Complaint volume
328 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Toyota RAV4 Complaints
328 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Toyota RAV4, grouped by component category.
328 Total complaints
31 Crash reports
32 Fire reports
13 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are electrical system, unknown or other, service brakes. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 31 crash reports, 32 fire reports, 13 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 143 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 25,416 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to electrical system, unknown or other, service brakes?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Toyota RAV4?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Toyota RAV4
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Toyota RAV4 complaints?
31 Crash
32 Fire
13 Injury
0 Fatality
32 Towed
10 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Toyota RAV4 complaint categories?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 98
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 55
SERVICE BRAKES 23
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 20
ENGINE 19
POWER TRAIN 16
AIR BAGS 15
VISIBILITY/WIPER 15
STRUCTURE 9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9
328 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact was able to jump-start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the battery was not holding a full charge and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 25,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,500 |
| Nov 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact heard an abnormal grinding sound underneath the floorboard. The contact pulled over and it was difficult shifting to park(P). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle was not functioning normally. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had taken the vehicle to the same mechanic prior to the failure for two other transmission failures. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times within 18 months. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 80,000 |
| Nov 2024 | ENGINE | Crankshaft Sprocket prematurely breaks the guide for timing chain and engine issues. Results in a harsh start starting around 60k miles | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | STRUCTURE | The paint on my entire vehicle is peeling and flaking off. Every panel has a paint issue. I have had my toyota dealership check several times over the last 2 years to see if my vin is on the ZKG program approved and it keeps coming back no. My vehicle paint is peeling more and more. I would like this to be addressed and looked into please. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Vehicle check engine light comes on, followed within 20 minutes by emergency alerts stating that multiple systems are failing or unavailable. It then says to get to a safe place within .3 miles. The car shuts itself down after .3 and is bricked until it is towed to a mechanic.this has happened 6 times this year. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was water leaking from the driver's side visor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that water was entering the vehicle through the sunroof and traveled throughout various areas of the vehicle including the visor, dashboard, and door panels. The vehicle was not repaired. After receiving the diagnosis, the contact's insurance provider was informed, who then sent an appraiser to inspect the vehicle. Upon a visual inspection of the vehicle, the insurance appraiser discovered toxic mold throughout the interior panels of the vehicle including under the dashboard and door panels. The mold presence was extensive, and the vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance provider. The contact stated that she and her husband had experienced unexplainable periods of illness that were later attributed to the presence of mold in the vehicle but were at the time unaware of a possible cause. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 55,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,000 |
| Oct 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | My car caught on fire due to the battery shifting in February. I have all documentation of the process it took for Toyota to ever reach out just to tell me there was nothing they could do. I had to file a claim through insurance and pay some out of pocket for a fix. All for them to still have no remedy almost a year later. I can’t trade it in or else I’ll be under and have nearly 4-5k in negative equity since the car is now worth nothing due to the safety recall. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Back rear window on truck door just shattered. Was sitting outside and just popped and shattered. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | I was driving my car through the mountains on a very hot day. The speed limits are 65-70mph. After driving for a couple of hours, a warning light/message appeared: Hybrid system overheated Reduced output power The car began to have trouble maintaining speed. At one point I had to pull over and wait a while because the car became unresponsive to the accelerator. After waiting a bit, I was able to continue, but only at speeds around 40mph. I put my blinkers on because I was afraid of being hit by the other vehicles/trucks going 70. I took the car to a dealer outside of Pittsburgh and they could find nothing wrong, and no indication in the car's computer that anything had happened. I took the car to my local dealer when I got back home to Maryland, and they could find nothing. If they can't find what's wrong, they can't fix it. I have been in contact with Toyota customer service and they have no answers other than "see if it happens again". I am concerned that the car is no longer safe to drive if the temperature outside is high, and I need to go up steep hills. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | See attached document for complaint | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal had to be depressed with excessive force after being cut off by another vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, the steering wheel seized, and the instrument cluster went black. The contact was able to pull off the roadway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and became aware that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that there were flames coming from under the hood on the driver's side near the fire wall. The contact was able to smother the flames. The contact stated that the Fire Department arrived, and examined the engine compartment, and informed the contact that the battery was loosened, causing the cables to detach from the battery terminals, caused the short circuit and flames. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: Yes Towed | 180,000 |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Basically the car keeps short circuiting and causing so many electric problems, it has caught a small flame. It randomly shut off on us while driving . I contacted my Toyota dealer and the manufacturer and i have not received any help. It is very dangerous to be driving my family in this vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electric System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |