2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Review

Recalls

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Recall Number: 

23V865000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

23TA15, 23

Number of vehicles affected: 

999901

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. This is a phased recall. The next phase is anticipated in June 2025. Multiple phases are planned through 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

STEERING:COLUMN

Recall Number: 

20V734000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

20TB17/20T

Number of vehicles affected: 

161

Defect Description: 

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."

Defect Consequence: 

In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 18, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Recall Number: 

20V373000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

20TB11 / 2

Number of vehicles affected: 

46

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Recall Number: 

20V286000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

20TB08 / 2

Number of vehicles affected: 

9502

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recall Number: 

20V064000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

See report

Number of vehicles affected: 

44191

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

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.