2017 Toyota RAV4 problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2017 Toyota RAV4 include 2 fatality reports, 33 crashes and 24 fires across 307 filings.

307
Complaints
3
Recalls
33
Crash reports
24
Fire reports
28
Injuries
157.5
Severity index

Severity index 157.5 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 157.5p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 3 of 138 by severity index among 2017 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 98% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2017 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 108 complaints (35.2%)108 35%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 62 complaints (20.2%)62 20%Service BrakesService Brakes: 38 complaints (12.4%)38 12%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 32 complaints (10.4%)32 10%EngineEngine: 31 complaints (10.1%)31 10%Air BagsAir Bags: 20 complaints (6.5%)20 7%StructureStructure: 19 complaints (6.2%)19 6%Power TrainPower Train: 16 complaints (5.2%)16 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10835.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6220.2%
SERVICE BRAKES3812.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3210.4%
ENGINE3110.1%
AIR BAGS206.5%
STRUCTURE196.2%
POWER TRAIN165.2%

Complaints filed per year

024472016: 32017: 382018: 342019: 242020: 292021: 292022: 242023: 302024: 472025: 372026: 12 (partial year)161718192021222324472526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20163
201738
201834
201924
202029
202129
202224
202330
202447
202537
2026 (year to date)12
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (114 against 82).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V50300028/06/2019EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSSoutheast 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
17V29500002/05/2017TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIREGulf 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 prop
23V73400001/11/2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERYToyota 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.

Other Toyota RAV4 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-19. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.