2020 Toyota RAV4 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 4%of 639 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the steering of the 2020 Toyota RAV4, 4% of the 639 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“New vehicle brought in for it's 5k maintenance, to the service department of the dealership it was purchased from. I pointed out several issues with the gas tank range, bsm, camera shutting off, and that I have to keep the stearing wheel turned to the right in order to go straight. 5k maintenance is performed, they noticed the car needed to be realigned. Driving home, no difference from when first brought in. …”
NHTSA complaint #11397651, filed 2021-02, 5,000 miles“I am writing this letter requesting your assistance in resolving a continuing problem I have experienced regarding my recently purchased 2020 Toyota rav 4. It seems my car cannot stay in the driving lane, even for a short distance, without my having to constantly adjust the steering. I have taken my car four times to authorized Toyota repair shops, but each time they were unable to correct this problem. In fact, I was told that there is nothing wrong with my car, and this is how a Toyota rav performs. I also had a tire alignment, thinking this was the problem, but to no avail. …”
NHTSA complaint #11319807, filed 2020-03, 25 miles“Tried to set radar controlled cruise control for the first time on a work trip to michigan at 70 MPH. The steering wheel immediately turned to the left and took considerable pressure to keep vehicle straight. Took SUV in to shop and they said the radar controlled adaptive cruise control was working fine and they could not duplicate problem. This week took another work trip to michigan and the same problem happened about 20 times while trying to set cruise control at 70 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #11337561, filed 2020-07, 1,000 miles“The power steering failed suddenly. The car was driven for two hours (from nyc to philadelphia) then parallel parked on a city street and turned off. The car was restarted less than one minute after being turned off (to improve the parking job); the car started, and was able to drive in a straight line forwards and backwards, but the wheels could not be turned without significant force. The repair shop was unable to find anything wrong with the car other than a partially drained battery.”
NHTSA complaint #11343554, filed 2020-08, 1,400 miles“1.occasionally steering issues, car wanting to veer left or right while driving mainly notice on highway. 2. Second incident where battery dead after not driving car for three days.”
NHTSA complaint #11389647, filed 2021-01, 10,000 milesRelated recalls
- 20V373000Jun 24, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2019–2020, RAV4 Hybrid 2020
Related service bulletins
- 10214321Mar 15, 2022TT: Some customers may experience an abnormal steering sensation (?pulling?, ?drifting?), which may be more pronounced after a cold soak. The steering angle value displayed in…
- 10190462Mar 22, 2021TT: Some customers may experience an abnormal steering sensation (?pulling?, ?drifting?), which may be more pronounced after a cold soak. The steering angle value displayed in…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 27 | 15% |
| 2023 | 27 | 16% |
| 2022 | 20 | 13% |
| 2021 | 21 | 5% |
| 2020 | 28 | 4% |
| 2019 | 33 | 4% |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% |
| 2016 | 10 | 4% |
| 2015 | 47 | 15% |
| 2014 | 21 | 11% |
| 2013 | 11 | 4% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 15 | 5% |
| 2010 | 18 | 5% |
| 2009 | 26 | 8% |
| 2008 | 73 | 13% |
| 2007 | 271 | 27% |
| 2006 | 230 | 33% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 8 | 2% |
| 2001 | 6 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
| 1998 | 2 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2020 Toyota RAV4
180 complaintsOther or unknown
122 complaintsElectrical system
120 complaintsFuel system
90 complaintsBody and structure
62 complaintsAir bags
55 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsForward 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 29, 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