My daughter and I were driving a Toyota RAV4 from 2018 just like any normal day, the car was working properly, no warnings lights were turned on. While taking a sharp right turn and passing an unevenness on the road the car lost complete power. My daughter couldn-??t control the steering wheel of the car, it was stuck. As the car stopped completely, due to gravity, she tried to turn it back on but it didn-??t work. A smoke started coming from the front left side of the car-??s hood ( or the side of the driver) it was a white smoke. The car didn-??t function in any way possible. We stayed inside the car and called roadside assistance. Meanwhile as the electronical gadgets started to turn back on (e.g. radio)the more smoke started coming out of the hood. We noticed that a red light with a car and lock symbol was flashing on top of the radio display monitor, later we learned it was the anti-theft system of the car. We got out of the car and noticed a the flames coming out of the car-??s hood. My daughter tried to open the back doors and trunk of the car to save anything if possible, but they didn-??t open. Many truckers tried to help us with using their extinguisher (severals) but unfortunately the front hood didn-??t open ( was locked). The car ended up burning completely as we waited for firefighter to arrive. A police report was fill out 2023-6-13-6249.

- Guaynabo, PR, USA

I only had possession of the vehicle for less than 3 weeks and it seemed to be running without problems. Besides driving the car on the date I picked it up, this was only the fifth time I had driven the car. On April 17, 2023, I was driving the car to an appointment when it stalled while in motion. It did restart without any problem (though I did detect a faint odor that I thought might be a rubbery smell, but now believe was probably an electrical smell), and I drove it the remaining approximately half mile to the appointment. When I got out of the car, I noticed what I thought might be steam (thinking the problem may be the radiator) coming from under the hood. I now know this to have been smoke. I went in the building, signed in, and looked back to the car to see flames coming from under the hood. The fire department was called to put out the fire, and a fire marshal came to investigate the cause. The fire marshal told me that the fire initiated at the battery. I have requested a copy of the investigation report, which he told me will be forwarded to me when it is completed. The car has since been towed to LKQ Pick Your Part salvage yard. Two other cars parked next to me were also damaged by the fire. My safety was at risk as I now know that I was in the car when the incident initiated and the fire began. Others in the area could also have been injured as the fire accelerated. The car was parked in a school parking lot, so had the car exploded, there could have been many injuries. No warnings (lamps or otherwise) appeared. I have since done some research, and have found that spontaneous fires such as these have happened to many other Rav4s year models 2013-2018, most particularly 2018. This was a 2018.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH a burning odor was present inside the vehicle and smoke and small flames was present coming from the dashboard and air vents. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local mechanic. After turning the vehicle off the flames and smoke continued. The mechanic unplugged the engine battery and the smoke and the smoke and flames extinguished. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The contact referenced that NHTSA Action Number PE21005. The failure mileage was 21,000.

- Rossmoor, CA, USA

Bought brand new 04/02/2018. First battery died July 2018. First cooling system needed replaced December 2019 due to overheating issues. There has been 7 battery replacements, about two each year, the two most recent was July 2022 and October 31, 2022. Second cooling system replaced December 2022 due to overheating issue. Damaged engine and needed to replace engine. Other issues have been stalling while driving in traffic; stalling while turning and at traffic lights. Was told by Toyota technician that it was due to extremely low oil. I asked why no low oil light came on and he stated it must be damaged but too expensive to repair. My wife and I had our safety at risk due to stalling in traffic and being stranded due to dead batteries. One night we had to sleep in a grocery store parking lot as a tow truck wasn-??t available that night. Toyota states they test the batteries and find nothing wrong even after at least two of them exploded and leaked acid. This could have created a fire and/or engine damage. They just keep replacing them over and over. I have estimate from independent repair shop of possible diagnosis for battery issue. I can not have an independent repair shop even move a bolt or warranties will be voided. During the second overheating was told by Geico insurance inspector no codes were found despite overheating had occurred and severe enough to cause engine damage. Never receive any warning lights for any problems that occurred; the problems happen with no warnings. The second overheating issue left us almost freezing to death as we could not make it back home and had to pull over; tow truck was unavailable that night. Have all service records; too many to upload here; files too big. Please contact via email overtherainbow0126@gmail.com.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

Since I bought the car in 2018, the car has stalled two times while I am driving on the road. That was very dangerous because other drivers almost hit me from behind. The first time I had the problem, the Toyota dealer told me that it was likely caused by bad gas. It happened again this time today. I am bringing it to the dealer again, but likely not able to get a solution. At the same time, I am scared of driving it, yet I need to drive it for work and other necessities. Happened at 32k in August 2020, and 55k in January 9, 2022.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

During a turn... The steering locked up and a julting from all wheel drive system. No warning, slammed into road railing.

- Redding, CA, USA

UNKNOWN since insurance or fire department does not want to investigate. However car randomly caught on fire when driving. Could be due to a new battery installed a week prior. Driver and daughter claim as well an electrical issue with AC turning on by itself the morning of car fire which it has never done before. Driver suspects faulty battery since a new battery installed by dealer a week prior and the year before and it is not the first case late model RAV4s are caught on fire due to battery issues.

- Belleview, FL, USA

At approximately 65K miles on my 2018 vehicle, my alternator and battery have malfunctioned. The car has routine maintenance done on it, the battery had a dead cell according to the repair shop with the battery reader. The car started fine and while driving the battery picture came on dash and said malfunction to park in a safe location all lights on dash came on. I tried to turn my car off in a drive thru, it wouldn-??t start. The repair shop says it-??s only charging at 12.5 volts and needs to be replaced. I only have manufactured items in my car and seems puzzling to why a 2018 with way less than 100k miles on would have a battery and alternator just die.

- Niskayuna, NY, USA

Toyota etunes systems are apparently fatally flawed or are exquisitely attuned to planned obsolescence. My bluetooth began initializing 6 weeks ago and has not stopped since. This is a safety concern because, as a 67 year old driver, it is important to have my hands free to drive. I purchased this vehicle because of this feature. Toyota maintains the only solution to my problem is to purchase a new $1,500 radio. Because this is not just my problem but one experienced by a majority of Toyota owners, Toyota should bear the cost for replacement

- Keswick, VA, USA

I received a consumer advisory notice from Toyota. Notice number appears to be 21TG01 and is related to battery fires. Apparently the wrong size battery was installed and Toyota issued the notice to have the battery size checked. It should be a Group 35 battery. However, a Toyota Group 35 measures 6 7/8 inches wide across and after market batteries to the best of my research are 6 3/8 inches wide. The top battery hold down that fits over the top of the battery does not fit a 6 3/8 wide battery which appears to be the standard with the exception of Toyota. The top hold down bracket is too big and does not fit properly over the top of the battery. If that makes sense.

- Herriman, UT, USA

My husband and I were driving down the road when we had warning lights and signals going off in the car and the electric was trying to reset in the car. The car was sputtering and stalled out. we managed to pull the car over as white smoke came from under the hood of the car and we jumped out and grabbed our dog as flames started to shoot from under the hood. We have never had any incident happen prior to this to indicate there would be any problems. The car is available for inspection if requested. The insurance company has not inspected the vehicle yet and is transporting it to a salvage yard for inspection.

- Sevierville, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the brake warning light and an unknown triangle warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that rodents had been chewing through the soy-based wiring. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred seven months later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that rodents had been chewing through the soy-based wiring again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. The VIN was not available.

- Malden, MA, USA

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while idling in the pharmacy drive-through line, smoke was suddenly present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was quickly parked before flames were seen coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. No injuries were reported. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 49,000

- Raleigh, NC, USA

I was told by the Toyota dealer that my vehicle was subject to a safety recall regarding the wrong size battery having been installed and the battery must be replaced with the correct size. I was also told that I must pay for the cost of the new battery and installation. I told the service rep that I should not have to pay for any safety recall repair. Despite my objection, I was charged and had to pay for the required safety recall repair.

- Brea, CA, USA

This is the second time it has happened, the car completely shut off and nothing worked. The first time does happen our battery was two years old and we were told to change it. After changing the battery the car worked. Six months later the car completely shut off while driving. AAA came and said it was not an issue with the battery but rather the wiring. He played around with the wiring in the car somehow turned on. This is very dangerous because it happened on the freeway. There are some fault with the wiring on this model.

- San Diego, CA, USA

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!

- Lancaster , NY, USA

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. Again, I was turning right to reach the exit of a parking garage at a medical clinic. I was going very slow because I was approaching the ticket booth to exit the parking garage. Just as I completed the turn, the car accelerated and lurched forward toward the arm that keeps cars from exiting. I was able to stop the vehicle by pressing the brake hard, and I did not hit the arm at the exit point. Again, it was shocking and very frightening for this to happen.

- Yelm, WA, USA

2018 hybrid battery does not hold charge. Sometimes the battery dies even where it should be fully charged and driving. Drove 5 hours straight on 7/10. Does on the highway. The car battery has been dying almost from day 1. This car is only 2 1/2 and only 20, 000 miles.

- South San Francisco , CA, USA

When I tried to start my vehicle this morning after a store run. the car clicked multiple times and made a weird noise, then went dead. I popped my hood immediately and saw a hole the size of a quarter next to the battery terminal and smoke was coming out the hole. I had driven it 40 miles before I had put it in park, and it drove fine before that. I have showed multiple people pictures of the battery (including mechanics) and no one had ever seen anything like that. I decided to google to see if it's a known problem/recall on the Rav4 and found that the NHTSA was investigating the batteries due to similar instances. Thankfully my car did not catch fire, and I was smart and decided not to start it again. Otherwise something bad could have happened.

- Evansville, IN, USA

We were driving when I made a right turn and suddenly the steering wheel locked on me and at the same time various warning lights lit up on my dashboard. The car slowed and I was able to regain control of the steering wheel to pull over. After driving a few miles further we once again came to a right turn and everything happened as before except with greater intensity. We tried to straighten the steering wheel for control and were able to pull over into an empty parking lot. By the time we came to a stop, which took all of just one or two minutes, smoke was coming out from under our hood. We quickly got out of our car and opened the hood to see the battery in flames. I called 911 while my husband poured his cup of water over the flames. It stalled the fire but it continued to spark until help arrived. I am certain if we had not had water the whole car would have caught on fire. The car was towed to a Toyota dealership where we were told that their was an issue with battery installation. At present it is being worked on but I have lost confidence in this vehicle especially since we got no warning that there was a problem and we could have been badly injured or killed if the circumstances had been different and we had not been able to pull over and get out or have water with us. We have since learned that this is an issue for many people who own this 2018 RAV4 vehicle. I also learned there is no recall on this issue. I hope that Toyota isn't waiting for someone to be seriously injured or die before they fix this problem.

- Euless , TX, USA