The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the greener version of the Japanese manufacturer’s best-selling compact SUV, the RAV4. The Hybrid targets a niche market that is slowly expanding and does not want to give up on the practicality. The range for the RAV4 Hybrid starts at $28,000 and has very limited competition. The only other option people have is the 2018 Nissan Rogue Hybrid. Apart from being the more popular option, the RAV4 Hybrid has been through a lot of criticism as well from the owners. With random electrical issues popping up and the transmission acting up, the ownership of the Japanese crossover hasn’t been easy. Though there have been no recalls for the 2018 model year, the crossover was recalled twice in 2017 for issues pertaining to tires and equipment. Let’s see what all issues the owners had to go through and will the 2018 RAV4 Hybrid be a good choice for the people.
2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Problems
Electrical issues:
- Infotainment screen blacking out: Many owners have reported the infotainment screen going black while driving. This causes the related systems to malfunction and causes a lot of distraction. The black screen also happens when the backup camera is engaged, leaving the sensors chiming.
- “Charging Malfunction” error: Many 2017 and 2018 RAV4 Hybrid owners have reported the crossover to throw this error and shut down. The people had to wait for some time to restart the vehicle back again and get it moving. The problem is a one-time occurrence for some people but many have reported recurrence of the issue.
- “Low Tire Pressure” warning malfunction: The LTP malfunction is a common occurrence on the 2017 and the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid models. The sensor doesn’t report low tire pressure on any of the wheels which keeps the driver unaware. As such, the system hasn’t caused tire blowouts but people have complained about sudden tire flats.
- Battery failures: Many RAV4 Hybrid battery issues have popped up in recent times. The people have complained of the crossover’s battery shutting down all the electrical assistance while driving. There have been numerous reports of the crossover not starting due to a dead battery. In all cases, a jumpstart helped the vehicle drive back to the dealership where a new one was installed. In a handful of cases, the battery is reported to explode and total the vehicle.
- Headlight issues: Many people have raised concerns about the headlights giving up while driving at night. The complainants claim that the right headlight shut off, followed by the shut-off of the left headlight sometime later. The dealerships reported this issue as a complete headlight failure and had to replace the whole unit.
Mechanical issues:
- Transmission slippage issues: Many people have complained that the transmission of the RAV4 Hybrid slips to neutral from park. This is a problem if the vehicle is parked on a slope. The slippage causes the vehicle to move unexpectedly and cause a collision with the objects in proximity. There have been reports of people getting injured while exiting because the crossover rolled and hit them.
- Brake failure: The RAV4 brake failure is another major issue that is reported by some owners. The people claim that the crossover fails to brake even after the brake pedal is depressed “to the floor”, causing the vehicle to collide/crash and cause injuries.
Exterior issues:
- Fragile windshield: People have reported the windshield developing chips and cracks without any apparent impact. The chips have, in some cases, developed into full-size cracks and shattered the windshield while the vehicle is parked. No injuries have been reported.
Safety issues:
- Low volume of Lane Departure Warning chime: The RAV4 Hybrid lane departure issue primarily consists of the chime not being loud enough for the people to hear while driving. Though there have been no incidents due to this, people have raised concerns that the system will fail to warn the driver in time to avoid a mishap.
2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Recalls
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has not seen any recalls yet.
Should you buy the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?
The 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a dicey bet because of the long list of electrical problems. Some of these issues are a one-time case with a readily-available remedy at the Toyota dealerships. The other small niggles may occur repeatedly and may warrant a visit or two to the dealership. There are reports of the battery exploding but is an isolated incident with a handful of complaints. Apart from the electrical issues, the mechanical problems might be a deterrent to your purchase, especially the brake failure issues. So, if you’re looking for the best year for a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the 2018 certainly isn’t one!
