10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,255 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Toyota RAV4 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Toyota RAV4:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2018 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #14

Jan 092023

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since I bought the car in 2018, the car has stalled two times while I am driving on the road. That was very dangerous because other drivers almost hit me from behind. The first time I had the problem, the Toyota dealer told me that it was likely caused by bad gas. It happened again this time today. I am bringing it to the dealer again, but likely not able to get a solution. At the same time, I am scared of driving it, yet I need to drive it for work and other necessities. Happened at 32k in August 2020, and 55k in January 9, 2022.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #13

Feb 012021

RAV4

  • 18,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that upon exiting a parking lot, with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact was forced to engage the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Once the vehicle was stopped, the contact was able to resume normal driving. After the initial failure, the contact experienced the failure on two separate occasions. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle remained in possession of the dealer. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #12

Nov 152021

RAV4

  • miles
This is the second time it has happened, the car completely shut off and nothing worked. The first time does happen our battery was two years old and we were told to change it. After changing the battery the car worked. Six months later the car completely shut off while driving. AAA came and said it was not an issue with the battery but rather the wiring. He played around with the wiring in the car somehow turned on. This is very dangerous because it happened on the freeway. There are some fault with the wiring on this model.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #11

Jun 122021

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Toyota RAV4 2018 car acceleration went out of control and crashed into a retaining wall. The airbags exploded and the steering wheel airbag burst. The car was totaled and is with State Farm. I was blessed to still be alive the car speed out of control on its own. I tried to push on the brakes but the car kept going. The accident could have been worse. No one else was injured only another car was hit. I did reach out to Toyota and they said it could take 4-6 weeks for someone to look at the car. I reach out to the dealer and waiting to hear back from the dealer. The police department issued me a ticket, I have court on July 23, 2021. State Farm insurance declared the car a total loss. No warning lamps or messages. The first same incident happened on April 3, 2021, and on June 12, 2021, was the day of the accident. The incident and accident happened at the same location. I would like to speak with someone at your organization. The car is at State Farm's collision place. I would like for your organization to look at the car. I will call to make sure that the car is still at the collision place.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #10

Jan 072021

RAV4

  • 58,000 miles
The vehicle downshifts 2X at 40 mph into a gear which makes the car lurch and the rpms go from 2000 to 4000. Happens during mild accelerator depression. If you romp on the gas this does not happen. When it does upshift the eco light comes on but then it upshifts again. The sensor does not select the right gear for the load.

- Hampton, NJ, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #9

Dec 232018

RAV4

  • 10,000 miles
I purchased my Rav4 brand new mid/late year 2018. In December at app. 10000 miles I started having issues with the gears. Shifting from park to any gear I would hear a loud banging type noise and the entire car would jerk. Along with that issues I have noticed a delayed acceleration at green lights sometimes to the point where I get a traction control light once it has kicked in or even jerking while finding the correct gear to be in. Once I have accelerated and let off the gas, and then returned to the acceleration pedal after braking or just momentarily resting my ankle with the car at speed, the car will "fish for gears" like it cannot decide which gear the car should be in. When going downhill and letting off the gas it will downshift, causing the car to jerk. All these issues happen often but completely at random. I have taken it to the dealer and brought it up multiple times during oil changes and tire rotation, but they say that cannot duplicate it or that it is just how the car works.

- Cochran, GA, USA

problem #8

Nov 062019

RAV4

  • 18,253 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle jerks and makes loud noise when the ev mode turns on momentarily at 60 miles per hour. This usually happens when going down hill and pressing accelerator after released for a few minutes. This does not always happen but when it does, feels like the rear tire has busted and the car is being forced to move. It has happened multiple times now and I have reported it to Toyota but the dealer cannot replicate the problem. It has occurred at least 8 times so far since I bought the vehicle in September 2018.

- Centralia, WA, USA

problem #7

Feb 132019

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 8,652 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. While driving 20 mph or less, the vehicle has stalled when the accelerator pedal was released in moving traffic 5 times. The failure occurred four times in April, 3 times while driving to work. The contact took the vehicle to Toyota escondido (231 E Lincoln pkwy, escondido, ca 92026, (760) 300-1112) to be diagnosed and three abnormal codes appeared, which indicated rough idling and failure with the vehicle starting. The manufacturing was contacted and could not locate a failure. The contact wrote to the dealer's owner and requested that they extend the warranty; however, the request was denied. The manufacturer promised to call the contact back, but did not call. The failure mileage was 8,652. Consumer stated toytoa was unable to establish a root cause. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 022019

RAV4

  • 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). I followed instructions in 2018 toyotal Rav4 owner's manual "stop the car immediately...continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous". had car towed to Toyota immediately. 3 trouble codes were recorded P1603(engine stall), P1604 startability malfunction, and P1605(rough idling), however they were unable to determine root cause of stalling and refused to keep my car to do further analysis despite the fact that I told them I did not feel safe driving vehicle, and my car is still under comprehensive warranty coverage. I contacted corporate, and they restated dealer conclusions and would not allow me to speak to a field tech specialist. I then emailed and wrote a letter to vp sales of Toyota, andrew gilleland. Rep from executive office called me. I asked for Toyota to provide me with either transportation assistance and a no cost-to-me extended comprehensive warranty until the underlying cause is determined and without further stalling incidences, or a replacement vehicle. He refused, despite all the significant potentially dangerous safety issues in a vehicle with less than 9,200 miles. Toyota does not appear to be concerned with reliability, peace of mind, and most of all safety. I have a case # with Toyota. I recently discovered there are several other reports on this site with same stalling issues as my car.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 022019

RAV4

  • 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). I followed instructions in 2018 toyotal Rav4 owner's manual "stop the car immediately...continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous". had car towed to Toyota immediately. 3 trouble codes were recorded P1603(engine stall), P1604 startability malfunction, and P1605(rough idling), however they were unable to determine root cause of stalling and refused to keep my car to do further analysis despite the fact that I told them I did not feel safe driving vehicle, and my car is still under comprehensive warranty coverage. I contacted corporate, and they restated dealer conclusions and would not allow me to speak to a field tech specialist. I then emailed and wrote a letter to vp sales of Toyota, andrew gilleland. Rep from executive office called me. I asked for Toyota to provide me with either transportation assistance and a no cost-to-me extended comprehensive warranty until the underlying cause is determined and without further stalling incidences, or a replacement vehicle. He refused, despite all the significant potentially dangerous safety issues in a vehicle with less than 9,200 miles. Toyota does not appear to be concerned with reliability, peace of mind, and most of all safety. I have a case # with Toyota. I recently discovered there are several other reports on this site with same stalling issues as my car.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #4

Apr 022019

RAV4

  • 8,940 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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). I followed instructions in 2018 toyotal Rav4 owner's manual "stop the car immediately...continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous". had car towed to Toyota immediately. 3 trouble codes were recorded P1603(engine stall), P1604 startability malfunction, and P1605(rough idling), however they were unable to determine root cause of stalling and refused to keep my car to do further analysis despite the fact that I told them I did not feel safe driving vehicle, and my car is still under comprehensive warranty coverage. I contacted corporate, and they restated dealer conclusions and would not allow me to speak to a field tech specialist. I then emailed and wrote a letter to vp sales of Toyota, andrew gilleland. Rep from executive office called me. I asked for Toyota to provide me with either transportation assistance and a no cost-to-me extended comprehensive warranty until the underlying cause is determined and without further stalling incidences, or a replacement vehicle. He refused, despite all the significant potentially dangerous safety issues in a vehicle with less than 9,200 miles. Toyota does not appear to be concerned with reliability, peace of mind, and most of all safety. I have a case # with Toyota. I recently discovered there are several other reports on this site with same stalling issues as my car.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #3

Apr 022019

RAV4

  • 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). I followed instructions in 2018 toyotal Rav4 owner's manual "stop the car immediately...continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous". had car towed to Toyota immediately. 3 trouble codes were recorded P1603(engine stall), P1604 startability malfunction, and P1605(rough idling), however they were unable to determine root cause of stalling and refused to keep my car to do further analysis despite the fact that I told them I did not feel safe driving vehicle, and my car is still under comprehensive warranty coverage. I contacted corporate, and they restated dealer conclusions and would not allow me to speak to a field tech specialist. I then emailed and wrote a letter to vp sales of Toyota, andrew gilleland. Rep from executive office called me. I asked for Toyota to provide me with either transportation assistance and a no cost-to-me extended comprehensive warranty until the underlying cause is determined and without further stalling incidences, or a replacement vehicle. He refused, despite all the significant potentially dangerous safety issues in a vehicle with less than 9,200 miles. Toyota does not appear to be concerned with reliability, peace of mind, and most of all safety. I have a case # with Toyota. I recently discovered there are several other reports on this site with same stalling issues as my car.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #2

Oct 082018

RAV4

  • 5,760 miles
The engine dies to idle speed and the car stops or slows down. The dealership says this is because of a 4 cylinder engine connected to a 6 speed transmission. There have been several times when I went to accelerate to get on the expressway and the car slows down. The people behind start backing up and are mad. I have to pull to side and let them by. My children are instructed to sue Toyota if my wife and I die in a car accident. This has to be a computer glitch. Its very dangerous.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #1

Nov 132017

RAV4

  • 3,150 miles
From a dead stop when accelerating the vehicle will not speed up it acts like its in 6th gear. To gain control I need to push the accelerator to the floor & then it speeds up almost uncontrollably. This happen at 12 times. See my comment below that I sent to Toyota corporate office. I have want I consider a severe safety issue with my 2018 Rav4 ([xxx]). upon accelerating from a stop the vehicle will not speedup it acts like it is in 6th gear to get it going I have put the gas pedal to the floor an then it sometime shoots ahead almost hitting a vehicle in front of me. Recently it happened 3 times in a row twice I got it to recover but the third time I needed to pull of the highway & restart the engine. This has happen at least 10 times. Phillips Toyota service said it is a fly by wire problem (computer controlled). My first visit phillips did not even write a service request on the second visit they did, but on 12/04/2017 they did not again. This going to cause either a rear end or front accident. When accidents happen litigation usually follows. Lets get this fixed. Phillip Toyota said other owners have had this same concern. 12/04/201 [xxx] cc: Consumer protection Agency national safety consul information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Leesburg, FL, USA

Not what you are looking for?