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
331 reports, newest first.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OR LESS, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED IN MOVING TRAFFIC 5 TIMES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES IN APRIL, 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA ESCONDIDO (231 E LINCOLN PKWY, ESCONDIDO, CA 92026, (760) 300-1112) TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THREE ABNORMAL CODES APPEARED, WHICH INDICATED ROUGH IDLING AND FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE STARTING. THE MANUFACTURING WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE CONTACT WROTE TO THE DEALER'S OWNER AND REQUESTED THAT THEY EXTEND THE WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER PROMISED TO CALL THE CONTACT BACK, BUT DID NOT CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,652. *BF CONSUMER STATED TOYTOA WAS UNABLE TO ESTABLISH A ROOT CAUSE. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Power train, Electrical system, May 2, 2019
MY 2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS STALLED 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS IN MOVING TRAFFIC, FIRST TIME IN FEB 2019 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, IN APRIL THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK(RUSH HOUR). ALL DOCUMENTED WITH TOYOTA. OCCURS WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS WHILE DRIVING, AND DIFFICULTY RESTARTING AFTER IT STALLS WITH LOSS OF POWER AND SPUTTERING. 'CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' WARNING MSG APPEARED ON DASHBOARD(I TOOK PHOTO AND EMAILED TO TOYOTA). I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS IN 2018 TOYOTAL RAV4 OWNER'S MANUAL "STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY...CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MAY BE DANGEROUS". HAD CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY. 3 TROUBLE CODES WERE RECORDED P1603(ENGINE STALL), P1604 STARTABILITY MALFUNCTION, AND P1605(ROUGH IDLING), HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE OF STALLING AND REFUSED TO KEEP MY CAR TO DO FURTHER ANALYSIS DESPITE THE FACT THAT I TOLD THEM I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE, AND MY CAR IS STILL UNDER COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY COVERAGE. I CONTACTED CORPORATE, AND THEY RESTATED DEALER CONCLUSIONS AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO A FIELD TECH SPECIALIST. I THEN EMAILED AND WROTE A LETTER TO VP SALES OF TOYOTA, ANDREW GILLELAND. REP FROM EXECUTIVE OFFICE CALLED ME. I ASKED FOR TOYOTA TO PROVIDE ME WITH EITHER TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AND A NO COST-TO-ME EXTENDED COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY UNTIL THE UNDERLYING CAUSE IS DETERMINED AND WITHOUT FURTHER STALLING INCIDENCES, OR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. HE REFUSED, DESPITE ALL THE SIGNIFICANT POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUES IN A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 9,200 MILES. TOYOTA DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED WITH RELIABILITY, PEACE OF MIND, AND MOST OF ALL SAFETY. I HAVE A CASE # WITH TOYOTA. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS ON THIS SITE WITH SAME STALLING ISSUES AS MY CAR.
Power train, Electrical system, May 2, 2019
MY 2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS STALLED 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS IN MOVING TRAFFIC, FIRST TIME IN FEB 2019 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, IN APRIL THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK(RUSH HOUR). ALL DOCUMENTED WITH TOYOTA. OCCURS WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS WHILE DRIVING, AND DIFFICULTY RESTARTING AFTER IT STALLS WITH LOSS OF POWER AND SPUTTERING. 'CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' WARNING MSG APPEARED ON DASHBOARD(I TOOK PHOTO AND EMAILED TO TOYOTA). I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS IN 2018 TOYOTAL RAV4 OWNER'S MANUAL "STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY...CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MAY BE DANGEROUS". HAD CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY. 3 TROUBLE CODES WERE RECORDED P1603(ENGINE STALL), P1604 STARTABILITY MALFUNCTION, AND P1605(ROUGH IDLING), HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE OF STALLING AND REFUSED TO KEEP MY CAR TO DO FURTHER ANALYSIS DESPITE THE FACT THAT I TOLD THEM I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE, AND MY CAR IS STILL UNDER COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY COVERAGE. I CONTACTED CORPORATE, AND THEY RESTATED DEALER CONCLUSIONS AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO A FIELD TECH SPECIALIST. I THEN EMAILED AND WROTE A LETTER TO VP SALES OF TOYOTA, ANDREW GILLELAND. REP FROM EXECUTIVE OFFICE CALLED ME. I ASKED FOR TOYOTA TO PROVIDE ME WITH EITHER TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AND A NO COST-TO-ME EXTENDED COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY UNTIL THE UNDERLYING CAUSE IS DETERMINED AND WITHOUT FURTHER STALLING INCIDENCES, OR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. HE REFUSED, DESPITE ALL THE SIGNIFICANT POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUES IN A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 9,200 MILES. TOYOTA DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED WITH RELIABILITY, PEACE OF MIND, AND MOST OF ALL SAFETY. I HAVE A CASE # WITH TOYOTA. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS ON THIS SITE WITH SAME STALLING ISSUES AS MY CAR.
Power train, Electrical system, May 2, 2019
MY 2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS STALLED 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS IN MOVING TRAFFIC, FIRST TIME IN FEB 2019 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, IN APRIL THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK(RUSH HOUR). ALL DOCUMENTED WITH TOYOTA. OCCURS WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS WHILE DRIVING, AND DIFFICULTY RESTARTING AFTER IT STALLS WITH LOSS OF POWER AND SPUTTERING. 'CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' WARNING MSG APPEARED ON DASHBOARD(I TOOK PHOTO AND EMAILED TO TOYOTA). I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS IN 2018 TOYOTAL RAV4 OWNER'S MANUAL "STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY...CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MAY BE DANGEROUS". HAD CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY. 3 TROUBLE CODES WERE RECORDED P1603(ENGINE STALL), P1604 STARTABILITY MALFUNCTION, AND P1605(ROUGH IDLING), HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE OF STALLING AND REFUSED TO KEEP MY CAR TO DO FURTHER ANALYSIS DESPITE THE FACT THAT I TOLD THEM I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE, AND MY CAR IS STILL UNDER COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY COVERAGE. I CONTACTED CORPORATE, AND THEY RESTATED DEALER CONCLUSIONS AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO A FIELD TECH SPECIALIST. I THEN EMAILED AND WROTE A LETTER TO VP SALES OF TOYOTA, ANDREW GILLELAND. REP FROM EXECUTIVE OFFICE CALLED ME. I ASKED FOR TOYOTA TO PROVIDE ME WITH EITHER TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AND A NO COST-TO-ME EXTENDED COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY UNTIL THE UNDERLYING CAUSE IS DETERMINED AND WITHOUT FURTHER STALLING INCIDENCES, OR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. HE REFUSED, DESPITE ALL THE SIGNIFICANT POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUES IN A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 9,200 MILES. TOYOTA DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED WITH RELIABILITY, PEACE OF MIND, AND MOST OF ALL SAFETY. I HAVE A CASE # WITH TOYOTA. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS ON THIS SITE WITH SAME STALLING ISSUES AS MY CAR.
Power train, Electrical system, May 2, 2019
MY 2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS STALLED 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS IN MOVING TRAFFIC, FIRST TIME IN FEB 2019 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, IN APRIL THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK(RUSH HOUR). ALL DOCUMENTED WITH TOYOTA. OCCURS WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS WHILE DRIVING, AND DIFFICULTY RESTARTING AFTER IT STALLS WITH LOSS OF POWER AND SPUTTERING. 'CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' WARNING MSG APPEARED ON DASHBOARD(I TOOK PHOTO AND EMAILED TO TOYOTA). I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS IN 2018 TOYOTAL RAV4 OWNER'S MANUAL "STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY...CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MAY BE DANGEROUS". HAD CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY. 3 TROUBLE CODES WERE RECORDED P1603(ENGINE STALL), P1604 STARTABILITY MALFUNCTION, AND P1605(ROUGH IDLING), HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE OF STALLING AND REFUSED TO KEEP MY CAR TO DO FURTHER ANALYSIS DESPITE THE FACT THAT I TOLD THEM I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE, AND MY CAR IS STILL UNDER COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY COVERAGE. I CONTACTED CORPORATE, AND THEY RESTATED DEALER CONCLUSIONS AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO A FIELD TECH SPECIALIST. I THEN EMAILED AND WROTE A LETTER TO VP SALES OF TOYOTA, ANDREW GILLELAND. REP FROM EXECUTIVE OFFICE CALLED ME. I ASKED FOR TOYOTA TO PROVIDE ME WITH EITHER TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AND A NO COST-TO-ME EXTENDED COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY UNTIL THE UNDERLYING CAUSE IS DETERMINED AND WITHOUT FURTHER STALLING INCIDENCES, OR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. HE REFUSED, DESPITE ALL THE SIGNIFICANT POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUES IN A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 9,200 MILES. TOYOTA DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED WITH RELIABILITY, PEACE OF MIND, AND MOST OF ALL SAFETY. I HAVE A CASE # WITH TOYOTA. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS ON THIS SITE WITH SAME STALLING ISSUES AS MY CAR.
Service brakes, Apr 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,055.
Steering, Service brakes, Apr 3, 2019
SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 11/25/2018, THE FRONT BRAKES CREAK WHILE ON DRIVE AND THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THEY ASKED THAT I WAIT UNTILL 500 MILES TO LOOK AT THE ALIGNMENT. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN FOR THE BRAKES AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAT IN THE CAR AND HE HEARD THE BRAKE NOISE. HE RAN IT THROUGH TESTS AND SAID NOTHING WAS FOUND. HE WAS GOING TO WAIT FOR A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE TO COME AND THEN THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT BEFORE ANYTHING WAS DONE. IT IS NOW APRIL AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE BRAKE ISSUE. THEY DID ADJUST THE ALIGNMENT DURING THE TIME, BUT IT STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT. AFTER THE ALIGNMENT, THERE WAS A SLIDING GRINDING NOISE ON THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE. THE NOISES OCCUR WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP AND RELEASE THE BRAKES. BOTH ISSUES HAVE BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED.
Structure, Apr 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CAR WASH, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. SUN TOYOTA (3001 US-19, HOLIDAY, FL 34691, (727) 310-3070) PERFORMED A TEST ON THE VEHICLE WITH THE SAME HIGH PRESSURE CAR WASH AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WITH THREE SIMILAR VEHICLES THAT WERE TESTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO USE A DIFFERENT CAR WASH UNTIL THEY COULD MAKE A DESIGN CHANGE. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 15 DAYS AND PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT REQUEST THE LOANER BACK UNTIL THE CONTACT HIRED AN ATTORNEY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER HAD TO INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE ATTORNEY WAS WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2019
AUTO LIGHT FEATURE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY: ON MANY OCCASIONS (ABOUT 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK), WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION EARLY IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT, WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE "AUTO" MODE AND THE AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM FEATURE ENABLED. WHEN STARTING THE CAR, THE AUTO LIGHT FUNCTION SEEMS TO BE DELAYED. IT DOES NOT WORK INITIALLY BUT STARTS WORKING AFTER THE CAR IS IN MOTION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THE AUTO LIGHT FEATURE IS NOT STAYING ON AFTER CAR IS IN MOTION AT NIGHT, LIGHTS TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES FOR A FEW SECONDS CAUSING ME TO DRIVE WITHOUT LIGHTS BEFORE THEY TURN THEMSELVES BACK ON. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER A FEW TIMES TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. NO SOLUTION. THEY SUGGUESTED THAT I MANUALLY OPERATE THE LIGHTS. I DO NOT THINK THAT I OR ANY OTHER CAR OWNERS SHOULD PAY MONEY FOR A BRAND NEW CAR THAT OFFERS CONVENIENCE FEATURES THAT DO NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A MECHANIC AT THIS PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP THAT OWNS THE SAME CAR MODEL AND IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH HIS CAR. THIS ISSUE IS NEW AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE IS NOT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. ALSO, THERE ARE TIMES THAT I SMELL GAS IN THE CAR WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANY GAS LEAKS WHEN CHECKED.
Exterior lighting, Mar 11, 2019
REPEATEDLY, WHILE IN MOTION, WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE "AUTO" MODE, AND THE "AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM FEATURE ENABLED (WHICH SWITCHES THE HEADLIGHTS FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM AUTOMATICALLY BASED ON THE PRESENCE OF ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS/TAIL LIGHTS AHEAD/AMBIENT LIGHT LEVELS) THE AUTO HIGHBEAM FEATURE WILL DISABLE ITSELF, GENERALLY TIED TO THE PASSING OF A CAR WITH BRIGHT LIGHTS. WHEN THIS FEATURE DISABLES ITSELF IT PREVENTS ALL USE OF HIGHBEAMS. THE ONLY WAY TO GET HIGHBEAMS WHILE THE FEATURE IS "DISABLED" (EVEN IN COMPLETE DARKNESS) IS TO "ROTATE" THE STALK CONTROL AWAY FROM "AUTO HEADLIGHT" TO "MANUAL HEADLIGHT". THE FEATURE EVENTUALLY RE-ENABLES ITSELF, BUT USUALLY TAKES A NUMBER OF MINUTES, LEAVING ME WITHOUT THE SAFETY OF HIGHBEAMS FOR THAT PERIOD, UNLESS I GO THROUGH THE CUMBERSOME ACT OF TURNING HEADLAMPS TO "MANUAL". THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS DURING MY COMMUTE WHERE I DRIVE A NUMBER OF MILES ON UNLIT STATE ROADS. I RELY ON HIGHBEAMS TO ALERT ME TO THE PRESENCE OF DEER AND OTHER ANIMALS CROSSING THE ROAD WHICH OCCURS ROUTINELY. NOT HAVING HIGHBEAMS FOR A NUMBER OF MILES EXPOSES ME TO THE RISK OF NOT SEEING THESE HAZARDS IN TIME TO REACT PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, HAVING TO DIVERT MY ATTENTION TO WHETHER THIS FEATURE HAS DISABLED ITSELF AND TAKING MANUAL ACTION TO CIRCUMVENT THE ISSUE IS A DISTRACTION WHILE MY FOCUS SHOULD BE ON POSSIBLE HAZARDS. I HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE TO TOYOTA. CASE NUMBER [XXX] HAS BEEN ASSIGNED. A TOYOTA CASE MANAGER CONTACTED ME AND STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCES THE VERY SAME ISSUE WITH HER 2018 RAV4 BUT THERE ARE NO FIXES IDENTIFIED BY TOYOTA FOR THE ISSUE, SO THEREFORE THERE IS NOTHING SHE OR THE DEALER CAN DO. I STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT THERE IS A RISK THAT AN ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR, POSSIBLY THE STRIKING OF A PEDESTRIAN, DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY OR DISTRACTION TRYING TO OVERRIDE THE FEATURE WHILE DRIVING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Visibility/wiper, Mar 5, 2019
OUR 2018 RAV4 WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED STARTING AT THE POINT WHERE THE WINDSHIELD CAMERA IS MOUNTED ON THE FRONT WITH REAR VIEW MIRROR ATTACHED. WE DO NOT RECALL THAT ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD, AND THE CRACK APPEARED ON THE CAR OVERNIGHT WHILE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THE CRACK STARTS AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE THE SAFETY SENSE 2.0 CAMERA IS MOUNTED, AND EXTENDS DOWN ALMOST HALFWAY TO THE BOTTOM, AND THEN MAKES A 90 DEGREE TURN TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, EXTENDS FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 FT., AND THEN MAKES ANOTHER 90 DEGREE TURN DOWN TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FOR APPROXIMATELY 3". THE PHOTO DOES NOT SHOW HOW LONG THE CRACK IS, BUT MOSTLY WHERE IT BEGINS. WE HAVE ADDED RED LINES TO SHOW THE FIRST 90 DEGREE TURN, AND DOTTED LINE TO SHOW THE EXTENDED CRACK THAT IS NOT VISIBLE, AND THE 2ND 90 DEGREE TURN. WE BELIEVE THAT THE WINDSHIELD DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION IS FAULTY, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE PRIUS MODEL IS ALREADY IN LEGAL TALKS WITH TOYOTA OVER THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY TOYOTA, ALTHOUGH OUR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SPONTANEOUS CRACKED WINDSHIELD WHICH WE DID NOT CAUSE. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED A PRICE TO US FOR THEM TO REPLACE IT FOR JUST UNDER $1,600. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS WRONG AND UNFAIR.
Exterior lighting, Mar 1, 2019
I HAVE A NEW XLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS. THESE ARE PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS THAT CAST A VERY FOCUSED BEAM FORWARD. IT IS FRIGTENING WHEN YOU DRIVE IN SOME ROADS WITHOUT A LOT OF AMBIENT LIGHT. WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON, IT IS LIKE SOMEONE PAINTED THE TOP HALF OF MY WINDSHIELD BLACK. THERE IS LITTLE PERIPHERAL ILLUMINATION, SO I CAN SEE WHAT IS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME, AND NOTHING ELSE. WHERE THE ROAD INCLINES DOWN, THE ILLUMINATION CUTS OUT JUST A FEW FEET OFF THE GROUND, BELOW THE LEVEL OF THINGS LIKE STOP SIGNS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PERIPHERAL ILLUMINATION RIGHT AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, SO WHEN I TURN, I CAN'T SEE WHAT I'M TURNING INTO UNTIL IT'S DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY CAR, LIKE PEDESTRIANS. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOT TO USE LED BULBS, BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE CAR.
Seats, Mar 1, 2019
OUR CAR IS BRAND NEW. HOWEVER WE EXPERIENCED THAT BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS HAVE TERRIBLE BACK SUPPORT. MY WIFE AND I BOTH SUFFER BACK PAINS AFTER SEATING FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES IN THE FRONT SEAT.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AROUND 740AM ON 287 SOUTH JUST PAST RT 24. DASHBOARD HAS "4WD" WARNING AND SMOKE COMING OUT FROM HOOD. I QUICKLY MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND FIRE BROKE OUT BEFORE CAR CAME TO FULL STOP, ALL WITHIN ONE MINUTE. I BARELY ESCAPE THE CAR AND CALLED POLICE AND FIRE DEPT. THEY CAME AND PUT OFF THE FIRE. THERE ARE TWO EXPLOSIONS BEFORE THE FIRE WAS PUT OFF.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 21, 2019
IF YOU DRIFT AWAY FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE OR OBSTACLE (PEDESTRIAN, BICYCLE, ETC) THAT IS ALSO DRIFTING INTO YOUR LANE, THE LDA SYSTEM (LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST, WHICH IS TOUTED AS A SAFETY FEATURE) WILL PULL YOU BACK TOWARDS THE OBSTACLE YOU ARE TRYING TO AVOID. CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REMOVED AS A "FEATURE" FROM THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD ALSO STOP CALLING THIS A SAFETY FEATURE. SECONDLY, THE RADAR ASSISTED CRUISE CONTROL WILL START BRAKING IF IT SEES THE VEHICLE IN FRONT IS SLOWING DOWN. HOWEVER, IF THE SYSTEM THEN THINKS AN ACCIDENT IS IMMINENT, THE CRASH WARNING SHOWS UP AND THE CRUISE CONTROLLED BRAKING IS THEN DISABLED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP THE BRAKING PROCESS, AND THEREBY CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THE CAR WILL NOW COAST INTO THE OBSTACLE. AGAIN, THIS IS A SURPRISING AND TERRIBLE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SYSTEM THAT SHOULD BE REMOVED OR FIXED.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN SNOW AND ICY CONDITIONS, THE WARNING MESSAGES SUDDENLY DISPLAYED INDICATING THAT THE BRAKES AND SAFETY FEATURES WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND INSTRUCTED THE DRIVER NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. LOVE TOYOTA (215 E. FAIRMOUNT AVE, LAKEWOOD, NY) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. *BF CONSUMER LET THE CAR SIT FOR 15", CLEARED THE ICE OFF. THE TECHNICIAN STATED FEATURE WERE SATELLITE ENABLED AND PROBABLY THE ICE INTERSECTED WITH THE SIGNALS.*JB
Visibility/wiper, Feb 17, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. NO POINT OF IMPACT (AS IF IT WAS STRUCK BY A ROCK). THINKING IT MAY HAVE TO DO WITH THE WEATHER.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 10, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND THE CODE READ CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ERASED THE CODES BUT THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THEY EXISTED HOWEVER THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND WANT US TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH NO ASSURANCE IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 30, 2019, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKING SPACE; FOOT ON BRAKE. WENT TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND IT ACCELERATED INTO THE GLASS / BUILDING I WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Visibility, Jan 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE MOON ROOF. SUDDENLY, THE MOON ROOF EXPLODED AND GLASS FELL ONTO THE DRIVER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY DRIVEN TO PRECISION TOYOTA OF TUCSON (700 W WETMORE RD, TUCSON, AZ 85705, (520) 795-5565) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOON ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE OPTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS RUNNING OUT QUICKLY IN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE EMISSION (ECO) WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA (9101 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617) AND LEITH TOYOTA (8005 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616), BUT THEY FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,900.
Exterior lighting, Jan 13, 2019
THE AUTO HIGH BEAM FEATURE HAS BEEN CHOOSING TO DISENGAGE AND TURN ITSELF OFF AT RANDOM. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES THAT AT NIGHT, UPON START-UP, THE AUTO HIGH BEAM SYSTEM WILL REFUSE TO ENGAGE (LIGHT SWITCH TURNED TO AUTO AND STALK PUSHED FORWARD, DRIVING OVER 25 MPH).
Visibility, Structure, Jan 7, 2019
DRIVING MY 2018 TOYOTA RAV4 ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME AND NO ROCK OR OTHER OBJECT WAS INVOLVED IN CAUSING THE EXPLOSION.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 2, 2019, fire
AFTER PURCHASING OUR BRAND-NEW 2018 RAV4 FROM AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER, WE WERE HEADING BACK HOME. ON OUR WAY, WE NOTICED BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY BLACK SMOKE FILLED FRONT SIDE OF THE CABIN. I QUICKLY MOVED MY CAR TO THE RIGHT SIDE PARKING LOT. WHILE CHANGING THE LANE I COULD NOT EVEN SEE THE RIGHT MIRROR BECAUSE OF THE BLACK SMOKE IN THE CABIN. AS SOON AS I PARKED THE CAR AND WE GOT OFF THE CAR, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS FLAMES FROM THE HOODS WERE NOTICED I CALLED EMERGENCY SERVICE (911) AND TO OUR DISBELIEF TO WATCH OUR NEW CAR BURNING IN FRONT OF US. IT WAS ONLY 15 MINS DRIVE FROM DEALER WHEN WE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. IT TOOK ONLY 10 MINS TO SEE MY CAR WAS DESTROYED BY FLAMES. I COULD NOT GET ANYTHING OUT FROM FRONT OR BACK SEATS
Tires, Nov 29, 2018
THE TOYOTA RAV4 WAS HEADING EAST ON I-10 FREEWAY NEAR SKY HARBOR AIRPORT ARIZONA. A SUDDEN POP SOUND WITH STEERING PROBLEM FOLLOWED... LUCKILY IT WAS 11PM (11/27/2018) AND NO CARS AROUND, AND ABLE TO QUICKLY AND SAFELY DRIVING THE RAV4 TO THE SHOULDER OF FREEWAY. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE (PRE-PAID PROGRAM) DISPATCHED A TECHNICIAN TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE WITH SPARE TIRE.