The most common problems with used 2018 Toyota Rav4s
Owners weigh in on the most common reliability issues with their Rav4s
There’s plenty to love with the 2018 Toyota Rav4, and it offers a ton of safety, tech and convenience features to owners. No matter the trim level, if you’re looking to pick up a 2018 Rav4, you may be wondering what common issues it has. We’ll cover them here, and look at the best ways to avoid these issues.
The most common problems with 2018 Toyota Rav4s as reported by owners
Here are all owner-reported problems with the 2018 Toyota Rav4, sorted by category:
DOWNLOAD THE APP
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Search all listings in your area, get notified about deals, new listings, and price drops, or chat with one of our copilots for some hands-on advice.
Biggest problems with used 2018 Toyota Rav4s
- Brake Squealing and Lack of Stopping Power. Cost To Fix: $350
- Electrical Issues. Cost To Fix: $200 - $6300
- Windshield and Sunroof Issues. Cost To Fix: $200 - $900
Most common problem with 2018 Toyota Rav4: Brake Squealing and Lack of Stopping Power
Cost to fix: $350
The 2018 Rav4 suffers from brakes that are prone to squealing, and at times also have an issue with the pedal sinking completely to the floor. Many owners indicate similar issues and explain that Toyota does not have a solid solution for the issue and claims this is normal. The problem most likely stems from the brake pad material that is installed at certain factories. If Toyota will not change it under warranty, you can perform a brake job to get new pads. This runs about $350.
How to avoid:
Roll the windows down and listen for any brake squealing or grinding noises during your test drive. Make sure to also bring the car down from speed in a quick manner. Make sure you do this safely on an empty or when no cars are following closely behind.
Also common on the 2018 Toyota Rav4: Electrical Issues
Cost to fix: $200 - $6300
This issue is more isolated to the Hybrid model of the 2018 Rav4. It’s tied to the charging and electrical system of the hybrid models, and leaves owners of the vehicle stranded. The symptoms come on suddenly, and rarely leave owners much time to get to a safe spot on the side of the road. Once towed to their local Toyota dealer, owners report that Toyota resets the software, clears the codes and the issue appears to be gone. If the issue is more extreme, Toyota charges anywhere from $200 for a software reset to $6300 for a complete electrical harness change out.
How to avoid:
Owners say the issue happens at low speed, typically while the vehicle is in its “Eco” mode. As with any vehicle, you’ll want to run the Rav4 through its paces at all speeds. If the vehicle dies on the test drive, that may be a good sign to move on and look at other cars. If you notice any hesitation, odd smells or otherwise weird things, it may also be best to get it further checked out – or move on.
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
Wondering what to look out for when buying a used car? With such a large purchase, it pays to be a cautious shopper. Check out this list of red flags to look out for when buying a used car.
Other 2018 Toyota Rav4 Issues: Windshield and Sunroof Issues:
Cost to fix: $200 - $900
Owners of the 2018 Rav4 indicate that windshield and sunroof have some very obvious defects in their design. A glare forms on the windshield that is so pronounced at certain times that owners say it is nearly undriveable. The culprit appears to be a shiny piece of plastic on the upper dash that throws a horrible glare when the sun hits it. Other owners report their sunroofs spontaneously exploding while driving with no apparent impact taking place. The cost to repair the windshield comes in around $250 to $400, while the sunroof is a bit pricier at $750 to $900.
How to avoid:
This is one of those things that will be up to individual drivers and their comfort levels. There’s not a ton that can be done to remedy the design of the upper dashboard, so you will have to see if this is something that bothers you enough to not make the purchase. You should absolutely check for proper operation of the sunroof during your test drive, but proper operation doesn’t seem to have bearing on the sunroof’s structural failure.
How to avoid buying a used 2018 Toyota Rav4 with these problems
You’ll need to take some time during the shopping phase of your purchase to ensure that you don’t buy a lemon. Despite their well-earned reputation for quality, even the mighty Rav4 has issues that you need to make sure are not present. The test drive is the opportunity for you to put the vehicle through its paces and push it to its limits. Drive at various road speeds, use all electronics, brake hard, floor it; whatever you can throw at it. The reason is simple. You never want to be in a position where the vehicle fails at a crucial moment. Safety is always first.
PICK THE RIGHT USED YEAR MODEL
When it comes to buying a used car, you want to find the perfect intersection of savings and reliability. See how much you can save buying nearly new vs. new with CoPilot Compare.
After you’re satisfied with the test drive, take the vehicle to a trusted local mechanic so they can perform a thorough inspection. This will include a visual inspection, diagnostic and even a road test. If there is any issue to be found, a mechanic will know. Try to find one that knows Toyota vehicles well.
Search all used 2018 Toyota Rav4s in your area
Technology is best when it makes our lives easier. And CoPilot does exactly that! When looking for a 2018 Toyota Rav4 or other similar vehicle, your first step should be to download CoPilot on your phone. CoPilot ranks vehicles based on their reliability, quality of the deal and a variety of other factors. You can even get notified when a vehicle comes on the market that meets your requirements or when a vehicle you’ve shown interest in drops in price. This is the intersection of common sense and technology. This is CoPilot.
