2020 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

Warning light: Engine Maintenance Required Coolant Bypass Valve

at only 55k miles my 2020 toyota rav4 has shown an “engine maintenance required” sign. not to be mistaken with general maintenance. apparently this is a widely common issue where brand new toyotas are having cooling bypass valve issue. however concerningly so, because there are no recalls for this problem yet seemingly every rav4 has this problem? how is there no recall, everyone is paying out of pocket for essentially poor manufacturing, its outrageous, also considering the part itself is under $100 but some dealers are charging anywhere to $600-$1300. it’s predatory and outright wrong.

The coolant bypass valve has been failed prematurely therefor engine heat up and there is a warning on my dashboard that say "engine maintenance required"

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.

Liftgate hinges on my 2020 RAV4 hybrid XSE failed, causing misalignment so the liftgate/tailgate does not close properly or completely. Liftgate hinges are made of materials that are not strong enough for consistent and safe operation. Toyota has not issued a recall or provided safety warnings or notifications, nor is the company providing replacement hinges. RAV4 owners are left to pay for the replacement of these hinges when it’s a quality issue that can impact the safe operation of 2020 Toyota RAV4s. Toyota recently settled a lawsuit brought by an individual because of this issue.

Continuous Warning light display : Engine Maintenance Required Visit Your Dealer. The OBD diagnostic scanner lists the faulty system as follows: Code P268115. Engine coolant bypass valve circuit short to battery or open circuit. This appears to be a common fault on certain Toyota RAV4 years.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal amount of white smoke and an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V064000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Power lift gate not opening and shutting then noted that the mount on the passenger side is partially sheared off the car bracket and starting to separate on the drivers side. Was unable to close the hitch all the way, and beeping continuously while driving so brought to a toyota dealer service who ordered replacement pistons, in the mean time battery died due to being unable to close back. Once piston parts were obtained by toyota service center, had to have the car towed due to battery not able to be charged, then they noticed the bolts starting to shear off. Stated they have never seen anything like this but when looked online, found this has been a common problem and a class action suit has been filed for this exact reason

Engine maintnance light came on dashboard. Was not aware of this issue until doing research. Parts that needs replace - Cooling Bypass Valve

See attached document for complaint.

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.

I am told my DCM is not functioning properly. I learned this when my remote start function was no longer working. The dealership ran a diagnostics then wanted me to pay almost another $200 to restart the DCM with no guarantee that would work. If that didn’t work then I would have to pay another $300 for them to do a more involved process. I declined because I feel this should not be a problem that I have to pay to fix. They indicated that my key fobs could eventually stop working at which point I decided to submit this complaint. The DCM seems like a pretty core function that should not have problems at this point (5 year old car) and if it does, it seems like something the manufacturer should be responsible for repairing.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the hinges on the rear liftgate were bent, and the liftgate was misaligned. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was informed that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,500.

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.

Power rear hatch does not always open all the way, sometimes stops after 1" of rise. I must then manually close the rear hatch and try again and again.

Check engine light came on and noted a malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle or transmission. When taken to the dealer they found code P012807 related to engine cooling and suggested a replacement of the thermostat. This part should have a life of 100k or 8-10 years and car currently has less than 60k miles and 4 years old. Asked the dealership about known recall 20TA04 - for engine cooling recall but they insisted my car was not impacted. This is a safety issue as it could result in overheating of the engine leading to fire hazards.

Coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced per Toyota. Many people are having this problem.

The Rear Hatch started to get stuck. It is automatic so you would normally press a button to open and close and it would slowly move up or down and close shut on its own. When the issue started, it would "pop open" but stay stuck to a point where I would need to manually lift it open. (hitting my head on it often) Right before I took it to the dealership service, it would not close properly. While it seemed close, the notification showed it open therefore, not allowing me to lock my car and the lights on the car would need to stay on while car was parked and off. Driving home, the "open door" notification was beeping non-stop. Once again I had to open and close manually until it was considered "closed" Brought the car into the Toyota Dealership to assess. They found that the power lift gate hinges on the door were coming off and it needs to go to an Auto Body for realignment. I performed research online and found this to be a very common issue with the Toyota RAV4's. I have had leased 2 RAV4's prior to this one and never had a problem (those were manual hatches) [XXX] [XXX] My car has 33k miles on it although this issue (not as severe) started a while ago. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Wire harness failure according to the Toyota dealership representative I spoke with after inspection on 12/18/24. Rep said this is a known issue with certain years and they will cover cost of replacement. Previously, I had received a message stating, "Hybrid System Malfunction, Visit your Dealer" but could not get an appointment until 12/18. The dealer rep said they needed to order parts to fix the wire harness issue and that I would be okay taking the car and bringing it back when parts were in. The day after the inspection (12/19) I was in a Walmart parking lot and my car started but I could not get it to drive or reverse. A message stated "Vehicle not ready to drive" and "No power to rear brakes". If I put the car into drive or reverse and stepped on the gas, the car interior lit up and the dinging sound (usually associated with unbuckled safety belt) was heard. I had my safety belt fastened. My car could be put into neutral and had to be towed to the dealership. After looking into the issue, I found out that the car could had died while I was driving it resulting in loss of power brakes, etc. I live in a more rural area and could have been stuck with out cell reception, etc. This should be a RECALL and they never should have let me leave the dealership in my car. Note: As of today (12/20) the dealer rep stated they will cover all towing costs and cover a loaner vehicle for me. My dealership is very helpful BUT this could be a serious issue for someone else. Google "Rav 4 Cablegate" for more information.

Bypass Coolant Valve malfunctioned resulting in Engine Maintenance Required triggered. Because I do distance driving at high speeds, any potential engine issue poses a risk to safety. The problem has been confirmed by a dealer/service center. The component in question has not been inspected by the manufacturer. The warning sign that states "Engine Maintenance Required" appeared on the dashboard and remains.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Engine Coolant Bypass Valve B failed. The check engine light comes on and disables All-Wheel-Drive, Radar Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and interrupts functionality of the infortainment system. I am also worried that it could have a negative effect on the operation of the engine. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My safety or the safety of others was not put at risk. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No

The hinges on the lift gate are detaching causing my trunk not to close all the way.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The door lock actuators required repair on all my doors for the RAV4 2020. They stopped working after the 3 year warranty was up. This is a safety issue. I had to manually lock and unlock my doors, which left in a dangerous position at night. Over the course of a year all 4 doors needed to have the actuators replaced. This happrened in 2024.

There has been a promise to rectify this issue by Q3 2024 re: the outstanding recall for OCS sensors in passenger seat airbag. This has not been rectified yet.

I filed a complaint with Toyota to replace my vehicle and they said they denied my claim. They promised a fix by 2024 and it is already 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Service engine message coolant bypass valve circuit short to battery or open code P268115

Known coolant bypass valve issue dealership declining to cover it although it’s impacting a ton of people.

•August 19, 2022: All emergency/error code lights came on the dash while driving on highway. The vehicle was taken to Don McGill Toyota for service. In that time, all error codes came back and went away a few times on their own. Vehicle was taken on 08/20/2022 (please refer to service records) in which it was originally deemed there were no issues with the vehicle. Toyota recommended that if the problem persists, bring the vehicle back in. •August 26, 2022: Vehicle emergency lights came back on while driving on the highway again. The vehicle was taken back to Don McGill Toyota for a service emergency. Was told the Vehicle needed a sensor replaced. Got the vehicle back on September 15, 2022. •September 6, 2023: Vehicle emergency lights come back on. The vehicle was taken to Don McGill Toyota. Another part was replaced (please refer to service records) and the vehicle was returned on September 9, 2023. •August 2024: Vehicle emergency lights come back on. The vehicle was taken to Don McGill Toyota for a break service as well as getting this emergency lights issue resolved. The vehicle was picked up 5 hours later, however upon driving a little in the dealership parking lot, emergency lights came back on. Immediately went back and brought it up to the service advisor, who then took the car back for another 1 hour and deemed the vehicle needed to be “recalibrated”. This recalibration was completed, then left the dealership. •September 3, 2024: Vehicle emergency lights come back on. This time the vehicle struggled to brake when the lights came on. The vehicle was taken into Don McGill Toyota for immediate service. Breaks were looked at and recalibration was completed. Vehicle returned on September 6, 2024. •September 14, 2024: Vehicle emergency lights come back on. The vehicle was taken to Don McGill Toyota for emergency service. Brakes were checked and the vehicle was driven around to bring the lights up. The vehicle was given back on October 1, 2024, after the ser

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? THE HINGES ARE BROKEN ON THE HATCH How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS IS PUT AT RISK BECAUSE THE HINGE IS BROKEN. THE HATCH WILL NOT CLOSE THEREFOR COULD FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? THE ISSUE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP BUT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM, ANOTHER APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED TUESDAY10/22 Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO This is not a rare issue. I have seen dozens upon dozens of articles on Google, Facebook and Reddit of others dealing with the same exact issue. Examples: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I'm not sure but this remedy is taking almost a year so I'm reporting it again. I did over the phone last month.

Engine Maintenance Light on. After inspection at dealership, the cause was determined as Coolant By-pass valve stuck closed

Broken- Coolant bypass valve My safety was put at risk as the coolant bypass value broke leaking coolant over my cars electrical components and not keeping my engine cool. This could have resulted in my engine, overheating, exploding while operating the car and putting my life at risk. Also “engine maintenance alert” that couldn’t not be dismissed by the driver, obstructed the view of my dashboard. This problem was confirmed by the the Toyota dealership There is currently a class action lawsuit against Toyota for this specific issue.

I have had an "Engine Maintenance Required" warning light on since I purchased the vehicle (used) and have had it checked out by my local mechanic and the Toyota dealer. It is due to the coolant bypass valve malfunctioning. Apparently this is an extremely common issue according to the class action lawsuit and should NOT be put on the customer to pay for this when my odometer has not even hit 60k. A recall needs to be issued for this once and for all.

Coolant Bypass Issue. Engine Maintenance and contact dealer on the dash board.

The coolant bypass valve is needing to be replaced. The vehicle only has 52k miles and just happened after warranty.

I was making a turn into a turnaround on the turnpike and ended up sliding into a guardrail. I believe the brake assistance failed because although I slowed down and braked going into the turned, the vehicle felt like it had lost control and continued towards the guardrail rather than into the pathway I was turning into. My safety was at risk from going into the guardrail when my car didn't slow down as much as I would have expected. As of now, a braking problem with 2020 RAV4's has not been confirmed by Toyota but they are set to inspect the facility within the next couple weeks to collect information from the Event Data Recorder. It's currently at a State Farm holding facility. There were no messages or symptoms of this issue prior to the incident.

My Toyota 2020 RAV4 has a dangerous design flaw. It rolls when turned off and in drive mode. For example, my driveway is on an incline, and a couple times I have pulled into my driveway, gotten distracted, and I forgot to put the car in Park. When I hit the on/off button, the car rolls backwards, accelerating due to gravity. If you're not quick, you can end up rolling out into traffic, or running someone over that is behind your car. All the other cars I've ever owned didn't roll when the car was turned off unless you were in neutral. I believe this is a design flaw because I've spoken to a few other RAV4 owners that have experienced the same thing, and on one occasion, I tested it on another RAV4 and it was the same. I can see this being very dangerous. If you are standing outside of the car and hit the on/off button while it's in drive, you would get knocked down by the door, and your car would be rolling without you in the car.

Premature coolant bypass valve failure. Vehicle has less than 70k miles, but past warranty, "Engine Maintenance Required-See Dealer" light randomly came on one day and would not go off. Scanner pulled no codes as to what the issue would be. Found out it is a known issue as hundreds, if not thousands of Toyota drivers, have experienced this and that specific warning message indicates that it is due to the coolant bypass valve having failed. Clearly this is a known issue.

While driving with the air conditioner on a message appears on the instrument panel ENGINE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED. From researching this message on the internet it appears this is due to an engine coolant bypass valve problem. From this internet search it appears to be happening to many other peoples Rav4. The cost of having this valve replaced appears to be close to $1000. It appears that this problem is a common thing. Toyota needs to have a recall on this problem. Most people report this happening at various mileage.

I noticed an “engine maintenance required” message on my dash when driving home yesterday. I took the car to the dealership today to have it inspected. I was told I need to “replace the engine coolant bypass valve malfunction” for $738.31. Even though I only have 38,984 miles on the car I was told it was outside of the basic warranty and was not covered by powertrain warranty. When I looked online on several Toyota Forums I noticed other 2019/2020 Toyota RAV4 owners were reporting the same exact issue. I believe this warrants an inspection to see if a nationwide recall is needed and Toyota should cover the cost and refund any and all out of pocket expenses. I’ve driven Toyotas my entire adult life and have never had any issues like this before. It’s very disappointing.

The flow shut off valve coolant it was recall from Toyota

Toyota vehicles, namely RAV4’s are having a coolant bypass valve defect. And Toyota is denying this claim and charging to diagnostic and repair. This is a defect and should be set to recall as many owners are experiencing the issue. Mine began on a out of state trip with a engine maintenance light, and leaking fluid from the coolant valve, which can lead to engine stalling and issues while driving. Very dangerous! I took mine to my mechanic and had it repaired since I am beginning not to trust Toyota.

My mechanic could not clear the "Engine Maintenance Required. Visit the Dealer." message after a routine oil change on my 2020 Rav4. It turns out that the coolant bypass valve is defective. I am now aware of the many, MANY issues other Rav4 owners are having with this same part and that a class action suit has been filed.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.

Dear NHTSA, I am writing in reference to my Toyota RAV4, which is currently under an open recall. The tracking number for this issue is 11613535, and the VIN of my vehicle is 2T3F1RFV4LC120724. I am extremely dissatisfied with the way both Toyota and the dealer have been handling this recall, as they continue to shift responsibility between each other without providing a proper resolution. I have already communicated my personal experience and concerns directly to Toyota in writing. Driving this vehicle has caused immense fear and anxiety for both me and my family, and the situation has wasted a significant amount of my time and energy. Therefore, I kindly request your intervention to directly contact Toyota and help resolve this issue. I have also submitted my specific concerns and requests to Toyota, with their case number being #240909001372. I ask for your assistance in contacting Toyota to alleviate my concerns and ensure that this matter is resolved promptly. Thank you for your attention and assistance in this urgent matter. Sincerely, Xunan Feng

Engine Maintenance Light: Dealer found codes 48257 for coolant bypass valve short to open

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

My 2020 Toyota RAV4 has a recall, and I want to address it as soon as possible because I am very worried about this issue when driving. Right now, I feel anxious and uneasy, and I don't dare to drive the car anymore. I contacted Toyota, but they are evading the issue and have not provided a timeline for the repair. I also contacted the dealer where I purchased the car, but they are not taking responsibility for the recall. I hope you can help me and ensure this recall is resolved immediately, as it concerns the safety of both myself and my passengers.