2018 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 10%of 333 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Toyota RAV4, 10% of the 333 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 11 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I'm driving at slow speeds the engine feels like it stalled or downshifted and the display gets dark but car is still 'on', however, it will no longer accelerate. The steering seems to be affected too. Unfortunately, it only resolved by turning the car off and back on, causing traffic to stop or swerve to avoid hitting me 3x the past 2 weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #11282038, filed 2019-11, 8,000 miles“While driving on saturday morning 9/29/18, I stopped at a stop light and my 2018 Toyota RAV4 lost all engine power while in traffic. The computer video screen showed the message charging system failure\malfunction . I then attempted to restart the vehicle and it did not crank over, I waited a few seconds, made another attempt , the vehicle started. I pulled over and parked the vehicle, looked up the error message in the car manual and it instructed me that it was a serious problem and to take the vehicle immediately to the nearest Toyota dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11132810, filed 2018-10, 3,500 miles“Car is failing to speed up past 60 unless using cruise control then the car used a lot more gas then normal. I also tried to pass a car to get up to highway speed and was unable to, very dangerous on the highway. Then the car would not go past 40 I tried to switch from eco to sport to normal thinking that maybe the computer was confused but that did nothing. So after trying to speed up multiple times I got a hybrid malfunction light and told to pull over. This has happened to me in the past as well. Toyota dealer was unable to diagnose any issues with it and just reset the computer.”
NHTSA complaint #11353870, filed 2020-09, 66,000 miles“While driving the car just shut down and the code read charging system malfunction, we had it towed to the dealership and they erased the codes but they acknowledged they existed however they said there is nothing wrong and want us to continue driving this vehicle with no assurance it will not happen again”
NHTSA complaint #11176121, filed 2019-02, 4,700 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11399839, filed 2021-03, 21,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11005119Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- 11005061Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- 10179702Aug 7, 2020TT: The Toyota Quality group is looking to better understand our customers expectation regarding vehicle drivability. Specifically, we are looking at vehicle surge/hesitation…
- 10179606Aug 7, 2020TT: The Toyota Quality group is looking to better understand our customers expectation regarding vehicle drivability. Specifically, we are looking at vehicle surge/hesitation…
- 10177592Jun 12, 2020TT: The Toyota Quality group is looking to better understand our customers expectation regarding vehicle drivability. Specifically, we are looking at vehicle surge/hesitation…
- 10177575Jun 1, 2020TT: The Toyota Quality group is looking to better understand our customers expectation regarding vehicle drivability. Specifically, we are looking at vehicle surge/hesitation…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10150002Sep 5, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE September 5, 2018 Rev2: ? The Production Change Information section has been added. May 08, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2017 ?…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 15% |
| 2024 | 38 | 22% |
| 2023 | 25 | 15% |
| 2022 | 27 | 18% |
| 2021 | 41 | 11% |
| 2020 | 180 | 28% |
| 2019 | 207 | 23% |
| 2018 | 33 | 10% |
| 2017 | 31 | 10% |
| 2016 | 25 | 10% |
| 2015 | 37 | 12% |
| 2014 | 31 | 16% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 22 | 8% |
| 2011 | 33 | 12% |
| 2010 | 21 | 5% |
| 2009 | 27 | 8% |
| 2008 | 137 | 24% |
| 2007 | 195 | 19% |
| 2006 | 109 | 15% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 11 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% |
| 2002 | 22 | 4% |
| 2001 | 9 | 3% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2018 Toyota RAV4
130 complaintsOther or unknown
71 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