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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2018 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #9

Dec 202022

RAV4

  • miles

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

Power steering failed in April 2022, fixed by dealer in May 2022. Failed again in December 2022. Electric power steering system was replaced, contacting dealer today to have system checked. Very dangerous when steering goes out. It-??s like manual steering from the old days.

- Brainerd, MN, USA

problem #8

Dec 232022

RAV4

  • miles
During a turn... The steering locked up and a julting from all wheel drive system. No warning, slammed into road railing.

- Redding, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 062021

RAV4

  • miles
I had been noticing since November 2020 a strange noise from the rear on the driver side anytime I parked the car, as it goes over a step about 2 inches in height when entering it. I took it to the dealer an explained them that it wasn't just the noise but that I could move with my hands the rear tire on the driver side back and forth. They told me NO PROBLEM FOUND. Also, that day I did have a wheel alignment done just in case. But I returned days later as it was not balance, the steering felt incorrect pulling right and left. And they tell me that the right front lower control arm needs replacement when the car has been driven 23,062 miles; I replaced it but the steering was still incorrect. I called TOYOTA (800) 331-4331 a case #210730001337 was opened. I was told to buy 3 new tires to correct the problem, I did it, yet the problem continues. I expected the dealer to do a wheel alignment after replacing the tires yet they lie about and they wanted me to drive away, I refused to do it and called TOYOTA and offered to pay for it and finally they agreed on doing it free and they found out that the rear alignment was off. Poor craftsmanship of the rear suspension parts for sure. That weird noise on the rear continues, the steering pulls right and left which increases risk of losing control and eventual crash and injury. I do trust the NHTSA to make things right do not be like BOEING and the FAA.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #6

Aug 122021

RAV4

  • miles

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

The Electric Power System warning light came on for the first time and my car will not start.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #5

May 152021

RAV4

  • miles
We were driving when I made a right turn and suddenly the steering wheel locked on me and at the same time various warning lights lit up on my dashboard. The car slowed and I was able to regain control of the steering wheel to pull over. After driving a few miles further we once again came to a right turn and everything happened as before except with greater intensity. We tried to straighten the steering wheel for control and were able to pull over into an empty parking lot. By the time we came to a stop, which took all of just one or two minutes, smoke was coming out from under our hood. We quickly got out of our car and opened the hood to see the battery in flames. I called 911 while my husband poured his cup of water over the flames. It stalled the fire but it continued to spark until help arrived. I am certain if we had not had water the whole car would have caught on fire. The car was towed to a Toyota dealership where we were told that their was an issue with battery installation. At present it is being worked on but I have lost confidence in this vehicle especially since we got no warning that there was a problem and we could have been badly injured or killed if the circumstances had been different and we had not been able to pull over and get out or have water with us. We have since learned that this is an issue for many people who own this 2018 RAV4 vehicle. I also learned there is no recall on this issue. I hope that Toyota isn't waiting for someone to be seriously injured or die before they fix this problem.

- Euless , TX, USA

problem #4

Jan 102021

RAV4

  • miles
Steering warning light coming on with warning sound, the dealer can't find the problem to repair

- Etna, OH, USA

problem #3

Jan 282019

RAV4

  • 7 miles

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

The line departure alert / steering assist buzzer is not working or not loud enough to be heard. Occasionally when driving for hours on freeways I may get drowsy, so I bought the new Rav4 and specifically chose a model with lda/sa hoping that it assists me. After driving over 1000 miles between the cities, I am completely disappointed with this feature. It supposed to alert me when the car drives over the lines with a buzzer and gentle nudge to the steering wheel. I cannot hear the buzzer and feel any action on the steering wheel. I went to the culver city Toyota dealer two times in attempting to have this problem fixed. Both times I have been told that the system works as designed. During a test drive with the master technician, with radio off, at speed less 50mph, so with the minimal road noise, I could not hear the buzzer. I do clearly hear the buzzer of the parking sonar or pre-collision warning. So this is at best useless feature, at worst it is a distraction when trying to make it work at a highway.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 252018

RAV4

  • 181 miles
Since the car was purchased on 11/25/2018, the front brakes creak while on drive and the car pulls to the left. I took it to the dealership and they said nothing was wrong with the brakes. They asked that I wait untill 500 miles to look at the alignment. I took it in again for the brakes and the service manager sat in the car and he heard the brake noise. He ran it through tests and said nothing was found. He was going to wait for a Toyota representative to come and then they would look at it before anything was done. It is now April and they still have not addressed the brake issue. They did adjust the alignment during the time, but it still pulls to the left. After the alignment, there was a sliding grinding noise on the left front brake. The noises occur when you come to a stop and release the brakes. Both issues have been present since the car was purchased have not been resolved.

- Altoona, WI, USA

problem #1

Mar 102018

RAV4

  • miles
Tamara recall. Vehicle constantly drifts to the right side. Several attempts of fixing the issue have been made by the dealership and vehicle still continues to pull to the right. At this point the dealerships do not know how to fix the issue. No injuries have been sustained. The manufacturer has been notified. Please further investigate this problem.

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

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