family, manufactured by Aisin). This TSB was officially issued only for the 2017-2018 Highlander and Sienna models, but the 2019 and later RAV4 uses the same transmission family (UB80E/UB80F) for the 2.5L engine, suggesting this is the same design or manufacturing defect that has not been officially acknowledged for this model. This issue represents a safety risk, as unexpected loss of power or transmission slippage while driving (for example, when merging onto a highway or passing) can create a dangerous situation for the driver and other vehicles on the road. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether a similar failure pattern exists in other 2019-2021 RAV4 vehicles equipped with this transmission, and that consideration be given to whether Toyota should extend coverage of TSB T-SB-0160-18 (or issue a specific one) to include the RAV4. No repair was performed at this time due to the high estimated cost without warranty coverage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752052July 22, 2026
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
Front driver side door is not locking remotely or with manual door lock button. Door lock is open when driving. And need to be locked with finger.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751302July 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I ordered a plastic underbody cover (about 12×20 inches) through Toyota Arapahoe and paid $70 for the part. I was given an appointment for installation. When I arrived, I was told that the installation would take an hour and a half, even though the work consisted of fastening nine screws, while the old cover had been factory‑attached with only five simple self‑tapping fasteners, and this work was supposed to be free. After about an hour, I found my vehicle in the general parking lot, with no notification, no status update, and no explanation from the employees. When I asked why the work had not been completed, I was told: “There is not a single screw in the station,” “The screws may arrive in a week,” “The installation will cost about $100.” I asked the manager: “You want one hundred dollars just to fasten nine screws?” At that moment, the situation escalated. A man appeared who claimed to be “the boss of the entire station.” His behavior was aggressive and unprofessional. He refused to give his name or provide a business card. Because I speak English poorly, I asked him to say his name again. I tried to say “last name,” but due to stress I mistakenly said “famaly.” Instead of offering an electronic translator, this person began acting in a disturbing and irrational manner: shouting “family, family!”, rolling his eyes, moving around the room in an agitated way, and repeating the word loudly. I was confused and repeated the word after him, not understanding what was happening. Two other employees approached and began repeating “Go, go,” pressuring me to leave. Their behavior was clearly aimed at intimidation and forcing me out of the premises. After returning home, I measured my blood pressure: 170/90, which is significantly higher than my usual level of 140/80 and is considered a pre‑heart‑attack indicator. This dangerous spike in blood pressure was a direct result of the aggressive and humiliating treatment by the employees of Toyota Arapahoe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750253July 14, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while pulling into a vertical spot and making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb, the sidewalk, and continued driving down the sidewalk and crashed into a building. The brake pedal was depressed but was stuck. The vehicle failed to turn off, and the parking brake failed to engage. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags deployed as needed. A Police report was filed. The EMS workers were unable to depress the brake pedal. The undercarriage of the dashboard ripped the skin off both shins. The contact was transported to the trauma hospital, where medical attention was provided for four weeks to close the wounds. A skin graft was performed on both legs. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The black box data was retrieved, which showed the acceleration, but no information if the brake pedal was depressed. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11745836June 23, 2026
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR
In March 2025 the driver door lock stopped working electronically and would only work manually. In August 2025 the passenger door lock stopped working noisy of the time. In Dec 2025 the rear passenger side does lock stopped working most of the time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745179June 19, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
The front brakes wear out too quickly. In the past 3 years, the front brakes and rotors have had to be replaced 5 times while the rear brakes only once. this is not normal. i have complained to the dealership but they have no answers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744881June 17, 2026
STEERING
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle felt like it was going to flip over. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V373000 (Steering). The contact associated the failure with the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743023June 9, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that there was an unusual sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact parked and inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that upon opening the rear passenger's side door, the contact noticed water leaking from the bottom of the door panel onto the ground. The contact stated about a gallon of water leaked from the rear passenger's side door panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741051May 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
If I don't drive the car for 1 to 2 weeks, the car's 12v is completely drained of power and the care needs to be jumped, otherwise, it will not start. This is consistent. I've taken this to several Toyota dealerships and they all have reported my 12v battery is healthy. However, Toyota is aware and is charging for the fix, labelled as T-SB-0089-21. The known issue is a piece of electronics in the car that continually drains power because it does not properly shut off. This should not be a paid fix. This should be a recall. When the car is jumped and the car finally starts, it reports a message saying something about some safety features not available. The car needs to be moved every 2 weeks due to mandatory city street cleaning so at least once every month the car needs to be jumped if not used the week prior.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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