2020 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 6%of 639 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the 639 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have the RAV4 le base model. In the first 3 gears, transmission jerks a lot during acceleration, always feeling it is having a hard shift. When I pressed the brake padel partially or rolling stop, the car lurches, this is particularly dangerous when I make turns, I feel the car is not stable. Very disappointed at Toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #11309701, filed 2020-02, 500 miles“The vehicle is hesitating, jerking when coming to a slow stop and when giving it gas. When putting gas in the car the pump automatically shut off. When I turned the car back on it showed that the tank was only 3/4 full. I put more gas again and the gas tank overflowed.”
NHTSA complaint #11364593, filed 2020-10, 100 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“The Coolant flow control valve is malfunctioning. This was diagnosed by a Toyota dealer. My car is 3 years old and has 56k miles. Upon doing more research, a lot of people have complained that the same things are happening to their vehicles as well. To my understanding, this is not something typical for a car as young as mine.”
NHTSA complaint #11534433, filed 2023-07“I searched online after the Toyota dealership told me that my coolant flow control valve is failing. I became aware that it is a common issue for my 2020 Toyota Rav4. The warranty does not cover it even though it should be part of the powertrain warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11605946, filed 2024-08Related service bulletins
- 10240068Jun 22, 2023DP: This Customer Support Program provides coverage for a condition involving the front transfer case electro-magnetic clutch in certain 2019 ? 2020 model year RAV4 Adventure and…
- 10235244Feb 27, 2023TSB: Some 2019 ? 2022 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present: ?P0087/P008700 ? Fuel…
- 10235238Feb 20, 2023TT: Some 2019- 2023 RAV4 HV vehicles may duplicate an abnormal noise (Growl, Humming and/or other) from the Hybrid T/A and/or MGR at various vehicle speeds and normal drive…
- 10220195Jun 28, 2022This condition may occur when the vehicle is operated at high altitude and high temperatures; typically, above 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) and at ambient temperatures above 85°F…
- 10224117Jun 24, 2022TSB: Some 2019 ? 2020 model year RAV4 Adventure and Limited grade AWD vehicles may exhibit an abnormal noise from the vehicle?s AWD Dynamic Torque Vectoring Disconnect system…
- 10220192Jun 24, 2022TSB: Some 2019 ? 2020 model year RAV4 Adventure and Limited grade AWD vehicles may exhibit an abnormal noise from the vehicle?s AWD Dynamic Torque Vectoring Disconnect system…
- 10214324Mar 14, 2022TSB: Some 2019 ? 2020 model year RAV4 Adventure and Limited grade AWD vehicles may exhibit an abnormal noise from the vehicle?s AWD Dynamic Torque Vectoring Disconnect system…
- 10203539Oct 5, 2021TT: Some vehicles may exhibit seat memory switch function inoperative condition if the Seating Position Control ECU is not initialized. The Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) bulletin…
- 10202487Sep 14, 2021TSB: Some 2019 ? 2020 model year RAV4 Adventure and Limited grade AWD vehicles may exhibit an abnormal buzz/groan noise from the front transfer case at 20 ? 30 mph when…
- 10201352Jul 6, 2021TT: Some 2014-2021 model year vehicles equipped with Dynamic Torque Control AWD system may experience a ?Noise? or ?Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% |
| 2021 | 23 | 6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% |
| 2019 | 82 | 9% |
| 2018 | 26 | 8% |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 25 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 10% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 19 | 7% |
| 2011 | 25 | 9% |
| 2010 | 38 | 10% |
| 2009 | 28 | 9% |
| 2008 | 37 | 6% |
| 2007 | 53 | 5% |
| 2006 | 53 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 15% |
| 2003 | 209 | 66% |
| 2002 | 376 | 71% |
| 2001 | 190 | 61% |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 13% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% |
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 complaintsSteering
28 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 31, 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