Skip to content
EnginePart report

2020 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

Complaints
180about this part
Share
28%of 637 total for the year
Median mileage
6,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 180 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Toyota RAV4, 28% of the 637 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Serious d-cell battery discharge issue. Twice our new RAV4 hybrid has had to be jumped and taken to dealer for a dead battery. Dealer found nothing fixable but replaced the battery. 1st time we were stranded in hotel parking lot after trip abroad. 2nd time was at home. Cargurus sends me 5 complaints a day for others with the same issue. Vehicle is not reliable.”

NHTSA complaint #11343488, filed 2020-08, 500 miles

“Car has approx 900 miles and has been to the dealer 3 times and jump started 3 times. Toyota svc dept is unable to reproduce or identify the problem, I was told I'm not driving the car enough and that they can't fix a problem when they don't know what it is, I never know when the car will start or not, very frustrating.”

NHTSA complaint #11374314, filed 2020-11, 750 miles

“New 2020 RAV4 hybrid makes loud grinding noise sometimes when placed in reverse and EV mode is engaged. Appears to be failure of sprag-type device to disengage engine or transmission from electric drive system. Multiple members of frank Toyota service declared it to be normal and refused to make any written entries evidencing the complaint. They claimed I was mistaken when I pointed out that it did not begin until the vehicle had approximately 600 miles on it.”

NHTSA complaint #11367034, filed 2020-10, 600 miles

“Car battery completely drained after not being driven for 24 hours leaving me stranded. Car would not start and had to be jump started. There is an electrical issue causing quick and significant battery drain. Car was purchased in september 2020 and has less than 10,000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #11385068, filed 2020-12, 9,172 miles

“Purchased 5/22/20. Unit parked in driveway. Went out to use the auto and all systems failing in auto. Vehicle will not start. Brake alert, engine alert, airbag alert, power steering alert, every light on inside vehicle flashing with alerts that they are failing.”

NHTSA complaint #11327007, filed 2020-06, 169 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251415%
20243822%
20232515%
20222718%
20214111%
202018028%
201920723%
20183310%
20173110%
20162510%
20153712%
20143116%
20132911%
2012228%
20113312%
2010215%
2009278%
200813724%
200719519%
200610915%
200596%
2004117%
2003217%
2002224%
200193%
200027%
199811%
199724%
199612%

Other parts of the 2020 Toyota RAV4

Other or unknown
122 complaints
Electrical system
119 complaints
Fuel system
90 complaints
Body and structure
62 complaints
Air bags
55 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
38 complaints
Steering
27 complaints
Brakes
19 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaints
Engine cooling
15 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Toyota RAV4

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology