2018 Toyota RAV4 Fuel system Problems

-Fuel leaks have been occurring since we purchased the car in April 2022. The previous owners never parked on an incline, so they never experienced the issue. -Fuel leaks when the car is parked on an incline when tank is between half full and full. -Leaks occur more often based on (1) the more full the tank is (we never top it off after the pump stops at gas station) and (2) when parked in direct sunlight. -In the photo and video from 12/15/23, it was a cool day (57 degrees), but the warmth from the sun, after previously being cloudy, caused expansion and the leak occurred with a half tank. -Leaks do not occur when parked with the nose facing downhill. -Safety: leaking gas is an inherent fire safety risk. Note the leak could occur while driving up a mountain. -No warning lamps or messages appear. -The car has been inspected by a Japanese car specialist and they were unable to identify the problem. -The car is available for inspection upon request. -I have a video of the fuel leaking, but that file type is not supported, so I uploaded it as a photo instead (3rd attachment). -Last photo shows difficulty of trying to clean up fuel. Permanent stains remain. Fuel breaks down the asphalt, which now has a hole in it and needs to be patched.

NHTSA ID

11589418

Incident

Dec 15, 2023

1. It is not clear what component or system failed. While driving at around 70 mph, after 2-3 hours of driving, there is an audible "clunk" sound from below the car. Typically this is followed by a shuddering of the engine/transmission/power train. The car momentarily looses acceleration/speed. There are typically one or two "clunks" alternating with one to four "shudders." There is no action when depressing the accellerator. At this point I typically pull over to a rest stop or side of the highway to let the vehicle rest, and then re-start the vehicle, which causes the issue to not re-occur when the vehicle is driven again. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. My safety and others' safety was put at risk by the vehicle not being able to accelerate when the accelerator is depressed. 3. The vehicle has been inspected by multiple Toyota dealers, including Watertown Toyota, Wellesley Toyota, and Wesboro Toyota (all in MA). The dealers all say they cannot duplicate the issue during test-driving an so they therefore cannot fix the issue. 4. No other warning lamps, messages, or symptoms appear prior to the failure. The most recent date this incident occurred was November 12, 2023. However this issue has been occurring a few times a year since approximately 35,000 miles. At approximately 55,000 miles I tried to get Wellesley Toyota to address the issue prior to the powertrain coming out of warranty at 60,000 miles. I reported this issue to Toyota recalls on Monday November 13, 2023. Toyota's case number for this issue is 231113002026.

NHTSA ID

11555226

Incident

Aug 12, 2021

Since I bought the car in 2018, the car has stalled two times while I am driving on the road. That was very dangerous because other drivers almost hit me from behind. The first time I had the problem, the Toyota dealer told me that it was likely caused by bad gas. It happened again this time today. I am bringing it to the dealer again, but likely not able to get a solution. At the same time, I am scared of driving it, yet I need to drive it for work and other necessities. Happened at 32k in August 2020, and 55k in January 9, 2022.

NHTSA ID

11500948

Incident

Jan 9, 2023

VEHICLE IN MOTION. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ON OTHER VEHICLE AND ACCELERATION STALLED OUT. THIS HASS OCCURED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. BUT IT IS NOT CONSISTANT ON ALL OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID

11399839

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

21,000 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

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY 2018 AND ON FEBRUARY 2019 THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND "CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. WITH THIS FAILURE, THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE CAR DID START UP AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE SELLING DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I IGNORED THE SAME FAILURE A COUPLE MORE TIMES, BUT WITH THE LAST FAILURE, I TOOK THE CAR TO BALL TOYOTA, CHARLESTON, WV. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS 3 ERROR CODES, PO 1603,1604,1605,P219A AND MADE A REFERRAL TO TOYOTA, TAS CASE #202130026. TOYOTA TOLD THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TANK SUB-ASSY. AND THE CANISTER ASSY.. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT I'M NOT SURE THEIR REPAIR WILL BE THE CORRECT FIX

NHTSA ID

11349726

Incident

Jul 26, 2020

Mileage

19,200 mi

GAS NEEDLE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN GAS TANK IS HALF FULL. THIS OCCURS WHEN AUTO IS STATIONARY, AND IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11320248

Incident

Apr 3, 2020

I PURCHASED MY 2018 RAV4 IN NOVEMBER 2019. I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS WHEN I DROVE TO WORK, THE CAR ACTED SLUGGISH, WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT WASN'T GOING FASTER. THEN I HAD TO GO TO BANK, MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE THE RPMS WENT UP TO 5 BUT CAR DIDNT MOVE, FINALLY CAR JUMPED SO I PRESSED ON GAS AN IT TRIED TO STALL SO I LET OFF, THEN CAR ACTED LIKE IT HAD POWER AGAIN THE CAR DID THIS ALL THE WAY TO BANK. IT SAT IDEAL WHILE I WAS AT THE BANK I NOTICED THE CAR SMELLED GASSY, THEN IT DID THE SAME ALL THE WAY BACK TO WORK. WHEN I GOT BACK TO WORK I CALL THE DEALERSHIP IN ENID WHERE I GOT IT AND HE EVEN SAID I MAY BE MY FUEL PUMP. LATER THAT DAY MY CAR SEEMED FINE. NOW IT FEELS LIKE IT WILL JUMP, SLUGGISH, OR STALLS LIKE IT DOESN'T GET GAS WHEN I HAVE A FULL TANK. I HAD GREAT GAS MILEAGE NOW IT TAKES 20 BUCK FOR 20 MILES NO JOKE. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN AMARILLO TX 4 DAYS AGO ABOUT CHANGING MY PUMP, SO SHOWS I HAD ISSUES LONG BEFORE I GOT SENT THE RECALL MESSAGE FROM A FRIEND. I CALL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ENID OK WHERE I GOT THE CAR AND HAVE PLANS TO TAKE IT IN ON THE 19TH TO BE LOOKED AT.

NHTSA ID

11316432

Incident

Jan 16, 2020

Mileage

1,500 mi

THIS IS AN UPDATE TO COMPLAINT # 11279255 FILED ON 11/10/2019. CAR STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING WITH "CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" APPEARING ON THE DASH NEXT TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER TAKING CAR TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IN CONSHOHOCKEN PA, THEY KEPT THE CAR ASKED QUESTIONS AND FINALLY FOUND A FAULTY VALVE IN THE GAS LINE THAT WAS FLOODING THE VAPOR CANISTER WITH GAS. TOYOTA STEPPED UP AND ALONG WITH THE PERSISTENCE OF THIS DEALERSHIP IN DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, IT WAS RESOLVED. THIS ISSUE WAS A THREAT TO LIFE AS IF IT HAD HAPPENED 10 MINUTES LATER WHEN THE CAR WAS ON AN INTERSTATE, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ID

11287441

Incident

Oct 10, 2019

Mileage

6,900 mi

WHEN I'M DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT STALLED OR DOWNSHIFTED AND THE DISPLAY GETS DARK BUT CAR IS STILL 'ON', HOWEVER, IT WILL NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE STEERING SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED TOO. UNFORTUNATELY, IT ONLY RESOLVED BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, CAUSING TRAFFIC TO STOP OR SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME 3X THE PAST 2 WEEKS.

NHTSA ID

11282038

Incident

Nov 13, 2019

Mileage

8,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS RUNNING OUT QUICKLY IN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE EMISSION (ECO) WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA (9101 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617) AND LEITH TOYOTA (8005 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616), BUT THEY FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,900.

NHTSA ID

11171814

Incident

Aug 4, 2018

Mileage

6,900 mi

AFTER PURCHASING OUR BRAND-NEW 2018 RAV4 FROM AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER, WE WERE HEADING BACK HOME. ON OUR WAY, WE NOTICED BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY BLACK SMOKE FILLED FRONT SIDE OF THE CABIN. I QUICKLY MOVED MY CAR TO THE RIGHT SIDE PARKING LOT. WHILE CHANGING THE LANE I COULD NOT EVEN SEE THE RIGHT MIRROR BECAUSE OF THE BLACK SMOKE IN THE CABIN. AS SOON AS I PARKED THE CAR AND WE GOT OFF THE CAR, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS FLAMES FROM THE HOODS WERE NOTICED I CALLED EMERGENCY SERVICE (911) AND TO OUR DISBELIEF TO WATCH OUR NEW CAR BURNING IN FRONT OF US. IT WAS ONLY 15 MINS DRIVE FROM DEALER WHEN WE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. IT TOOK ONLY 10 MINS TO SEE MY CAR WAS DESTROYED BY FLAMES. I COULD NOT GET ANYTHING OUT FROM FRONT OR BACK SEATS

NHTSA ID

11164698

Incident

Dec 24, 2018