IllustrationLAST SPRING HAD $700.00 BRAKE JOB ON MY DAUGHTERS CAR AT TOYOTA DEALER WE HAVE DELT WITH FOR YEARS.I HAPPEN TO DRIVE IT ONE DAY AND FOUND BRAKES SPONGY AND WENT WITHIN ONE INCH OF FLOOR TO STOP. JUST DROVE AGAIN AND SAME PROBLEM !. IS THIS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH MASTER CYLINDER !
2017 Toyota RAV4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAV4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
3225–50K
1450–75K
1575–100K
9100–150K
3150K+
162 reports with mileage · 145 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
33 crash reports24 fire reports22 injury reports
Service Brakes complaints
38 reportsI HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE UNDER WARRANTY ABOUT THE BRAKES. I ALMOST GOT MYSELF KILL ON HIGHWAY I25 BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED TOTALLY HAVING TO RESORT TO PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR THE R…
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I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE UNDER WARRANTY ABOUT THE BRAKES. I ALMOST GOT MYSELF KILL ON HIGHWAY I25 BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED TOTALLY HAVING TO RESORT TO PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR WHEN I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING FOR MONTHS. IF I DIE, TOYOTA WILL BE THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY, I LEFT MY CART AT LARRY MILLER TOYOTA AND WILL ACQUIRE A LAWYER. I AM THE WIDOW OF A DECORATED MILITARY MEMBER. IF HE WAS HERE, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING. I LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ALL SEASON TIRES. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A RAINY DAY, A TRUCK BEGAN TO MERGE INTO HIS LANE. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WHICH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ALL SEASON TIRES. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A RAINY DAY, A TRUCK BEGAN TO MERGE INTO HIS LANE. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WHICH CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO VEER INTO THE LEFT LANE AND HIT THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NEITHER HIMSELF OR THE OTHER DRIVER SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD RECENTLY STARTED TO EXPERIENCE PAIN IN HIS RIGHT CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAULTY ABS SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA SITE (123+) OF RAV4 BRAKE PROBLEMS (EARLY REPLACEMENT AT LOW MILEAGE AND BRAKE FAILURES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS). TOYOTA HAS BEEN IGNORING THE ISSUE. WHY HAVE THERE BEEN NO RECALLS? OUR BRAKES ARE GOING SOFT AT 30,00 MILES (4 YEARS) AND THE DEALER SAYS WE NEED FRONT AND BACK REPLACEMENTS. OTHER COMPLA…
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MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA SITE (123+) OF RAV4 BRAKE PROBLEMS (EARLY REPLACEMENT AT LOW MILEAGE AND BRAKE FAILURES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS). TOYOTA HAS BEEN IGNORING THE ISSUE. WHY HAVE THERE BEEN NO RECALLS? OUR BRAKES ARE GOING SOFT AT 30,00 MILES (4 YEARS) AND THE DEALER SAYS WE NEED FRONT AND BACK REPLACEMENTS. OTHER COMPLAINERS NOTED THE NEED FOR FREQUENT AND REPEATED REPLACEMENTS.
WATER PUMP LEAK I BELIEVE STARTED AROUND 21,000 MILES.ALONG WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE PADS I COMPLAINED OF RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF CAR WITH SQUEALING NOISE POSSIBLE DRIVE BELT OR DIRTY ROTOR. AT ONE POINT BOTH FRONT ROTORS SLIGHTLY WARM TO TOUCH AFTER 45 MIN CITY DRIVE HOME, ANOTHER TIME RIGHT ROTOR HOT AND LEFT SLIGHTLY …
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WATER PUMP LEAK I BELIEVE STARTED AROUND 21,000 MILES.ALONG WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE PADS I COMPLAINED OF RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF CAR WITH SQUEALING NOISE POSSIBLE DRIVE BELT OR DIRTY ROTOR. AT ONE POINT BOTH FRONT ROTORS SLIGHTLY WARM TO TOUCH AFTER 45 MIN CITY DRIVE HOME, ANOTHER TIME RIGHT ROTOR HOT AND LEFT SLIGHTLY WARM. THEY REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS NOT CHECKING CALIPERS OR HOSE AND JUST PUT ON BRAKE PADS AND SAID RIGHT TIRE WORN AND REPLACED BOTH AND SAID IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AFTER A FEW DAYS TOYOTA REP AND TOLD HIM THE SAID INTERMITTENT SQUEALING SOMEWHAT GRIND NOISE WAS BACK. NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY I REPORTED TO CORPORATE AND WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO DO DIAGNOSTIC CHECKING CALIPERS AND FOUND NOTHING. AROUND 50,000 MILES I FOUND POWDER NEXT TO DRIVE BELT. THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A LEAKING WATER PUMP AND REPLACED MY PUMP AND DRIVE BELT. 41/2 MONTHS LATER THE CAR HAD SAME SQUEALING NOW RUBBER SOUND ADDED, STEERING STIFFER AND HISSING SOUND CAME FROM FRONT OF ENGINE AT LIGHT. TOOK IN AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN ENTIRE DAY 8 HRS. I DROVE AWAY AND BY THIRD LIGHT SQUEALING FOR 25 MINS AND NEIGHBORS HEARD ME COMING,ONE COUPLE REPORTED LOUD AT FRONT RIGHT TIRE. I REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY TO [XXX] AT PRECISION THAT MY CAR WAS WORSE AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT IS NOW HAPPENING AS NEIGHBOR REPORTED BUT NO RETURN CALL. THIS CAR SOUND TYPICALLY HAPPENS AT BRAKING AT LIGHT AND HITTING GAS AT LIGHT ON CITY STREETS DRIVE AT 40-50 MILES PER HR.BUT USUALLY AT LIGHTS CAN HEAR. CALLED [XXX] AFTER LEFT SHOP CAR RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS SQUEAK WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL ONLY ONE DAY DID I HEAR TWO DIFFERENT SOUNDS WHIRRING NOISE AND HISSING SOUND 3 DAYS APART AT LIGHT STOPPED 3 WEEKS MY CAR, JUMPED FORWARD AT A STOP I'VE HAD IT ALIGNED NEW TIRES & STILL INTERMITTENT NOISE NOW WORSE DEC 2019 CHANGED WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT /SPRAYED ENGINE DOWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE AIRBAGS ARE OFF AND I CANT TURN IT ON, EVERY WEEK TURN IT ON THE LIGTH FLAT TIRE AND THE TIRE ARE GOOD INCLUIDING EXTRA TIRE, AND MY BRAKES ARE DOING A EXTRANGE NOISE I CHECKED THE BRAKES AND ARE GOOD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT BRAKE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 30 OR 50 MPH, THE RPMS ABRUPTLY INCREASED WITHOU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT BRAKE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 30 OR 50 MPH, THE RPMS ABRUPTLY INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HUDSON TOYOTA (599 NJ-440, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305, 201-713-5508) AND PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROUTE 22 TOYOTA (109 US-22, HILLSIDE, NJ 07205, 973-287-4741) WHERE THEY DID NOT HONOR HIS EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE $250 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,500.*BF CONTACT STATED ENGINE CONTROL WAS REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS REPAIRED.*JB
I PURCHASED MY 2017 RAV 4 IN JULY 2017 WITH 125 MILES. AT 6,000 MILES MY VEHICLE REQUIRED NEW BRAKE PADS ( THE PADS WERE BROKEN IN HALF). TOYOTA OF NORTH HOLLYWOOD AGREED TO REPLACE THE PADS OUT OF COURTESY. THEY BLAMED IT ON THE WAY I DRIVE SAID TOTAL PERSON AT FAULT WAS ME. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 34,000 MILES THIS WILL BE THE FIF…
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I PURCHASED MY 2017 RAV 4 IN JULY 2017 WITH 125 MILES. AT 6,000 MILES MY VEHICLE REQUIRED NEW BRAKE PADS ( THE PADS WERE BROKEN IN HALF). TOYOTA OF NORTH HOLLYWOOD AGREED TO REPLACE THE PADS OUT OF COURTESY. THEY BLAMED IT ON THE WAY I DRIVE SAID TOTAL PERSON AT FAULT WAS ME. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 34,000 MILES THIS WILL BE THE FIFTH TIME MY BRAKE PADS REQUIRE CHANGING. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT MY DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT.
AT JUST OVER 15000 MILES THE FRONT BRAKES ARE WORN NEEDING REPLACED. UNIVERSITY TOYOTA IN MORGANTOWN, WV SAYS THAT IS NORMAL WEAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE TOOK A LONGER TIME TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION TOYOTA FORT MYERS (2555 COLONIAL BLVD, FORT MYERS, FL 33907, (239) 321-5413) WHERE IT WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE TOOK A LONGER TIME TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION TOYOTA FORT MYERS (2555 COLONIAL BLVD, FORT MYERS, FL 33907, (239) 321-5413) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,500.
Official recalls
323V734000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
Nov 1, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
19V503000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jun 28, 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 label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
17V295000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
May 2, 2017
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE21005 · Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
Opened Feb 25, 2021 · Closed Aug 12, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021. At the time of opening, ODI attributed eleven allegations and additional EWR events to this PE. PE21005 focused on replacement batteries installed in the subject vehicles. No reported fire event identified in PE21005 involved the originally supplied 12V battery. The reported fires took place in vehicles known to contain aftermarket batteries or whose age exceeded the expected life of the original equipment battery. ODI identified battery dimensioning as it relates to the battery retention system (hold down bracket, radiator support bolt, J-hook, and battery tray) as the main factor set in the contact between the battery hold down bracket contacting the positive terminal of the 12V battery. The subject vehicles carried over the same battery tray and retention system from the prior generation (MY2006 – MY2012) of RAV4 vehicles. However, the subject vehicles were equipped with a dimensionally smaller battery (Group 35) than the prior generation (Group 24F). The smaller- length measurement in the Group 35 battery size in a battery tray originally designed to fit a Group 24F battery contributed to increased potential for battery movement which was exacerbated by the diversity in aftermarket battery configuration and irregularities intrinsic to battery replacement procedures. Battery movement coupled with the proximity of the B+ terminal on the battery and the grounded electrically conductive hold down bracket set the stage for a short to ground leading to an engine stall (if in operation) followed by a vehicle fire. This investigation was not able to classify the installation status, battery size, or cause of every allegation due to the fire event causing damage to the area, inaccessible vehicle, modification to the battery retention system after the event, and/or inconclusive photographic evidence. Toyota's investigation of the issue identified aftermarket battery catalogs that listed an improper battery replacement size (Group 26R) that would nevertheless fit into the subject vehicles whose battery retention system is incapable of reliably restraining a Group 26R battery. On 18 November 2021, Toyota initiated a consumer advisory campaign (21TG01) to the subject vehicle owners, notifying them of the correct size battery and offering a free inspection of the battery and retention hardware, a caution label to affix to the hold down bracket, and a discounted replacement 12V battery. This investigation with Toyota established three broad categories to characterize the battery retention system state of a given vehicle: "correct", "minor mis-installation", and "major mis-installation". - The "correct" terminology references the front bolt, bracket, and J-hook installed in a position not in contact with the positive battery terminal and the front bolt torqued to 17 Nm and the J-hook engaged with the tray hole and torqued to 4.9 Nm. - A "minor mis-installation" would describe the three retention components installed in the prescribed location, however not to the correct torque values. - The "major mis-installation" condition would constitute a retention component missing or disconnected from the system. Toyota's own testing used five exemplar batteries installed on a subject vehicle in each battery categorization resulted in: - Contact between the B+ terminal and hold down bracket in "major mis-installations" - Movement of the battery in "minor mis-installations" - No observable motion in "correct" installations. ODI conducted its own evaluation of the Toyota- specified replacement battery and 5 aftermarket Group 35 batteries. The six batteries tested conformed to the Group 35 Battery Council International (BCI) standard on overall dimensional tolerance and terminal location. That standard does not define the edge shape or material of battery casing. Physical interaction between the hold down bracket and the battery case and the friction between the casing material and the battery tray resulted in a large variability in movement forces required to incite movement when the battery was installed in the "correct" condition. Resulting in movement at an induced lateral load between 0.6 G and 1.91 G equivalent force across each battery. This force is higher than a typical vehicle could exert in a steady state turn and would only experience loads through brief shock or impulses. Multiple shock or impulse loads across time would contribute to a delay between the replacement battery installation and the fire event. Likelihood of a fire event increases as the installation method degraded from the "correct", to "minor mis-installation", and then to "major mis-installation". Protruding vent caps atop some of the batteries tested aided in restricting battery movement relative to the hold down. An absence of vent caps permitted additional movement. Following several discussions and vehicle inspections with ODI during this investigation, on 01 November 2023, Toyota filed a safety recall (NHTSA 23V-734) of 1,853,568 MY 2013 through MY 2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles to reduce the risk of a vehicle fire with redesigned battery retention components. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.