2018 Toyota RAV4: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Fuel system · 78,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning right or left, the vehicle lost power and failed to accelerate as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under an extended coverage associated with a fuel system failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Electrical · 7,000 miles · VA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed May 10, 2024 · Engine · CA

Incident - [XXX] Car was not accelerating, started to lose power while driving on freeway approximately 70 mph, putting myself and other drivers in danger. Car finally stalled, was not turning on and AAA towed car to my local service shop - Downtown Toyota of Oakland 4145 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611. Downtown Toyota of Oakland quoted me for diagnostic, new battery, new alternator and labor. [XXX] Looked my vehicle up by VIN and discovered multiple recalls due to battery issues and electrical issues resulting in the risk of fire. [XXX] Downtown Toyota of Oakland replace battery due to failing battery test results. [XXX] Submitted Battery Reimbursement form through AAA because battery fell under warranty. Battery had been purchased through AAA on [XXX]. [XXX] My 2018 Toyota is on its third battery replacement and needing a new alternator after 5 years with under 55,000 miles. This to me, confirms my Toyota is experiencing battery/electrical issues outlined in the recalls and the costs incurred having to replace an alternator which typically get replaced on vehicles much older than mine with between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. [XXX] Take my Toyota into Downtown Toyota to be looked at because of recalls. I provided Toyota's numbers for this recall (23TB13 and 23TA13). They did not do an inspection or service because they said that they did not have a solution yet. [XXX] Recall displayed on your website for my vehicle's VIN number. [XXX] The message "No recalls are currently applicable to your vehicle" displayed through Downtown Toyota of Oakland's website under OEM Recalls section when provided my vehicle's VIN number. I am filing this complaint for two reasons: 1). Toyota is failing to remedy this safety recall on my vehicle in a timely manner. 2). Downtown Toyota of Oakland website not displaying the current recall information is misleading to consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 13, 2023 · Brakes, Transmission · 40,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon attempting to slow the vehicle, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the front of the vehicle, and the brake pedal required an excessive amount of force to slow the vehicle. The contact also stated that later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost all motive power. She was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be jumpstarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the braking system but did not provide a diagnosis in regards to the vehicle's loss of power. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2023 · OH

The torque converter on my 2018 Toyota Rav4 failed and needed to be replaced according to the Toyota dealership. As an experienced driver, I became aware that something was not right with the drivetrain which prompted a service appointment at my local dealership. The problem was detected early and the torque converter was replaced by the dealer at a cost to me of $3,300. If I had not noticed this problem early, it could have resulted in a complete loss of power to the drivetrain even while driving. In addition, although my vehicle is a 2018 model, Toyota acknowledged and addressed this same problem with 2013-2015 models and offered enhanced warranty protection to cover the cost of repairs as documented by Toyota's Warranty Policy Bulletin, No. POL17-06. I contacted Toyota customer service to alert them to this issue but was told there had not been any incidents reported for model years outside of 2013-2015. My concern and the reason for my writing is that Toyota's torque converter problems might exist beyond the 2013-2015 model years.

Filed Dec 6, 2021 · Engine · 107,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 20-25 MPH and making a turn into a parking lot, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering and electrical power twice. The contact continued to drive and as she drove over a speed bump, the vehicle stalled and lost electrical power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact quickly exited the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The Chevrolet dealer who sold the vehicle to the contact was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Multiple times the cars front left sensor when wet, after heavy rains, will beep and flash on dash for no reason. I turn off the back up assist function and the beeping stops. Also, the rav won't engage drive on occasion when going from park to drive. After waiting a bit of time, drive appears on dash and car will go. Just this Saturday (10-16-21) after this p to d problem occurred, the engine lost ALL POWER, and drive turned off In traffic. I had to push the car out of busy 3 lane traffic while my friend turned the wheel. after 10 minutes it again engaged and we drove it home. My fear is if this electric issue occurs when Iam going 70 mph, I may crash and injure myself or others. Dealer to look at. VERY SCARY!

Filed May 12, 2021 · Electrical · 21,000 miles · OH

I was waiting at the traffic light to turn green once it did I pressed the gas pedal to go and the vehicle stall and lost power completely and gave a message saying power failure and a picture of a battery after this happened the vehicle was able to start back up

Filed Apr 14, 2020 · 17,300 miles · CA · crash

I had been using the adaptive cruise control at highway speed on the westbound ca 134 in glendale/burbank, ca. I had to merge into traffic from the hov lane disengaging the cruise control. I then used the auto transmission to shift to a lower gear to gain more torque in changing lanes when the car went into a stall and lost all power. Consequently we were rear-ended by another car. Our car went into a lockout and had to be pushed to the shoulder by the california highway patrol. I don't know if this was a random event or a glitch in the on-board computer.or something else totally unrelated.

Filed May 2, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 8,940 miles · CA

My 2018 toyota rav4 has stalled 5 times while driving on city streets in moving traffic, first time in feb 2019 while driving home from work, in april three times while driving to work and one time while driving home from work(rush hour). All documented with toyota. Occurs when I take my foot off the gas while driving, and difficulty restarting after it stalls with loss of power and sputtering. 'charging system malfunction' warning msg appeared on dashboard(I took photo and emailed to toyota). I followed instructions in 2018 toyotal rav4 owner's manual "stop the car immediately...continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous". Had car towed to toyota immediately. 3 trouble codes were recorded p1603(engine stall), p1604 startability malfunction, and p1605(rough idling), however they were unable to determine root cause of stalling and refused to keep my car to do further analysis despite the fact that I told them I did not feel safe driving vehicle, and my car is still under comprehensive warranty coverage. I contacted corporate, and they restated dealer conclusions and would not allow me to speak to a field tech specialist. I then emailed and wrote a letter to vp sales of toyota, andrew gilleland. Rep from executive office called me. I asked for toyota to provide me with either transportation assistance and a no cost-to-me extended comprehensive warranty until the underlying cause is determined and without further stalling incidences, or a replacement vehicle. He refused, despite all the significant potentially dangerous safety issues in a vehicle with less than 9,200 miles. Toyota does not appear to be concerned with reliability, peace of mind, and most of all safety. I have a case # with toyota. I recently discovered there are several other reports on this site with same stalling issues as my car.

Filed May 2, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 8,940 miles · CA

My 2018 toyota rav4 has stalled 5 times while driving on city streets in moving traffic, first time in feb 2019 while driving home from work, in april three times while driving to work and one time while driving home from work(rush hour). All documented with toyota. Occurs when I take my foot off the gas while driving, and difficulty restarting after it stalls with loss of power and sputtering. 'charging system malfunction' warning msg appeared on dashboard(I took photo and emailed to toyota). I followed instructions in 2018 toyotal rav4 owner's manual "stop the car immediately...continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous". Had car towed to toyota immediately. 3 trouble codes were recorded p1603(engine stall), p1604 startability malfunction, and p1605(rough idling), however they were unable to determine root cause of stalling and refused to keep my car to do further analysis despite the fact that I told them I did not feel safe driving vehicle, and my car is still under comprehensive warranty coverage. I contacted corporate, and they restated dealer conclusions and would not allow me to speak to a field tech specialist. I then emailed and wrote a letter to vp sales of toyota, andrew gilleland. Rep from executive office called me. I asked for toyota to provide me with either transportation assistance and a no cost-to-me extended comprehensive warranty until the underlying cause is determined and without further stalling incidences, or a replacement vehicle. He refused, despite all the significant potentially dangerous safety issues in a vehicle with less than 9,200 miles. Toyota does not appear to be concerned with reliability, peace of mind, and most of all safety. I have a case # with toyota. I recently discovered there are several other reports on this site with same stalling issues as my car.

Filed May 2, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 8,940 miles · CA

My 2018 toyota rav4 has stalled 5 times while driving on city streets in moving traffic, first time in feb 2019 while driving home from work, in april three times while driving to work and one time while driving home from work(rush hour). All documented with toyota. Occurs when I take my foot off the gas while driving, and difficulty restarting after it stalls with loss of power and sputtering. 'charging system malfunction' warning msg appeared on dashboard(I took photo and emailed to toyota). I followed instructions in 2018 toyotal rav4 owner's manual "stop the car immediately...continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous". Had car towed to toyota immediately. 3 trouble codes were recorded p1603(engine stall), p1604 startability malfunction, and p1605(rough idling), however they were unable to determine root cause of stalling and refused to keep my car to do further analysis despite the fact that I told them I did not feel safe driving vehicle, and my car is still under comprehensive warranty coverage. I contacted corporate, and they restated dealer conclusions and would not allow me to speak to a field tech specialist. I then emailed and wrote a letter to vp sales of toyota, andrew gilleland. Rep from executive office called me. I asked for toyota to provide me with either transportation assistance and a no cost-to-me extended comprehensive warranty until the underlying cause is determined and without further stalling incidences, or a replacement vehicle. He refused, despite all the significant potentially dangerous safety issues in a vehicle with less than 9,200 miles. Toyota does not appear to be concerned with reliability, peace of mind, and most of all safety. I have a case # with toyota. I recently discovered there are several other reports on this site with same stalling issues as my car.