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Fitment Guaranteed for 2018 Toyota RAV4

What Size Bulbs Does a 2018 Toyota RAV4 Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Moderate (Dust covers often present)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Have?

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 features an extensive lighting system with 13 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with a single 9012 LED dual-filament bulb handling both low and high beams. The RAV4 has been available from 1996 to 2023, and the 2018 model falls in the late-generation years.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 2018 Toyota RAV4?

Upgrading the 2018 Toyota RAV4 to LED headlights is straightforward since it uses a single 9012 LED dual-filament bulb for both low and high beams. You only need one pair of LED bulbs to upgrade both functions. Look for a 9012 LED LED kit that specifically supports dual-filament operation to ensure both beams work correctly. For the fog lights, a H16 LED LED bulb provides a clean white output that pairs well with LED headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 2018 Toyota RAV4

The 9012 bulb uses a quarter-turn bayonet mount similar to H11 but with a unique tab. To remove the old bulb, disconnect the wiring harness first, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it out. On the 2018 RAV4, you will likely encounter rubber dust covers behind the headlight housing. These pull off by hand or unscrew depending on the design. Allow about 15 to 20 minutes per side. When installing the new bulb, avoid touching the glass with bare fingers. Skin oils create hot spots that shorten bulb life. Wear clean gloves or handle the bulb by its plastic base only. The fog lights are accessed from underneath the front bumper. You may need to remove a few plastic clips or screws from the fender liner to reach the H16 LED fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 13 Positions at Once

Low Beam: 9012 LEDHigh Beam: 9012 LEDFog Light: H16 LEDBrake Light: LED BulbSide Marker: 7443 LEDTurn Signal Front: 7444NA LEDTurn Signal Rear: 7440NA LEDReverse Light: 921Dome Light: DE3175License Plate: 168Map Light: 168Parking Light: 7444NATrunk Light: 168
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2018 Toyota RAV4 Complete Bulb Size Chart

PositionBulb SizeShop
Low Beam
9012 LEDBuy 9012 LED
High Beam
9012 LEDBuy 9012 LED
Fog Light
H16 LEDBuy H16 LED
Brake Light
LED BulbBuy LED Bulb
Side Marker
7443 LEDBuy 7443 LED
Turn Signal Front
7444NA LEDBuy 7444NA LED
Turn Signal Rear
7440NA LEDBuy 7440NA LED
Reverse Light
921Buy 921
Dome Light
DE3175Buy DE3175
License Plate
168Buy 168
Map Light
168Buy 168
Parking Light
7444NABuy 7444NA
Trunk Light
168Buy 168

Want to upgrade everything at once?

Shop Complete LED Kit for 2018 Toyota RAV4
Installation Guide
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How Long Do 2018 Toyota RAV4 Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 2018 Toyota RAV4 have an expected lifespan of 500 to 1,000 hours, which works out to roughly 2 to 3 years of normal use. Signs of a failing halogen bulb include noticeably dimmer output, a yellowish tint compared to the other headlight, or intermittent flickering. At 8 years old, the original bulbs on your RAV4 are likely overdue for replacement. Even if they still illuminate, reduced brightness significantly impacts nighttime safety. When one headlight burns out, replace both sides at the same time. Bulbs from the same batch age at similar rates, and mismatched brightness is distracting to oncoming drivers.

What Bulbs Are Compatible with the 2018 Toyota RAV4?

The 9012 low beam bulb on the 2018 Toyota RAV4 is cross-compatible with HIR2 bulbs. These share the same physical base and electrical connection, so they will fit the socket. However, 9012 is the recommended size because it is optimized for the wattage and beam pattern designed into your headlight housing. Using the wrong bulb size can cause improper beam patterns that reduce your visibility and blind other drivers. It can also cause overheating inside the headlight housing, potentially warping the plastic lens or reflector. Always verify the bulb number before purchasing.

2018 Toyota RAV4 Headlight FAQ

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 uses a 9012 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 2018 Toyota RAV4 is 9012 LED.

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 uses a single bulb (dual filament) headlight system. This means one bulb controls both high and low beams.

Yes, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 9012 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 takes a H16 LED bulb for the fog light position.

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old 9012 LED bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved 9012 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen 9012 LED bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the 9012 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

Did Toyota RAV4 Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 1996 to 2023, the Toyota RAV4 has seen bulb size changes in the Low Beam, High Beam and Fog Light positions. The 2018 model uses the earlier bulb specification that was in place before the change around 2019. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 2018 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other RAV4 Years

2023202220212020201920172016201520132012201120102009200620052004200320012000199819971996
4Runner4Runner Fog8686 FogAvalonC-HRCamryCamry Fog

Other Vehicles That Use 9012 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a 9012 LED low beam bulb:

2019 Fiat 5002019 Fiat 500L2019 Fiat 500X2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross2018 Chevrolet Cruze2016 Jeep Compass