2018 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 331 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 31 involved a crash and 32 involved a fire. 18 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v batteryNov 1, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. 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.
Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
Campaign 23V734000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 28, 2019
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
Campaign 19V503000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsDec 20, 2017
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
Campaign 17V831000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
69 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2026
The hands free feature over the cars microphone/stereo is unusable; leaving vehicle owners frustrated, and more likely to operate cellphones outside of standard hands free practices. I have been on numerous phone calls where people have told me that they were unable to hardly hear a thing I was saying. To remedy this problem I have 1. Tried speaking up (even yelling) 2. Turning off HVAC systems 3. Positioning my body closer to the microphone 4. Bringing the car to a slow or stop to reduce road noise. 5. Calling myself to see if I can hear myself. 6. Talked with someone who owns the same car (year/model/spec/trim) and they were hardly audible as they called me over their hands free system.
Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2026
Iam having transmission issues. I have been to 3 different Mechanic shops, 2 being transmission specialist. Going to a Toyota dealership on 3/26/26 to confirm. Was told I need a whole new transmission, My rav4 is a 2018 with only 115k for miles No engine light on or have any codes. I have spent a bit of money trying to address this issue. and was told that this particular year has a lot of transmission issues and have over 100 on back order. why is this not a recall?
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2025, fire
I had just gotten off my vehicle, we were at a shopping center specifically Marshall’s, the employee announced a blue Toyota, I went outside and my car was in flames, the Fire Department said it was an electrical fire. I had never received a letter of a recall let alone Toyota calling me to tell my car was defective. Not only until after my vehicle was damaged I received a call from them which made it suspicious.
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2025
I purchased my 2018 Toyota RAV4 Limited Hybrid in June 2018. The automatic liftgate has been a consistent issue with this vehicle since January 2024. It either fails to close completely or takes an unusually long time to shut. I followed the official Toyota dealership videos and performed the recommended recalibration steps, but the problem remains unresolved. This is not just a matter of convenience. It presents a safety concern, particularly when loading items at night. Living in the Pacific Northwest, where it gets dark around 5 p.m., makes this even more concerning. I’m aware there is existing litigation related to this issue.
Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2025
On September 3, 2025, I was driving down the I-10 in Biloxi, MS, at 6:45 a.m. It was around 75-80 degrees and the sun was just barely coming up. All of the sudden the glass in my sunroof completely shattered. There were no cars around me and it was an open portion of the road, so no rocks were flung up by nearby vehicles. Luckily, my kids were not with me, because a majority of the glass ended up in my backseat, ranging from huge chunks of about 3-4 inches in diameter to smaller shards being everywhere. I cut myself several times while trying to clean it up, so I can only imagine what it could have done to my kids! Luckily, I was able to keep my cool and not swerve off the road, as it was quite startling.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2025
The tailgate does not lift all the way. The hinges are intact. I believe its a pistón or sensor problem.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 25, 2025
The recall (Manufacturer Recall # 23TB13; NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall did not cause a safety issue in this case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).
Other or unspecified, May 19, 2025
The recall was for the battery size. This issues has been repaired by the Toyota Dealership 6969 Tyee Dr. SW Tumwater, Wa 98512 360 539-4000. Customer# [XXX] and invoice # [XXX]. I do not understand why I am getting notified of this recall from 2023 stating it has not been taken care of as of this date. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2025
The recall (Manufacturer Recall # 23TB13; NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall has not caused a safety issue in my case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle for over a year (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 10, 2025
The recall (NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall did not cause a safety issue in my case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle for the last for the past year (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).
Other or unspecified, May 3, 2025
The recall (Manufacturer Recall # 23TB13; NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall did not cause a safety issue in this case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2025
The recall on my vehicle has been delayed for almost 2 years. What’s the hold up on getting the remedy available for your customers?!
Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2025
The battery recall for my 2018 RAV4 remains unresolved. What is your agency doing to remedy this situation.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2025
I received a safety recall from Toyota in January 2025. I called my Toyota dealership and they told me there was currently no remedy for the recall. I checked [XXX] and it confirmed that there has been a known recall since November 2023 on their 12 V battery and battery tray that could cause a fire. This hazard from the battery could not only affect myself, but others on the road if there were to be an accident. I am not impressed with the lack of remedy for a recall that has been known from Toyota since November 2023. My car has not yet been inspected, because there is nothing for them to address even if they do find a problem. There has not yet been a fire, but I am afraid to drive my vehicle that I paid off earlier this year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2025
Transmission range sensor switch and rear ccs axle
Other or unspecified, Jan 7, 2025
battery has slipped around in the carrier. I have to check periodically to make sure it can't tip over and I readjust the tie down. I shouldn't have to do this if the dealer would install the fix.
Other or unspecified, Oct 1, 2024
I received the recall notice a long time ago (DEC 2023?) I contacted Toyota 07/08/24 and they advised that a remedy was still being sought with a solution mid 2024? We are now in October and I have been told my battery should be replaced before it doesn't start. How long can they work on a solution? It seems the Toyotas affected will be retired before they do anything. Please address this concern for Toyota owners.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2024
There has not been a remedy for this recall for almost a year now. We were notified of the recall in Nov23'. Toyota said they'd have a remedy by mid 2024. It's now Sept2024 with no remedy in sight. It's not fair to the paying customers that we're just driving around vehicles that have the potential to actually explode. When discussing with my local Toyota dealership (in their defense, this was around Feb24' ), they said they'd be charging me for the pre-remedy inspection despite Consumer Advisory 21TG01.
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2024
Back rear window on truck door just shattered. Was sitting outside and just popped and shattered.
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2024
Toyota issued a recall in November of 2023, claiming there would be a rememdy in December, but I have had no more communication and the dealers still can't offer a fix. It is May 2024 and I feel uncomfortable driving me car
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 31, 2024
Had issue with intermittant engine light and all warning lights going on with certain maneuvers. When lights on, car would turn off, while driving, if washers turned on. Dealer replaced alternator and thermostat, supposedly fixing, however, 3 days later same problem recurred and car turned off while traveling 70+ mph on major highway. Luckily, despite harrowing "near death" experience, we were able to maneuver off the road to await a tow.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 18, 2023, fire
My 2018 RAV4 caught fire and completely burned in a matter of minutes. I was sitting in traffic that had stalled because of road construction when I first smelled something hot. No dashboard lights or gauges indicated any issues. Then I saw smoke coming from underneath the hood. I immediately pulled the car over to the shoulder and got out to look under the hood. Flames already visible and fire too hot to raise hood. Vehicle was completely engulfed in minutes. Vehicle had 65000 miles and regularly serviced at a certified Toyota dealership. Original factory batteries still on vehicle.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2023
Door lock actuator had to be replaced. $500
Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2023
roof leaks,elecktrical connections problems
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2023
Unknown I didn’t have any accidents