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2020 Toyota RAV4 engine problems

moderate 136 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →

Failure mileage
Complaints
136
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
What stands out

Engine accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.

Owners have filed 136 engine complaints against 1 active recall — roughly 136 complaints per campaign.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 20V064000 February 6, 2020

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

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.

What owners are reporting 5 most recent

engine · filed 12/31/2024

Check engine light came on and noted a malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle or transmission. When taken to the dealer they found code P012807 related to engine cooling and suggested a replacement of the thermostat. This part should have a life of 100k or 8-10 years and car currently has less than 60k miles and 4 years old. Asked the dealership about known recall 20TA04 -…

engine · filed 12/30/2024

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Engine Coolant Bypass Valve B failed. The check engine light comes on and disables All-Wheel-Drive, Radar Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and interrupts functionality of the infortainment system. I am also worried that it could have a negative effect on the operation of the engine. How was…

engine · filed 12/30/2023

Engine bypass coolant valve… Engine maintenance required pops up intermittently. Per dealer there is a short circuit in valve/ bypass part. The dealer had already known this was issue prior to car being diagnosed. They stated they are aware and this is a known issue.

engine · filed 12/19/2023

2020 RAV4 with 47,589 miles. The engine maintenance light came on. It turns off once I shut off the vehicle and start it up again. It only comes back on when I put the air conditioner or heater on. I was told it's the heater control valve/coolant bypass valve and would cost around $900+ to repair. I did some research and see that this problem is occurring alot.

engine · filed 12/18/2024

Bypass Coolant Valve malfunctioned resulting in Engine Maintenance Required triggered. Because I do distance driving at high speeds, any potential engine issue poses a risk to safety. The problem has been confirmed by a dealer/service center. The component in question has not been inspected by the manufacturer. The warning sign that states "Engine Maintenance Required" appeared on the dashboard…

Had engine trouble with your 2020 Toyota RAV4? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the engine problem on the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 136 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,000 and 65,793 miles, with the median around 35,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 65,793. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to engine?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Toyota/RAV4. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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