The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota RAV4 · 2020

2020 Toyota RAV4. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index88100 = average car
Complaints357NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold430,387U.S. model year
Per 100K sold83complaints
Year rank#16 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S8)FWD27 / 35 / 30Regular$2,100
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S8)AWD25 / 33 / 28Regular$2,200
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AV-S6)AWD41 / 38 / 40Regular$1,550

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 500 and 12,000 miles. Median 3,000, from 201 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine7,600600–41,90016
Electrical2,9001,000–9,00051
Fuel or ev drive system500300–1,30057
Body structure8,3002,000–49,80020
Airbags40,5006,000–68,3006

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Fuel or ev drive system24%
Electrical22%
Engine21%
Body structure6%
Transmission & drivetrain5%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
64817511018

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 23V865000 Dec 2023 Air Bags / Sensor / Occupant Classification

    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.

    Risk. 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 Le

  • 20V734000 Nov 2020 Air Bags / Frontal

    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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 20V682000 Nov 2020 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus

    Risk. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota cust

  • 20V373000 Jun 2020 Steering / Electric Power Assist System

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 20V286000 May 2020 Suspension / Front / Control Arm / Lower Arm

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 20V064000 Feb 2020 Engine And Engine Cooling

    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.

    Risk. 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.

Manufacturer communications 304

Toyota filed 304 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and life
  • Currently under investigation

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota RAV4 SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota RAV4 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota RAV4 HYBRID SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardStandard

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2019–2025 Toyota RAV4, 45.9M views.

TopicVideosViews
Infotainment, battery & electrical41.4M
Oil changes & service3848K
Gauges, lights & wiring1445K
Brakes & ABS2419K
Windows, doors & mirrors2397K
Heat, A/C & blend door1341K
Fuel pump, filter & tank1285K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201733140407,594Brakes
201838164427,170Electrical
2019111508448,071Fuel or ev drive system
202088357430,387Fuel or ev drive system
202180319407,739Airbags
202226128399,941Electrical
202345233434,943Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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