2018 Toyota RAV4 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 130about this part
- Share
- 39%of 333 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 130 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Toyota RAV4, 39% of the 333 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 23 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving to work around 740am on 287 south just past rt 24. Dashboard has 4wd warning and smoke coming out from hood. I quickly moved to the shoulder and fire broke out before car came to full stop, all within one minute. I barely escape the car and called police and fire dept. They came and put off the fire. There are two explosions before the fire was put off.”
NHTSA complaint #11183106, filed 2019-02, 10 miles“I was waiting at the traffic light to turn green once it did I pressed the gas pedal to go and the vehicle stall and lost power completely and gave a message saying power failure and a picture of a battery after this happened the vehicle was able to start back up”
NHTSA complaint #11416227, filed 2021-05, 21,000 miles“My 2018 Toyota RAV4 has stalled 5 times while driving on city streets in moving traffic, first time in feb 2019 while driving home from work, in april three times while driving to work and one time while driving home from work(rush hour). All documented with Toyota. Occurs when I take my foot off the gas while driving, and difficulty restarting after it stalls with loss of power and sputtering. 'charging system malfunction' warning msg appeared on dashboard(I took photo and emailed to Toyota). …”
NHTSA complaint #11205338, filed 2019-05, 8,940 miles“My 2018 Toyota RAV4 has stalled 5 times while driving on city streets in moving traffic, first time in feb 2019 while driving home from work, in april three times while driving to work and one time while driving home from work(rush hour). All documented with Toyota. Occurs when I take my foot off the gas while driving, and difficulty restarting after it stalls with loss of power and sputtering. 'charging system malfunction' warning msg appeared on dashboard(I took photo and emailed to Toyota). …”
NHTSA complaint #11205340, filed 2019-05, 8,940 miles“My 2018 Toyota RAV4 has stalled 5 times while driving on city streets in moving traffic, first time in feb 2019 while driving home from work, in april three times while driving to work and one time while driving home from work(rush hour). All documented with Toyota. Occurs when I take my foot off the gas while driving, and difficulty restarting after it stalls with loss of power and sputtering. 'charging system malfunction' warning msg appeared on dashboard(I took photo and emailed to Toyota). …”
NHTSA complaint #11205342, filed 2019-05, 8,940 milesRelated recalls
- 23V734000Nov 1, 2023Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2013–2018
Related service bulletins
- 11020667Jun 18, 2025Campaign Expired - replaced with campaign 23TA13TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY 21TG01 12-VOLT BATTERY SIZE AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION CERTAIN 2013 – 2018 RAV4
- 11020666Jun 18, 202521TG01 Exprired - Replaced with Campaign 23TA13 During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid…
- 11020657Jun 13, 2025The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service…
- 11007433Jul 1, 2024During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota…
- 11006139Jul 1, 2024During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota…
- 11005132Jun 27, 2024TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY 24TE03 Rav4 Battery Class Action Settlement CERTAIN 2013 – 2018 Model Year RAV4
- 11005131Jun 27, 2024On April 9, 2024, a settlement of claims for certain 2013-2018 model year Rav4 vehicles was preliminarily approved by the federal court. The court will hold a Fairness Hearing on…
- 11005130Jun 27, 2024On April 9, 2024, a settlement of claims for certain 2013-2018 model year Rav4 vehicles was preliminarily approved by the federal court. The court will hold a Fairness Hearing on…
- 11005074Jun 27, 2024TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY 24TE03 Rav4 Battery Class Action Settlement CERTAIN 2013 – 2018 Model Year RAV4
- 11005073Jun 27, 2024On April 9, 2024, a settlement of claims for certain 2013-2018 model year Rav4 vehicles was preliminarily approved by the federal court. The court will hold a Fairness Hearing on…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 18% |
| 2024 | 32 | 18% |
| 2023 | 43 | 26% |
| 2022 | 40 | 27% |
| 2021 | 47 | 12% |
| 2020 | 119 | 19% |
| 2019 | 103 | 12% |
| 2018 | 130 | 39% |
| 2017 | 108 | 35% |
| 2016 | 59 | 25% |
| 2015 | 85 | 28% |
| 2014 | 69 | 35% |
| 2013 | 75 | 29% |
| 2012 | 30 | 12% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 19 | 6% |
| 2008 | 27 | 5% |
| 2007 | 76 | 8% |
| 2006 | 42 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 6% |
| 2003 | 42 | 13% |
| 2002 | 92 | 17% |
| 2001 | 60 | 19% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2018 Toyota RAV4
71 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology