MYRModel Year Report

2018 Toyota RAV4

● Typical for this model
2018 Toyota RAV4
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota RAV4 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2018 highlighted. 1994: 4 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaints 1996: 47 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 77 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 309 complaints 2002: 527 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 153 complaints 2005: 141 complaints 2006: 704 complaints 2006 2007: 1003 complaints 2008: 575 complaints 2009: 327 complaints 2010: 400 complaints 2010 2011: 286 complaints 2012: 260 complaints 2013: 255 complaints 2014: 194 complaints 2014 2015: 302 complaints 2016: 234 complaints 2017: 301 complaints 2018: 327 complaints 2018 2019: 867 complaints 2020: 624 complaints 2021: 375 complaints 2022: 132 complaints 2022 2023: 140 complaints 2024: 161 complaints 2025: 69 complaints 2025
2018: 327 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19944
19951
199647
199754
199877
199962
200030
2001309
2002527
2003314
2004153
2005141
2006704
20071003
2008575
2009327
2010400
2011286
2012260
2013255
2014194
2015302
2016234
2017301
2018327
2019867
2020624
2021375
2022132
2023140
2024161
202569

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 39%

39% of complaints: electrical system — 126 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My 2018 RAV4 caught fire and completely burned in a matter of minutes. I was sitting in traffic that had stalled because of road construction when I first smelled something hot. No dashboard lights or gauges indicated any issues.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231118

MY RAV4 CAUGHT FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHILE PARKED ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 12+ HOURS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180822

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 32 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING IN A FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH. IT WAS A STOP AND GO PACE BECAUSE THERE WERE AROUND 5 CARS BEFORE ME AND WAS TRAVELING APPROX 3 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171227

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7%

7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20180123 — equipment

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.

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.

Campaign 17V831000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190823 — equipment

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.

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.

Campaign 19V503000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210225 — PE (closed 20240812)

Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events

R 20241227 — electrical system

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles.

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.

Campaign 23V734000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2018 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (126 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 17V831000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V503000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V734000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1996 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2019 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2018 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota RAV4?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota RAV4 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.