Diagsheet

2020 Toyota RAV4 · symptom sheet

Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close

  • 26owner reports
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Sep 7, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

60 of the 633 complaints on this car are about the structure. 26 of those describe tailgate or liftgate failure.

Tick what matches of 26 reports

6
6
2
2

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the hinge (22 reports), the lift struts or motor (6 reports) and the latch (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the structure covers the 2020 model year as of Sep 19, 2026.

When it happens

Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.

122
223
924
525
926

What owners wrote

“Rear hatch were repaired new actuators but still malfunctioning now hinges are defective dealer won't honor extended warranty suggest take to body shop have defective hinges replaced at my cost”

Filed Jan 31, 2026

“The hinges for the rear door/hatch broke. The door became unaligned and would not close and I had to drive my vehicle to a repair shop with the rear door ajar. This has not been inspected by manufacturer, no police or insurance inspection either. There is no reason these hinges should be worn and literally torn after 5 years.”

Filed Aug 12, 2025

“Lift gate will not close properly. Hinges a top of gate are coming undone. Worried gate will open while driving. Had to manually close and hope it closed.”

Filed Jun 11, 2025

“right rear hinge for hatchback failed and making my hatchback unusable. I have been on several websites and this common issue it seems for Rav 4. Toyota will not fix it.”

Filed Jan 6, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 reports involved a crash. 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.

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