ToyotaRAV42018Overview/toyota/rav4/2018/base/

2018 Toyota RAV4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 RAV4.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV requiring 4.6 quarts of 0W-20 oil, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. This model year recorded 328 owner complaints across its lifespan, with the Electrical System emerging as the primary concern, alongside three separate recalls issued during its production cycle. When contextualized within the RAV4's broader complaint history spanning 1994 to 2025—where complaints ranged from a low of just 1 in 1995 to a high of 1,002 in 2007—the 2018 model represents a period of notably improved reliability compared to earlier generations.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/29/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S55D23R · 355 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI S55D23R · 355 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/65r17, P235/55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-7.0, 7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter1780137021 alt 178010V020
Fuel filter7702442070 alt 770240R010
Spark plug9091901259 alt 9091901233
Battery2880028102 alt 2880037092
Front wiper blades8522242120 alt 8522202280
Serpentine belt9091602721 alt 90916A2021
Thermostat90916A3004 alt 9091603136
Cabin air filter8713907020 alt 8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.1 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight3549 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 29 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RAV4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2018 Adventure
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018Adventure 2.5L I-48.30 sec16.60 sec176 hpAWD
2017SE 2.5L I-49.30 sec17.00 sec176 hpFWD
2016XLE Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh7.40 sec15.80 sec194 hpAWD
2016XLE Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh7.80 sec16.00 sec194 hpAWD
2016Limited Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh8.20 sec16.30 sec194 hpAWD
2016Limited Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh8.30 sec16.40 sec194 hpAWD
2016SE 2.5L I-48.40 sec16.70 sec176 hpAWD
2016SE 2.5L I-48.70 sec16.70 sec176 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.6 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 qt
Engine CoolantTOYOTA Super Long Life Coolant
Engine CoolantTOYOTA Super Long Life Coolant

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts72 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub215.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)770 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerTOYOTA
Spark Plug Gap.039
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.04-1.16 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.37 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberS55D23R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance355 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum50.0 psi
RPM44.0-50.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0.
Engine Compression142
Engine Compression116
Engine Compression142

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 79; Rear: 65
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .413
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0059
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 6.850

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

From 2013 through 2018, the RAV4’s federal record stayed in a relatively narrow, stable band: complaints ranged from 194 to 328, recalls remained low at two to four per year, and TSBs trended downward from 398 to 183, indicating the generation had largely settled before a later disruption. The 2018 model specifically logged 328 complaints, 3 recalls, 1 investigation, and 183 TSBs—slightly more complaints than 2017’s 301 but with identical recall and investigation counts and fewer TSBs. The following year, 2019, spikes sharply to 868 complaints and 7 recalls, so 2018 sits just before that increase and looks like the last quiet year of the run. Its top complaint areas were Electrical System (84), Unknown or Other (48), Exterior Lighting (17), and Visibility/Wiper (13), and the data records 31 crash-related and 32 fire-related complaints without specifying root causes. Given its low and steady federal metrics compared with both earlier years and the 2019 surge, a 2018 RAV4 appears to be a comparatively safe used-buy within this generation, assuming a standard pre-purchase inspection checks out.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
183
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
328
Owner complaints
31 involved a crash · 32 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 328 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System84
Unknown Or Other48
Exterior Lighting17
Visibility/Wiper13
Service Brakes13
Air Bags12
Power Train12
Structure9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V503000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 28/06/2019

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification… Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer…

17V831000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 20/12/2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 183 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
21TG012025-06-18Electrical System21TG01 Exprired - Replaced with Campaign 23TA13 During a recent investigation of reported…
21TG012025-06-18Electrical SystemCampaign Expired - replaced with campaign 23TA13TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAV4. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 RAV4 take?

4.6 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 RAV4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RAV4 get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.