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Your vehicleHome›Toyota›RAV4› 2020
Toyota · Compact SUV

2020 Toyota RAV4

Hybrid Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
7 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
D
Safety Signal
60 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 6
Complaints17 crash · 5 fire · 14 injured reported 649
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 40 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RAV4 Hybrid AWD, is EPA-rated at 40 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 649 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Toyota RAV4 — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Toyota RAV4 · Photo: TTTNIS · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
RAV4 Hybrid AWDHybridAWD2.5L 4-cyl + 245V Ni-MH413840$1,700
RAV4GasFWD2.5L 4-cyl273530$2,250
RAV4GasFWD2.5L 4-cyl283530$2,250
RAV4 AWD LEGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl273430$2,250
RAV4 AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl273329$2,300
RAV4 AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl253328$2,400
RAV4 AWD TRD OFFROADGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl253227$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42187, 42181, 42182, 42189, 42186, 42185, 42188.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
RAV4 Hybrid AWD7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
RAV4, RAV4 AWD LE6 / 10California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
RAV4 AWD, RAV4 AWD TRD OFFROAD6 / 10California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors5
GVWR classClass 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2.5 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower176 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: LE, LE HV, Limited HV, XLE HV). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length180.7 in
Width (body, without mirrors)72.8 in
Height66.9 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Track, front63.0 in
Track, rear63.8 in
Curb weight3,369–3,754 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear56/44 to 57/43

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 4 configurations: AWD LE / XLE 4-door SUV, AWD Trail / Limited 4-door SUV, FWD 4-door SUV, Hybrid 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2020 RAV4
Other years The 2026 RAV4 Recalls Toyota recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

23TA15, 23LA03
999,901 vehicles 58% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V865000 reported Dec 20, 2023 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

20TB17/20TA17
161 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V734000 reported Nov 25, 2020 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TA02, 20LA01
1,525,742 vehicles 92% reported repaired
Problem 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 RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, Risk If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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 customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V682000 reported Nov 4, 2020 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

20TB11 / 20TA11
46 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V373000 reported Jun 24, 2020 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Suspension

20TB08 / 20TA08
9,502 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V286000 reported May 20, 2020 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

See report
44,191 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V064000 reported Feb 6, 2020 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific RAV4

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2020 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Toyota publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Toyota’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2020 Toyota RAV4, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2020 Toyota RAV4

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this RAV4 →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
649complaints filed

17 involved a crash · 5 a fire · 14 injuries · 0 deaths reported

18 per 10,000 built · Toyota reported 352,434 RAV4 built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2019: 3 · 2020: 148 · 2021: 54 · 2022: 43 · 2023: 109 · 2024: 179 · 2025: 74 · 2026: 39

Most-cited components

Engine → 197
Unspecified 121
Electrical System → 121
Fuel/Propulsion System → 91
Structure → 62
Air Bags → 59

In depth: engine problems → · electrical problems → · fuel system problems → · body and structure problems → · airbag problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Unable to fill fuel tank to advertised capacity (14.5 gallons). This is a recurring issue. When fuel is low indicated by fuel gauge and distance to empty calculation, nearing empty, I AM only able to fill 9.5-10.5 gallons max
Fuel/Propulsion System Feb 19, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11310145
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the driver's side sideview mirror was vibrating excessively, distorting the image seen. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic.
Visibility/Wiper at 53,000 miles May 21, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11590020
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the suspension. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the sound was intermittent.
Suspension at 120,000 miles Nov 7, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11698263
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.
Engine at 130,000 miles Aug 7, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11679078
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.
Air Bags Jun 18, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11667724
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.
Electrical System at 33,846 miles Feb 10, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11641795

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Toyota itself: 215 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 2 killed, 281 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 61 per 100,000 built. Every RAV4 model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 4k

miles, typically

Half the 187 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 1,000 and 15,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 129
10k–20k 14
20k–30k 7
30k–40k 9
40k–50k 6
50k–60k 4
60k–70k 5
70k–80k 1
80k–90k 1
90k–100k 0
100k–150k 9
150k + 2

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Fuel/Propulsion System555000.02×
Electrical System503,0230.31×
Engine2530,0000.6×
Structure199,0000.35×
Unspecified186,000—

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2020-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: fuel/propulsion system (0.02×), electrical system (0.31×), engine (0.6×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Across 2018–2021 model years the Toyota RAV4 ranks 6 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 0.32× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 6,000 miles against a fleet 23,512).

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Driver-assist crash reports (1)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
1report filed

1 severity unknown

Apr 2025 to Apr 2025 · 1 with an air bag deployment · 1 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: TSS 2.0 (1)

Crash partner: Other 1

Filed by: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Apr 2025Level 2 · TSS 2.0OtherunknownOH65 mph1306-10766

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

The entries in this report are based on unconfirmed allegations. On May [redacted], 2025, Toyota received an allegation related to this crash from the vehicle owner. The owner claimed she lost control of the vehicle after the "driver assist feature malfunctioned", which caused the vehicle to crash into a wall and roll over.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing report 1306-10766 Apr 2025 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 2 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Toyota warranty extension (10) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 476
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-08-20
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 446 service bulletins, 22 warranty extensions, 8 service campaigns

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Engine, Structure, Fuel/Propulsion System.

  • T-SB-0110-20 Rev2 Service bulletin
    2026-08-20 · Engine
  • OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
  • T-SB-0051-26 Service bulletin
    2026-08-20 · Engine
  • This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.
  • 24TE04 Warranty extension
    2026-08-11 · Engine
  • Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
  • 22TE09 Warranty extension
    2026-05-14 · Electrical System
  • Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer Support Program for repairs related to excessive corrosion to the wire harness connections at the Rear Mo
  • T-SB-0104-21 Rev2 Service bulletin
    2026-02-27 · Engine
  • OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
  • T-SB-0106-22 Rev2 Service bulletin
    2026-01-30 · Electrical System
  • OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
  • T-SB-0001-26 Service bulletin
    2026-01-28 · Electrical System
  • Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
  • T-TT-0797-26 Service bulletin
    2026-01-12 · Electrical System
  • Some RAV4 vehicles power seat where the automatic seat adjustment by the memory function does not work.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
B15DB
B15DB on Toyota →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment6 bulletins
P0087
P0087 on Toyota →		Fuel rail pressure is below what the system commanded.Electrical System · Fuel pump →3 bulletins · 1 owner report
B15A8Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment3 bulletins
B15FE
B15FE on Toyota →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment2 bulletins
P0A7F
P0A7F on Toyota →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →2 bulletins
P0A80
P0A80 on Toyota →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →2 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 failed the emissions check on 0.88% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.3% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%).

New York inspections 0.88%

failed emissions

14,183 initial inspections of 13,950 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2020 RAV4Every 2020 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check0.88%2.2%14,160
Failed the safety inspection1.3%1.6%14,183
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.26%0.19%14,183
Miles driven a year10,1809,980odometer at inspection
Average odometer64,08962,630odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2020 vehicle” is every 2020 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

RAV4 by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 A 2 42 43 mpg2025 B 4 105 39 mpg2024 C 4 177 39 mpg2023 B 3 171 40 mpg2022 B 2 154 40 mpg2021 A 1 411 40 mpg2020 this page D 6 649 40 mpg2019 F 8 905 40 mpg2018 B 3 348 32 mpg2017 B 3 321 32 mpg2016 B 3 257 32 mpg

Common questions about the 2020 RAV4

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 20V286000, covering Suspension. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

NHTSA gave the 2020 Toyota RAV4 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it D (60/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

Across the 7 EPA-rated configurations of the 2020 Toyota RAV4, the best EPA combined figure is 40 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

Transport Canada measured it at 180.7 in long, 72.8 in wide (body, without mirrors), 66.9 in tall, on a 105.9 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,369–3,754 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

Owners have filed 649 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota RAV4, most often about engine, unspecified, electrical system. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 14 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

The EPA smog rating for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 runs 6 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

The manufacturer has filed 476 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota RAV4, most often covering equipment, electrical system, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-08-20. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2020 Toyota RAV4 do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 failed the emissions check on 0.88% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.3% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations7 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates7 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls6NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints649NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings3 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins476NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports1NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA11 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2026 RAV4 The RAV4 model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 2 recalls.Recalls Every Toyota recall on file All campaigns filed against Toyota vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this RAV4 by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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