2018 Toyota RAV4

High concern

Owners filed 333 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

Avoid One of the Toyota RAV4 years to avoid: an unusual share of fires, crashes and deaths for a car of its age. Which Toyota RAV4 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
12,000 milesMedian miles at failure

145 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.

Most common 2018 Toyota RAV4 problems

114 of the 333 complaints (34%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System113
2181
Unknown or Other51
242
Service Brakes · brakes24
822
Exterior Lighting · headlights18
110
Engine17
251
Visibility/Wiper · wipers15
100
Power Train · transmission15
101
Air Bags · airbags15
12011
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration8
000
Structure › Body · body and frame6
210

2018 Toyota RAV4 electrical system problems

34% of all complaints

114 of the 333 complaints are about the electrical system. This is what owners describe:

  • stalls13% · 15
  • smokes or smells of burning12% · 14
  • sets off warning lights on the dash11% · 13
  • loses power7% · 8
  • will not start4% · 5
  • drains the battery or stops charging4% · 5

Share of the 114 electrical system complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
21,000 mi
median of 35 reports
Peak year of filing
2025
36 electrical system complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
2 · 18 · 1
in these complaints
Recalls on the electrical system
“Severe, chronic rainwater intrusion through the vehicle's front cowl and body seams, resulting in catastrophic flooding of the passenger-side cabin floorboards. This issue occurs even when all sunroof drains are completely clear and functional. Toyota has issued Technical Service Bulletin 0055-24 acknowledging body seam and cowl leaks for this vehicle type.”
Owner complaint, filed May 28, 2026
“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.”
Owner complaint, filed Aug 5, 2024 at 180,000 miles

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2017: 2 complaints, 0 about the electrical system'172018: 30 complaints, 4 about the electrical system'182019: 47 complaints, 9 about the electrical system'192020: 31 complaints, 3 about the electrical system'202021: 42 complaints, 9 about the electrical system'212022: 27 complaints, 8 about the electrical system'222023: 34 complaints, 10 about the electrical system'232024: 45 complaints, 28 about the electrical system'242025: 56 complaints, 36 about the electrical system'252026: 19 complaints, 7 about the electrical system'26Recall 17V831000 (equipment)Recall 19V503000 (equipment)Recall 23V734000 (electrical system)NHTSA investigation PE21005
All complaintsAbout the electrical systemRecall (red: the electrical system)NHTSA investigation opened

Complaints about the 2018 RAV4 peaked in 2025, with 56 filed that year. Owners had filed 40 complaints about the electrical system before the first recall that covers it, 23V734000 in November 2023; 74 more have come in since. In 2026 owners filed 19 so far.

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery23V734000
Filed Nov 1, 20231,853,568 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. 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.

Risk. A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. 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.

Equipment › Other › Labels19V503000
Filed Jun 28, 20191,325 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Defect. 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."

Risk. An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. 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.

Equipment › Other › Labels17V831000
Filed Dec 20, 2017649 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. 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."

Risk. An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. 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.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

NHTSA investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. One names the 2018 RAV4.

Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal EventsPreliminary evaluation PE21005Closed
Opened Feb 25, 2021Closed Aug 12, 2024Led to recall 23V734electrical system

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021. At the time of opening, ODI attributed eleven allegations and additional EWR events to this PE. PE21005 focused on replacement batteries installed in the subject vehicles. No reported fire event identified in PE21005 involved the originally supplied 12V battery. The reported fires took place in vehicles known to …

Technical service bulletins

183 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2018 RAV4. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 64electrical system 42body and frame 28engine 14brakes 5lane-keeping assist 4visibility 3tires 3
21TG01Service campaignJun 18, 2025electrical system

21TG01 Exprired - Replaced with Campaign 23TA13 During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota retailers and others who sell or install replacement batteries were recommending a small size battery for replacement. Toyota specifies a …

T-SB-0058-23 Rev1Service campaignJun 13, 2025electrical system

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

21TG01Service campaignJun 26, 2024electrical system

During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota retailers and others who sell or install replacement batteries were recommending a small size battery for replacement. Toyota specifies a particular size replacement battery for the RAV4 …

21TG01Service campaignJun 26, 2024electrical system

During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota retailers and others who sell or install replacement batteries were recommending a small size battery for replacement. Toyota specifies a particular size replacement battery for the RAV4 …

21TG01Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 18, 2025electrical system

Campaign Expired - replaced with campaign 23TA13TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY 21TG01 12-VOLT BATTERY SIZE AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION CERTAIN 2013 – 2018 RAV4

21TG01OtherJul 1, 2024electrical system

During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota retailers and others who sell or install replacement batteries were recommending a small size battery for replacement. Toyota specifies a particular size replacement battery for the RAV4 …

21TG01OtherJul 1, 2024electrical system

During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota retailers and others who sell or install replacement batteries were recommending a small size battery for replacement. Toyota specifies a particular size replacement battery for the RAV4 …

24TE03OtherJun 27, 2024electrical system

On April 9, 2024, a settlement of claims for certain 2013-2018 model year Rav4 vehicles was preliminarily approved by the federal court. The court will hold a Fairness Hearing on November 19, 2024 to determine if the settlement should be finally approved. The settlement includes Toyota’s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program for certain 2013-2018 …

Showing the newest 6 of 42 bulletins about the electrical system, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
Version testedOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2018 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.9%
2018 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★17.4%

New Car Assessment Program results for this model year. Ratings compare cars of similar size and weight only.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 15, 2026WA

All warning lights came on and started flashing, steering wheel locked completely and total system failure. Car suddenly died and I had no control of it. Engine started smoking with black smoke. I got out of car and engine immediately caught fire starting at the bottom left driver side of engine and within a few minutes vehicle was completely engulfed with flames. It exploded and car was gone.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 6, 202678,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning right or left, the vehicle lost power and failed to accelerate as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under an extended coverage associated with a fuel system failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Tires
Filed Sep 13, 2026FL

Cooper tires 225/65R17. Purchased 4 tires in June. From installation the tires were bouncy. The garage said it was the struts, so I replaced the struts, but the problem persists. 2 weeks later I took the car back. They said there was nothing wrong with t he tire. They rebalanced them. But that did not fix the problem. I took the car to a different garage and they told me the tires where bad and advised me to take them back to wherebI purchased them. I did. After they had my car for 6 hours they said there was nothing wrong with the tires. I insisted that they inspected them again. After 3 more hours they informed me that the tires were separating and they were defective. They replaced the tires with another brand.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 3, 2026CA

Before o had taken my RAV4 into Toyota for the recall a AAA tech. had replaced the battery after jump starting it. There was nothing wrong with the sensors or anything else but after the battery was replaced all the electric sensors that are for lane change warnings and cruise control etc. stopped working. I took vehicle into Toyota of Santa Maria and was told that I needed to pay for the sensors that had failed. They told me that I was responsible and I do not believe I am when AAA had just replaced my battery and only after that did the sensors have an issue. I do not feel safe driving my car now because all the sensors aren’t working anymore.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Filed Jul 28, 202640,000 milesNV

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera was black and failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the camera was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 10, 2026MN

The hands free feature over the cars microphone/stereo is unusable; leaving vehicle owners frustrated, and more likely to operate cellphones outside of standard hands free practices. I have been on numerous phone calls where people have told me that they were unable to hardly hear a thing I was saying. To remedy this problem I have 1. Tried speaking up (even yelling) 2. Turning off HVAC systems 3. Positioning my body closer to the microphone 4. Bringing the car to a slow or stop to reduce road noise. 5. Calling myself to see if I can hear myself. 6. Talked with someone who owns the same car (year/model/spec/trim) and they were hardly audible as they called me over their hands free system.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 5, 2026MA

While I am driving my Toyota RAV4, the car will suddenly shut off and I can restart it and keep driving as the month is going on. The incidents are happening more often and now the dashboard is going black. I’ve had a couple of warning signs on the dashboard. I brought the car to Toyota and Pep Boys. Both of them checked the electrical systems and everything looks good according to their testing.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Jun 27, 2026TX

My lift tailgate is malfunctioning. Continued forced opening can cause the hinges to crack and messes with the alignment and closing of the tail gate making it a safety issue.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jun 21, 2026CA

We were part of a 4 car collision on the freeway. A Ford Expedition that was slammed into then slammed into our RAV. The airbags never deployed and an error code came up saying fail for airbags.

Electrical System
Filed May 28, 202654,968 milesDC

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a defect with the key fob and the door locks for the passenger doors. When starting the vehicle, the brake locking mechanism could not detect the key, and a message was displayed indicating that the key was not found. The contact stated that he had to open and close the door for the vehicle to engage and recognize the key. Additionally, the vehicle failed to lock automatically, which forced the contact to lock both the driver and passenger sides manually. Early corrections were made in an attempt to resolve these issues, but the problems persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,968.

Electrical System
Filed May 28, 2026NJ

Severe, chronic rainwater intrusion through the vehicle's front cowl and body seams, resulting in catastrophic flooding of the passenger-side cabin floorboards. This issue occurs even when all sunroof drains are completely clear and functional. Toyota has issued Technical Service Bulletin 0055-24 acknowledging body seam and cowl leaks for this vehicle type. The passenger-side floorboard houses critical electrical wire harnesses and sits adjacent to the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS/Airbag) control module. Chronic standing water on the floorboard presents an immediate risk of electrical short-circuits, potentially causing sudden vehicle stalling, electrical component fires, or the uncommanded deployment/failure of the vehicle's airbag safety systems. Furthermore, the thick foam insulation beneath the carpet remains saturated, creating an immediate, toxic mold hazard within an enclosed passenger cabin, severely impacting occupant health and air quality. The manufacturer and dealership have left the vehicle unrepaired for over 30 days, refusing to remediate this safety hazard.

Power Train
Filed Apr 18, 2026NY

Malfunction: Mechanical failure of the Torque Converter Clutch. The vehicle exhibits a persistent transmission shudder during acceleration between 25–50 mph. Warning Signs: None. There were no dashboard warning lights or error messages prior to or during the failure. The only indicator was the physical shuddering of the vehicle. Safety Risk: The malfunction causes unpredictable hesitation when merging or changing lanes, creating a dangerous speed differential and risk of rear-end collision. Documentation: Comprehensive maintenance records are available to prove the vehicle was serviced according to the manufacturer’s schedule at a third-party facility.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 16, 2026WA

See attached document for complaint.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 7, 2026NH

On October 27, 2025, I was housesitting and watching a friends' son and dropped him off at school. I returned to their house, shut off the car, went into the house, started cleaning home in preparation of returning to my home. I was in downstairs master suite on opposite end of home when I heard a car horn. I went to the door, looked out and saw fire emitting from under the driver’s side wheel well, front of engine, from under the engine hood and half way up the windshield of the RAV4. I called [XXX] and informed the dispatcher that my car was on fire. The [XXX] fire department responded and extinguished the vehicle. I called my insurance company and also reported the incident to Toyota BEC, they assigned the incident Liability Case# XXX. I had also received 2 recall notifications from Toyota (NHTSA# 23V734). The car had been serviced by Grappone Toyota (now known as McGovern Toytota) in [XXX] on August 14, 2025 and the recall was documented as fixed on that date. The vehicle was a total loss and towed to a Coparts Salvage Yard in Candia NH. An inspection was performed by an inspector assigned by Toyota. I later received a letter from Toyota stating that the cause of the fire could not be determined and Toyota assumes no reponsibility whatsoever. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 21, 2026NH

Iam having transmission issues. I have been to 3 different Mechanic shops, 2 being transmission specialist. Going to a Toyota dealership on 3/26/26 to confirm. Was told I need a whole new transmission, My rav4 is a 2018 with only 115k for miles No engine light on or have any codes. I have spent a bit of money trying to address this issue. and was told that this particular year has a lot of transmission issues and have over 100 on back order. why is this not a recall?

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Mar 17, 2026IA

The automatic lift gate started failing and became misaligned causing the back lift gate to be unable to be closed and damaged my passenger rear tail light as well due to the malalignment issue resulting in having to drive without the back gate fully shut until I can afford the 2k cost quoted to fix it. My research shows this is a very common issue with the rav4's in this production cycle

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 6, 2026VA

3/4/2026 5:10 pm Vehicle (2018 RAV4) was sitting in backed up traffic waiting to exist highway and was hit from behind by a sedan travelling at 65+ mph, pushed into a pickup truck in front, then deflected left into a guardrail. SO, three separate impacts with extensive damage to the entire rear of the car, the front end, and right front quarter. Two occupants in the car, driver and front passenger, no airbags deployed. Driver's head contacted the steerring wheel (back eye, cut lip, swelling on forehead and around eye, headache), and legs and arms of driver and passenger contacted other portions of the interior of the vehicle and experienced severe whiplash, but no broken bones per initial ER xrays and scans. Vehicle towed and is currently available for inspection.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 5, 2026NE

Both headlights and taillights are stained on the inside of the lens with a white residue. My headlights are very streaky and it makes it difficult to see out of. Not the outside of the headlight, because when i rub my hands along the outsides, i do not feel any grabbing, scratches, film, etc.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 6, 2026ND

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because she no longer owns the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 29, 2025NY

While picking up my son from school, my 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid suddenly experienced a complete steering failure. The steering wheel locked without warning and became impossible to move, making the vehicle inoperable and creating an immediate safety hazard. My son and I were stranded for over 7 hours in a public area. AAA was dispatched twice, but they were unable to resolve the issue. The vehicle ultimately had to be towed to a Toyota dealership. Toyota dealership diagnosed the car with a failed steering lock ECU, a critical safety component that should not malfunction under normal conditions. I was quoted over $2,000 for the repair. This issue aligns with multiple known recalls and technical service bulletins related to steering and electronic control failures in RAV4 Hybrid models, suggesting a potential manufacturer defect. This sudden steering failure placed me and my child at significant risk. There were no warning lights, no prior steering issues, and no indicators of malfunction before the event occurred. I am submitting this report because a steering lock ECU failure can lead to sudden loss of steering control, which poses a serious danger to vehicle occupants and others on the road.

Power Train
Filed Nov 13, 2025NM

XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 11/13/2025 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. 19001 South Western Avenue Torrance, CA 90501 Subject: Complaint Regarding Torque Converter Shudder – 2018 Toyota RAV4 AWD To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious transmission defect in my 2018 Toyota RAV4 AWD, specifically a torque converter shudder that has been documented by Toyota technicians. The vehicle exhibits pronounced shuddering between 25–50 mph under light throttle, consistent with the torque converter failures previously acknowledged by Toyota in earlier RAV4 models (2013–2015). Toyota has extended warranty coverage for torque converter replacement in those earlier models, yet my 2018 RAV4—despite showing identical symptoms—has been excluded. The dealership has quoted me $9,000 for a full transmission replacement, even though the issue is well-documented and appears to be systemic across multiple model years. This situation raises serious concerns: - Toyota is aware of the defect but has limited coverage to select VIN ranges. - The cost of repair is excessive and disproportionate to the defect. - Consumers are left without recourse despite clear precedent for warranty extension. I respectfully request: 1. That NHTSA investigate whether the torque converter shudder in 2016–2018 RAV4 models constitutes a broader safety defect. 2. That Toyota e

Electrical System
Filed Nov 10, 202566,327 milesCO

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while changing the oil, he became aware that the battery was covered in corrosion and there was acid leaking from the battery tray. The vehicle was not diagnosed, but the contact was advised that the tray needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but refused to replace the battery. The failure mileage was approximately 66,327.

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Oct 27, 2025TX

I had just gotten off my vehicle, we were at a shopping center specifically Marshall’s, the employee announced a blue Toyota, I went outside and my car was in flames, the Fire Department said it was an electrical fire. I had never received a letter of a recall let alone Toyota calling me to tell my car was defective. Not only until after my vehicle was damaged I received a call from them which made it suspicious.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 7, 2025CA

My vehicle has a recall for the battery. I took my car into Toyota in San Juan Capistrano. Car was purchased and owner’s manual states this vehicle uses a size 35 battery. When I returned to pick up my vehicle the service technician told me that “Toyota will only honor the recall on vehicles with a size 36 battery, and in order for them to rectify the recall was for me to purchase a size 36 battery. There is no mention of that on our recall notice nor is there anything stating that on the NTSA website. What can i do to get this fix this issue. I believe this problem is also the reason we have had to replace our battery 3 times since 2021and also the cause of other malfunctions in our vehicle

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 3, 2025OR

I purchased my 2018 Toyota RAV4 Limited Hybrid in June 2018. The automatic liftgate has been a consistent issue with this vehicle since January 2024. It either fails to close completely or takes an unusually long time to shut. I followed the official Toyota dealership videos and performed the recommended recalibration steps, but the problem remains unresolved. This is not just a matter of convenience. It presents a safety concern, particularly when loading items at night. Living in the Pacific Northwest, where it gets dark around 5 p.m., makes this even more concerning. I’m aware there is existing litigation related to this issue.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 202564,000 milesMI

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about parts availability. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start due to a severed wiring harness. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 15, 2025MA

After receiving a recall notice from Toyota for the battery mount I scheduled my appointment on June 24, 2025. After spending $916.31 on maintenance products all of a sudden the dealership did not have the battery mount for my vehicle. Is this legal? Why would a dealership schedule a repair and not have the product to complete the recall? I was informed that I would be called when they had the part available and I still have not heard from the Toyota dealership. Are three months later considered a timely matter to correct the problem?

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 11, 2025MS

On September 3, 2025, I was driving down the I-10 in Biloxi, MS, at 6:45 a.m. It was around 75-80 degrees and the sun was just barely coming up. All of the sudden the glass in my sunroof completely shattered. There were no cars around me and it was an open portion of the road, so no rocks were flung up by nearby vehicles. Luckily, my kids were not with me, because a majority of the glass ended up in my backseat, ranging from huge chunks of about 3-4 inches in diameter to smaller shards being everywhere. I cut myself several times while trying to clean it up, so I can only imagine what it could have done to my kids! Luckily, I was able to keep my cool and not swerve off the road, as it was quite startling.

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 5, 2025134,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that upon entering her carport in an attempt to park(P), the vehicle surged forward without warning. The vehicle blew through the carport's back wall and crashed into her neighbor's fence before coming to an independent stop. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact did not seek medical attention but did sustain soreness in her neck, shoulders, and back. The carport's back wall, a bicycle, the neighbor's fence, and the hammock were all destroyed as a result of the accident. A police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure and immediately referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer informed the contact that an engineer could be sent to a nearby dealer or independent mechanic to perform an investigation into the defect. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or diagnosed for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000

Visibility/WiperCrash
Filed Aug 31, 2025IL

The passenger side mirror and the collum that holds the windshield on the right side makes a complete blind spot that you can't see anything on that area. If you are turning you can't see even a whole car. The left side mirror and collum that holds the windshield is ok, but not the right one. I got into an accident with the fire hydrant at a parking lot in town because I could not see it. I was turning right into the street and hit the fire hydrant.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 31, 2025WA

The tailgate does not lift all the way. The hinges are intact. I believe its a pistón or sensor problem.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 13, 2025NC

I received a recall notice from Toyota in 2023 for battery defect that could case short circuit and risk of fire. as of today aug. 13, 2025 they have been unable to repair/replace.

EngineCrash
Filed Jul 29, 202556,368 milesMO

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while at a stop at a traffic light, the vehicle independently accelerated and rear-ended another vehicle. The engine revved during the acceleration while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle continued to accelerate for 20 feet. No warning lights illuminated. No air bags deployed. No injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not sought. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred while at a stop, and the vehicle traveled approximately 20 feet before coming to a complete stop while forcefully depressing the brake pedal. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,368.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 21, 20257,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while parked at the residence, the contact turned off the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle lost power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 17, 2025NC

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. An unknown 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 9, 2025TX

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair. The contact was informed that the correct size battery needed to be purchased to replace the current battery before the recall repair could be performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that battery was not the correct size, and a new battery was needed. The manufacturer declined to assist with the cost of replacing the battery. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Power Train
Filed Jun 17, 2025NV

I have had my car for about 2 1/2 years, never been in an accident or anything .. I take the car for an oil change and when I picked it up they informed me that they ran a diagnostics test that indicated that my transmission was out. They asked if I’ve been in any accidents, but I assure them that I have been any accidents at all. The car has been driving perfectly fine but after that news, the car has been dying out! I don’t travel far in the car or go on road trips so I’m not understanding how the transmission has failed!

Electrical System
Filed Jun 13, 2025CA

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. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 10, 202578,000 milesTN

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving into a parking lot at a very low speed when the vehicles engine shut off, the contact proceeded to attempt to restart the vehicle however the engine would not start, and upon inspecting underneath the hood of the vehicle the contact noticed that a flame had began to arise from the battery. The contact immediately proceeded to extinguish the fire with a towel. The vehicle was unoccupied as soon as the fire was noticed. A fire department report was not filed. A police department report was not filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed however, the contact was advised that further diagnosis was required in order to determine the cause for failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) as pthe robable cause for the failure experienced. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 25, 2025MA

The recall (Manufacturer Recall # 23TB13; NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall did not cause a safety issue in this case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).

Unknown or Other
Filed May 19, 2025WA

The recall was for the battery size. This issues has been repaired by the Toyota Dealership 6969 Tyee Dr. SW Tumwater, Wa 98512 360 539-4000. Customer# [XXX] and invoice # [XXX]. I do not understand why I am getting notified of this recall from 2023 stating it has not been taken care of as of this date. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Unknown or Other
Filed May 17, 2025MA

The recall (Manufacturer Recall # 23TB13; NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall has not caused a safety issue in my case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle for over a year (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock
Filed May 15, 202565,000 milesNC

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that upon pressing the liftgate emergency release button, the liftgate opened half-way. Additionally, the contact stated that the liftgate had failed to latch or to lock securely while closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the liftgate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 12, 2025CA

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 front driver's side door and the liftgate had failed to open intermittently while using the key fob. The contact stated that the front driver's side door opened upon pulling the interior door handle, and the liftgate would manually open with the key. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to smoothly shift into gear. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical System
Filed May 10, 2025MA

The recall (NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall did not cause a safety issue in my case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle for the last for the past year (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).

Structure
Filed May 9, 202539,286 milesIL

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while it was raining, rainwater was leaking into the vehicle on the driver's side through the factory installed roof rack. The contact stated that water had accumulated under the brake and accelerator pedals. The contact stated that the floor mat was saturated with water. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the roof rack needed to be replaced and the electrical system needed to be inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,286.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 5, 2025PR

The vehicle's battery area caught fire. I was able to get out of the vehicle on time and call the fire department. Over 50% of the vehicle was consumed by the fire. Vehicle was my spouse's and she usually drives it alone with my [XXX] and she is [XXX]. Thankfully, I was driving it alone. NHTSA recall 23V734 came out on 11/2023 and they expected to have the fix by the end of 2024 but it never happened. The last vehicle maintenance by the dealer was in 02/15/2025. The vehicle has not been inspected yet but the insurance will make an appointment soon to do so. The preliminary findings of the fire department pinpointed the problem in the battery area. Prior to the fire, the vehicle shut down and the steering wheel locked. I turned it on and drove it out of the road and it did it again and when I came out of the vehicle, I saw smoke coming out of the hood and that's when I saw the fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Unknown or Other
Filed May 3, 2025MA

The recall (Manufacturer Recall # 23TB13; NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall did not cause a safety issue in this case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).

Electrical System
Filed May 2, 2025CA

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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 21, 2025VA

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.

Complaints 1-50 of 333, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202591300Routine
2024176300Routine
2023164310Routine
2022149102Fatalities reported
2021389170Above average
2020639650Above average
2019884730Above average
2018 — this page3333330High concern
20173073242Fatalities reported
20162403120Above average
20153054411Fatalities reported
20141974250High concern
20132572291Fatalities reported
2012260540Above average
20112871180Above average
20104001430High concern
20093271530High concern
200857514162Fatalities reported
20071,00414370High concern
20067051151Fatalities reported
2005141520Do not drive
2004154240Do not drive
2003315040Above average
20025270150Above average
2001309021Fatalities reported
200030302Fatalities reported
199962540Routine
199877500Routine
199754120Routine
199647120Routine
19951000Routine
19944000Routine

Compare every RAV4 year →

2018 Toyota RAV4: questions buyers ask

Is the 2018 Toyota RAV4 a good car?

Going by the federal record, it is one of the RAV4 years to avoid: an unusual share of its 333 complaints describe fires, crashes or deaths for a car of its age. The most common complaint is about the electrical system (34%). In NHTSA crash tests it scored 5 stars overall.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Toyota RAV4?

The electrical system: 114 of the 333 complaints (34%) are about it. Owners most often say it stalls (13%), smokes or smells of burning (12%) and sets off warning lights on the dash (11%). The typical report comes at 21,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota RAV4 have?

3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Nov 1, 2023. The largest, 23V734000, covered 1,853,568 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 2018 Toyota RAV4 problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 12,000 miles. For the electrical system the midpoint is 21,000 miles.

Has NHTSA investigated the 2018 Toyota RAV4?

Yes, once. PE21005 ("Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events") was opened Feb 25, 2021 and closed Aug 12, 2024.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 Toyota RAV4?

The manufacturer filed 183 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the electrical system (42), the body and frame (28) and the engine (14). They include a service campaign, 21TG01, filed Jun 18, 2025. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 1, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.