2018 Toyota Rav4 Engine Problems
12 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (12)
While stopped at a traffic light, your RAV4 suddenly accelerated on its own and hit the vehicle in front of you, even though you had your foot on the brake. The engine revved during this acceleration, and the car continued moving forward for about 20 feet. This same problem happened again at another stop, where you had to press the brake pedal very hard to stop the car after it traveled another 20 feet. No warning lights appeared, and the airbags did not deploy.
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Crankshaft Sprocket prematurely breaks the guide for timing chain and engine issues. Results in a harsh start starting around 60k miles
See attached document for complaint
Incident - [XXX] Car was not accelerating, started to lose power while driving on freeway approximately 70 mph, putting myself and other drivers in danger. Car finally stalled, was not turning on and AAA towed car to my local service shop - Downtown Toyota of Oakland 4145 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611. Downtown Toyota of Oakland quoted me for diagnostic, new battery, new alternator and labor. [XXX] Looked my vehicle up by VIN and discovered multiple recalls due to battery issues and electrical issues resulting in the risk of fire. [XXX] Downtown Toyota of Oakland replace battery due to failing battery test results. [XXX] Submitted Battery Reimbursement form through AAA because battery fell under warranty. Battery had been purchased through AAA on [XXX]. [XXX] My 2018 Toyota is on its third battery replacement and needing a new alternator after 5 years with under 55,000 miles. This to me, confirms my Toyota is experiencing battery/electrical issues outlined in the recalls and the costs incurred having to replace an alternator which typically get replaced on vehicles much older than mine with between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. [XXX] Take my Toyota into Downtown Toyota to be looked at because of recalls. I provided Toyota's numbers for this recall (23TB13 and 23TA13). They did not do an inspection or service because they said that they did not have a solution yet. [XXX] Recall displayed on your website for my vehicle's VIN number. [XXX] The message "No recalls are currently applicable to your vehicle" displayed through Downtown Toyota of Oakland's website under OEM Recalls section when provided my vehicle's VIN number. I am filing this complaint for two reasons: 1). Toyota is failing to remedy this safety recall on my vehicle in a timely manner. 2). Downtown Toyota of Oakland website not displaying the current recall information is misleading to consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was transmitting heat and a foul odor. The contact stated that the heat and odor entered the cabin of the vehicle even though the air condition was not activated. The contact stated that the heat was coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 55,000.
We purchased a 2018 RAV 4 from a DCH Toyota Dealership in Freehold on March 16,2023. In the beginning of June 2023, we saw a message on the dashboard indicating TRAC off and AWD malfunction 2wd mode. the mechanic that we took it too to do a diagnostic to let us know what this message means says there is a transmission problem. In the end, the dealership gave us a junk of a car that was on its last leg and this is misleading your customers. We should not be facing this type of issues 3 months in driving a car.
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately at 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut down completely. Prior to the shutdown, the instrument panel continuously was flashing. The contact drove safely to the side of the highway. The contact noticed smoke and fire being exhausted from under the driver side of the engine. The contact notified 911, and the fire department arrived on the scene. The fire department extinguished the fire with water and a fire extinguisher. There was a fire department report filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The fire department and towing company informed the contact the vehicle was completely lost. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 20-25 MPH and making a turn into a parking lot, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering and electrical power twice. The contact continued to drive and as she drove over a speed bump, the vehicle stalled and lost electrical power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact quickly exited the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The Chevrolet dealer who sold the vehicle to the contact was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
The car lost the power and speed and got an error "AWD sytem malfunction, 2WD mode engage, see dealer". Car stopped and then did not restart. Itis dangerous situation where car lost the speed a d power the middle of the road in traffic.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING AND RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE IN THEIR GARAGE, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT QUICKLY ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND REVERSED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED FRANK FLETCHER TOYOTA (2209 S RANGELINE RD, JOPLIN, MO 64804 (417) 622-5447) AND WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED THEY COULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.