2018 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was water leaking from the driver's side visor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that water was entering the vehicle through the sunroof and traveled throughout various areas of the vehicle including the visor, dashboard, and door panels. The vehicle was not repaired. After receiving the diagnosis, the contact's insurance provider was informed, who then sent an appraiser to inspect the vehicle. Upon a visual inspection of the vehicle, the insurance appraiser discovered toxic mold throughout the interior panels of the vehicle including under the dashboard and door panels. The mold presence was extensive, and the vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance provider. The contact stated that she and her husband had experienced unexplainable periods of illness that were later attributed to the presence of mold in the vehicle but were at the time unaware of a possible cause. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 55,000.

XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX 11/13/2025 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. 19001 South Western Avenue Torrance, CA 90501 Subject: Complaint Regarding Torque Converter Shudder – 2018 Toyota RAV4 AWD To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious transmission defect in my 2018 Toyota RAV4 AWD, specifically a torque converter shudder that has been documented by Toyota technicians. The vehicle exhibits pronounced shuddering between 25–50 mph under light throttle, consistent with the torque converter failures previously acknowledged by Toyota in earlier RAV4 models (2013–2015). Toyota has extended warranty coverage for torque converter replacement in those earlier models, yet my 2018 RAV4—despite showing identical symptoms—has been excluded. The dealership has quoted me 9,000 for a full transmission replacement, even though the issue is well-documented and appears to be systemic across multiple model years. This situation raises serious concerns: - Toyota is aware of the defect but has limited coverage to select VIN ranges. - The cost of repair is excessive and disproportionate to the defect. - Consumers are left without recourse despite clear precedent for warranty extension. I respectfully request: 1. That NHTSA investigate whether the torque converter shudder in 2016–2018 RAV4 models constitutes a broader safety defect. 2. That Toyota extend its warranty program to include affected 2018 RAV4 vehicles. 3. That Toyota provide reimbursement or coverage for necessary repairs to restore safe vehicle operation. I am prepared to provide service records, dealership documentation, and correspondence confirming Toyota’s acknowledgment of the defect. Please advise on next steps and ensure this issue receives the attention it deserve 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 received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

There has not been a remedy for this recall for almost a year now. We were notified of the recall in Nov23'. Toyota said they'd have a remedy by mid 2024. It's now Sept2024 with no remedy in sight. It's not fair to the paying customers that we're just driving around vehicles that have the potential to actually explode. When discussing with my local Toyota dealership (in their defense, this was around Feb24' ), they said they'd be charging me for the pre-remedy inspection despite Consumer Advisory 21TG01.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Back rear window on truck door just shattered. Was sitting outside and just popped and shattered.

I was on the freeway driving home and a vehicle cut me on the freeway which resulted in me breaking a little heavier than usual but wasn't abnormal and resulted in the vehicle shutting down due to the battery jumping around in the engine compartment and then instantaneously catching on fire with no way of steering or guiding myself to safety the highway did arrive on scene as well as ambulance and they only asked for registration and vehicle ownership which I hadn't presented but since a tow truck was on its way already they really had no reason to be there other than to make sure I was okay I do have case number and any other information needed for my vehicles abrupt explosion. This incident has been reported to Toyota of Anaheim as well as brand engagement been calling but haven't received helpful information on my loss

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the battery had died. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was jump-started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the 12-volt battery. No warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4 The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact heard an abnormal grinding sound underneath the floorboard. The contact pulled over and it was difficult shifting to park(P). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle was not functioning normally. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had taken the vehicle to the same mechanic prior to the failure for two other transmission failures. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times within 18 months. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal had to be depressed with excessive force after being cut off by another vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, the steering wheel seized, and the instrument cluster went black. The contact was able to pull off the roadway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and became aware that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that there were flames coming from under the hood on the driver's side near the fire wall. The contact was able to smother the flames. The contact stated that the Fire Department arrived, and examined the engine compartment, and informed the contact that the battery was loosened, causing the cables to detach from the battery terminals, caused the short circuit and flames. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electric System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine hesitated while cranking. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for a battery replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,291 VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I was driving my car through the mountains on a very hot day. The speed limits are 65-70mph. After driving for a couple of hours, a warning light/message appeared: Hybrid system overheated Reduced output power The car began to have trouble maintaining speed. At one point I had to pull over and wait a while because the car became unresponsive to the accelerator. After waiting a bit, I was able to continue, but only at speeds around 40mph. I put my blinkers on because I was afraid of being hit by the other vehicles/trucks going 70. I took the car to a dealer outside of Pittsburgh and they could find nothing wrong, and no indication in the car's computer that anything had happened. I took the car to my local dealer when I got back home to Maryland, and they could find nothing. If they can't find what's wrong, they can't fix it. I have been in contact with Toyota customer service and they have no answers other than "see if it happens again". I am concerned that the car is no longer safe to drive if the temperature outside is high, and I need to go up steep hills.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electric System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Toyota hasn’t remedied this battery tray and tiedown fire risk recall in a timely manner. It’s been over a year.

Toyota issued a recall in November of 2023, claiming there would be a rememdy in December, but I have had no more communication and the dealers still can't offer a fix. It is May 2024 and I feel uncomfortable driving me car

I tried breaking and was on a hill with a small incline stopping behind a car as a pedestrian was crossing. When I pushed on the breaks lightly the car didn't break. So I pushed harder as the car in front of me was a few feet. When I pressed harder on the breaks the car actually accelerated and hit the car in front of me. The car made a strange noise and the warning that I was close to another car flashed on but the breaks failed to work at all. I had my breaks checked about 2 months ago when I had the tires changes and they said they were fine for now and just to have them looked at next tire rotation to evaluate. I've nver had issues with my breaks and my car took some damage. It was pretty terrifying.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the truck, she became aware that the trunk had failed to close properly, after which the contact was unable to open the trunk. The door ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the trunk hinges. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 35,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine, power steering, traction control, ABS, and battery warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle stalled. The contact also noticed white smoke coming from the engine area. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove with the white smoke to the nearest independent mechanic and replace the battery. The failure had been recurring. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who related the warning lights failure to an electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no solution. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 180,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The hip strap is fraying like several others have stated unclaimed. The clip that goes into the crotch buckle has plastic that pokes out a bit, and it’s not smooth where the hip tether passes through which which I believe is the cause for the fraying on the belt.

Basically the car keeps short circuiting and causing so many electric problems, it has caught a small flame. It randomly shut off on us while driving . I contacted my Toyota dealer and the manufacturer and i have not received any help. It is very dangerous to be driving my family in this vehicle.

Had issue with intermittant engine light and all warning lights going on with certain maneuvers. When lights on, car would turn off, while driving, if washers turned on. Dealer replaced alternator and thermostat, supposedly fixing, however, 3 days later same problem recurred and car turned off while traveling 70+ mph on major highway. Luckily, despite harrowing "near death" experience, we were able to maneuver off the road to await a tow.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.

My car caught on fire due to the battery shifting in February. I have all documentation of the process it took for Toyota to ever reach out just to tell me there was nothing they could do. I had to file a claim through insurance and pay some out of pocket for a fix. All for them to still have no remedy almost a year later. I can’t trade it in or else I’ll be under and have nearly 4-5k in negative equity since the car is now worth nothing due to the safety recall.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, she became aware that the front passenger’s side seat was wet. The contact stated that it was raining, and she thought that she had left the front passenger’s side window slightly open. The contact stated that as she was drying the front passenger’s side seat and became aware that water was leaking from the where the passenger’s side handle attached to roof of the vehicle. The contact stated that water had saturated the pillar and the front passenger’s side door covering. The contact was concerned that using the door or locking the door could result in a short circuit. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

I have recently attempted to exchange my current vehicle for another. However, I have discovered through a thorough examination of the carfax report that there is a recall on this particular vehicle. Unfortunately, no solution has been provided for this issue. As a result, the value of my car has been significantly impacted and the offer I have been given is considerably lower than its true value. In an effort to address this matter, I have reached out to Toyota and was informed that they are unable to take any action on this vehicle at the present time. This car is regularly used by my wife to transport our daughter to school, thus its safety and reliability are of utmost importance. Consequently, I am in urgent need of replacing this vehicle with a suitable alternative.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I purchased my 2018 Toyota RAV4 Limited Hybrid in June 2018. The automatic liftgate has been a consistent issue with this vehicle since January 2024. It either fails to close completely or takes an unusually long time to shut. I followed the official Toyota dealership videos and performed the recommended recalibration steps, but the problem remains unresolved. This is not just a matter of convenience. It presents a safety concern, particularly when loading items at night. Living in the Pacific Northwest, where it gets dark around 5 p.m., makes this even more concerning. I’m aware there is existing litigation related to this issue.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence and while attempting to leave, the vehicle had no electrical power. The contact took the battery to be tested and the battery tested to be in proper working order. The battery was replaced in the vehicle and the contact became aware that the wires were damaged. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired due to parts not being available. The contact stated that the wires should be replaced after seeing sparks coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

-Fuel leaks have been occurring since we purchased the car in April 2022. The previous owners never parked on an incline, so they never experienced the issue. -Fuel leaks when the car is parked on an incline when tank is between half full and full. -Leaks occur more often based on (1) the more full the tank is (we never top it off after the pump stops at gas station) and (2) when parked in direct sunlight. -In the photo and video from 12/15/23, it was a cool day (57 degrees), but the warmth from the sun, after previously being cloudy, caused expansion and the leak occurred with a half tank. -Leaks do not occur when parked with the nose facing downhill. -Safety: leaking gas is an inherent fire safety risk. Note the leak could occur while driving up a mountain. -No warning lamps or messages appear. -The car has been inspected by a Japanese car specialist and they were unable to identify the problem. -The car is available for inspection upon request. -I have a video of the fuel leaking, but that file type is not supported, so I uploaded it as a photo instead (3rd attachment). -Last photo shows difficulty of trying to clean up fuel. Permanent stains remain. Fuel breaks down the asphalt, which now has a hole in it and needs to be patched.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4.The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I received the recall notice a long time ago (DEC 2023?) I contacted Toyota 07/08/24 and they advised that a remedy was still being sought with a solution mid 2024? We are now in October and I have been told my battery should be replaced before it doesn't start. How long can they work on a solution? It seems the Toyotas affected will be retired before they do anything. Please address this concern for Toyota owners.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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. Then I saw smoke coming from underneath the hood. I immediately pulled the car over to the shoulder and got out to look under the hood. Flames already visible and fire too hot to raise hood. Vehicle was completely engulfed in minutes. Vehicle had 65000 miles and regularly serviced at a certified Toyota dealership. Original factory batteries still on vehicle.

Airbags malfunctioned "SRS Airbag System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer" error message after head on collision. No warning lights before crash. Car is transferred ownership to progressive.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Vehicle check engine light comes on, followed within 20 minutes by emergency alerts stating that multiple systems are failing or unavailable. It then says to get to a safe place within .3 miles. The car shuts itself down after .3 and is bricked until it is towed to a mechanic.this has happened 6 times this year.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact was able to jump-start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the battery was not holding a full charge and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 25,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.