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2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Aug 12, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes320.0%
  • Driver assistance213.3%
  • Fuel system213.3%
  • Powertrain (other)213.3%
  • Visibility213.3%
  • Electrical16.7%
  • Body & structure16.7%
  • Airbags16.7%
  • Engine16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the messages "Pre-Collision", "Braking Power Low", and "AWD System Malfunction" were displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on the previous two model years of the same vehicle, but no cause for the failure was found when the vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,700.

NHTSA ID 11680176 · filed Aug 12, 2025

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ON. OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE, I SAW A VERTICAL RED LINE FLASH ONCE ON THE DASH DISPLAY. SUDDENLY THE CAR BRAKED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS ALSO A LOSS OF POWER AS I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME. THANKFULLY THE TRUCK BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AND AVOID HITTING MY CAR. AFTER STOPPING, I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO A LOWER GEAR AND THEN BACK, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11187252 · filed Mar 16, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the messages "Pre-Collision", "Braking Power Low", and "AWD System Malfunction" were displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on the previous two model years of the same vehicle, but no cause for the failure was found when the vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,700.

NHTSA ID 11680176 · filed Aug 12, 2025

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ON. OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE, I SAW A VERTICAL RED LINE FLASH ONCE ON THE DASH DISPLAY. SUDDENLY THE CAR BRAKED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS ALSO A LOSS OF POWER AS I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME. THANKFULLY THE TRUCK BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AND AVOID HITTING MY CAR. AFTER STOPPING, I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO A LOWER GEAR AND THEN BACK, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11187252 · filed Mar 16, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON LONG TRIP GOING SOUTH ON HWY 101, VEHICLE STARTED BUCKING AND JERKING GOING 70ISH MPH. EV LIGHT WOULD COME ON LIKE IT WANTED TO SWITCH TO EV MODE. IT HAPPENED GOING DOWN A STEEP GRADE NEAR SAN LUIS OBISPO. IT STOPPED WHEN WE GOT TO FLAT GROUND. ABOUT 25 MILES LATER IT DID IT AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO RECORD A QUICK VIDEO OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TOOK IT TO ONE TOYOTA IN OAKLAND CA AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN. WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON ANOTHER LONG TRIP A FEW MONTHS LATER AND IT HAPPENED TO HER FOR ABOUT 1 1/5 HOURS. SEEMS LIKE SYSTEM RESETS AFTER CYCLING IGNITION AND SHE WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT AT THAT TIME.

NHTSA ID 11210210 · filed May 27, 2019

I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. IT WAS SLOPED BACKWARD. THE CAR WAS STOPPED COMPLETELY, AND SILENT. I WAS DISTRACTED BY A MINOR TASK, AND THEN EXITED THE CAR, INADVERTENTLY WITH THE POWER ON AND THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, NOT PARK. WHEN I NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT LOCK THE CAR, AND REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL ENERGIZED, I REACHED OVER AND PRESSED THE ON BUTTON TO TURN-OFF THE CAR-- WHICH IT DID. AT WHICH POINT THE CARD IMMEDIATELY HEADED BACKWARDS, DOWNHILL, CROSSED A STREET WHILE I WAS TRYING TO SLOW THE CAR FROM OUTSIDE THE DRIVERS DOOR, AND FINALLY HIT A LAMP POST AND STOPPED WITH DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER. I TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, WITH THE SAME RESULT: THE CAR CAN APPEAR TO BE OFF AND IN PARK, WHEN ON AN UPWARD SLOPE, BUT WITH THE CAR ACTUALLY ENERGIZED AND IN DRIVE. AND THERE IS NOTHING TO PREVENT ONE FROM TURNING OFF THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THERE IS NOTHING TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BACKWARD. AS A COMPARISON, A COLLEAGUE HAD A CHRYSLER PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID, WE TRIED THE SAME AND THE CAR WILL DEMAND TO BE PUT INTO PARK BEFORE RE-ENERGIZING. THUS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A TOYOTA-SPECIFIC HAZARD. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. I TWISTED MY KNEE TRYING DESPERATELY TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING-AWAY, BUT THE STRAIN WAS NOT NOTICEABLE BY THE NEXT DAY.

NHTSA ID 11204012 · filed Apr 26, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON LONG TRIP GOING SOUTH ON HWY 101, VEHICLE STARTED BUCKING AND JERKING GOING 70ISH MPH. EV LIGHT WOULD COME ON LIKE IT WANTED TO SWITCH TO EV MODE. IT HAPPENED GOING DOWN A STEEP GRADE NEAR SAN LUIS OBISPO. IT STOPPED WHEN WE GOT TO FLAT GROUND. ABOUT 25 MILES LATER IT DID IT AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO RECORD A QUICK VIDEO OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TOOK IT TO ONE TOYOTA IN OAKLAND CA AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN. WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON ANOTHER LONG TRIP A FEW MONTHS LATER AND IT HAPPENED TO HER FOR ABOUT 1 1/5 HOURS. SEEMS LIKE SYSTEM RESETS AFTER CYCLING IGNITION AND SHE WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT AT THAT TIME.

NHTSA ID 11210210 · filed May 27, 2019

I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. IT WAS SLOPED BACKWARD. THE CAR WAS STOPPED COMPLETELY, AND SILENT. I WAS DISTRACTED BY A MINOR TASK, AND THEN EXITED THE CAR, INADVERTENTLY WITH THE POWER ON AND THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, NOT PARK. WHEN I NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT LOCK THE CAR, AND REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL ENERGIZED, I REACHED OVER AND PRESSED THE ON BUTTON TO TURN-OFF THE CAR-- WHICH IT DID. AT WHICH POINT THE CARD IMMEDIATELY HEADED BACKWARDS, DOWNHILL, CROSSED A STREET WHILE I WAS TRYING TO SLOW THE CAR FROM OUTSIDE THE DRIVERS DOOR, AND FINALLY HIT A LAMP POST AND STOPPED WITH DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER. I TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, WITH THE SAME RESULT: THE CAR CAN APPEAR TO BE OFF AND IN PARK, WHEN ON AN UPWARD SLOPE, BUT WITH THE CAR ACTUALLY ENERGIZED AND IN DRIVE. AND THERE IS NOTHING TO PREVENT ONE FROM TURNING OFF THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THERE IS NOTHING TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BACKWARD. AS A COMPARISON, A COLLEAGUE HAD A CHRYSLER PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID, WE TRIED THE SAME AND THE CAR WILL DEMAND TO BE PUT INTO PARK BEFORE RE-ENERGIZING. THUS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A TOYOTA-SPECIFIC HAZARD. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. I TWISTED MY KNEE TRYING DESPERATELY TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING-AWAY, BUT THE STRAIN WAS NOT NOTICEABLE BY THE NEXT DAY.

NHTSA ID 11204012 · filed Apr 26, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 84 IN CALIFORNIA AND A CRACK DEVELOPED IN MY WINDSHIELD. I DID NOT FIND A CHIP WHERE THE CRACK DEVELOPED. SO NO ROCK HIT MY WINDOW. THE CRACK STARTED ON THE VERY TOP OF THE GLASS UNDER THE RUBBER SEAL. I HAVE LESS THAN 2000 MILES ON THE SUV.

NHTSA ID 11110621 · filed Jul 10, 2018

DURING THE BITTER COLD (14 F) AND SNOW, THE VIPER OF THE VEHICLE DIDN'T CLEAR THE ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO STOP 3 TIMES IN 10 MILES FROM LOVELAND CLINIC TO FORT COLLINS, CO ON HIWAY 287 TO CLEAR THE ICE ON VIPER BLADES WHLIE OTHER CARS FROM DIFFERENT MAKERS KEEP RUNNING. THE ICE BUILT UP ON THE TOP WINDSHIELD RIGHT ON THE BIG CENSOR BOX, AND AT THE BOTTOM PART OF THE WINDSHIELD THERE THE VIPER BLADES RESIDE. IN THE LAST 100 FEET, THE VISIBILITY CAME TO NONE. THERE WERE SOME OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL COMING TO THE DEALERS TO FILE THEIR COMPLANTS, BUT THE PERSONELS DIDN'T GIVE THE RIGHT ADVICES. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE TO TOYOTA BEFORE IT TOO LATE LIKE THE CAMRY SPEEDING COUPLE YEARS AGO.

NHTSA ID 11074413 · filed Feb 23, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. The contact recharged the vehicle and the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to Toyo Cars, where it was diagnosed with an auxiliary battery failure. The dealer was contacted to order the part, but the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was not available due to the global pandemic. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

NHTSA ID 11642781 · filed Feb 14, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WE WERE DRIVING ON I 80 APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE WEST OF DIXON AT ABOUT 65MPH. THE DAY WAS SUNNY AND TEMPERATURE APPROXIMATELY 60F. THERE WAS NO OVERPASS NEARBY. WE THEN HEARD AN EXPLOSION LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST AND GLASS CAME INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE PARTIALLY OPEN SUNSHADE ON THE ROOF. NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE TOOK THE NEXT EXIT AND DISCOVERED THE MOON ROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE MAJORITY OF GLASS WAS GONE, INDICATING IT HAD GONE UP INTO THE AIR. THE CAR IS 7 MONTHS OLD. IT'S EXTREMELY UNLIKELY ANY OBJECT HIT THE MOON ROOF FROM ABOVE SO IT'S OUR OPINION THE GLASS WAS DEFECTIVE. TOYOTA HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY UNDER ITS WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID 11172373 · filed Jan 27, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (THOMPSONS TOYOTA, 140 FORNI RD, PLACERVILLE, CA 95667), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO WAIT FOR THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ID 11088495 · filed Apr 16, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change by a certified mechanic, the contact was informed that there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir. The mechanic confirmed that the radiator, hoses, and thermostat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. While the contact was checking the coolant levels, the coolant level was always lower than expected. The contact was continually adding coolant. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,500.

NHTSA ID 11667638 · filed Jun 18, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .