What 328 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Phev

The tailgate does not lift all the way. The hinges are intact. I believe its a pistón or sensor problem.

NHTSA ODI 11684195

I received a recall notice from Toyota in 2023 for battery defect that could case short circuit and risk of fire. as of today aug. 13, 2025 they have been unable to repair/replace.

NHTSA ODI 11680320

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while at a stop at a traffic light, the vehicle independently accelerated and rear-ended another vehicle. The engine revved during the acceleration while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle continued to accelerate for 20 feet. No warning lights illuminated. No air bags deployed. No injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not sought. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred while at a stop, and the vehicle traveled approximately 20 feet before coming to a complete stop while forcefully depressing the brake pedal. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,368.

NHTSA ODI 11676904

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while parked at the residence, the contact turned off the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle lost power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 11675084

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. An unknown 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11674294

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair. The contact was informed that the correct size battery needed to be purchased to replace the current battery before the recall repair could be performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that battery was not the correct size, and a new battery was needed. The manufacturer declined to assist with the cost of replacing the battery. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11672250

I have had my car for about 2 1/2 years, never been in an accident or anything .. I take the car for an oil change and when I picked it up they informed me that they ran a diagnostics test that indicated that my transmission was out. They asked if I’ve been in any accidents, but I assure them that I have been any accidents at all. The car has been driving perfectly fine but after that news, the car has been dying out! I don’t travel far in the car or go on road trips so I’m not understanding how the transmission has failed!

NHTSA ODI 11667470

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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11666714

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving into a parking lot at a very low speed when the vehicles engine shut off, the contact proceeded to attempt to restart the vehicle however the engine would not start, and upon inspecting underneath the hood of the vehicle the contact noticed that a flame had began to arise from the battery. The contact immediately proceeded to extinguish the fire with a towel. The vehicle was unoccupied as soon as the fire was noticed. A fire department report was not filed. A police department report was not filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed however, the contact was advised that further diagnosis was required in order to determine the cause for failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) as pthe robable cause for the failure experienced. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11666071

The recall (Manufacturer Recall # 23TB13; NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall did not cause a safety issue in this case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).

NHTSA ODI 11663001

The recall was for the battery size. This issues has been repaired by the Toyota Dealership 6969 Tyee Dr. SW Tumwater, Wa 98512 360 539-4000. Customer# [XXX] and invoice # [XXX]. I do not understand why I am getting notified of this recall from 2023 stating it has not been taken care of as of this date. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11661930

The recall (Manufacturer Recall # 23TB13; NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall has not caused a safety issue in my case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle for over a year (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).

NHTSA ODI 11661595

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that upon pressing the liftgate emergency release button, the liftgate opened half-way. Additionally, the contact stated that the liftgate had failed to latch or to lock securely while closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the liftgate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11661256

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 front driver's side door and the liftgate had failed to open intermittently while using the key fob. The contact stated that the front driver's side door opened upon pulling the interior door handle, and the liftgate would manually open with the key. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to smoothly shift into gear. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11660358

The recall (NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall did not cause a safety issue in my case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle for the last for the past year (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).

NHTSA ODI 11660137

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while it was raining, rainwater was leaking into the vehicle on the driver's side through the factory installed roof rack. The contact stated that water had accumulated under the brake and accelerator pedals. The contact stated that the floor mat was saturated with water. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the roof rack needed to be replaced and the electrical system needed to be inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,286.

NHTSA ODI 11660014

The vehicle's battery area caught fire. I was able to get out of the vehicle on time and call the fire department. Over 50% of the vehicle was consumed by the fire. Vehicle was my spouse's and she usually drives it alone with my [XXX] and she is [XXX]. Thankfully, I was driving it alone. NHTSA recall 23V734 came out on 11/2023 and they expected to have the fix by the end of 2024 but it never happened. The last vehicle maintenance by the dealer was in 02/15/2025. The vehicle has not been inspected yet but the insurance will make an appointment soon to do so. The preliminary findings of the fire department pinpointed the problem in the battery area. Prior to the fire, the vehicle shut down and the steering wheel locked. I turned it on and drove it out of the road and it did it again and when I came out of the vehicle, I saw smoke coming out of the hood and that's when I saw the fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11659003

The recall (Manufacturer Recall # 23TB13; NHTSA Recall # 23V734) has been un-repaired since 1 Nov 2023. The un-repaired recall did not cause a safety issue in this case, but I have moved to Canada and the recall has prevented me from registering and using the vehicle (it is not possible to complete the import process or register any vehicle that has an outstanding recall).

NHTSA ODI 11658626

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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11658559

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.

NHTSA ODI 11655796

I took a video: for at least the 6th time since owning this vehicle a multi alert shows up on dash. “Brake Power Low, Visit your dealer”, “Antilock Brake System Malfunction, visit your dealer”, “Lame departure alert, visit your dealer”, “Pre-collision system malfunction, visit your dealer”, “AWD system malfunction, 2WD mode engaged, visit your dealer”, I have 2 other Rav 4s both of which have also shown this issue. A 2016 & a 2017. The 2017 this happened twice I believe. The 2016 at least twice. It’s currently on now in my 2018. Been on 2 days, but was off previous 2 days, but on 1 day before that.

NHTSA ODI 11654911

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11653711

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 driving at various speeds, there was a clicking and humming sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The sound also occurred while starting the vehicle. The vehicle failed to start without a jumpstart. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The tire pressure sensor warning light remained illuminated with the tire pressure at the correct air pressure. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer did not diagnose the vehicle for additional failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11653441

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.

NHTSA ODI 11649022

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.

NHTSA ODI 11648829