Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2020 Toyota RAV4 HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Most complaints involve air bags (4) and engine (2). The EPA rates it 40 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
40mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
13
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: occupant classification

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Dec 20, 2023NHTSA 23V865000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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."

Air bagsReported Nov 25, 2020NHTSA 20V734000

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Jun 24, 2020NHTSA 20V373000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2020 – Nov 2025
  1. Air bags4
  2. Engine2
  3. Electrical system2
  4. Suspension1
  5. Structure1
  6. Visibility1
  7. Hybrid propulsion system1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RAV4 Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201617
2017302
201815
201922
202013
202122
20225
20238
20241
20255
202629
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

4 reports
“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 time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2025Air bagsODI 11667724

Engine

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The messages "PKSB Malfunction - Visit your dealer" and "Pre-Collision System Malfunction - Visit your dealer" were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at a local dealer for a coolant fault and parts were ordered to repair the wiring harness. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. Several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related that failure to the Customer Support Program: 22TE09, however the warranty was not valid. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2025EngineODI 11679078

Electrical system

2 reports
“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 determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred after 18 months. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the vehicle remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,846.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2025Electrical systemODI 11641795
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RAV4 Hybrid AWD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
413840$1,600223
  • RAV4 Hybrid AWD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    41 city · 38 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota RAV4 HYBRID SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 14727
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 RAV4 Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (4), engine (2), electrical system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid at 40 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026