2018 Toyota RAV4 Driver assistance Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11754574

Incident

Jun 20, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11753295

Incident

Mar 15, 2026

Mileage

40,000 mi

I was on the freeway driving home and a vehicle cut me on the freeway which resulted in me breaking a little heavier than usual but wasn't abnormal and resulted in the vehicle shutting down due to the battery jumping around in the engine compartment and then instantaneously catching on fire with no way of steering or guiding myself to safety the highway did arrive on scene as well as ambulance and they only asked for registration and vehicle ownership which I hadn't presented but since a tow truck was on its way already they really had no reason to be there other than to make sure I was okay I do have case number and any other information needed for my vehicles abrupt explosion. This incident has been reported to Toyota of Anaheim as well as brand engagement been calling but haven't received helpful information on my loss

NHTSA ID

11643058

Incident

Aug 16, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11609971

Incident

Jul 12, 2024

Approximately mid May 2023, 5:15 PM +/_, while stopped at a red light while leaving the work parking structure, the engine revved up and wanted to move forward. Forcing the driver to apply heavy pressure on the brakes to avoid being forced into the intersection. An opening presented itself, the brakes were released and the car entered the intersection. Once moving forward the "unintended acceleration" stopped and the car performed as normal.There were no check engine, need service lights or indicators on the dash. With none of the above present we didn't expect a dealership to take our word of the incident. Then, on Oct 19th, app 5:30 PM the unintended acceleration happened again. While in town driving and stopped at a red light the engine revved up and the unintended acceleration was trying to force the car forward. Excessive pressure was needed on the brakes to hold the car in place and the transmission was put into park. Once in park the revving stopped. With a foot on the brake the car was put into drive and it performed normally. The driver was upset with a high level of anxiety of not knowing if or when it could happen again. The potential of hitting a pedestrian, another vehicle or being T-boned was very high in both incidents. An appointment was made at the dealership t next day and couldn't get it in until 10-31-23, 7:20 PM. Before taking it to the dealership we tried to replicate the unintended acceleration. After 8 miles and 30 minutes we were not successful. The dealership could not reproduce the event but acknowledged with documentation that this is a known problem. I am in possession of a Toyota Dealer UA Process Flow chart specific to these events. After the dealer went into the vehicle history they are saying there is nothing wrong with the car and the cause is driver error. The dealer can not give me a specific date of the event they claim was driver error. We have driven the car for almost 4 years, majority driven by one person with no incident.

NHTSA ID

11553323

Incident

Oct 19, 2023

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? When driving the Rav4 the dashboard started to alert that different systems where failing. For example, it was flashing Blind Spot Failure, Land Departure Failure, Front Collision Failure. It the warnings where non-stop while driving the car flashing through the different messages. Yes the car is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? With all the systems altering failure the car no longer became safe to drive and had the potential to stall while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the Toyota service center determined that the car was unsafe to drive due to the failure of the internal wire harness shorting out. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, but a Toyota service center. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No symptoms, the dashboard just started lighting up like a Christmas tree on 7/15.

NHTSA ID

11536123

Incident

Jul 15, 2023

Front miliwave sensor malfunction (Radar senor) required replacement immediately due to safety concerns by dealer. Because it could cause unintentional braking. Also because this system is connected to other safety features. I only purchased this car recently from a third party car dealer less than a year ago and this problem only went on for less than a week before service. And the only warning was that the adaptive cruise control stopped working.

NHTSA ID

11522433

Incident

Apr 25, 2023

On 8/31/2022 I was turning into the driveway of a friend. All of a sudden my car accelerated. There was another car in the driveway in front of me. I was trying not to hit it, so turned my steering wheel sharply to the right. I left the driveway, turning into a side yard, and then it seemed the brakes wouldn't work. I hit a tree, and went over a large rock, which stopped my car. As it happened, I did hit the other car. its back right bumper was hit, and my front left was crushed. My car was towed to an auto shop on 9/6/2022. It is not drivable. Incident was reported to my insurance that evening. My local agent told me to report to you on 9/9/2022.

NHTSA ID

11483738

Incident

Aug 31, 2022

While driving on a 50 mph Highway with the cruise control on and no vehicles or anything in front of the car for more than a half a mile the vehicle braked suddenly as if the system sensed it was going to hit something. I pulled off the road shut the car off and restarted the car and it operated normally after that. I would be concerned of a rear Collision due to this occurring for no reason

NHTSA ID

11452976

Incident

Apr 15, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and attempting to pass another vehicle, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboard and the vehicle responded after approximately 5 seconds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an unnamed dealer three times to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic found no issues with the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that while he was driving 60 MPH on the interstate, the failure reoccurred. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboard, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment, then he continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was next taken to Northshore Toyota Sales (68500 Hwy 190 Service Rd, Covington, LA 70433) who diagnosed that no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 11,489.

NHTSA ID

11446900

Incident

May 16, 2021

Mileage

11,489 mi

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!

NHTSA ID

11444921

Incident

Dec 24, 2021

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!

NHTSA ID

11430371

Incident

Aug 10, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11428580

Incident

Jun 9, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11425473

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

70,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11424863

Incident

Jun 12, 2021

CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL, DUE TO A CAR IN FRONT, IT WAS DRIVING 10 MILE BELOW THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED. A NEW CAR CAME IN BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE PREVIOUS CAR IN FRONT, MY CAR STARTED SPEEDING UP SUDDENLY. I HIT THE BREAK AND CANCELED CRUISE CONTROL IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES DO FAR. ONLY SEEM TO HAPPEN RARELY WHEN SOME NEW OBJECT COMES IN BETWEEN.

NHTSA ID

11415226

Incident

Apr 30, 2021

Mileage

25,000 mi

TRAFFIC STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR DIDN'T. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM STARTED BUT IT DIDN'T STOP. ALMOST EVERY AIRBAG DEPLOYED EXCEPT THE PASSENGER, IT WAS OFF. MY DASH READ THAT ABS FAILED CONTACT DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11390787

Incident

Jan 29, 2021

Mileage

61,000 mi

THE LANE DEPARTURE WARNING BUZZER'S WARNING CANNOT BE HEARD ON THE ROAD WITH THE RADIO ON LOW VOLUME OR WITH A RADIO OFF BUT DRIVING ABOVE 75MPH DUE TO THE ROAD NOISE. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS TO DIFFERENT DEALERS RESULTED IN COMMENTS THAT THE BUZZER WORKS AS DESIGNED. CALLS TO TOYOTA'S "BRAND ENGAGEMENT ADVOCATE" RESULTED IN ADVICE TO GO TO A DEALER. THEY HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO INSTRUCT THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE BUZZER. I UNDERSTAND THAT LDW IS MANDATORY FOR 5 STARS SAFETY RATING, BUT I CANNOT FIND THE SPECIFICATION FOR THIS SAFETY FEATURE.

NHTSA ID

11384098

Incident

Feb 10, 2019

Mileage

75 mi

WHILE IN REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE (STOPPED) THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. WHILE FOOT STILL ON BRAKE THE VEHICLE HAD UNCOMMANDED FORWARD ACCELERATION (ENGINE REVVED UP LIKE FOOT FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL). VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD ~25 FT AND HIT THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE (FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL ENTIRE TIME). UPON IMPACT, THE VEHICLE HAD UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION IN REVERSE (FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL STILL). WAS ABLE TO TURN OF IGNITION AND PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER MOVING ~25FT IN REVERSE. AT FINAL STOP, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION LEVER WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. NOTE: TOW TRUCK DRIVER STARTED VEHICLE TO GO IN REVERSE A FEW FEET FOR POSITIONING. WITH ENGINE RUNNING, VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND GAS PEDAL PRESSED GENTLY. VEHICLE WENT IN REVERSE (< 2MPH) AS IT SHOULD. FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE AND VEHICLE PUT IN PARK IN ONE MOTION. VEHICLE IN PARK AND FOOT ON BRAKE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP AGAIN. KEY WAS TURN OFF. VEHICLE TOWED.

NHTSA ID

11373424

Incident

Nov 3, 2020

Mileage

13,800 mi

CAR IS FAILING TO SPEED UP PAST 60 UNLESS USING CRUISE CONTROL THEN THE CAR USED A LOT MORE GAS THEN NORMAL. I ALSO TRIED TO PASS A CAR TO GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED AND WAS UNABLE TO, VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT GO PAST 40 I TRIED TO SWITCH FROM ECO TO SPORT TO NORMAL THINKING THAT MAYBE THE COMPUTER WAS CONFUSED BUT THAT DID NOTHING. SO AFTER TRYING TO SPEED UP MULTIPLE TIMES I GOT A HYBRID MALFUNCTION LIGHT AND TOLD TO PULL OVER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THE PAST AS WELL. TOYOTA DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE ANY ISSUES WITH IT AND JUST RESET THE COMPUTER.

NHTSA ID

11353870

Incident

Sep 8, 2020

Mileage

66,000 mi

ON 7/3/20 AT ABOUT 3 PM EDT I WAS PREPARING TO TURN LEFT AND EXIT MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I WAS STOPPED. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED STRAIGHT AHEAD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I TRAVELLED ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET, CLIMBED AN ENBANKMENT AND LANDED IN A SMALL WOODED RAVINE. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT MY NEIGHBORHOOD ONTO A PAVED ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11338142

Incident

Jul 3, 2020

Mileage

15,000 mi

PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND HAD FOOT ON BREAK. GOING VERY SLOW TO PARK . WENT TO PUT CAR INTO PARK AND CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT GARAGE. BACKED UP AND CAR WENT VERY FAST SO HAD TO MOVE FORWARD AGAIN OUT OF ROAD. PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND CAT SURGED FORWARD AND OUT OF CONTROL. ABLE TO AVOID GARAGE BUT CAR WENT BESIDE GARAGE, AND INTO SLIGHT DROP OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR BY FLOORING BREAK AND PUTTING INTO PARK. CALLED POLICE THEY MADE REPORT, CALLED ROADSIDE SERVICE AND TOWED TO DOWNEAST TOYOTA IN BREWER MAINE. IT'S NOW GOING TO HAVE INFORMATION PULLED AND RESEARCHED TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED. NO PICTURES. A LOT OF DAMAGE TO FRONT AND MAYBE UNDERNEATH. CAR WENT OVER A CEMENT BLOCK.

NHTSA ID

11328730

Incident

Jun 5, 2020

Mileage

47,800 mi

MY 2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS 13,000 MILES. DRIVING AT 20 MPH ON A ONE-LANE SECONDARY ROAD WHEN VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED ON ITS OWN. STEPPING ON FOOT BRAKE HAD NO EFFECT. ACCELERATION WAS CONSTANT AND NON-STOP. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER, CAR SLOWED AS THOUGH MY FOOT HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR. THE PROBLEM WAS - MY FOOT HAD BEEN CONSTANTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE BUT I ONLY DROVE IT TO GET HOME. NOTE: FLOOR MATS WERE PROPERLY ANCHORED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328545

Incident

Jun 11, 2020

Mileage

13,000 mi

IN THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASE JANUARY 16TH, 2018, THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL HAS LOST TRACK OF AN SUV IN FRONT OF ME AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. DRIVER HAD TO INTERVENE. FIRST INSTANCE WAS A BROWN PONTIAC AZTEC IN CLEAR WEATHER DAYTIME. SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS A BLUE CHEVY ENCORE IN CLEAR WEATHER DAYTIME. THIRD OCCURRENCE WAS A BLACK ESCALADE IN CLEAR WEATHER AT NIGHT. VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET TO 70-80 MPH WITH THE CLOSEST DISTANCE SETTING.

NHTSA ID

11288606

Incident

Nov 28, 2019

Mileage

20,000 mi

SAME PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE 2014 RAV4 IS NOW HAPPENING WITH THE 2018 RAV4 STARTING FROM A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR MAKING A TURN THE CAR FAILS TO MOVE FOR MOMENT AS IF YOU DID NOT STEP ON THE GAS AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO MAKE TURNS UNLESS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11232077

Incident

Jan 31, 2018

Mileage

500 mi