Overview
This guide lists the recall campaigns the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has on file for the Toyota RAV4, 2016–2024 model years, grouped by the system they affect, with what a pre-purchase inspection can and cannot tell you about each. It is built from NHTSA's recall records pulled on August 27, 2026, not from owner-forum anecdotes or failure-rate guesses.
NHTSA lists 19 campaigns for this model across those years. The 12 most recent, running from October 2025 back to February 2020, are covered below; older campaigns are not repeated here, so run the VIN yourself rather than treating this page as the complete list. Model years shown are limited to this guide's 2016–2024 range; a campaign can list earlier or later years.
How to read a RAV4 recall list
A recall campaign applies to certain vehicles, identified by VIN, built in a specific window. A model year appearing in a campaign does not mean every car of that year is affected, and a car outside the listed years can still be included in a multi-model campaign.
This page lists recall campaigns, which are manufacturer safety actions recorded by NHTSA; it does not rank reliability. A completed recall means the manufacturer's repair has been performed on that vehicle. What matters for a used purchase is whether the specific car in front of you has any open campaign and whether the seller can show the work was done.
Toyota RAV4: Fuel system recalls
November 2020, NHTSA campaign 20V682000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model years 2019–2020 (2016–2024 range). The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge.
What the inspection covers here: A fuel pump sits inside the tank, so no visual inspection can judge its condition. What an inspector can do is run the OBD-II scan for stored trouble codes and check fluid levels and oil leaks. The road test, where the vehicle is street legal, insured, and conditions are safe, evaluates the drivetrain. Whether the recall repair or update was performed is a VIN-lookup question, not an inspection one.
Toyota RAV4: Air bag, seat belt and seat recalls
December 2023, NHTSA campaign 23V865000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model years 2020–2021 (2016–2024 range). A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024.
July 2022, NHTSA campaign 22V519000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model year 2022 (2016–2024 range). The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge.
November 2020, NHTSA campaign 20V734000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model year 2020 (2016–2024 range). Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge.
What the inspection covers here: An inspector cannot test an occupant-classification sensor or predict how an air bag would behave in a crash. The inspection does cover the interior, including seat belts, and the gauges and the operation of the electrical items, and anything unusual is reported. Whether a campaign's remedy was performed is answered by the VIN lookup.
Toyota RAV4: Steering, suspension and structure recalls
June 2020, NHTSA campaign 20V373000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model years 2019–2020 (2016–2024 range). NHTSA's summary limits it to vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist. A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge.
May 2020, NHTSA campaign 20V286000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model years 2019–2020 (2016–2024 range). The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly. If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020.
What the inspection covers here: Steering and suspension are checked on every inspection, along with an underbody check for rust, frame damage, or structural repair. The inspection cannot confirm that a specific recalled part was replaced; the VIN lookup does that.
Toyota RAV4: Brake recalls
December 2024, NHTSA campaign 24V911000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model year 2024 (2016–2024 range). Some of the bolts that secure the front brake caliper and the wheel hub bearing may be loose, which can result in a damaged caliper brake hose or possible wheel detachment. A damaged brake line can cause a brake fluid leak, reducing brake performance and increasing the distance required to stop the vehicle. Wheel detachment can result in a loss of vehicle control. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. NHTSA's summary spans model years 2024 to 2025 across all the models it names, some of them outside this guide's 2016–2024 range; check your own model year with the VIN lookup. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Dealers will inspect and tighten the front brake caliper mounting bracket and hub bearing bolts, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, any damaged components will be replaced, free of charge.
What the inspection covers here: Braking components are part of every inspection, and Silver and Gold add pad and rotor measurement. A brake recall's remedy status still comes from the VIN lookup.
Toyota RAV4: Engine and cooling recalls
February 2020, NHTSA campaign 20V064000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model years 2019–2020 (2016–2024 range). NHTSA's summary limits it to vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally. A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge.
What the inspection covers here: The inspection includes a visual check of the engine and everything under the hood, fluid levels, oil leaks, and the OBD-II scan for stored codes. Internal engine damage is not something a visual check can confirm, and whether a recall repair was done is a VIN-lookup question.
Toyota RAV4: Electrical, software and camera recalls
October 2025, NHTSA campaign 25V744000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model years 2023–2024 (2016–2024 range). NHTSA's summary limits it to vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. NHTSA's summary spans model years 2022 to 2026 across all the models it names, some of them outside this guide's 2016–2024 range; check your own model year with the VIN lookup. NHTSA's summary does not name this model directly; the model years listed come from NHTSA's vehicle data, so confirm with the VIN lookup. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge.
September 2025, NHTSA campaign 25V595000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model years 2023–2024 (2016–2024 range). Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights. An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury. NHTSA's summary spans model years 2023 to 2025 across all the models it names, some of them outside this guide's 2016–2024 range; check your own model year with the VIN lookup. This campaign names more than one model or trim, so confirm your VIN is included. Remedy per NHTSA: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge.
November 2023, NHTSA campaign 23V734000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model years 2016–2018 (2016–2024 range). Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit. A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire. NHTSA's summary spans model years 2013 to 2018 across all the models it names, some of them outside this guide's 2016–2024 range; check your own model year with the VIN lookup. Remedy per NHTSA: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge.
What the inspection covers here: Lights, gauges, and the operation of the other electrical items are part of every inspection, and Silver adds a battery load test. Gold adds a full electronics and infotainment audit. Whether a software update or a battery-related campaign was completed is a VIN-lookup question.
Toyota RAV4: Tire, wheel and label recalls
July 2023, NHTSA campaign 23V485000, listed for Toyota RAV4 model year 2023 (2016–2024 range). NHTSA's summary limits it to vehicles equipped with 17" black alloy accessory wheels. During installation of the alloy wheels, the tire valve stem may have been improperly installed or damaged. In addition, the load carrying capacity label may state the incorrect weight. A damaged or improperly installed valve stem may allow air to leak and/or the tires to be underinflated, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash. Remedy per NHTSA: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel valve stems and replace the load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge.
What the inspection covers here: Tires and wheels, including tread depth, are checked on every inspection. Whether a recall repair was performed, and whether a label or marking was corrected, is a VIN-lookup question.
Check a RAV4's VIN for open recalls before you drive out
Enter the 17-character VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), which is free and shows open recalls for that exact vehicle. Manufacturers also offer their own recall lookups. The VIN is usually on the dashboard at the base of the windshield and on the driver's door jamb. Ask the seller for it before you travel.
If the lookup shows an open campaign, the remedy text NHTSA records for most campaigns describes the repair or update as free to the owner. Ask the seller for the dealer paperwork showing the work was done, or make the open repair a condition of the sale. If NHTSA flags a do-not-drive advisory, do not take delivery until the repair is complete.
What a pre-purchase inspection adds on top of a recall lookup
The recall lookup tells you what the manufacturer has reported to NHTSA. An independent inspection tells you what is going on with the car you are about to buy, including problems no recall covers.
Every Vehicle Inspectors inspection covers the body and paint for prior repair or respray, rust and underbody condition, tires and wheels, glass, evidence of previous accident or flood damage, lights and gauges and the electrical items, the interior and seat belts, the motor and transmission, the driveline including all-wheel-drive systems, steering, suspension, braking components and exhaust, the engine bay, fluid levels and leaks, an OBD-II scan for stored codes (1996 and newer vehicles), and a road test where the vehicle is street legal, insured, and conditions are safe. You receive a photo-documented PDF report with a plain-English go, caution, or stop summary.
Silver adds a battery load test, brake pad and rotor measurement, and A/C and heater temperature readings. Gold adds an extended road test with live OBD-II data capture, a full electronics and infotainment audit, and paint-depth readings panel by panel. The tiers are price bands by vehicle value; the core inspection is the same at each. See pricing or book an inspection and paste the listing link.