2020 Toyota RAV4 Steering Problems

27 owners have reported steering problems with the 2020 Toyota RAV4 to NHTSA — 4% of all 635 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 10,000 miles. That ranks #6 of 29 RAV4 model years for steering complaints (a typical year has 12). One related recall has been issued.

27complaints
10ktypical miles
1related recalls
1crashes
0fires
1injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    660%
  • 25k–50k
    110%
  • 50k–75k
    110%
  • 75k–100k
    00%
  • 100k–150k
    110%
  • 150k+
    110%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an electronic power steering module failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not inspected. The contact was provided a diagnostic test fee, and the contact declined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 133,255.

133,000 miles · Mar 2026

the car simply a LEMON big time was bought on 08/2020 thru the Santa Monica city Toyota Dealers...they are awful too. let my dad, 80, buy all extra insurances when its brand new car and has 3 years bumper to bumper warranty. he and me his daughter that is dedicated driver sometimes keep complain that its get bazuka after 35--39 and move up miles per hours, power steering wheel Out of control basically. can be turn 65 to 90 degree angle without even sorry to say spitting on it..., the UGLY safety feature that will help you to change the lane on freeway, we wouldn't even will be mentioning that. I think its million dollars case here as a LEMON LAW against Toyota Corporation

Oct 2021 · crash · 1 injury

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.

74,000 miles · Jun 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V373000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

43,000 miles · Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power while accelerating. The contact heard a ding and became aware of an irregular voltage spike, steering power, and other unknown messages were displayed before quickly disappearing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,600.

173,000 miles · Aug 2023

For the last 2 months, a code comes up it says loss of electric power steering assist. It came up 15 times in two months. What happens is a steering wheel ceases up for a second or two and then the code goes away. This is something that could happen anytime especially if I have my grandchildren with me and ex steering wheel could freeze up and I wouldn't be able to steer around an accident at an intersection or something. This is very hazardous to me and my family. There was a recall on some of the 2020 Toyota RAV4's in the past. I'm telling you I'm not a liar. I do get this coming up this way too many times.

Oct 2025

Electronic power steering failure. Upon starting the car, the steering wheel has no power steering. The steering wheel can still be turned but requires a lot of force. There were no warning lights or messages on the dashboard or infotainment system before or after the issue. Toyota has issued recalls for this issue but informed me that my car is not covered under the recall, despite having the exact same issue on the exact same model described in the recall. (NTSHA ID: 20V373000, Toyota ID: 20TB11 / 20TA11) This is dangerous as it could have failed while driving, leading to an accident.

Mar 2024

Since I've owned the vehicle it has made loud squeaking, scraping, popping, and clicking noises in the suspension and steering. When I first turn the vehicle on and use the brakes they are very loud as if they are worn. I've had the brakes checked and the dealer said the brakes are fine. When I turn the steering wheel it makes a loud crunching rubbing noise that I can feel in the floor board. My vehicle is less than 5 years old and less than 60,000 miles. I've never had a vehicle made so many noises and it's terrifying to wonder if something is just going to break off or stop working.

Sep 2021

When trying to start my vehicle this morning, the car was having a noticeable issue the minute I turned on the vehicle. It was making some weird noises under the hood, and it was starting to lose power. Then the engine would cut out and a warning would appear on my dash that read, "Engine Stopped, Steering Power Low" Thank God this happened while I was at home. What if this had happened while I was driving down the road, at a red light. I would have been a sitting duck in the middle of the road and would not want to put my kids or I in jeopardy of being hit.

Jan 2026

I drove my car to work on 8/6/2022 at 1pm. Everythings were ok. At 10:30pm I started the engine. Put in gear and started to go I felt there is no power steering at all. It was so hard to turn. I left engine running and walk out make sure all the tires inflated. I went back to the car still no power steering. I tried to drive home without power steering assist. There was no warning lights. It took 20 min on freeway to drive home and still no power steering. If I turn on LTA then I will show LTA malfunction

Aug 2022

Related recalls

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.

Steering complaints in other RAV4 years

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’252121683292302717326181591121471012123327212027275
Steering complaints per model year, Toyota RAV4.

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering problems on the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

NHTSA has 27 complaints about the steering of the 2020 Toyota RAV4, 4% of the model year's 635 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2020 Toyota RAV4 steering problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-373 (electric power assist system, Jun 24, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2020 Toyota RAV4 steering problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

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.