2017 Toyota RAV4 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The rear lift hatch on my 2017 Toyota RAV4 is not working properly. It can be raised without a problem most of the time but not lowered without a lot of effort and time. It might go down several inches and stop before going back up again causing me to have to start the process all over again. It definitely could present a danger if someone tried to force it up or down or if they got a body part under it while it was doing its weird motions. Plus it would not be safe to drive it unless it lowered all the way and latched. I did take it in to my Toyota mechanic who acknowledged the problem and said the only remedy was to replace parts at a cost of somewhere between $1200 and $1300. Since the issue with my rear lift hatch started a year ago, I have read numerous complaints from other persons who are having the same issue. My mechanic confirms that he has had a number of vehicles brought to him with the same or similar issue. I strongly feel that there should be a recall. I have been a loyal Toyota owner for many years and over the years have steered numerous persons toward purchasing a Toyota. My Rav4 is available for inspection if that is necessary.
My lift gate hinges on my trunk have both bent, making my trunk unable to open. This is a known issue that they have a lawsuit against them for. This is available for inspection upon request. This vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed at a certified toyota dealership. No warning signs.
My 2017 Toyota RAV4 suddenly caught fire while it was parked in front of my home. The vehicle was turned off and had been parked for several minutes. Without any warning, flames started in the battery area and rapidly spread, resulting in a total loss of the vehicle. The Wylie, Texas Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. Component or System Involved: Exact cause UNKNOWN. Fire appears to have originated from the engine compartment. The remains of the vehicle are available for inspection upon request by NHTSA, Toyota, or investigators. Safety Risk: This was a severe and unexpected fire with no warning and posed a serious risk to my family, neighbors, and surrounding property. The fire could have spread to my home and other vehicles nearby. It created a dangerous situation for anyone in the area. Reproduction / Confirmation: The problem cannot be reproduced because the vehicle is a total loss. No prior mechanical issues or symptoms suggested this could happen. Inspection Status: The vehicle has been inspected by the Wylie Fire Department, and my insurance company has opened a case and is investigating. Toyota USA has also opened a case (# [INSERT CASE NUMBER]) and is expected to review the incident. No final cause has been determined yet. Warning Lamps or Symptoms: There were no warning lights, messages, unusual smells, smoke, or performance issues before the fire. The vehicle showed no signs of trouble prior to the incident. Additional Details: I later verified that my VIN is included in an open recall related to potential fire risk. I believe this issue may be connected, but the cause is still UNKNOWN pending investigation.
Illegal odometer rollback performed at Fred Haas Toyota in Houston, TX. It was at around 86k miles when it left DonMcGill Toyota, then Fred Haas reported around 46k miles. I bought the vehicle in Michigan. It now currently has 120k miles. I am worried it may actually have 160k. I bought the vehicle for around 20k with all the taxes and fees.
Toyota has not provided an update to its customers on when remedy will be fixed. It still reports that remedy will be available mid 2024. Whenever I call Toyota they have no answers. I have made numerous complaints with no real update. This is severely affecting my business as my car cannot be rented out due to an active recall.
Fuel pump has small leak causing evaporative emissions codes and fuel to accumulate on top of the pump. This is the same concern which there is a recall for the 2018 models and beyond. They equipment is the same between the years and 2017 should be included in the recall as well.
I received this recall notice several months ago, and the letter stated that the remedy would be available in middle of 2024. I have had an inspection that confirmed I have a replacement battery, not an original. If there is a potential that the vehicle could catch on fire, it seems as though waiting until the middle of 2024 is an unreasonable amount of time.
About two months ago (March 2024), a smell started to appear in the vehicle cabin whenever the vehicle is being driven. It became stronger over time and is particularly strong when the HVAC system was being used. I took the vehicle to a reputed independent repair shop who diagnosed the problem as leaking AC coolant within the passenger cabin. They gave a printed diagnosis that I then shared with Toyota because the vehicle mileage is under 35,000, for assistance in fixing this problem. However, Toyota North America manager Michael from their Corporate Headquarters in Plano, Texas informed me today (May 24, 2024) that Toyota does not want to help me with the repair because I had been using an independent repair shop instead of the Toyota dealership for regular maintenance on my vehicle. I am stuck with a vehicle that cannot be used due to a strong odor of AC coolant which is potentially hazardous. An internet search reveals numerous others who have experienced similar issues with their RAV4 vehicles, so it would be in the interests of the general public to report this to the NHTSA so that action can be taken if this problem is found to be widespread.
Toyota RAV4 sunroof shattered for no reason. Car was sitting all day under my carport. I opened driver door. Needed to go back in the house. I closed the driver door. Sunroof shattered. If I had been in the car, or driving, it could have caused very serious cuts, or a deadly accident. No warning signs at all. Car is presently at Clearwater Toyota being fixed. Insurance (State Farm) has been contacted and is taking care of my claim.
Hinge failed on the back lift gate, which in turn damaged the cylinder as well. Back lift gate would not close as a result of this failure. Back lift gate could have fallen off of vehicle, possibly resulting in injury or death to others. Multiple failure issues with the lift gate are common on internet sites and are known to dealers. The repair facility acknowledged this was a common problem with the 2017 Toyota RAV4. The vehicle was inspected and repaired by an authorized service center, as advised by Hendrick Toyota of Wilmington (NC). The repair was performed by Jeff Gordon Chevrolet/Hendrick Collision Center in Wilmington NC. There were no warning signs of this failure. The lift gate failure occurred on [XXX]. The dealer was notified and vehicle inspected by Hendrick Toyota on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was in the third, leftmost, lane on an urban highway coming out of a gentle turn going about 40-45 miles an hour. There was a loud metallic clank or bang and the vehicle pulled sharply to the right. I hit the brakes hard, the vehicle crossed two lanes and came to rest on the shoulder about 18 inches from the concrete barrier, having turned about 170 degrees. There was very little traffic and so there was no accident or injuries but had there been normal traffic it would have been a disaster. There were no indicator lights showing any problem, I examined the tires and underside and could not see any damage. I was able to drive away from the site. I took the car in to my regular Toyota dealer (Toyota of Lincoln Park, they perform all my service) and they test drove it, examined it closely, checked the computer, and could find nothing wrong. No other parties have examined the car. However, I would be afraid to drive it and need to dispose of the car without exposing anyone else to what might happen.
The door lock actuators failed I was locked out of my car
The axle broke while I was driving. I was on CA HWY 101 NB, it was a day after the rain so I was careful not to speed. As I was heading towards a decline the car made a loud pop sound that came from the rear left side. I looked back because my initial thought was the tire popped but as I looked at my rear view mirror the car veered rapidly to the left headed straight to the median. Safety at risk: I tried to break but it seemed like the breaks were not responding well. I turned the wheel to not hit the median and the car turned completely, facing traffic and sliding to the right side of the freeway where it stopped on its side. The car was checked and we have a letter from Toyota saying the part broke due to speeds over 80 mph. But I was not driving over 80, and and axle is probably not supposed to break at that speed. There were no warning lights, or symptoms. My vehicle seemed completely healthy.
6 months after warantee expired passenger front door lock actuator failed. Dor can only be locked /unlocked from manual rocker lock inside door. Electrick lock doesnt function. Within 6 months of that failure, drivers door developed same problem. Door can only be locked from inside and unlocked from outside with key.
The shifter makes a irregularly rough shift out of park . It is available for inspection if possible. The safety of me or passengers has not been compromised. The problem has not been confirmed from any dealer or manufacturer. The shifter component has not been inspected or checked to confirm the issue or potential issue. There was no warning light to indicate a issue.
My mechanic showed me that the axle shaft assembly on my Toyota RAV4 is leaking grease and that, if not repaired soon, could be a safety issue when driving.
While driving the vehicle, the sun roof glass shattered. The cover of the roof was closed, so no glass spilled into the car, but could have been dangerous if it the cover was open.
THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. WHEN I GO TO TURN IT MAKES A CRACKING NOISE.
BACK HATCH IS FROZEN AND WILL NOT OPEN. AT FIRST IT OPENED A FEW INCHES, NOW IT DOESN'T OPEN AT ALL. JUST PURCHASED THIS USED VEHICLE IN JUNE! VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR.*JB
MY HUSBAND HAD DRIVEN THE CAR AND HAD THOUGHT HE HAD PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON TO "OFF". HE THEN CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR AND LEFT OUR HOME FOR A WALK. WHEN I CAME HOME A FEW HOURS LATER AND OPENED GARAGE DOOR THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND FILLING OUR GARAGE WITH CARBON MONOXIDE. THIS POINTS TO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH OUR HYBRID TOYOTA , UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING AMISS WITH OUR CAR, WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE IS THE CASE. SPECIFICALLY, THE ENGINE CAN BE LEFT ON AND THE CAR MAKES NO SOUND MUCH OF THE TIME WHEN IT IS PARKED. I CAN JUST IMAGINE A PARENT LIKE ME LEAVING AN INFANT SLEEPING AND UNATTENDED IN A CLOSED GARAGE WHILE THEY GO INSIDE. IF THE CAR WINDOWS ARE LEFT OPEN HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE FOR A TRAGIC ENDING TO THIS SCENARIO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED AS WHITE SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AS FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUHISED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED WAS AWAITING INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER THE DEALERSHIP WAS MADE OF AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A PRESSURE CRACK HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY WIPER BLADES JUMPING/CHIRPING! ALSO HAVING AN ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FROM TIME TO TIME! BREAKS BEEN REPLACED AND STILL HAVE A SQUEAL AND NOT WANTING TO STOP SOMETIMES HAVE TO PUSH PETAL TO FLOOR
IT WAS ABOUT 6:05 AM. I WAS DRIVING ON 288 HIGHWAY IN PEARLAND, TEXAS. THERE WAS LIGHT RAIN. I HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG ON THE ROOF AND SOUNDED OF GLASS SUBSTANCE RUNNING THE THE BACK OF THE ROOF. THAT NOISE FREAKED ME OUT, BUT I COULD STILL KEEP DRIVING TO MY WORK.
I CALLED UP TO MY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN ACTING UP. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY AFTER I'VE DRIVEN MY CAR FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN 30 MINUTES. THE AIR SLOWLY STOPS BLOWING OUT. WHEN TURNING THE AIR COMPLETELY OFF SOMETIMES IT WILL BLOW OUT FULLY AND OTHER TIMES IT WON'T BLOW OUT AT ALL. UPON SPEAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY SEE THIS OFTEN AND KNEW WITHOUT A DOUBT IT WAS MY BLOWER MOTOR AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME MORE THAN $300.00
TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER AND SHIFT HESITATION - SHUDDERS BETWEEN GEARS, OCCURS BETWEEN ANY TWO GEARS BUT MOSTLY WITHIN THE 20-55 MPH RANGE. BEGUN MOST NOTICEABLY AT ~90K, VEHICLE NOW HAS 103K ON IT AND SHUDDER CONTINUES TO WORSEN AND BECOME MORE FREQUENT. BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND THEY HAVE ADVISED MOST LIKELY TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (APPROX $3-$4K REPAIR). SAME PROBLEM AS THE GENERATION BEFORE WHERE TOYOTA EVENTUALLY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVER FOR: HTTPS://WWW.TOYOHEADQUARTERS.COM/THREADS/2013-2015-TOYOTA-RAV4-TRANSMISSION-SHUDDER-WARRANTY-EXTENSION-ZH1.1148/PAGE-2
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Quick Summary
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 has 36 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.