2018 Toyota RAV4 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.

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.

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.

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).

I tried breaking and was on a hill with a small incline stopping behind a car as a pedestrian was crossing. When I pushed on the breaks lightly the car didn't break. So I pushed harder as the car in front of me was a few feet. When I pressed harder on the breaks the car actually accelerated and hit the car in front of me. The car made a strange noise and the warning that I was close to another car flashed on but the breaks failed to work at all. I had my breaks checked about 2 months ago when I had the tires changes and they said they were fine for now and just to have them looked at next tire rotation to evaluate. I've nver had issues with my breaks and my car took some damage. It was pretty terrifying.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon attempting to slow the vehicle, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the front of the vehicle, and the brake pedal required an excessive amount of force to slow the vehicle. The contact also stated that later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost all motive power. She was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be jumpstarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the braking system but did not provide a diagnosis in regards to the vehicle's loss of power. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

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.

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.

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.

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 extend its warranty program to include affected 2018 RAV4 vehicles. 3. That Toyota provide reimbursement or coverage for necessary repairs to restore safe vehicle operation. I am prepared to provide service records, dealership documentation, and correspondence confirming Toyota’s acknowledgment of the defect. Please advise on next steps and ensure this issue receives the attention it deserve INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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.

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.

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.

Was driving down the highway at 70 MPH and moon roof glass exploded out of nowhere. There were no warning signs and nothing struck the vehicle before the glass shattered.

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.

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.

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.

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.

-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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the truck, she became aware that the trunk had failed to close properly, after which the contact was unable to open the trunk. The door ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the trunk hinges. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 35,000.

The hip strap is fraying like several others have stated unclaimed. The clip that goes into the crotch buckle has plastic that pokes out a bit, and it’s not smooth where the hip tether passes through which which I believe is the cause for the fraying on the belt.

The contact's mother owned a 2018 Toyota RAV-4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over and noticed that there was smoke coming from the driver's side of the hood. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely before it caught fire. No medical attention was received. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE21005O. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The contact stated that while traveling at speeds of approximately 35-40 mph the electrical system started flashing and stopped working. Smoke and fire emerged from the left front hood and the contact was unable to turn the vehicle off. The manufacturer has since been made aware of this incident. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss.

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 contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clicking and humming sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The sound also occurred while starting the vehicle. The vehicle failed to start without a jumpstart. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The tire pressure sensor warning light remained illuminated with the tire pressure at the correct air pressure. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer did not diagnose the vehicle for additional failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I bought this car in 2018, I drive 4 miles per day more or less , I have only 25,486 miles and today during a regular inspection I found that my tires tread are on yellow 6/32", just the front (where I have Front Wheel Drive). Not sure how driving only in town can quickly wear a tire, by the time I pay off this car I will be with an expensive bill for change the tires. I had an used Subaru for 5 years and I never had to change the tires during 5 years, and I drove way more than Toyota, had 89,000 when the gaskets blew off. Not sure why car/tires companies make crap products to make us pay often.

SEATBELT N THE BACK FOR CHILD DON'T CHIME WHEN KIDS ARE OUT OF SEAT AS MANUFACTURERS MADE. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DON'T CHIME WHEN UNLATCHED LIGHT ISN'T DISPLAYED

I had been noticing since November 2020 a strange noise from the rear on the driver side anytime I parked the car, as it goes over a step about 2 inches in height when entering it. I took it to the dealer an explained them that it wasn't just the noise but that I could move with my hands the rear tire on the driver side back and forth. They told me NO PROBLEM FOUND. Also, that day I did have a wheel alignment done just in case. But I returned days later as it was not balance, the steering felt incorrect pulling right and left. And they tell me that the right front lower control arm needs replacement when the car has been driven 23,062 miles; I replaced it but the steering was still incorrect. I called TOYOTA (800) 331-4331 a case #210730001337 was opened. I was told to buy 3 new tires to correct the problem, I did it, yet the problem continues. I expected the dealer to do a wheel alignment after replacing the tires yet they lie about and they wanted me to drive away, I refused to do it and called TOYOTA and offered to pay for it and finally they agreed on doing it free and they found out that the rear alignment was off. Poor craftsmanship of the rear suspension parts for sure. That weird noise on the rear continues, the steering pulls right and left which increases risk of losing control and eventual crash and injury. I do trust the NHTSA to make things right do not be like BOEING and the FAA.

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.