2020 Toyota RAV4 • 75,000 miles later - Must Watch before buying/Long Term ownership Review 

If you take anything away from this video it's never buy the first year of a redesigned vehicle .... My 2021 RAV4 has been flawless . None of the issues stated in this video .

Great review, Paul. I stumbled across it while surfing through YT. It makes me even more confident in the purchase of our first ever Toyota, a '23 RAV4 Limited hybrid which has been flawless so far. I changed oil for the second time a couple days ago @ 4,940 miles & will take the 90 mile trip to our dealer tomorrow for it's 5K mile checkup. So far it's looking to be one of the best vehicles we've owned over the past 55 years. Keep up the great work! I just subscribed & am looking forward to more vids from you.

Hi Viking im from Portugal and i also bought a rav4 2020 but hybrid awd. I´m super happy with mine with 70000+ km. Never gave me any problem for now. keep up the good work

Thank you dude. Please keep posting. Our recent purchase of XLE Premium Hybrid has been flawless so far and drives us like a charm.

My 2022 hybrid has 10k miles and has been flawless. The mid-term refresh fixed all the problems mentioned. I love my RAV4.

Hi! Great job, excellent video. Very objective analysis from your personal experience. I am about to buy the 2024 RAV 4 XLE and I feel very confident now. Hope it will give me more happy moments than problems! Thanks a lot!

thanks 🙏. I guys I’m stuck with my ‘19. got at invoice & has been lucky so far.

Thank you for the video. I had a 2020 RAV4 Limited but traded it in this year for a 2023 4Runner Limited. I loved my RAV4...but I absolutely love my 4Runner even more if that's possible! I do miss some of the things on the RAV4 though, like the rain sensing wipers and the power lift gate. However, a person can't go wrong with either one!

Thanks great information, As for the steering wheel it can be hand creams and sanitizers. or sunscreen,

Love both of mine! I liked my 2021 XLE premium so much, I bought a 2023 LE to replace our Nissan Murano. Love them!

Thanks for this invaluable information sir…will follow this regime.

Thanks for the information 👌 much appreciated.

Thank you !

Until recently I had a ‘16 Scion iM aka Corolla Hatchback. Came with Pioneer touchscreen stereo with volume knob - Bluetooth pairing and gracenote both developed problems but the sound quality was always great.

Excellent video!!! Super informative. We need more videos like this. I am considering buying a RAV4 and this is the type of information I have been looking for. Thank you!

Crazy how I find myself researching a vehicle that I'm altready committed to buy! This frank review of personal experience gives me confidence in the decision I made was right. Such useful content is apptreciated.

Hi Vikings Garage, first time here! Absolutely love the color of that car. I have a '21 R4P and sucks that color wasn't a color option when we got it. Agree with you on the floor mats, they are pretty darn good and useful. Thanks for all the fyi's to look for, very informative info. 👍 Dunno if it is the case with you but I think I have more problems with actually booking appts with Crystal/Empire more so than issues w/ the car. 😂 They are always booked solid even for a simple oil change!

Our 2019 has had the radio replaced, more so because the phone wasn't connecting. Otherwise, MY WIFE drives it to and from work, low miles (+31000) for being in service 4 years. Oil & filter every 5000, with tire roation, Air & Cabin filter every year. Haven't seen any of the RECALLS you mentioned, may call the dealer and find out if I they affect our 2019. Weatherproof mats - DEFINITELY! Even purchased one for the cargo area. Thanks for this info.

I own a Rav4 2021 AWD gas engine., 65k miles. Oil change every 5k miles, still original tires; front brakes just done; 3 years old battery replaced at 63k miles; both differential fluids replaced at 30K miles, about to change transmission oil. it does 27mpg in the city and 35 mpg in Hwy@ 75mph. To be honest, I've driven throughout 35 states with this vehicle and never had any of the issues he says in this video. This is my 4th Toyota; All of then have been trouble free and super reliable and easy to maintain.

Thank you for your info. The gas mileage is wonderful and a great ride. No, my steering wheel isn't like that. I did have the rail issue leaking. The dealer took care of it. I do have an issue pumping gas, though. Other than that, I LOVE MY RAV 4

Glad that Page Toyota in Michigan was 2K over msrp in 2022! My CRV has been nothing but PERFECT! No recalls etc etc.! And with my Honda I don't have to beg for a vehicle! My 05 accord runs like new and we will celebrate it's 19th Bday next june!

My ‘21 has been flawless. Currently at 65k mikes. Just fluid and filter changes - still running the original brakes.

Steering wheel peel ...possibly a reaction from lotion/sunscreen/hand sanitizer. Had a jeep that had exactly that type peeling and it was from sunscreen .

I have a 21 TRD and have had none of these issues! When you change your trans fluid would be cool if you documented it..

95k miles on my wife’s 2020 rav (canadian). -oil & filter change (0w-16) every 5k miles. -did the spark plugs and brake pads at 80k. -did transmission fluid at 50k, doing it at 100k again. -original battery failed at 30k. -bypass coolant valve failed at 90k. paid $90 for it on eBay and replaced myself. other than the bypass valve, no problems so far, is been a great car. always getting between 31-34 MPG.

Ive just bought a 2020 lovely car no problems.

We just replaced the rear brakes in our 2011 Corolla at 180,000 miles. I have been driving Toyotas since 1979z

My Toyota 2015 RAV4 steering wheel did have the same problem with peeling also. It was a disappointment that this occurred. Other than this it’s been running great!

I'm in Canada and have Toyota Avalon 95 which is now 29 years old car at over 500K km (310K miles). The steering wheel never ripped or peeled but it got badly stained mostly in the last few years because I started to use a lot of hand disinfectants, sprays and creams which I also applied directly on the steering wheel after service people used my car. Last year I bought RAV4 2022 and my first thought for add-ons was a steering wheel cover but since it's heated I'm still hesitant because it may slow down the warming. Comparing to the build of 95 Avalon when new, the 2022 RAV4 feels really cheap, everything looks much more fragile. When I shared this with my mechanic he said, now nobody will build cars to last like your 95 Avalon.

Roof rail was a pain. Did myself before recall replacing the washer. You will see water were handles are

I have a 2019 rav4 xle and my fan is constantly on (low speed) after it warms up even now in the cold winter weather

My 2019 RAV4 Gas model had the coolant valve fail open resulting in a 'service engine' message. A $450 CAD repair out of warranty. Car has 85,000 km on it, otherwise flawless in the 4 years I've owned it. Interior rattles however are not great and have been that way since new.

Well that's an impressive door pocket to put a huge flashlight in

I own a 2022 RAV4. This is my second Toyota - I used to own a 2012 highlander, which I had for 8 years, with 0 problems. The RAV4 has low miles at 15k and has been getting oil changes less than 5k miles so far. - I have already had the roof molding fail and replaced under warranty, - The coolant keeps spilling out from the overflow reservoir - I have now taken it to the dealership 3 times and every time they inform me that they have not found any issue and top off the coolant. I have noticed that the coolant reaches the low mark every few months. - The transfer case seal failed recently and I have fluid leaking. I am yet to get that fixed because the dealership did not have the part in stock. Overall, it has not met the expectations I had from my pervious experience and I hope that I do not encounter any new major problems outside warranty.

Typical Technician Recommendations ❤ ! Precaution services rather then actual practical needs ... Uneven pads worn-out means inner pad stuck due to gliding pins seized been ignored for sometime ! Judging outter pad without removing the wheel can't tells inner were stuck that worn twice as fast or more ! Keep an eye on tire wearing conditions indicates whether alignment are in fine tune ! Needs no alignment every year, unless ran over curbing or potholes repeatingly ! All related fluids replacement are way too early ! Then again, to Some ... Better sooner then Sorry ! Overall, nice educational suggestions / precautions for those who do not do maintainance of their own ! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Yeah, my 23 rav started having radio issues at about 2k miles. It was replaced under warranty.

Hand sanitiser made my hands black in a 2007 Ford Focus. I only used it during the covid pandemic.

My mom has a 2020 rav4 xle. Not one single problem. My girlfriend has a 2022 corolla cross and I have a 2023 Tacoma sr5. Our corolla cross had an oil leak from the filter, after replacing the filter 2 times under warranty a field tech/engineer deemed the problem to be a bad casting on the upper oil pan. Dealer pulled the engine and replaced the upper oil pan. The work performed by the shop foreman is flawless. I can’t even tell anything was taken apart beside the fact that it has black fipg sealer now on all the mating surfaces instead of the assembly line grey.

I think you said you have the heated steering wheel feature. I wonder if the heat is getting too hot underneath or the warmth is effecting the integrity of that cheap steering wheel cover?

I have been leasing the Toyota rav 4 since 2012, i have had the 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021 but only for 3 years 🎉🎉🎉i really love❤the car 🚗 i now have the 2024 rav 4 LE and could not get the XLE because the price went up about 170 dollars 💵 a month 😮😮my plan in the next 3 years , is my wife Monika is retiring and when the lease is up for the 2024 we will buy the 2027 cash 💰 rav 4 and get the XLE. Then I should be good for 10 years. To me I think 🤔 Toyota is an excellent car to buy and most of their cars 🚗 have a regular transmission not the cvt.

This is for the hybrid version 2019 to 2024 every 5,000 miles clean the filter of the hybrid battery will save you tons of money

That steering wheel issue is because of “bonded leather”. They used to put that crap on furniture, but they had to stop because they received too many returns because of pealing. It’s basically waste material from the manufacturing of real leather goods. It’s turned into a paste like substance so that it can then be applied on to various surfaces. That way they can call the-end product “leather”. I am very surprised Toyota resorted to applying garbage like this on their vehicles.

The hardest thing on the leather steering wheel is hand sanitizer and wearing rings on your fingers that rub the wheel.

I don't have a RAV4 but thinking about getting one,we have a 2019 Avalon 71k on it,change oil every 5k we have not had not a single problem out of it,by far the best vehicle we have owned and we have had a few, I'm wanting my wife to have all wheel drive we looking at the RAV4 also venza.

Great information on the RAV4. 👍👍👍 I am curious where your RAV4 was built. Normally, the USA manufactured vehicles are better quality than of Mexico or Canada. Nowadays, it’s all hit and miss unless a vehicle is built in Japan. The steering wheel issue was disappointing because car is only 3-4 years old. Even my previous 20 year old Lexus IS300 didn’t have this issue but it had sticky dashboard issues. I believe there was a recall on that regardless it was peeling anyway if it was handled roughly….but mechanically it was flawless.

Great video as usual Paul. I don’t own a RAV4 but sent a link to friends that do. Fwiw, my 2018 4runner has peeling on the top of the steering wheel. Not sure if it’s sun exposure that causes it to happen there or what. But since I forced myself to just drive it properly (10ish and 2ish lol) the deterioration has slowed. I wish there were good real proper leather replacements available.

What happened to the steering wheel to cause that? I keep my cars if I can to 200,000 and none ever did that. My 2006 Saab 9-3 which I loved really had no problems just rubber parts being replaced between 130,000 and 160,000 and I sold the car still running in 2018 with 195,000 miles . Today it has 270,000 with the second owner. Own a 2013 Subaru Legacy with 140,000 and the first problem I had was at 120,000 when the master brake cylinder started failing and again at 130,000 had to replace suspension components. But again no other problems. Even my 2018 Buick Envision now has 82,000 and nothing has broken - just regular maintenance. It seems a lot of cars now can hit 75,000 without many problems if any. Oil change every 5000.

Actually I am considering to buy a RAV4, very intuitive.thanks Paul!

My 2020 Rav4 XSE has a JBL radio/infotainment system. It’s stuck in a reboot mode. Dealership said this happens a lot and will be $3000 - $4000 to replace. No financial help from Toyota. I’m really disappointed with Toyota and will be looking into other brands soon.

Never let your fuel level run low. Keep doing it and burn out the fuel pump.

If the tires are wearing evenly, why pay for alignment?

Thanks for the heads up on those issues. My wife bought a 2020 XLE CPO about a year ago with about 68000 miles. It's the twin of yours. I had all those fluids changed last summer except for the brake fluid. Since she works from home, she's only put about 2000 miles on it. It's due for its 6-month oil change and rotation so I'll ask about the control arms, HP fuel pump and the other things when I take it in.

Any further thought on steering wheel peel? Toyota advertises 'leather wrapped heated steering wheel'. Hope out 'ordered' 24 RAV 4 steering will not shed come spring time...lol...

From my experience with the leather, it seemed pretty thick (vs alot of what others have) and will hold up well. I doubt they'd use soft stuff found in Mazda's.

I find the customer service varies from dealership to dealership. Like the one I got my 22 rav 4 from never picks up the phone same with there service department.

What year is your Rav 4 and what trim level?

Hey good review…do you think a 2023 le hybrid has similar concerns I.e. leak ?or would they fix it ?

That steering wheel falling apart is really of concern, as they say it is "leather wrapped". I wonder if Toyota would replace that within the 3 year warranty, the so called bumper-to-bumper (except for things that normally wear out). That is not normal, I have an Acura with 150K miles after 8 years and the leather on the wheel is just fine.

75,000 miles in 3-4 years, holy shit dude. Do you drive across country often? It takes me 6-7 years to take up that many miles.

You’re awesome

I desire to buy one of these vehicles in May: 1. Toyota Rav4 2. Subaru Outback 3. Hyundai Santa Cruz. All are around the same price. I am leaning toward the Santa Cruz because it can haul smelly trash once a week to the dump. The Outback has 72 months 0%. The Toyota has 4.75%. I hear that the RAV4 has a noisy interior.

When I saw and heard about the redesign of the 2019 model year I knew I wanted the last generation of '16-'18. Bought a brand new RAV4 XLE Hybrid in 2018. Most perfect vehicle ever made. Has the upgraded stereo with nav system in dash, not that ugly screen sticking up. Consumer reports has zero problems in their annual auto issue for the 16-18 model year. And I even like the more sophisticated styling of the generation I own. I would buy one of these years if looking for a used one.

Get rid of the Michelin Latitude and get Michelin Defender or CrossClimate tires. They will handle best in wet or snow.

So at 180 inches it is a compact SUV and fits a niche along with the CX5 the last gen CRV. Then new CRV and CX-50 have grown out to 185 inches and because of that don't fit my needs due to the size of my garage and my need to put two cars in there every night and keep using the rest of the garage. Hoping the refresh comes out asap to increase inventory of used models, especially Primes (with leather, I hate the cloth in this car) While this car is basic in its presentation, it is really well built and has good use of materials. Another impression I got from renting it a few weeks back and putting 1400 miles on it is that it is really well thought out. I immediately felt comfortable with the car and that translated in me wanting one whereas a month ago, I would have leaned more towards a CX-5 turbo or even a GTI/R.

I've had the coolant bypassy valve replaced and my steering wheel is much worse than yours. Also had the fuel pump recall done. Mine is a 2019 LE.

I think the the lower trim models have a lower quality steering wheel surface. I heard that somewhere online last week or so.. What trim do you have?

A big factor for me is how wide the back doors open. RA-4 doors make it hard to get in and out with children seats. No one mentions how they do in snow. I had a 2018 AWD that would get stuck at every opportunity. Leather seats on RAV-4 are not leather. Gas vapor leaks is not a minor problem. I never came close to 30 mpg with my RAV-4. I believe the RAV-4 needs a redo.

I want one to Tow a smaller travel trailer not too Small understand something around 17 feet.

23 RAV4 XSE I've had eight months at 5k miles....two oil changes and 5k service....it's been great....swapping it out for a 24 so I can get all of the tech.... Question: Where do I get information about issues and recall?

Everybody want it causing it is the most overvalued vehicle on the market, reliable but very noisy on highway.

The steering wheel is actually leather and the shift knob

My first foreign car 🚗 was a 1991 Camry dx i bought it brand new 🆕 i had it for 24 years and when I junked it, it still had the same muffler and A/C was never touched and very cold 🥶 the alternator finally went after 21 years. The car 🚗 only had 100 thousand miles. If I was a mechanic like you I would still have the car 🚗 Toyota the best lol

Is yours the heated steering wheel? I have a 2021. Heated steering wheel. No issues. However, i only have 25k miles, so everything is still good. Only issue i have with the interior is the drivers seat seems like a spring broke or something. Im a 5'4" female never weighing more than 125 pounds. I'm not sure why it's like that. I noticed it a few months ago. Probably too late to tell the dealership. When i noticed it was October but i was ill for 2 months after that. Then Christmas and new years came. Idk if beginning of 2024 marks the end of bumper to bumper or after 2024. I love this rav4. I had a taco. I miss it. I needed better gas mileage. I make the rav4 work. One day, i will have a taco again while keeping the rav4. And keep both.

Wish I had it! Am currently driving ‘16 XLE Rav4 Hybrid. Only 56,000 miles but never a repair except wreck damage. My only complaint is road noise.

You got a. Video. On. A. looking at a camry se 22 same 2.5 motor at 35 000 miles on it and cpo warranty..

The steering wheel peel is probably from hand sanitizer or hand lotion application and touching the wheel right away.

I have a 2020 Rav4 limited. I've had no problems at all. I'm going to put this out there for why the steering wheel on the left side is like that. Wedding ring. Is her ring smooth or does it have a raised edge or grooves, possibly because she wears 2 rings together on the same finger. Just a thought. Leave a comment if that applies.

Im pretty sure that Steering wheel issue is probably caused by purel.

My wife and I bought a new 2020 RAV4 here in Canada. We have 140 000km on the vehicle now. And I have to say we are very disappointed with it. 1)When we first bought it we had a rattle in the seatbelt adjustments we took it in and they fixed it under warranty 2) later on we had a rattle coming from the ceiling where the map lights were located so we took it in again and they fixed it but then as we drove for a little bit the whole map like assembly fell completely off. So we brought it back in and they forgot to put in a metal bracket that keeps it solid. 3) couple of thousand kilometers after that my wife just put her coffee in the cup holder and one of the supporters Springs broke and went inside the center console. we got that fixed from Toyota. 4) all our kids play hockey and my wife was trying to fold the seat down and the spring inside one of the folding chairs broke inside when putting in the hockey bags. At this point we were out of warranty and cost us $300 to get it fixed. 5) just recently the power window on the passenger side quit and we took it in Toyota and they said that the components inside the door frame are all rusty. Fix for that was $1,500. 6) the fuel light when low on gas which usually you have a reserved 50 or 100 km left in the tank, however we've seen the fuel light come on and only giving us 12 if not 9 km left. My wife has ran out of gas twice. Toyota said this is normal it's not an accurate number. So we keep it Jerry can inside the trunk. 7) other annoyances for me is the touch screen is very slow at response and we did lose the voice to text and can't seem to get it back. And for the price we paid it was pretty cheap for Plastics all around that can be easily scratched. On the plus side it has an incredible reliable motor and Powertrain. Mind you completely boring to drive compare to my 13 Accord sport manual.

I am curious Paul... Since the wear is only on the Left Side of your steering wheel would that be due to a Wedding Ring? My wife wore this new skirt years ago with a zipper down the whole back side and wore a small but noticeable 'rip' into the front driver's seat. I was not happy about that. I was just trying to figure out what would cause that wear & tear on your steering wheel. I have not seen that before.

There is no differential fluid to change on the FWD model as it's part of the transaxle, right?

My sister’s 2019 Rav4 steering wheel peels.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Some RU-vid mechanics take serious issues with the recommended 0w=16 oil saying its too thin and engine WILL NOT LAST TO 80,000 MILES! ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS? IM SO CONFUSED!

Alignment??? I haven’t done an alignment in 25 years. Oil change, yes, I do that way more than scheduled, my Tundra says 10k miles, I’m more like 5k miles.

? Between 2020 CX5 or 2020 RAV 4 which would you pick and why thanks for reading my request.

Hi we have a Toyota Rav4 2021 Premium. It’s constantly saying it charging the battery? Any suggestions we bought the car used at 40,100 Miles.

What is your opinion of 2.4 turbo that is in 2024 Highlander? Can turbo really last 250 K miles?

Hi,I have 2021 rav4 hybrid I feel vibration and shaking in the cabin around the first 1 minute when i start it? Is this normal?

That’s a respectable payload on you door sticker. Only 200 lbs less than my old Tundra 1794 😂

Coolant bypass valve failed on my rav4 2020:@ 62k.

How much should I pay for a 2020 Rav4 xle premium having 69,000 miles on it, with having no accident and one owner. Please Suggest.

What happened to " this is the VIKINGSSSSS garage!"???

Also what do you think about 2024 toyota rav 4 xle awd

I have 2024 toyota rav4 xle awd gas engine r cilinder ..on how many miles you change transmission and how many miles you change rear wheel drive oil in rear differential

I had the coolant bypass valve go out i dont know what causes it the dealer told me it looked like there was a sludge build up in the valve that causes it to fail

Considered buying this car but ended up buying forester. The hood is too high and you can only see distant just like the Tacoma which is bad design. That was the deal breaker. As soon as I set in the car, I said no. I’m 6 feet and I can’t see over the hood so someone shorter will have low visibility. Visibility is not great overall. If you want to off-road with this thing, you need a front camera for sure.

I have a 2019 Rav 4 XLE with under 9k miles. I KNOW I don't drive it a lot but have had issues with the battery also. The first time was in 2021 and I took it to the dealer and they said it was a bad cell and gave me a new one. Fast forward to around Dec 2023 and I had to have it jumped. I took it to the dealer and he said it was dead because I didn't drive it enough to keep it charged. They refused me a new battery because it was fully charged when I got there. I had them install a trickle charger on it and end up plugging it in every time I get home. Is it normal for batteries to go bad so often or is it because I don't drive it enough? They charged me as much for the trickle charger and install as a new battery would have been...sigh

I want to buy my daughter a rav4 budget is 10-15 k total What year and how many miles would be the best.

7:45 Those are bolts not screws.