2018 Toyota RAV4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Toyota RAV4 has a complaint index of 45 and ranks 12th worst among 21 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other RAV4 years. Electrical System complaints (149, 45% of all complaints) dominate, including fire reports, alongside 3 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 RAV4 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 331
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 31
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 32
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22.5 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
Top 2018 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System149 (45%)
- Other72 (22%)
- Engine50 (15%)
- Brakes31 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers21 (6%)
- Structure & Body18 (5%)
- Airbags16 (5%)
- Fuel System12 (4%)
- Steering11 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report batteries shifting or jumping in the engine compartment, sometimes followed by a fire.
- Some describe sudden loss of braking power, with brakes going to the floor and failing to stop the vehicle.
- Several owners report electrical fires starting near the cabin or engine bay, producing smoke and burning smells while parked or shortly after driving.
- Some drivers report unintended forward lunges when shifting into park at low speed, resulting in collisions with garages or structures.
- A few owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate-to-high speed collisions, including one involving an animal strike.
2018 Toyota RAV4 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V734000Nov 1, 2023Electrical System1,853,568 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.
Risk: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
- NHTSA 19V503000Jun 28, 2019Other1,325 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
- NHTSA 17V831000Dec 20, 2017Other649 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
2018 Toyota RAV4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
- Compared with other RAV4 model years, the 2018 has a complaint index of 45 and ranks 12th worst out of 21 years, which earns it a 'Good' verdict relative to the rest of the lineup.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2018 RAV4?
- The Electrical System accounts for 149 complaints, or 45% of all complaints for this year, including 32 reported fires.
- Does the 2018 RAV4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 RAV4, covering a battery tray fitment issue, a mislabeling of load capacity on floor mats, and an incorrect label issue shared with other Toyota models.
- How does the 2018 RAV4 compare to the 2019 and 2020 RAV4?
- The 2019 RAV4 has a complaint index of 95 and the 2020 has 90, both rated 'Avoid,' while the 2018's complaint index of 45 is notably lower and rated 'Good.'
- What was the median mileage for electrical complaints on the 2018 RAV4?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 8,940 miles at the time electrical system complaints were reported.