The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota RAV4 · 2018

2018 Toyota RAV4. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index38100 = average car
Complaints164NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold427,170U.S. model year
Per 100K sold38complaints
Year rank#9 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD23 / 29 / 25Regular$2,500
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)AWD22 / 28 / 25Regular$2,500
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AV-S6)AWD34 / 30 / 32Regular$1,950

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,300 and 38,100 miles. Median 12,000, from 157 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical17,0006,900–49,10041
Engine48,0008,300–67,00013
Brakes10,0001,800–18,20018
Transmission & drivetrain9,5008,700–34,60016
Lights5,600500–11,80014

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical20%
Brakes14%
Lights12%
Wipers & visibility11%
Speed control10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
348333314033

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 23V734000 Nov 2023 Electrical System / 12V/24V/48V Battery

    Defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.

    Risk. A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

    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. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers f

  • 19V503000 Jun 2019 Equipment / Other / Labels

    Defect. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk. An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • 17V831000 Dec 2017 Equipment / Other / Labels

    Defect. 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. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk. An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedBattery hold down bracket thermal events20212024

Manufacturer communications 183

Toyota filed 183 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and life

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Rav4 Hybrid SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardStandard

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201533100315,412Steering
201637131352,154Brakes
201733140407,594Brakes
201838164427,170Electrical
2019111508448,071Fuel or ev drive system
202088357430,387Fuel or ev drive system
202180319407,739Airbags

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data