2020 Toyota RAV4 · symptom sheet
Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power
- 54owner reports
- 2,800median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 8, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
387 of the 635 complaints on this car are about the fuel and propulsion. 54 of those describe hybrid system.
Tick what matches of 54 reports
Hybrid system 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, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
These reports come from hybrid, plug-in and electric vehicle owners whose car put up a system warning and lost power, sometimes dropping into a reduced-power mode on the road. Others describe a car that won't charge, a high-voltage battery or inverter replacement, or a problem that turned out to be the ordinary 12-volt battery all along.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the charger or port (5 reports), the traction battery (3 reports) and the 12V battery (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the fuel and propulsion cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.
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 fuel and propulsion 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 1,193 and 6,800 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 14 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
TI: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 22TE09 HV FLOOR UNDER WIRE HARNESS AND REAR TRACTION MOTOR CABLE CORROSION CERTAIN 2019 ?2022 MODEL YEAR RAV4 HYBRID AWD (Amendment)
TT: Some 2019- 2023 RAV4 HV vehicles may duplicate an abnormal noise (Growl, Humming and/or other) from the Hybrid T/A and/or MGR at various vehicle speeds and normal drive conditions
Some 2020 model year Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla Hatchback, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B15A804 is present in current or history. ?Red SOS LED stays on after bulb check.
Some 2020 ? 2021 model year TMMC and TMMK built RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles may exhibit damp carpeting in the front floor area. This may be due a condition in which the inside of the HVAC drain cooler hose is obstructed with plastic.
10 more on the 2020 Toyota RAV4 page.
What owners wrote
“Hybrid System Malfunction. The warning lights came on notifying of an issue with the hybrid system. A certified Toyota service center inspected the vehicle and found the hybrid floor wire traction cable/wiring harness corroded. Issue started 3/1/25, car was inspected on 3/3/25. This is a known issue with Toyota. Vehicle will no longer start and could have shut off while driving without warning.”
Filed Mar 8, 2025
“Car operating as normal in the morning, few hours later went to start up car again and had message saying âhybrid system malfunctionâ. Drove it around for a few minutes then other lights started flashing, lane departure, traction control, crash detection. They all went away and except the hybrid malfunction warning.”
Filed Jan 16, 2024
“High Voltage Warning and Low Power to Steering reading on the dashboard. Service engine warning!”
Filed Aug 31, 2023
“2020 Hybrid Toyota RAV4 would not turn on, indicating "Smart Key System Malfunction" - has less than 7,000 miles on it, is driven daily, and no lights or other electrical components were left on in the vehicle between the last time it was driven and when it failed to start. Toyota Roadside Assistance was able to jump the 12V battery and get it started, but warned that it is not a long-term fix.”
Filed May 26, 2021 · 7,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 54 reports involved a crash and 2 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 Hybrid warning on the dash? Hybrid and EV battery complaints explained
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
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 35 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 33 reports
- Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong 27 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 26 reports