2017 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 307 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 33 involved a crash and 24 involved a fire. 28 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v batteryNov 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.
A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 23V734000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 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."
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V503000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireMay 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.
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 17V295000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
20 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Aug 6, 2026
This vehicle has twice had the same issue where the sunroof drain lines become clogged or dislocated and the water fills the liner in the front driver and passenger seats resulting in flooding in the compartment and mold damage throughout the interior. the mole spore are transmitted throughout the interior. The water damaged the airbags and the electrical harness in the dash of the car resulting in the dashboard electrical system shutting off and restarting spontaneously while driving. The leaks were repairs and the interior replaces in october 2023 and the same incident has recurred in august 2026. The claims adjuster recommends that the entire wiring harness, airbags, and carpets, seats and liners be replaced for health and safety of passengers.
Air bags, Dec 16, 2023, crash
When the passenger front airbag deployed in an accident, a coil about 3 inches long and an inch wide was ejected from the airbag compartment and info the face of the occupant. Minor injuries sustained but was near the eye. The coil became embedded in the skin and the coil had to be removed.
Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 2, 2023, crash
Related to a car accident when getting hit in the front my air bags didn’t 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 from a Toyota to a Kia . I have my toddler .
Air bags, Aug 10, 2023, crash
Side Airbag failure: (all air bags didn't deploy) As I was making a left hand turn, My vehicle was hit in my drivers rear quarter, just behind the gas cap. The impact spun the car over 90 degrees, causing me to hit the left side of my head against the side drivers window, causing a concussion and cervical strain. No airbags in the vehicle were deployed, yet the car was totaled. The car that hit me was traveling at a high rate of speed and the impact totally destroyed that vehicles front end displacing the engine. In my opinion the airbags malfunctioned due to the water damage caused by the rail leaks common to that vehicle (which I had the dealer fix previously). If the airbag in question was operational I would not have hit my head. (yes, I was wearing my seatbelt.)
Air bags, Jul 17, 2023, crash
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact struck a sign on the side of the road causing front-end damages to the vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered a major injury to the chest from the seat belt and back pains where she was taken to the hospital and had to seek physical therapy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer that stated that the damages were not severe for the air bags senor to deploy. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,408.
Air bags, Dec 24, 2022
We owned 2 Toyota cars, highlander and RAV4( this is our second RAV4), we bought both time new, the first one after one year has some break and noise issues and my wife did not like it and we traded and got 2017 RAV4, from her experience, she did not wanted Toyota but different car, though I told her that it has longevity and she should get another Toyota and she agreed and gotten RAV4 2017 new car. However, this RAV4 cars have issues and my wife was right and I was wrong and will never buy RAV4 again. Today, in Portland, there is rain and raining and that small snow also now start melting with the rain, I parked my wife car in our driveway and went in, after lunch came back to drive, saw water was dripping, immediately looked for the sun roof locks, it was completed closed, reach my hand to the place where is the leak is coming, its from headliner areas by driver side where sun visor located. This is 2017 RAV4 with 26k mileage, I drop the car by the dealer where did we bought this car, their tech will be back on Monday, I cannot wait what they have to say for this obvious defect from the factories, I read more about it and there are a lot of this issues with RAV4 and needs factory attention for recall. MY MAIN CONCERN IS NOW: The real danger with this roof leak is not so much cosmetic , the real danger is damage to the airbags over the door and corrosion to the wiring harness, it should warrant recall!!
Electrical system, Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 9, 2022
I have attached a letter that I wrote Toyota but did not mail. Vechicle is a 2017 Rav Hybrid. We bought it in CA April 2021 and it had 28230 miles. Car went to Renton WA in August, 2021. Vechicle was serviced a couple of times, but in October 2022, dealer gave us a bill for $9700 due to a faulty wire halter. The Toyota people said the car is out of warranty. Please read the letter with lots more details. Thanks.
Air bags, Aug 22, 2022, crash
While traveling around 40 mph on a roadway another vehicle ran a stop sign approximately 2 feet in front of my vehicle. This vehicle came onto the roadway from a side road at a sustained speed with no braking. I swerved to avoid impact and went over an embankment. The vehicle sustained extensive damage to the front and underneath. It is a total loss. The airbags did not deploy during the accident. There were also serious injuries to the driver and passenger. The driver sustained a broken neck in 4 places. The passenger sustained massive hematomas, a fractured arm, and 7 fractured ribs in the chest and separated sternum. There were no warning lights or messages displayed. An inspection has not been performed on the airbag system. The vehicle is currently located at the insurance company's salvage yard.
Air bags, Feb 3, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE WAS CONTACTED FOR THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT FROM UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SOUGHT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. T MOSES TOYOTA (1433 MACCORKLE AVE, SAINT ALBANS, WV 25177, (304) 727-7777) WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE HOWEVER, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA AND THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,240.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Apr 17, 2020, crash
2017 RAV 4 STRUCK A CONCRETE LIGHT POST IN PARKING LOT. CAR WAS MOVING FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, IMPACTED DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND FENDER. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO COLLISION ALARM SOUNDED. ENTIRE FRONT PANEL DESTROYED, MAJOR ELECTRICAL SENSOR DAMAGE, DRIVER'S DOOR UNABLE TO OPEN. HOOD DAMAGED. SUSPENSION BENT. DRIVER SUFFERED MAJOR BRUISING AND CHEST PAIN. BOTH ELBOWS IMPACTED SOMETHING IN COLLISION. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2020, crash
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN A LEFT HAND TURN LANE. A VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ACCIDENTALLY DROVE HEAD FIRST INTO MY CAR. MY PASSENGER AND I HAD SEAT BELTS ON. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED OF THE OTHER CAR WAS GREATER THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE CONSIDERABLE FRONT END DAMAGE. A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SAYS "SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. VISIT YOUR DEALER". I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. I HAVE READ THAT IF A VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND THE SEAT BELTS ARE ON IT MAY NOT ACTIVATE. THAT IS OK - JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS THE INTENT.
Air bags, Wheels, Service brakes, Dec 22, 2019
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.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 3, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S ARMS AND RIBS WERE BRUISED AND HIS NECK SNAPPED BACK AND WAS SWOLLEN. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED; HOWEVER, X-RAYS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DOCTOR. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. *BF*JB 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2018, crash
I WAS IN A CRASH, SIDE IMPACT, PRETTY BAD. INJURED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HIT MY HEAD AND SHOULDER AGAINST THE SIDE ON THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. TRAVELING ON FREEWAY 50-60MPH, HEARD SCREECHING BEHIND DRIVERS SIDE OF ME... HEARD CRASH THEN I WAS IMPACTED ON DRIVERSIDE AND EVENTUALLY REAR PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO BE AIRBORNE AND LAND UPRIGHT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!
Air bags, Jun 25, 2018, crash
MY WIFE DROVE HER CAR (2017 TOYOTA RAV4 , PURCHASED ON NOV 17TH,2016) INTO MY NEIGHBOR 'S MAILBOX AND A SMALL TREE NEXT TO THE MAILBOX IN THE RESIDENTIAL AREA ON THE MORNING OF JUN 22TH,2018.PLEASE FIND ATTACHED PICTURE AND YOU WILL FIND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY UNDER THE SITUATION LIKE PICTURE SHOWS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY . ALSO, I WANT TO CONFIRM IS ANY RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL? THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT 33971 SUMMERSET DRIVE,SOLON,OH.NOBODY HURT BUT THE CAR LOOKS REALLY TERRIBLE.
Air bags, May 16, 2018, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 50 MPH CRASH ON THE FREEWAY WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR SPUN AND THE FRONT END WAS HIT AGAIN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
Air bags, Jan 6, 2018
SRS AIRBAG MALFUNCTION
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 7, 2017
THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOWED A YELLOW WARNING ALERT THAT THE VEHICLE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND LOOK FOR THE NEAREST DEALER. WE WENT TO THE DEALER AND ON THE CUTOMER STATEMENT OF PROBLEM TOYOTA PUT MALFUNCTION ILLUMINATED PASSENGER SEATBUCKLE SWITH CORRECTION TAKEN WAS ORDER SEAT BELT BUCKLE FRONT SEAT
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2017, crash
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 HAPPENED. IS THERE A WAY THAT THEY CAN TELL WHAT HAPPENEED?
Air bags, Mar 18, 2017
THE LIGHT FOR "SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OR COUNTRY ROADS. THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF ONLY ONCE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.