VehicleVerdict

2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

15

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Rav4 Hybrid years?

Rav4 Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted26 complaints2017: 21 complaints2018: 20 complaints2019: 22 complaints2020: 15 complaints2021: 26 complaints2022: 8 complaints2023: 9 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 6 complaints2026: 11 complaints
Rav4 Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rav4 Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags427%
Electrical System213%
Engine213%
Fuel System213%
Speed Control17%
Steering17%
Body & Structure17%
Suspension17%
Visibility & Wipers17%

Does the 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V865000AirbagsDecember 20, 2023 · 999,901 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

20V734000SteeringNovember 25, 2020 · 161 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

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.

20V373000SteeringJune 24, 2020 · 46 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

20V286000SuspensionMay 20, 2020 · 9,502 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

20V064000EngineFebruary 6, 2020 · 44,191 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 27, 2023

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 15, 2023

“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while his mother was driving 45 MPH, the electronic throttle control system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the MGR (Motor Generator Rear) system needed to be…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 6, 2022

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 21, 2023

“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,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 11, 2025

2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid reliable?

The record is thin — 15 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2020 Rav4 Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (4 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

How safe is the 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.