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ProblemsByVin Index / 2018-TOYOTA-RAV4 / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2018 Toyota RAV4 owner complaints

324 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 5 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

electrical 7 complaints shown

114 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/29/2024 ODI #11632928.0

manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner, Summary Some replacement 12-volt batteries of the size specified for the subject vehicles have smaller top dimensions than others. If a small-top battery is used for replacement and the hold-down clamp is not tightened correctly, the battery could move when the vehicle is driven with forceful turns. Safety Risk The movement could cause the positive battery terminal to contact the hold-down clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Manufacturer Recall Number23TB13 NHTSA Recall Number23V734 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available It has been more than a year since recall. Toyota Dealerships said no remede avaialble.

12/27/2024 80,000 mi ODI #11632634.0

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the battery had died. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was jump-started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the 12-volt battery. No warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

12/27/2023 136,000 mi ODI #11562033.0

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence and while attempting to leave, the vehicle had no electrical power. The contact took the battery to be tested and the battery tested to be in proper working order. The battery was replaced in the vehicle and the contact became aware that the wires were damaged. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired due to parts not being available. The contact stated that the wires should be replaced after seeing sparks coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000. VIN tool conf

12/12/2024 ODI #11630344.0

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/11/2023 ODI #11559448.0

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4.The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/07/2022 Fire ODI #11496455.0

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.

12/06/2024 ODI #11629165.0

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

steering 2 complaints shown

10 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/29/2022 ODI #11499318.0

Power steering failed in April 2022, fixed by dealer in May 2022. Failed again in December 2022. Electric power steering system was replaced, contacting dealer today to have system checked. Very dangerous when steering goes out. It’s like manual steering from the old days.

12/23/2022 Crash ODI #11498691.0

During a turn... The steering locked up and a julting from all wheel drive system. No warning, slammed into road railing.

cruise control 2 complaints shown

13 total in this category · severe · avg repair $600 · see cruise control cluster analysis →
12/24/2021 ODI #11444921.0

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

12/12/2019 20,000 mi ODI #11288606.0

In three separate occasions since purchase january 16th, 2018, the adaptive cruise control has lost track of an SUV in front of me and continued to accelerate. Driver had to intervene. First instance was a brown Pontiac aztec in clear weather daytime. Second occurrence was a blue Chevy encore in clear weather daytime. Third occurrence was a black escalade in clear weather at night. Vehicle cruise control was set to 70-80 MPH with the closest distance setting.

airbags 2 complaints shown

13 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/23/2021 ODI #11444821.0

Car moved onto gravel shoulder and side curtain airbags deployed. Was no accident or damage done to car, was also driving under 5 mph.

12/19/2023 Crash ODI #11561017.0

Airbags malfunctioned "SRS Airbag System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer" error message after head on collision. No warning lights before crash. Car is transferred ownership to progressive.

other 2 complaints shown

12/19/2019 29,400 mi ODI #11290102.0

I was alone around 630pm driving straight east on i10 twin spans in the left lane going 70ish MPH when I heard a loud pop sound. Overhead I could hear a little whistling and rattling coming from the sunroof shade that was closed. I quickly got into the right lane and slowed to about 50 MPH. I immediately stopped at the Toyota dealership for them to review the vehicle. They claim a rock hit the glass, however, there was no one in front of me to throw up a rock. It was not raining. It was slightly windy. This occurred on tuesday, december 17, 2019.

12/18/2020 ODI #11384098.0

The lane departure warning buzzer's warning cannot be heard on the road with the radio on low volume or with a radio off but driving above 75mph due to the road noise. Multiple complaints to different dealers resulted in comments that the buzzer works as designed. Calls to Toyota's "brand engagement advocate" resulted in advice to go to a dealer. They have no authority to instruct the dealer to replace the buzzer. I understand that ldw is mandatory for 5 stars safety rating, but I cannot find the specification for this safety feature.

brakes 1 complaint shown

18 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/27/2017 Crash ODI #11056950.0

I was driving in a fast food drive through. It was a stop and go pace because there were around 5 cars before me and was traveling approx 3 MPH. I began to proceed but this time as I went to apply my brakes they went to the floor and I couldn't stop the car. In order to avoid the car in front of me I turned my wheel to the right and jumped the curb and hit a wall. The vehicle was 3 days old.

tires 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $150 · see tires cluster analysis →
12/24/2021 ODI #11444919.0

I bought this car in 2018, I drive 4 miles per day more or less , I have only 25,486 miles and today during a regular inspection I found that my tires tread are on yellow 6/32", just the front (where I have Front Wheel Drive). Not sure how driving only in town can quickly wear a tire, by the time I pay off this car I will be with an expensive bill for change the tires. I had an used Subaru for 5 years and I never had to change the tires during 5 years, and I drove way more than Toyota, had 89,000 when the gaskets blew off. Not sure why car/tires companies make crap products to make us pay often.

visibility 1 complaint shown

17 total in this category · severe · avg repair $350 · see visibility cluster analysis →
12/13/2019 7,250 mi ODI #11288964.0

Sunroof exploded while driving at 65mph & no other vehicles around.the dealer where the vehicle was bought claims a rock caused the issue and will not pay for the repair.

powertrain 1 complaint shown

25 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/13/2017 3,150 mi ODI #11054484.0

From a dead stop when accelerating the vehicle will not speed up it acts like its in 6th gear. To gain control I need to push the accelerator to the floor & then it speeds up almost uncontrollably. This happen at 12 times. See my comment below that I sent to Toyota corporate office. I have want I consider a severe safety issue with my 2018 rav4 ([xxx]). Upon accelerating from a stop the vehicle will not speedup it acts like it is in 6th gear to get it going I have put the gas pedal to the floor an then it sometime shoots ahead almost hitting a vehicle in front of me. Recently it happened 3 times in a row twice I got it to recover but the third time I needed to pull of the highway & restart the engine. This has happen at least 10 times. Phillips Toyota service said it is a fly by wire pro

engine 1 complaint shown

12 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/06/2021 107,000 mi Fire ODI #11442924.0

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 20-25 MPH and making a turn into a parking lot, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering and electrical power twice. The contact continued to drive and as she drove over a speed bump, the vehicle stalled and lost electrical power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact quickly exited the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The Chevrolet dealer who sold the vehicle to the contac

Showing 300 of 324 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Toyota/RAV4#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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