CarBrief

Owners reported 348 problems to NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota RAV4, and the electrical system is named most often[1][2]. Three recalls are on file, including one for certain replacement batteries that may not fit and could short circuit, raising fire risk[3][4].

348owner complaints[1]
3recalls[3]
24–32MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 348 owner complaints on file for the 2018 RAV4[1]. Of those, 33 mention a crash, 33 mention a fire and 19 mention injuries[1]. No deaths were reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car. The counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Here is how the biggest component groups look:

Component group Complaints Mention a fire
Electrical system[2] 131 23
Unknown or other[7] 74 8
Engine[8] 36 11
Brakes[9] 33 2
Power train[10] 28 0

Smaller groups include exterior lighting with 23 complaints[11], speed control with 21[12] and visibility and wipers with 19[13].

Electrical system. This group has the most complaints, and the median mileage at failure was 19,000 miles[2]. In a sample of 9 different electrical complaints we read, 3 describe a charging system warning followed by lost power or a shutdown while driving[2]. Another 3 describe smoke or fire, including a car that burned while parked overnight[2].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 7 describe lost power or trouble speeding up, including stalling in traffic[8]. Three describe smoke or fire[8]. The median mileage at failure for the group was 48,000 miles[8].

Brakes. This group had 11 crashes among its 33 complaints[9]. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 5 describe a pedal that went far down or brakes that did not stop the car, and 3 describe noise such as creaking or grinding[9].

Power train. In the power train complaints we read, several describe hesitation, stalling or lost power, and several describe jerking or rough shifting[10]., and 4 describe jerking or rough shifting[10]. In two of those, owners mention the car's EV mode.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 RAV4[3]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the gas versions at 24 to 26 MPG combined, and the hybrid at 32 MPG combined[16][17][18][19][5]. Annual fuel cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
RAV4 front-wheel drive[16] 23 / 29 / 25 $2,700
RAV4 LE/XLE front-wheel drive[17] 23 / 30 / 26 $2,600
RAV4 all-wheel drive[18] 22 / 28 / 25 $2,700
RAV4 Limited AWD/SE AWD[19] 22 / 28 / 24 $2,800
RAV4 Hybrid AWD[5] 34 / 30 / 32 $2,100

The hybrid is the one version where the city number (34) is higher than the highway number (30)[5].

Safety ratings

In NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, the all-wheel drive RAV4 earns 5 stars overall, 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[6]. The rollover risk is 16.9%[6]. The front-wheel drive version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 17.4%[20]. The RAV4 Hybrid, rated as all-wheel drive, matches the AWD numbers[21].

Engine and size

The 2.5L 4-cylinder engine is rated from 112 to 176 hp depending on version[22]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
FWD[23] 181 in 73 in 67 in 105 in 3,428 lb
AWD[24] 181 in 73 in 67 in 105 in 3,549 lb
Hybrid[25] 181 in 73 in 67 in 105 in 3,891 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

1996: 47 complaints, 0 recalls19961997: 54 complaints, 0 recalls1998: 77 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 62 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 30 complaints, 3 recalls2001: 309 complaints, 0 recalls2002: 527 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 315 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 154 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 141 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 705 complaints, 11 recalls2007: 1,004 complaints, 14 recalls2008: 575 complaints, 14 recalls20082009: 327 complaints, 15 recalls2010: 400 complaints, 14 recalls2011: 287 complaints, 11 recalls20112012: 266 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 262 complaints, 5 recalls2014: 207 complaints, 7 recalls20142015: 305 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 257 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 321 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 348 complaints, 3 recalls34820182019: 904 complaints, 8 recalls2020: 648 complaints, 6 recalls20202021: 409 complaints, 1 recalls2022: 154 complaints, 2 recalls2023: 169 complaints, 3 recalls20232024: 177 complaints, 4 recalls2025: 105 complaints, 4 recalls2026: 42 complaints, 2 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RAV4 model year. The 2018 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996470
1997540
1998774
1999624
2000303
20013090
20025270
20033150
20041542
20051415
200670511
20071,00414
200857514
200932715
201040014
201128711
20122666
20132625
20142077
20153054
20162573
20173213
20183483
20199048
20206486
20214091
20221542
20231693
20241774
20251054
2026422

The 2018 RAV4 has 348 complaints and 3 recalls on file[3]. That is more complaints than each model year from 2011 to 2017. The 2017 model has 321 and the 2016 model has 257[3]. It is fewer than the 2019 model (904), the 2020 model (648) and the 2021 model (409)[3]. On recalls, 2018 matches 2016 and 2017 at 3 each, and is below 2019 with 8 and 2020 with 6[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2018 RAV4?

The 2018 RAV4 has a solid overall safety rating of 5 stars[6], and the EPA rates the hybrid at 32 MPG combined against 24 to 26 for the gas versions[5][16][17][18][19]. The complaint record is mixed. Electrical complaints lead the list with 131[2], and some owners in our samples describe charging system warnings and lost power. Before you buy, ask a Toyota dealer to confirm that the battery recall (23V734) and the two label recalls have been handled for the car's VIN[4][14][15]. Our data covers owner complaints and recalls only, so a pre-purchase inspection is still wise.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 348 complaints[1]. The electrical system is named most often with 131 complaints, followed by the unknown or other group with 74 and the engine with 36[2][7][8].
Has the 2018 Toyota RAV4 been recalled?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls[3]. One covers replacement 12-volt batteries that may short circuit and raise fire risk (23V734)[4]. Two cover incorrect load capacity labels (19V503 and 17V831)[14][15].
What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota RAV4 get?
The EPA rates the gas versions at 24 to 26 MPG combined[16][17][18][19]. The RAV4 Hybrid AWD is rated 32 MPG combined[5].
Is the 2018 Toyota RAV4 safe?
NHTSA gives the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests[6][20].
How does the 2018 RAV4 compare with other model years?
It has 348 complaints, more than 2017 with 321 and less than 2019 with 904[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 348 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Toyota RAV4 (33 mention a crash, 33 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 131 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 23 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota RAV4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 23V734, filed November 1, 2023: Electrical System › 12V / 24V / 48V Battery. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for RAV4 Hybrid AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 34 city / 30 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 74 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 8 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 36 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 11 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 33 complaints name the brakes component group (11 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 28 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,470). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 23 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,600). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 21 complaints name the speed control component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 19 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 19V503, filed June 28, 2019: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V831, filed December 20, 2017: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for RAV4, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for RAV4 LE/XLE, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for RAV4 AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for RAV4 Limited AWD/SE AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Toyota RAV4 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 112 to 176 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 FWD 4DR SUV: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,428 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 AWD 4DR SUV: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,549 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 HYBRID: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,891 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.