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XA40 (4th generation) · 2013–2018 · Compact crossover SUV

2018 Toyota RAV4 parts and specs

Everything you need to own and maintain this exact model year. Verified specifications, part numbers, and the problems that recur, in one place.

Last verified

Photo: Matti Blume / CC BY-SA 4.0. Illustrative, not necessarily your model year or trim.

Quick facts

Engine oil
0W-20, 4.6 qt (base engine)
Battery
Group 35, 490 CCA
Tire size
225/65R17 (base trim)
Wiper blades
26" / 16" / 10" rear
Max towing
1,500 lbs
Cabin filter
Toyota 87139-07020 (Genuine economy: 87139-YZZ82 / 87139-YZZ08)

Specifications for the 2013–2018 RAV4

Oil & filter

Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval

Battery

BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded

Tires & wheels

Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque

Wiper blades

Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths

Air & cabin filters

Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals

Bulbs

Headlight, fog and marker bulb types

Fluids

Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities

Service schedule

What's actually due at every mileage interval

Problems & reliability

Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid

Oil light reset

Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools

Key fob battery

Which coin cell the remote takes

Specs

Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy

These specifications are shared across every RAV4 of the XA40 (4th generation) generation. See the 2013–2018 Toyota RAV4 overview for the full picture, or the Toyota RAV4 guide to compare every generation.

What changed for the 2018 Toyota RAV4

  • 2018Final year of the XA40; carryover mechanicals

Known problems with the 2018 Toyota RAV4

4 of the 5 issues we track for the 2013–2018 generation are documented against the 2018 model year, and 1 carries a recall or service bulletin.

  • 12V battery hold-down fire risk (recall)

    majorNHTSA 23V-734 (Toyota 23TB13/23TA13)

    Toyota recalled 1.85 million 2013–2018 RAV4s in November 2023 because the original battery hold-down clamp may not secure replacement 12V batteries that have a smaller top. An unsecured battery can shift during hard cornering, short the positive terminal, and start a fire, the trigger for NHTSA's investigation into RAV4 fires. Dealers install an improved hold-down, tray, and terminal cover free.

    Typical cost: Free under recall

  • 2AR-FE water pump coolant seep

    moderate

    The mechanical water pump on the 2.5L can weep coolant from its weep hole/seal, leaving pink crust or a slow drip at the front of the engine. Failures are gradual, watch the reservoir level between services. Replacement is a straightforward bolt-on repair.

    Typical cost: $300–$650 parts and labor

  • Hybrid 12V auxiliary battery early failure

    minor

    The small S46B24R AGM in the cargo area of 2016–2018 hybrids commonly dies around the 4–6 year mark, leaving the car unable to boot even though the hybrid pack is fine. Symptoms are a dead car after sitting or ghost electrical faults. Replacement is a normal DIY with a vented AGM of the same size.

    Typical cost: $200–$350

  • Entune infotainment freezes and Bluetooth dropouts

    minor

    First-generation Entune head units are slow, occasionally freeze, and drop Bluetooth pairings. Software updates and resets help; persistent failures push owners to aftermarket units. Annoying but harmless.

    Typical cost: $0 (reset/update) – $400+ (aftermarket head unit)

1 more issue reported in other 2013–2018 years
  • Torque converter shudder (6-speed automatic) — 2013–2015

Full detail, costs and sources on the Toyota RAV4 problems and years to avoid guide.

Which engines were offered in the 2018 RAV4?

EngineTrimsOilOil capacity
2.5L 4-cylinder (2AR-FE)LE, XLE, Limited; SE and Platinum (2016–2018)0W-204.6 qt
2.5L Hybrid (2AR-FXE, 2016–2018, AWD-i)Hybrid XLE, Hybrid SE, Hybrid Limited (all AWD-i)0W-204.6 qt

About the Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling non-truck vehicle in America, and the 2013–2025 span covers two generations with very different personalities. 5L 2AR-FE with a 6-speed automatic and 0W-20 oil. Cheap to run, with one big documented weak spot: torque converter shudder on 2013–2015 cars, which Toyota covered under an extended warranty (TSB T-SB-0023-15).

A 2AR-FXE hybrid joined for 2016. 5L Dynamic Force engine (0W-16 oil), an 8-speed automatic, a 219-hp hybrid that became the volume seller, and the 302-hp RAV4 Prime plug-in from 2021. Early XA50s sit on a long service-campaign list, the Denso fuel pump recall (20V-012/20V-682) and the notorious coolant bypass valve leak, now covered by Customer Support Program 24TE04.

Batteries changed a lot across the years: Group 35 on the XA40, DIN-format Group 47/H5 then 48/H6 EFB on XA50 gas models, an LN1 AGM under the hood of XA50 hybrids, and an LN2 in the cargo area of the Prime. 3, lug torque stays 76 ft-lbs, the smart-key fob takes a CR2032, and maintenance follows Toyota's usual rhythm: 10,000-mile synthetic oil changes, 30,000-mile air and cabin filters, coolant at 100k then every 50k, and iridium plugs at 120k.

For how the specifications changed across every generation, see the full Toyota RAV4 guide.

Other Toyota RAV4 years

202520242023202220212020201920172016201520142013
Data confidence for this generationVerified

Sources