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, Aug 20, 2023
The torque converter on my 2018 Toyota Rav4 failed and needed to be replaced according to the Toyota dealership. As an experienced driver, I became aware that something was not right with the drivetrain which prompted a service appointment at my local dealership. The problem was detected early and the torque converter was replaced by the dealer at a cost to me of $3,300. If I had not noticed this problem early, it could have resulted in a complete loss of power to the drivetrain even while driving. In addition, although my vehicle is a 2018 model, Toyota acknowledged and addressed this same problem with 2013-2015 models and offered enhanced warranty protection to cover the cost of repairs as documented by Toyota's Warranty Policy Bulletin, No. POL17-06. I contacted Toyota customer service to alert them to this issue but was told there had not been any incidents reported for model years outside of 2013-2015. My concern and the reason for my writing is that Toyota's torque converter problems might exist beyond the 2013-2015 model years.
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2023
The rear lift gate on my 2018 RAV4 failed. The lifts went out of alignment and pulled the tailgate out of alignment to the point where it's pulling the hinges off the car and will not close. This is a safety issue because I have to drive with the hatch open. There is nothing I could have done to prevent it, or cause it.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2023
The backup camera stopped working when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The screen used to work but now goes black. The screen work fine for everything else. The display works perfect until the xar is put in reverse, then the display goes black.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 3, 2023, fire
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor of smoke detected from the vents. The contact pulled over and the vehicle caught fire. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries or air bag deployments. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2023, fire
Police Report - 23-146OF
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2023
I bought my 2018 rav4 from dolan toyota of Reno, NV in January of 2022 I also purchased both of the platinum bumper to bumper warranties they offered. Well throughout the year of 2022 I had my vehicle in the shop 5-6 times for bluetooth echoing effect happening ( making my bluetooth hands free feature inoperable). Everytime I took it in the techs say that the can't replicate the problem. Even tho a tech went on a teat ride with me and heard the issue occurring. Now my bluetooth is having paring issues and I have tried to reach out to the service department multiple times since I've had my car in last and the won't respond. I've even sent a ertified demand letter on the 28th of January giving them until March 1st to fix the problem and haven't gotten a response from them yet. I have even brought to their attention there is clearly a problem with their head units because there was a class action lawsuit file in 2021 for this exact problem happening.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2023
While driving, the sunroof shattered for no reason. Upon inspection, one could see the glass pushed upwards. Since this is tempered glass and not lamented, glass shards were blown all over the place, big safety hazard.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2022, fire
UNKNOWN since insurance or fire department does not want to investigate. However car randomly caught on fire when driving. Could be due to a new battery installed a week prior. Driver and daughter claim as well an electrical issue with AC turning on by itself the morning of car fire which it has never done before. Driver suspects faulty battery since a new battery installed by dealer a week prior and the year before and it is not the first case late model RAV4s are caught on fire due to battery issues.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2022
My car is everything is good condition.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2022
My car is everything is good condition
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2022
Sunroof just shattered/exploded while driving on highway. (Entering route I95N from Philadelphia). I did not see or was near any foreign object that could've caused this incident. Sunroof was closed, however the interior cover was open. When glass shattered, multiple fragments entered the car and fell on my body. Thankfully I was the only person in the vehicle. I was not injured by fragments. I was able to close the interior lining and continue driving to my house. Once home I was able to assess damage and vacuumed car. I took the vehicle to Thompson Toyota in Doylestown, PA yesterday 8/12/22 where it is being inspected and repaired. I am convinced this requires further investigation since I think this may be safety issue with this type of vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2022
I am told by the Dealer, Dolan Toyota in Reno NV, that my car has TPMS sensors and an idiot light that indicates when there is a problem with these sensors. I bought a second set of wheels to facilitate winter/spring tire changes and the wheels were not equipped with TPMS sensors. The idiot light never activated to tell me there is a problem, so I went to the dealer and asked about this issue. The service department at Dolan told me there are aware of the problem of not indicating when there is an issue but there is nothing they can do about it. It's my understanding that federal regulations require TPMS to be installed AND operating on this car. I filed a complaint with Toyota corporate and all they said was there is no recall on this problem and they have noted it. The reference number for my complaint with Toyota corporate is 220531001527.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 13, 2022, fire
My husband and I were driving down the road when we had warning lights and signals going off in the car and the electric was trying to reset in the car. The car was sputtering and stalled out. we managed to pull the car over as white smoke came from under the hood of the car and we jumped out and grabbed our dog as flames started to shoot from under the hood. We have never had any incident happen prior to this to indicate there would be any problems. The car is available for inspection if requested. The insurance company has not inspected the vehicle yet and is transporting it to a salvage yard for inspection.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2021
While driving I have noticed that the car slow down the speed near other cars, I understand that is the accident prevention feature, but when I was stopped at red light, I press the accelerator lightly, the car sped off, I have my daughter in the car and she told me Why are you accelerating mom? I told her I wasn't, my foot was off the accelerator and the car still speeding off. I pressed the breaks and it slow down. I do not feel safe with this car, but I have to use it, as I still have to finish paying it. My battery was replaced today, I had to pay for it, 3 years and gone! They told me it is because I do not drive much daily. My front tires are on yellow tread, not sure how driving 4-8 miles per day can cause all of this damage. I am so tired of car companies sell crappie cars. I had a Subaru before that almost burned (head gasket), of course, when I was finishing paying that happened. By the way I see by the time I finish paying Toyota, many things will need to be replaced, if I do not get into an accident because of weirdness of the car slowing down or speeding. For sure my next car won't be Toyota for safety reasons!
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2021
I was driving and heard a loud noise like ice cracking from the roof. The shade covering the moonroof started to vibrate. When I was able to safely pull over, I saw that the moonroof glass had exploded. There was no object that struck the car, but the glass was completely shattered. Pieces of glass flew off the roof before I was able to pull over, putting other drivers at risk. If the shade had not been closed, pieces of glass would have fallen on me. In doing research, it looks like this has happened to many other Rav4 owners. The vehicle passed its state inspection in June and had an oil change at an auto repair shop less than a month ago, and no warnings were given. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms, and I had not tried to operate the moonroof while driving--the glass just exploded.
Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2021
One day, after the car was sitting in my garage for a week, I drove it and found that the driver side rear wheel stopped turning. I noticed grease on the inside wall of the rim of this wheel. The rim of the other wheels are clean. I tried a few more times wiggling it back and forth and the wheel was still stuck. Two days later a tow truck driver came and he tried a few more times and was able to get the wheel freed. But then when driving it, there is noise from the wheel.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2021
Back up camera fills with Water. when it rains and cannot see from it til it dries out a few days after rain and even then it’s cloudy probsbly due to rain getting into it
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2021
CAR STARTED STALLING WHOLE IN MOTION YESTERDAY. I HAVEN'T THOUGHT TOO MUCH ABOUT IT. TODAY IN MY 3RD DRIVE OF THE DAY AFTER I STOP AT A RESTAURANT, I START THE CAR TO THE SURPRISE IT JUST STALLED AND GIVE ME CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION I TRY TO START IT AGAIN WITH NO LUCK. I'M FAR FROM HOME I CALL THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND IS CLOSED. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT TOMORROW MORNING TO TOW THE CAR TO THEM. I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS TO HAPPEN IN A TOYOTA VEHICLE ONLY 3 YEAR OLDER. LAST YEAR THEY CHANGE THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT LET ME STRANDED SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM FOR SURE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2021, fire
THIS CAR STARTED A FIRE ON THE ROAD WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION, AND AFTER I DROVE IT OVER A MILE ON A CITY STREET ON APRIL 22ND, 2019. I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AFTER I SAW SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD IN FRONT OF DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. I LEFT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO CALL FOR HELP. LESS THAN A MINUTE, AFTER I LEFT THE CAR, THE FIRE STARTED, THE FLAMES WENT UP TO 10 FEET HIGH IN A SHORT 2 MINUTES, IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES, BEFORE THE FIREMEN PUT FIRE OFF, THE CAR WAS BURNED TO THE FRAME WITH NOTHING LEFT INSIDE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN A LITTLE OVER 6000 MILES AT THE TIME. TOYOTA HAS NOT COVERED ANY OF MY LOSS AND TAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY.
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2020
I STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON A SMALL INCLINE WHILE THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN DRIVE. I HIT THE POWER BUTTON (WHILE THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED) WITHOUT PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK. WITH THE VEHICLE STILL IN DRIVE, AND NOT PROPERLY TURNED OFF, WHEN I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, MY VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS SIX FEET. LATER THAT DAY I TRIED TO RECREATE THE SAME SCENARIO AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IF YOU PRESS THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN OFF YOUR VEHICLE WHILE IT IS STILL IN DRIVE AND YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL ACT AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL DOWNHILL. I HAVE NOT TRIED WITH THE CAR FACING DOWNHILL/ROLLING FORWARDS.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 6, 2020, crash
WHILE IN REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE (STOPPED) THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. WHILE FOOT STILL ON BRAKE THE VEHICLE HAD UNCOMMANDED FORWARD ACCELERATION (ENGINE REVVED UP LIKE FOOT FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL). VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD ~25 FT AND HIT THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE (FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL ENTIRE TIME). UPON IMPACT, THE VEHICLE HAD UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION IN REVERSE (FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL STILL). WAS ABLE TO TURN OF IGNITION AND PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER MOVING ~25FT IN REVERSE. AT FINAL STOP, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION LEVER WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. NOTE: TOW TRUCK DRIVER STARTED VEHICLE TO GO IN REVERSE A FEW FEET FOR POSITIONING. WITH ENGINE RUNNING, VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND GAS PEDAL PRESSED GENTLY. VEHICLE WENT IN REVERSE (< 2MPH) AS IT SHOULD. FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE AND VEHICLE PUT IN PARK IN ONE MOTION. VEHICLE IN PARK AND FOOT ON BRAKE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP AGAIN. KEY WAS TURN OFF. VEHICLE TOWED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2020
MY CAR IS A TOYOTA RAV4 2018. ON OCTOBER 20, 2020, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AROUND 60 MPH WITH MY SON ON A BRIGHT, SUNNY DAY IN ABOUT 80 DEGREE WEATHER ON HIGHWAY 605N JUST PAST HIGHWAY 60. OUT OF NOWHERE, WE WE HEARD A LOUD BURSTING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. THERE WEREN'T MANY CARS ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE THIRD LANE FROM THE OUTER EDGE. WHEN I PULLED OVER, I NOTICED THE SUNROOF HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED. WE HADN'T TRIED TO OPEN THE SUNROOF AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT NOR DID IT APPEAR THAT A ROCK OR OTHER OBJECT HIT THE SUNROOF. ON OCTOBER 22, 2020, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN WESTMINSTER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE BUT WOULD CONTACT TOYOTA DIRECTLY TO SEE IF TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WOULD COVER THE COSTS. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHATTERED SUNROOF. I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO GET THE SUNROOF REPAIRED EVEN THOUGH THE INCIDENT WAS NO FAULT OF MY OWN. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES BECAUSE I BARELY DRIVE IT. MY CAR SPENDS MOST OF THE TIME PARKED INSIDE MY COVERED GARAGE. I TAKE EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR THAT IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ANY SCRATCHES ON IT. UPON SEARCHING THE WEB, I NOTICED THERE WERE OTHER REPORTED INCIDENTS FROM PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED SHATTERED SUNROOFS FROM THEIR TOYOTA CARS. THESE TYPES OF INCIDENTS POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. AND WHAT SURPRISED ME EVEN MORE IS THAT TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECALLING THE CARS THESE DEFEATS. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COVERING THE COST FOR REPAIRS FOR MY SUNROOF AND OTHER CARS THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR TYPES OF DEFEATS.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 24, 2020
NOT SOON AFTER I LEASED MY RAV4 THE BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AS IF I NEEDED NEW BRAKES & EVERYTIME I WENT IN FOR MAINTENANCE THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THEM & THEY LOOK FINE. THE ROTORS ARE RUSTED JUST ON THE INNER PART ON BOTH REAR ROTORS & MY CAR IS GARAGED SO THERE ISNT ANY REASON WHY THEY SHOULD BE GRINDING OR SQUEALING. IT MAKES THE NOISE WHEN I'M IN MOTION. ALSO THE RADIO STATIONS ARE COMPLETE STATIC & I HAVE HAD 2 DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS LOOK AT IT & THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE WIRING BUT CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY ALL MY STATIONS COME IN STATICALLY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2020, crash
I HAD BEEN USING THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON THE WESTBOUND CA 134 IN GLENDALE/BURBANK, CA. I HAD TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC FROM THE HOV LANE DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL. I THEN USED THE AUTO TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR TO GAIN MORE TORQUE IN CHANGING LANES WHEN THE CAR WENT INTO A STALL AND LOST ALL POWER. CONSEQUENTLY WE WERE REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR. OUR CAR WENT INTO A LOCKOUT AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SHOULDER BY THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS A RANDOM EVENT OR A GLITCH IN THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER.OR SOMETHING ELSE TOTALLY UNRELATED. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2020
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, SEAT BELT WARNING, PEDESTRIAN WARNING AND OTHER AUDITORY SAFETY FEATURE WARNINGS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND THEREFORE MAY BE INADEQUATE IN PROVIDING THE INTENDED SAFETY FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RETROFIT A CONTROL THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO ADJUST THE SAFETY FUNCTION TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE DRIVER.