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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

307 reports
39,000 miles · Apr 22, 2021
Power Train

VEHICLE ONCE STATIONERY PUT BACK IN DRIVE AND TRY GOING AHEAD MAKES A NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT CV AXLE HAD TAKEN IT TO STEVEN TOYOTA VA, THEY CAME BACK SAYING IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE THROUGH TOYOTA

NHTSA ODI #11413315

37,000 miles · Apr 20, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

TOOK MY 2017 RAV4 LE TO TOYOTA FOR SHAKING/VIBRATING AT STOPLIGHT WHEN FULLY WARMED UP. IT DOES THIS EVERY TIME I STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THEY CANNOT FIND ANY FAULTS OR CODES RELATED TO THE ISSUE AND CLAIM EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL AT EVERY LIGHT. HOWEVER THEY DID TELL ME THEY WERE ABLE TO…

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TOOK MY 2017 RAV4 LE TO TOYOTA FOR SHAKING/VIBRATING AT STOPLIGHT WHEN FULLY WARMED UP. IT DOES THIS EVERY TIME I STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THEY CANNOT FIND ANY FAULTS OR CODES RELATED TO THE ISSUE AND CLAIM EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL AT EVERY LIGHT. HOWEVER THEY DID TELL ME THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE ON ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE LOT WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE, BUT THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. SEEMS TO BE ON ALL 2017 RAV4 LE'S NOT JUST MINE.

NHTSA ODI #11413115

2,862,412 miles · Apr 20, 2021
Unknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. WHEN I GO TO TURN IT MAKES A CRACKING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11412989

45,472 miles · Apr 13, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THREE DAYS AGO, I PARKED MY 2017 RAV4 LIMITED IN MY DRIVEWAY, STOPPED THE ENGINE, GOT OUT, LOCKED THE DOOR AND WENT IN TO MY HOUSE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER I WENT OUTSIDE AND FOUND MY RAV4 RUNNING. FOR HOW LONG I DON'T KNOW. I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE DONE SOMETHING INCORRECT. NOW BEING VERY CAREFUL ABOUT SHUT DOWN PROCEDURE, YESTERDAY…

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THREE DAYS AGO, I PARKED MY 2017 RAV4 LIMITED IN MY DRIVEWAY, STOPPED THE ENGINE, GOT OUT, LOCKED THE DOOR AND WENT IN TO MY HOUSE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER I WENT OUTSIDE AND FOUND MY RAV4 RUNNING. FOR HOW LONG I DON'T KNOW. I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE DONE SOMETHING INCORRECT. NOW BEING VERY CAREFUL ABOUT SHUT DOWN PROCEDURE, YESTERDAY I PARKED THE RAV4 IN THE SAME DRIVEWAY. TWO HOURS LATER, I WENT OUSIDE TO CHECK AND AGAIN FOUND THE RAV4 RUNNING, WITH THE LIGHTS ON. I FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS ON-LINE ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR RAV4S. I CALLED SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERS TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND SEE IF THEY HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER CUSTOMERS. NONE DID. IT APPEARS THAT I CAN'T BE CONFIDENT THAT MY RAV4 WILL BE WHEREVER I PARKED IT WHEN I RETURN TO IT.

NHTSA ODI #11407895

80,000 miles · Mar 31, 2021
Electrical System

WHILE STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT, MY RAV4 COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THE DASHBOARD FLASHED THE WARNING "CHARGING MALFUNCTION; SEE OWNER'S MANUAL". I TOOK MY RAV4 TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY RAN A FULL INSPECTION AND FOUND ZERO ISSUES. IT HAS HAPPENED ONCE SINCE, AS WELL. I BELIEVE IT TO BE RELATED TO THE OVERARCHING TOYOTA RAV4 BATTE…

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WHILE STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT, MY RAV4 COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THE DASHBOARD FLASHED THE WARNING "CHARGING MALFUNCTION; SEE OWNER'S MANUAL". I TOOK MY RAV4 TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY RAN A FULL INSPECTION AND FOUND ZERO ISSUES. IT HAS HAPPENED ONCE SINCE, AS WELL. I BELIEVE IT TO BE RELATED TO THE OVERARCHING TOYOTA RAV4 BATTERY/ELECTRICAL ISSUE AS LISTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA ODI #11405821

75,000 miles · Mar 17, 2021
Exterior Lighting

ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS: HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS TURN SIGNALS ETC. HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE IN LESS THAN 4 YEARS AND 75K MILES OF USE. I WAS TOLD THAT PERHAPS THE PROBMEM IS THAT THE AREA AROUND TBE BULBS IS TOO SMALL CAUSING THEM TO OVER HEAT, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS

NHTSA ODI #11403425

50,000 miles · Mar 10, 2021
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT TOTALED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER JAY WOLFE TOYOTA OF WEST COUNTY ( 14700 MANCHESTER RD, B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT TOTALED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER JAY WOLFE TOYOTA OF WEST COUNTY ( 14700 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011) AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11400228

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2021
Electrical System

WHILE I WAS AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY LET ME KNOW MY BATTERY KEPT COMING BACK WEAK . I HAVE ALSO NOTICED HOW MY CAR SEEMS TO ALMOST STALL OUT SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING . IT HASN'T BUT THIS MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11399365

30,798 miles · Mar 5, 2021
Electrical System

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND SUDDENLY THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I COULD NOT STEER OR MOVE. AFTER A MOMENT I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND PROCEED HOME. THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME IT HAS HAPPENED AND IT OCCURRED IN OCTOBER OF 2020. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC A FEW DAYS LATER AND THEY COULD…

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I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND SUDDENLY THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I COULD NOT STEER OR MOVE. AFTER A MOMENT I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND PROCEED HOME. THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME IT HAS HAPPENED AND IT OCCURRED IN OCTOBER OF 2020. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC A FEW DAYS LATER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. INVOICE IS ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI #11399310

75,000 miles · Mar 2, 2021
Electrical System

MY CAR WAS JUMPED STARTED BY AAA MY CAR SPARKED MY FUSR BOX WAS BLOWN OUT HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP MY FUSE BOX WAS BLOWN AND MY HEATER AND AIR BLOWER WAS NOT WORKING IT WAS AT MY RESIDENCE

NHTSA ODI #11398655

Official recalls

3

23V734000 · 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

1

PE21005 · 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.

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