Toyota RAV4 Liftgate Recall? Service Campaigns & Legal Actions Explained

Owning a Toyota RAV4 usually means reliability and practicality, but when the power liftgate refuses to cooperate, it’s a different story. Some owners have run into power liftgate problems, ranging from doors that won’t close to cracked hinges and actuator failures.

While Toyota has released service campaigns and technical bulletins to address certain issues, there hasn’t been a major recall dedicated to fixing the liftgate.

That hasn’t stopped frustrated owners from pushing for solutions. Some have filed lawsuits, arguing that Toyota knew about these defects but didn’t do enough to fix them. Others have found workarounds or paid out of pocket for repairs.

So, what’s the real story? Was your RAV4’s liftgate ever officially covered? If not, what can you do about it? Let’s break down Toyota’s service campaigns, legal actions, and owner-reported issues so you know what to expect.

1. Limited Service Campaigns

Limited Service Campaign G0X: Power Back Door ECU Replacement

Some 2016 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid models had a known issue where the power liftgate could stop working after hitting an obstruction. Instead of resetting, the Power Back Door Electronic Control Unit (ECU) would shut down completely, leaving the hatch stuck.

Limited Service Campaign G0X was launched to replace faulty Power Back Door ECUs in certain 2016 RAV4 models. This was not a recall but a time-limited campaign available until November 30, 2019.

After that date, owners had to cover repair costs themselves. The improved ECU was designed to prevent the shutdown issue, so swapping out the original unit may restore normal operation.

For those still dealing with a non-functional liftgate, checking whether the ECU was ever replaced is a good place to start. If the ECU was never updated during the campaign window, you’ll likely need to pay out of pocket for repairs now.

2. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)

TSB T-SB-0275-17: Power Back Door Actuator Mount Separation

Some 2013–2017 RAV4 and 2016–2017 RAV4 Hybrid models developed a liftgate problem that wasn’t just inconvenient—it could cause real damage.

The power back door actuator mount had a tendency to separate from the ball mount bracket, throwing the entire system out of alignment. When this happened, the liftgate wouldn’t open or close properly, and in some cases, it damaged the wiring, leading to error codes like B2226, B2227, B2228, or B2229.

Toyota acknowledged the issue with Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) T-SB-0275-17 and instructed dealerships to replace both the left and right power back door actuator units with stronger parts.

However, this was not a recall, and TSBs do not guarantee free repairs. Toyota only covered the fix if the vehicle was still under its factory or extended warranty. Owners outside the warranty period had to pay out of pocket.

For RAV4 owners who are not covered by warranty, replacing both actuators with the improved parts is the recommended solution. Ignoring the issue can lead to further damage, including wiring failures that trigger liftgate system errors.

3. Legal Actions

Class Action Lawsuit Over Power Liftgate Hinges

Some 2014–2021 RAV4 owners took Toyota to court over what they claimed were defective power liftgate hinges. The lawsuit alleged that the hinges weren’t strong enough to support the weight and repeated use of the liftgate, leading to premature failure. As the hinges weakened, some owners noticed misalignment, warning alerts, or difficulty opening and closing the hatch.

The lawsuit also accused Toyota of knowing about the issue but failing to warn customers or provide a permanent fix. Instead of a recall, the company released TSBs and service campaigns that only covered some vehicles, leaving many owners to deal with repairs on their own.

The case didn’t go far. It was dismissed on January 10, 2025, without prejudice, meaning another lawsuit could be filed in the future. Toyota reached individual settlements with some plaintiffs, but no recall or extended warranty was issued to cover hinge failures for all owners.

Those dealing with hinge problems today won’t find a blanket resolution; replacing the hinges with reinforced versions is the best way to prevent further liftgate failure.

4. Owner-Reported Issues

Liftgate Failing to Close

Some RAV4 owners have run into a frustrating problem—the liftgate opens just fine but refuses to close. This issue is often tied to the jam protection feature, which stops the door from closing if it detects an obstruction. While that’s great for preventing damage, it can also trigger false detections if something is slightly misaligned.

Owners experiencing power liftgate issues where the door fails to close properly may have sensor misalignment, dirt buildup, or faulty ECU calibration.

Cleaning the sensor area and performing a system reset can sometimes resolve the problem. However, cracked liftgate hinges can also cause misalignment, triggering false obstructions and making the liftgate difficult to operate.

Common causes also include loose weather stripping, misaligned cargo mats, or debris caught in the drainage channel above the hatch. Checking for these minor blockages can sometimes solve the issue without any major repairs.

If there’s no visible obstruction, the problem may be a sensor malfunction in the power liftgate system. Resetting the ECU or recalibrating the door’s closing position has helped some owners restore normal operation.

Liftgate Hinges Cracking

A number of RAV4 owners—especially those with 2014–2021 models—have reported cracks forming in the liftgate hinges. As these cracks grow, the power liftgate becomes harder to operate, sometimes refusing to stay open or close properly.

Some drivers have opted to replace the hinges with reinforced aftermarket parts or switch to manual lift arms to avoid further issues. Since Toyota hasn’t issued a recall, these repairs typically come out of pocket.

5. Manufacturer Recalls

Recall for 2013–2018 RAV4 Models

While Toyota has never issued a recall for RAV4 liftgate struts, hinges, actuators, or sensors, there was a separate recall for 2013–2018 RAV4 models related to a faulty battery hold-down clamp.

The recall originated from replacement 12-volt batteries that didn’t fit snugly in some RAV4s. If the hold-down clamp wasn’t tightened properly, the battery could shift while driving. In the worst cases, this movement could cause the positive terminal to make contact with the metal clamp, increasing the risk of a fire.

To fix the issue, Toyota instructed dealerships to replace the battery hold-down clamp, battery tray, and positive terminal cover with improved versions—free of charge for affected vehicles.

Although this recall doesn’t directly address liftgate failures, battery voltage drops caused by loose or damaged connections can sometimes affect the power liftgate’s performance. Owners experiencing random liftgate malfunctions may want to inspect their battery and clamp as part of their troubleshooting process.

Final Thoughts

Toyota hasn’t issued a full recall for the RAV4’s power liftgate, but service campaigns and technical bulletins have addressed known issues. Some 2016 models qualified for a free ECU replacement, while certain 2013–2017 models had documented actuator mount failures.

Outside of these fixes, some owners have dealt with hinge cracks and liftgate malfunctions without Toyota offering a widespread repair program.

A class action lawsuit attempted to push Toyota toward a solution, but it was dismissed in early 2025 after individual settlements—no broad recall or extended warranty was established. That means no official coverage for hinge failures or other liftgate problems at this time.

For those still experiencing problems, checking for software updates, clearing obstructions, and replacing worn hinges or actuators are the best options.

Since Toyota has acknowledged some of these defects in service bulletins, dealers may still offer assistance, but repairs for out-of-warranty vehicles will likely come out of pocket.