2020 Toyota RAV4 · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 33owner reports
- 27,300median miles
- $900median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 14, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
387 of the 635 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 33 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 33 reports
Stalling on other RAV4 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (7 reports) and the fuel pump (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.
All 6 recalls on the 2020 Toyota RAV4, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the RAV4
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Battery hold down bracket thermal events. Closed aug 12, 2024, led to recall 23V-734.
Power window master switch fire. Closed feb 12, 2013, led to recall 12V-491.
Power window master switch fire. Closed jun 14, 2012.
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration. Closed mar 1, 2011, led to recall 11V-112.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
What owners paid
6 of the 33 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $700 to $1,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 2,500 and 70,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“"Engine Coolant Bypass Valve failed suddenly on highway (Code P2681-15), risking engine overheat and stall. Toyota acknowledged this defect under CSP 24TE04 but refused assistance due to vehicle having 103,660 miles (just past 100k miles). Failure causes immediate safety and overheating hazard."”
Filed Aug 26, 2026 · 103,660 miles
“Engine light shows on in dash. Stopped to fuel up Car stalled, would not restart Diagnosed fuel pump No prior history of engine issue”
Filed Oct 12, 2025
“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.”
Filed Dec 19, 2023 · 47,589 miles
“Car shut off while driving and once restarted check engine light came on. Safety was at risk because I was driving with cars behind me. After check trouble code it was determined faulty gas pump.”
Filed Jul 20, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 33 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 153 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 62 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 55 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 54 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 35 reports
- Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong 27 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 26 reports