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, exterior lighting. 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, exterior lighting?
- 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 84
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 48
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 17
SERVICE BRAKES 13
VISIBILITY/WIPER 13
AIR BAGS 12
POWER TRAIN 12
ENGINE 9
STRUCTURE 9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8
328 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | EQUIPMENT | The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4 equipped with an aftermarket Pacific Restyling heated seat kit, part #SH-R-05 which was installed on both the front driver and passenger seats by the dealer upon purchasing the vehicle as new. The contact indicated while operating the vehicle with the driver side seat heater turned on the driver noticed the seat became extremely hot to the touch and turned the heater off. Moments later an electrical burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered the aftermarket part had malfunctioned and overheated charring the driver side seat cushion. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | 18,000 |
| Dec 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | TIRES | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | AIR BAGS | Car moved onto gravel shoulder and side curtain airbags deployed. Was no accident or damage done to car, was also driving under 5 mph. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ENGINE | 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 contact was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000. | Crash: No Fire: Yes Towed | 107,000 |
| Dec 2021 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | I had been noticing since November 2020 a strange noise from the rear on the driver side anytime I parked the car, as it goes over a step about 2 inches in height when entering it. I took it to the dealer an explained them that it wasn't just the noise but that I could move with my hands the rear tire on the driver side back and forth. They told me NO PROBLEM FOUND. Also, that day I did have a wheel alignment done just in case. But I returned days later as it was not balance, the steering felt incorrect pulling right and left. And they tell me that the right front lower control arm needs replacement when the car has been driven 23,062 miles; I replaced it but the steering was still incorrect. I called TOYOTA (800) 331-4331 a case #210730001337 was opened. I was told to buy 3 new tires to correct the problem, I did it, yet the problem continues. I expected the dealer to do a wheel alignment after replacing the tires yet they lie about and they wanted me to drive away, I refused to do it and called TOYOTA and offered to pay for it and finally they agreed on doing it free and they found out that the rear alignment was off. Poor craftsmanship of the rear suspension parts for sure. That weird noise on the rear continues, the steering pulls right and left which increases risk of losing control and eventual crash and injury. I do trust the NHTSA to make things right do not be like BOEING and the FAA. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that upon exiting a parking lot, with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact was forced to engage the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Once the vehicle was stopped, the contact was able to resume normal driving. After the initial failure, the contact experienced the failure on two separate occasions. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle remained in possession of the dealer. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,000 |
| Nov 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This is the second time it has happened, the car completely shut off and nothing worked. The first time does happen our battery was two years old and we were told to change it. After changing the battery the car worked. Six months later the car completely shut off while driving. AAA came and said it was not an issue with the battery but rather the wiring. He played around with the wiring in the car somehow turned on. This is very dangerous because it happened on the freeway. There are some fault with the wiring on this model. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Multiple times the cars front left sensor when wet, after heavy rains, will beep and flash on dash for no reason. I turn off the back up assist function and the beeping stops. Also, the rav won't engage drive on occasion when going from park to drive. After waiting a bit of time, drive appears on dash and car will go. Just this Saturday (10-16-21) after this p to d problem occurred, the engine lost ALL POWER, and drive turned off In traffic. I had to push the car out of busy 3 lane traffic while my friend turned the wheel. after 10 minutes it again engaged and we drove it home. My fear is if this electric issue occurs when Iam going 70 mph, I may crash and injure myself or others. Dealer to look at. VERY SCARY! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | ENGINE | The car lost the power and speed and got an error "AWD sytem malfunction, 2WD mode engage, see dealer". Car stopped and then did not restart. Itis dangerous situation where car lost the speed a d power the middle of the road in traffic. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | AIR BAGS | Vehicle sustained total loss due to unexplained deployment of side airbags when collision was limited to the front. Toyota was asked to check and their response did not address my concerns about the unnecessary deployment. I had expressed concern about the pre-collision warning/emergency braking systems in e-mails with my Toyota dealership well in advance of the accident. It appeared to not be triggered although they said it was working. The files/photos are on another device. I can supply upon request. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Was driving down the highway at 70 MPH and moon roof glass exploded out of nowhere. There were no warning signs and nothing struck the vehicle before the glass shattered. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the vehicle would not start. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery was drained and needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the battery however, the failure recurred several weeks later. The vehicle was towed back to dealer who inspected the vehicle again and diagnosed that the battery was not charging correctly due to the high-power amp fuse being blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,600. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 28,600 |
| Aug 2021 | TIRES | Michelin latitude tour HP i-225/65r17 I am writing to you in order to let you know that I bought this used Toyota Rav4 2018 with 28,000 miles. I was told that the tires were new. One of the tires was not new and had already been fixed before, certainly not in a safe way. I just want you to know and report it to Toyota, I would have appreciated them if they had told me the truth since in that car I ride my daughters. Happy afternoon. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was turning into a parking spot at my doctor's office when my car engine revved up and sped through the doctor's office nearly hitting my doctor and another patient. My airbags did not deploy. I had my foot on the brake but it did not stop the car. The automatic emergency braking system and forward collision warning did not work. My car had to be towed and is now waiting to see if it can be fixed but with the safety features that I paid extra for, I'm not sure that I would even buy a new one of this particular model. I came very close to killing my doctor and that patient! | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | STEERING | The Electric Power System warning light came on for the first time and my car will not start. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | The first incident happened on June 9, 2021. I was turning right very slowly into a parking spot at a grocery store when the car suddenly accelerated rapidly, even when I depressed the brake very hard. My car hit a row of small trees that formed a border between the parking lot and the street. The impact was so hard that there was over $5,000 in damage to the front of the car. I was in shock as it felt like the car was out of control. The second incident July 27, 2021. Again, I was turning right to reach the exit of a parking garage at a medical clinic. I was going very slow because I was approaching the ticket booth to exit the parking garage. Just as I completed the turn, the car accelerated and lurched forward toward the arm that keeps cars from exiting. I was able to stop the vehicle by pressing the brake hard, and I did not hit the arm at the exit point. Again, it was shocking and very frightening for this to happen. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The headlights on my Rav4 are dangerous. When driving at night there is a dark line with no visibility. There is no reaction time if objects are in the roadway. I live in a rural area, on my way to work there was a pine tree that fell across the road way,I crashed straight into it. I did not even see it until I hit it. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated when shifting gears to reverse, the back over prevention camera failed to function as designed. The contact stated he shifted the gear to park and back to reverse and the camera operated as designed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 70,000 |
| Jul 2021 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | The Toyota RAV4 2018 car acceleration went out of control and crashed into a retaining wall. The airbags exploded and the steering wheel airbag burst. The car was totaled and is with State Farm. I was blessed to still be alive the car speed out of control on its own. I tried to push on the brakes but the car kept going. The accident could have been worse. No one else was injured only another car was hit. I did reach out to Toyota and they said it could take 4-6 weeks for someone to look at the car. I reach out to the dealer and waiting to hear back from the dealer. The police department issued me a ticket, I have court on July 23, 2021. State Farm insurance declared the car a total loss. No warning lamps or messages. The first same incident happened on April 3, 2021, and on June 12, 2021, was the day of the accident. The incident and accident happened at the same location. I would like to speak with someone at your organization. The car is at State Farm's collision place. I would like for your organization to look at the car. I will call to make sure that the car is still at the collision place. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2018 hybrid battery does not hold charge. Sometimes the battery dies even where it should be fully charged and driving. Drove 5 hours straight on 7/10. Does on the highway. The car battery has been dying almost from day 1 . This car is only 2 1/2 and only 20, 000 miles . | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | When I tried to start my vehicle this morning after a store run. the car clicked multiple times and made a weird noise, then went dead. I popped my hood immediately and saw a hole the size of a quarter next to the battery terminal and smoke was coming out the hole. I had driven it 40 miles before I had put it in park, and it drove fine before that. I have showed multiple people pictures of the battery (including mechanics) and no one had ever seen anything like that. I decided to google to see if it's a known problem/recall on the Rav4 and found that the NHTSA was investigating the batteries due to similar instances. Thankfully my car did not catch fire, and I was smart and decided not to start it again. Otherwise something bad could have happened. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |