2018 Toyota RAV4 brakes problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed May 19, 2024WACrashTowedBrakes

   I tried breaking and was on a hill with a small incline stopping behind a car as a pedestrian was crossing. When I pushed on the breaks lightly the car didn't break. So I pushed harder as the car in front of me was a few feet. When I pressed harder on the breaks the car actually accelerated and hit the car in front of me. The car made a strange noise and the warning that I was close to another car flashed on but the breaks failed to work at all. I had my breaks checked about…

   NHTSA complaint #11589560 · source
2. Filed Nov 13, 202340,000 miMDBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11554867 · source
3. Filed Sep 4, 2023NYBrakes

   This is 2 times now my brakes give me trouble since i bought the vehicle, the 1st time the brakes died n i had to keep pumping for it to work, the 2nd time it stuck to the floor n i had to use my hand brakes on the freeway.

   NHTSA complaint #11542445 · source
4. Filed May 16, 2023MOBrakes

   The front rotors 4 times and been placed due to overheating. I only have 49,540 miles when the fourth set was put on May 10, 2023. The problem is the rotors keep getting overheated and then they warp. I have replaced them 4 times in less than owning the car for 5 years. It appears to happen more frequently now about every 6 months. The problem is confirmed both at 2 different locations in Lees Summit, MO. See receipts below for repair shops.

   NHTSA complaint #11522332 · source
5. Filed Feb 22, 202352,000 miFLBrakes

   The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that excessive pressure was needed on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the parking brake had to be engaged while the vehicle was parked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and brake fluid was added. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was made…

   NHTSA complaint #11508491 · source
6. Filed Sep 9, 2022WACrashTowedBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control

   On 8/31/2022 I was turning into the driveway of a friend. All of a sudden my car accelerated. There was another car in the driveway in front of me. I was trying not to hit it, so turned my steering wheel sharply to the right. I left the driveway, turning into a side yard, and then it seemed the brakes wouldn't work. I hit a tree, and went over a large rock, which stopped my car. As it happened, I did hit the other car. its back right bumper was hit, and my front left was…

   NHTSA complaint #11483738 · source
7. Filed May 4, 2022MEBrakes

   The brakes needed complete redo at 28.000 miles. The pads and rotors. The front passenger brakes were through to rotors. Was not expecting to do a complete brake job at this mileage and the only indication we had a problem was the sudden grinding on the front passenger side and we were glad we were not on a long trip. We took it to an independent mechanic who saved the parts for us. There was no indication we needed a complete brake job until that sudden grinding on the one…

   NHTSA complaint #11463320 · source
8. Filed Apr 7, 202272,000 miFLBrakes

   The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was a squishy sound while depressing the brake pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was made aware of a vacuum leak underneath the pedal. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign 18V211000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11460002 · source
9. Filed Jan 20, 2022MABrakes

   I the vehicle used with 20000 miles the brakes were mushy And made noise like that old school bus with no brake pads at all I checked for any recalls the Run none and I contacted Toyota with no result I researched on the internet and found that it was a bad batch of brake pads on several years including my particular year of 2018 the brake pedal becomes mushy the brakes make a lot of bought noise and it's possible for the brake pedal to go all the way to the floor however…

   NHTSA complaint #11448176 · source
10. Filed Nov 18, 202118,000 miMDBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that upon exiting a parking lot, with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact was forced to engage the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Once the vehicle was stopped, the contact was able to resume normal driving. After the initial failure, the contact experienced the failure on two separate occasions. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer…

    NHTSA complaint #11440878 · source
11. Filed Aug 10, 2021WACrashBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

    The first incident happened on June 9, 2021. I was turning right very slowly into a parking spot at a grocery store when the car suddenly accelerated rapidly, even when I depressed the brake very hard. My car hit a row of small trees that formed a border between the parking lot and the street. The impact was so hard that there was over $5,000 in damage to the front of the car. I was in shock as it felt like the car was out of control. The second incident July 27, 2021.…

    NHTSA complaint #11428580 · source
12. Filed Jul 14, 2021COCrash1 injuredTowedBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    The Toyota RAV4 2018 car acceleration went out of control and crashed into a retaining wall. The airbags exploded and the steering wheel airbag burst. The car was totaled and is with State Farm. I was blessed to still be alive the car speed out of control on its own. I tried to push on the brakes but the car kept going. The accident could have been worse. No one else was injured only another car was hit. I did reach out to Toyota and they said it could take 4-6 weeks for…

    NHTSA complaint #11424863 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology