2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Problems & Complaints

Averageabout as many complaints as a typical year of the RAV4 Hybrid at the same age

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the RAV4 Hybrid at the same age. The most reported problem area is the air bags (4 complaints). 5 recalls cover this model year.

13complaints
5recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems

  • Air bags
    431%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~53,000 miles
    215%
  • Engine & cooling~130,000 miles
    215%
  • Electrical system~34,000 miles
    215%
  • Steering
    18%
  • Speed control & acceleration~53,000 miles
    18%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~53,000 miles
    18%
  • Body & structure
    18%
  • Suspension~120,000 miles
    18%

Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid complaints by model year

20162017201820192020202120222023202420252026171415221322581529
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best RAV4 Hybrid years: 2024, 2022, 2023. Years to avoid: 2021, 2019. Compare all years →

2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid recalls (5)

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 23V-865 · Dec 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles

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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 20V-734 · Nov 25, 2020 · 161 vehicles

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…

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.

Steering › Electric power assist system

NHTSA recall 20V-373 · Jun 24, 2020 · 46 vehicles

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.

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.

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm

NHTSA recall 20V-286 · May 20, 2020 · 9,502 vehicles

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.

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.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA recall 20V-064 · Feb 6, 2020 · 44,191 vehicles

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.

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid:

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA investigation DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V-063

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.

What 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners say

Air bags

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.

Dec 2023

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.

Jun 2025

2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.5L 4-cyl hybridCVTAWD41 / 38 / 40

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid a good car?

Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the RAV4 Hybrid at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?

The air bags — 4 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (2) and engine & cooling (2).

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid have?

There are 5 recalls for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the most recent from December 20, 2023 (occupant classification). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024, 2022 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021 and 2019. See the full Toyota RAV4 Hybrid years comparison.

At what mileage do 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 53,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.