10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 5,061 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
At about 51,000 miles the engine maintenance required light came on. After taking it to the dealership I found out it was the coolant bypass valve.
- Pasadena, TX, USA
The vehicle fails to start if it has been sitting for only 2-3 days, once it failed to start just after an extra long day at work. I have it serviced faithfully every 5, ooo miles and have brought it in an additional 4 times for this problem. I filed a report with Toyota Corporate on January 5, 2023 and they had someone call the next day while I was at work. I called back 6 times but have never been able to actually speak to a case manager. I keep getting promised a call back multiple times but never received one. I even called tonight when I was promised a call, the case manager was available, but told the agent on the phone with me that he would call me by the end of the day. He never did. I called back again and was promised a call tomorrow. I keep getting the same run around. I have literally spent hours on the phone with them, many many hours at the service shop, and many hours inconvenienced by having my car battery jumped.
- Plymouth, MN, USA
I was driving down the hwy doing 75mph, herd a loud bang and vehical lost all power, was passing an exit right at the moment this happened and immediately pulled out and was able to coast to a stop. The exhaust smoked for a while and it left a huge puddle of what looked like motor oil where it stoped and never started back up again. Ended up having to have it towed to a dealership where im told it threw a rod and being as how there is already a recall on this engine for possible cracks im thinking this model probably need to be added to the recall list. The car has been sitting at the dealership where the tow truck left it. There is a recall involving the possibility that cracks could form in the engine, leading to coolant or oil leaks and stalling, overheating, or engine fires. If I hadnt had both my hands on the wheel I could have lost control and killed myself or worst off if there had been cars around me I could have caused a fatal accident. In this case the problem cant be reproduced as the engine is ruined but would be happy to offer to have it inspected. I have kept up with all the manufacturers maintenance request and there were no signs of a problem prior.
- Dallas, TX, USA
On May 12, 2022 I was driving our 2022 Rav4 Hybrid. At about 10 am that morning I arrived at the Sherwin Williams store in Chandler, AZ. I applied the brakes and put the car in park. But the car did not stop! It continued to forge ahead, smashing into the building barrier and even then it kept trying to move forward. 1.The whole front end was smashed. 2.The first responders had to pry open the door to extract me from the car. 3.It was later determined that I had broken a rib. (I was lucky it was not more.) 4.The car was later declared -€œtotaled-€ by the insurance company. By -standers immediately called the police. 1.The police officer confirmed that the car was in park, at the time of the accident. 2.The officer also confirmed with witnesses that the car was in park but was still moving ahead. 3.The officer recorded the witnesses-€™ names and contacts. 4.I have a copy of the police report, Before the accident, both my husband and I had noticed that the car had a tendency to jump ahead even after putting it in park. Since that time I have connected with other Rav4 owners on social media and have discovered that this -€œ jumping ahead-€ has been experience by a lot of other owners.
- Laveen, AZ, USA
My 2020 Rav4 transmission is lagging power during acceleration and will not get up to speed, and also is stumbling and making a pulse like motion during acceleration. My safety and my family safety and others safety are put at risk when entering a highway, feeder, any busy road. We have taken it to the dealer for them to inspect it and the mechanic told us that his personal Rav4 does the same thing but doesn't understand why. It has started a few months ago I don't remember the exact time but however it is becoming more common and there are no warning lights when this problem occurs.
- New Caney , TX, USA
In the sring of this year, i lightly drove through a water filled pothole in a parking lot when all of the displays went dark for a split second and then came back on like the car had just started. I called my dealership right away and was told that maybe some water had gotten into some wiring and caused the glitch but to call again ASAP if it happened again. On Dec 9, 2021 under dry and even surfaces while making a left turn the vehicle went dark again while driving but this time took a touch longer to re-engage. I called the dealership again to report this to be looked at during a maintenance appointment. They found nothing wrong, but suggested it was a feature the car does not have was turned on and they turned it off. I was then shown the button responsible for this... it was for automatic high beams, NOT some engine efficency button. On Sunday, 12 12 2021 i went to start the car to go to work and it was completely dead, just a small clicking sound to be heard within the cabin. i had to get the car jumped to get it started on the second turn of the key after i removed it from the first attempt. I drove it to the dealership that day and i am still waiting for results. This needs to be adressed ASAP because its a potentially dangerous if not deadly situation if it conks out at highway speeds in front of a semi.
- Leominster, MA, USA
I have had issues with my 2020 rav4. I have had kickbacks during acceleration, antifreeze/coolant loss, abnormal amount of blow-by, engine runs loud at times, car shakes when I start it, weird noise from under the hood, the dash lights and screen lights went dark once. I have been to multiple dealerships not long after I bought it and they said they -€œcould not duplicate the issue-€.. when I went to them regarding the antifreeze leak they said it is normal in new cars which I know is absolute lies. I need help as they are not willing to find the issues. I have pictures and videos to back this up.
- Palm Harbor , FL, USA
Toyota has a service builtin on a dcm firmware update that fixes an issue with remote start and will kill the 12V battery even but refuses to notify owners or even state publicly if they installed this during their inspection on my car. Have been into the dealership multiple times and had at least one battery replaced in a 1 year old car. Https://www.rav4world.com/threads/remote-start-sos-app.309804/
- Portland, OR, USA
After the car sits for 3 or 4 days I driven the battery dies and needs to be jumped to get it started again. No lights left on or anything. On cold start the engine makes a ticking noise that has been getting louder over that last few months.
- San Bernardino, CA, USA
The mileage I am getting is far below the stated rating on the sticker. I am averaging about 33.5 mpg in mixed driving whereas the stated rating is 41 mpg overall. It's not even close. The tank was recently replaced because you could not fill the tank. Extremely disappointed in the mileage which was the main purpose of buying this vehicle. Something needs to be done.
- Lafayette, LA, USA
Car battery completely drained after not being driven for 24 hours leaving me stranded. Car would not start and had to be jump started. There is an electrical issue causing quick and significant battery drain. Car was purchased in September 2020 and has less than 10,000 miles.
- Summersville, WV, USA
Car did not start after 2 days of not using it.
- Linden, NJ, USA
Our car sat for 2 days without being used and the battery was dead. Read online many other Rav4 owners having similiar issues, something is draining the battery
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Car has approx 900 miles and has been to the dealer 3 times and jump started 3 times. Toyota svc dept is unable to reproduce or identify the problem, I was told I'm not driving the car enough and that they can't fix a problem when they don't know what it is, I never know when the car will start or not, very frustrating.
- Omaha, NE, USA
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.
- Chula Vista, CA, USA
Car battery died after one day of sitting without use. Dealer did not find any problems. But it has less than 10,000 miles. Toyota dealer offered no solution and many others have this problem.
- Spencerport, NY, USA
Serious D-cell battery discharge issue. Twice our new Rav4 hybrid has had to be jumped and taken to dealer for a dead battery. Dealer found nothing fixable but replaced the battery. 1st time we were stranded in hotel parking lot after trip abroad. 2nd time was at home. Cargurus sends me 5 complaints a day for others with the same issue. Vehicle is not reliable.
- Roseburg, OR, USA
Purchased 5/22/20. Unit parked in driveway. Went out to use the auto and all systems failing in auto. Vehicle will not start. Brake alert, engine alert, airbag alert, power steering alert, every light on inside vehicle flashing with alerts that they are failing.
- Toms River, NJ, USA
The gas tank will hold up to 10 gallons of gas and trying to add more causes the tank to overflow, even when the fuel light indicates the gas tank isn't full. Vehicle is advertised to hold 14.5 gallons.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Waldorf, MD, USA