2018 Toyota RAV4 Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 328 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Toyota RAV4 overview page.
What owners report
“THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS 2X AT 40 MPH INTO A GEAR WHICH MAKES THE CAR LURCH AND THE RPMS GO FROM 2000 TO 4000. HAPPENS DURING…”NHTSA complaint 11387451 — filed 01/11/2021
“I PURCHASED MY RAV4 BRAND NEW MID/LATE YEAR 2018. IN DECEMBER AT APP. 10000 MILES I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE GEARS. SHIFTING FROM PARK…”NHTSA complaint 11299733 — filed 01/16/2020
“THE VEHICLE JERKS AND MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN THE EV MODE TURNS ON MOMENTARILY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GOING DOWN…”NHTSA complaint 11279675 — filed 11/12/2019
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Toyota RAV4 have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2018 Toyota RAV4: 26 of 328 complaints on file (7.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2018 Toyota RAV4 have in total?
328 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 31 involved a crash, 32 involved a fire, 18 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
