2017 Toyota RAV4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 sits mid-pack among RAV4 years: 408 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 343, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 47 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 108 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

408

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other RAV4 years?

RAV4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RAV4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	108	26%	▲ up
Other	62	15%	▲ up
Brakes	36	9%	— flat
Engine	33	8%	▲ up
Lighting	31	8%	— flat
Airbags	19	5%	— flat
Body & Structure	18	4%	▲ up
Transmission	16	4%	▲ up
Fuel System	13	3%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	12	3%	— flat
Speed Control	12	3%	— flat
Steering	12	3%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	12	3%	▲ up
Driver Assistance	9	2%	▲ up
Suspension	6	1%	▲ up
Seat Belts	4	1%	▲ up
Seats	3	1%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	2	0%	▼ down

Does the 2017 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V734000Electrical SystemNovember 1, 2023 · 1,853,568 units

Defect

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

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.

19V503000OtherJune 28, 2019 · 1,325 units

Defect

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

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.

17V295000Tires & WheelsMay 2, 2017 · 409 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“--Battery terminal/wiring for negative terminal came into contact with the metal hold down clamp --Caused a two alarm structure fire and loss of two vehicles --Current recall in place but remedy of situation not available until 2024 --Current recall in place --Maintenance required light appeared…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 31, 2023 · fire

“WHILE PULLING INTO TO A PARKING SPACE,MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED THE CURB CAUSING THE CAR TO HIT A TREE,CAUSING ALL AIR BAGS TO GO OFF. I WAS ASKED IF I HIT THE GAS INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED SO FAST THAT I SUPPOSE ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE BUT I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 8, 2017 · crash

“Related to a car accident when getting hit in the front my air bags didnât deploy . Only the driver side was hit pretty bad . Another car accident related to a tree branch no air bag deploy . I was told that you have to be hit in a certain way to deploy the air bags . Hearing that makes me switch…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 13, 2020 · crash

“--Battery terminal/wiring for negative terminal came into contact with the metal hold down clamp --Caused a two alarm structure fire and loss of two vehicles --Current recall in place but remedy of situation not available until 2024 --Current recall in place --Maintenance required light appeared…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 31, 2023 · fire

“WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ALL FRONT HEADLAMPS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY LEAVING ME IN THE DARK. DEALER NEXT DAY FOUND BOTH FRONT HEADLAMP BULBS HAD BOTH LOW AND HIGH BEAM FILAMENTS BURNED OUT! THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT BUT FOR MY FOG LIGHTS. HOW CAN ANYONE FEEL SAFE IN A VEHICLE IN…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 8, 2021

2017 Toyota RAV4 — common questions

Is the 2017 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

It is close to typical for the RAV4: 408 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2017 RAV4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (108 complaints), other (62 complaints), brakes (36 complaints).

Does the 2017 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Toyota RAV4 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota RAV4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RAV4 years to avoid are 2007, 2019, 2006, 2020, 2008, 2002. The cleanest record among RAV4 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2017 Toyota RAV4?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.