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
307 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2019
ON 01/31/19 I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 RAV4 ON FREEWAY ABOUT 4 MILES THEN LOCAL ABOUT 5 BLOCKS I HEARD NOISE ON MY CAR SO I STOPPED. IT TURNED OUT I HAD A FLAT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I REPLACED IT WITH SPARE AND THE 'LOW TIRE PRESSURE' LIGHT JUST CAME ON. I THEN REALIZED WHY THE LTP LIGHT NEVER CAME ON BEFORE I REPLACED WITH SPARE. I TOOK THE RAV4 TO PASADENA TOYOTA TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO FIND OUT WHY LTP LIGHT NEVER CAME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A FLAT. THE DIAGNOSTIC FOUND 'NOTHING WRONG' AND THE SYSTEM DIDN'T RECORD ANYTHING. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THE TIRE SUFFERED 'RUN FLAT DAMAGE' AND NOT REPAIRABLE. I THEN CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SVC. CASE # 1902010530, CASE MANAGER DEREK. DEREK JUST INFORMED ME ON 2/11/19 THAT THE LTP LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN THE TIRE SUDDEN LOST PRESSURE AND TURN FLAT (OWNER'S MANUAL PG 571). I ASKED HIM WHY THE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON WHEN I DROVE IT ON FLAT FOR A WHILE TO CAUSE THE RUN FLAT DAMAGE. WASN'T THE TIRE PRESSURE LOW ENOUGH WHEN IT'S FLAT? HE SAID THE LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN IT'S FLAT. THIS SOUNDS VERY DANGEROUS IF THE WARNING LIGHT DOESN'T SEND OUT SIGNAL EVEN WHEN IT'S FLAT. HOWEVER PASADENA TOYOTA SVC ADVISOR TOLD ME THE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO CHECK THE PRESSURE EVERY 30 SECONDS. THIS CONFLICTS WITH WHAT DEREK TOLD ME. IF I ONLY DROVE WITH FLAT FOR 30 SECONDS LOCALLY IT WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED 'RUN FLAT DAMAGE'. I WAS ESPECIALLY DRIVING SLOW LOCALLY ON 1/31/19 BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC. I MUST HAVE DRIVEN IT MORE THAN 30 SECONDS (TO CAUSE THE RUN FLAT DAMAGE) BUT THE SYSTEM FAILED TO DETECT IT AND SENT ME THE WARNING. I KEEP THE DAMAGE TIRE IN CASE FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED. WE ALSO HAD ANOTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THIS 2017 RAV4 WHEN IT WAS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD. A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON SO WE BROUGHT IT TO DEALER TO CHECK ON 10/30/17. AGAIN, THE DIAGNOSTIC FOUND NOTHING. CAN I TRUST MY DASHBOARD?
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 1, 2019
POWER TRANSMISSION, SAFETY ISSUE, THE POWER TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT IN A TIMELY MANNER TO PROPER GEARS,IN COLD WEATHER, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY AFTER LEAVING WORK, THE CAR WILL ONLY GO 30 MPH AT 3,500 RPM. UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP, THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, AND NOW IT IS. TOYOTA DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE SHIFT POINTS ARE HIGHER THAN NORMAL, WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING, AND PER THE DEALER WELL IT TAKES AWHILE FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP BEFORE IT WILL GO TO NORMAL SHIFT POINTS, AND ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. WELL 30 MPH AT 3500 RPM, THIS IS NOT NORMAL, AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SO WHEN YOU LEAVE WORK YOUR CAR WILL ONLY GO 30 MPH ON A 60 MPH FREEWAY. THE DEALERS RESPONSE IS AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUNNING AND WARMED UP IT WILL WORK NORMALLY. THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL ABOUT THIS ISSUE, NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE LAST WINTER NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVING THIS ISSUE THIS WINTER.
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 1, 2019
THE TRANSMISSION, IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY IN EVEN MILDLY COLD WEATHER. HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS, AND NOW THE TRANMISSION, IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY WHEN YOU FIRST START IT UP. THE ENGINE RPMS ARE AT 3,500, WHEN DOING 30 MPH DOWN THE ROAD,AND PUSHING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL NOT GO, THERE ARE NO ERROR LIGHTS, THERE IS AN TRANMISSION SHIFT ISSUE WITH ACCELERATION ISSUE. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN GOING DOWN A 35 MPH ROAD, THERE ARE CARS THAT CAN ACCELERATE AND THIS CAR GOES NOWHERE. START THE CAR AFTER BEING PARKED OUTSIDE IN COLD WEATHER, WAITED 5 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR, AND IT IS STILL NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY. THERE HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT AND GO INTO GEAR PROPERLY, NOT SURE IF ITS THE COMPUTER PROGRAM, OR GEAR ISSUE. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE SECOND YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. OWNED THE CAR SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WITH THE CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO GO THE PROPER SPEED LIMIT, AND THE DEALER IS TRYING TO SAY OH, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP, DID NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM LAST WINTER BEING LEFT OUT ALL DAY AND NIGHT. THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FOR THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE GEARS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS, THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ACCELERATE PROPERLY BECAUSE OF THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND IF YOU DO ACCELERATE YOU CAN END UP RUINNING THE ENGINE.
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2019
WHEN IT IS RAINING, OR SNOWING AND FOR SOME REASON, THE SENSORS GET WET FROM THE BUMPER, CROSSTRAFFIC ALERT OR BACKUP OR SIDE WARNING, THE WHOLE SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN. DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND IT IS RAINING AND THE WHOLE COMPUTER JUST FROZE, AND LOST ALL SENSORS AND A FAILURE ALERT SHOWED UP ON THE DASHBOARD, ALONG WITH THE CARS TRANSMISSION HAVE A HARD TIME SHIFTING AS EXITING THE FREE WAY. THIS IS TOTAL COMPUTER FAILURE BUT AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING DOWN A ROAD, AND AT A STOP LIGHT PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND SHIFTING BACK TO DRIVE, ALL THE COMPUTER ERRORS CLEARED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND OF COURSE THEY FOUND NOTHING. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR BLIND SPOT WARNING SENSORS TO GO OUT THE PBM SENSOR SAID FAILURE AND THERE IS AN ELECTRIC HARNESS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR WHERE THE WIRES EITHER WERE NOT INSULATED OR NICK ALONG WITH THE COMPUTER MODEL TO THE TRANSMISSION. THERE IS FAULTY INSULATION, THIS HAPPENS ONLY ON OCCASION AND NOT ALL THE TIME, AND EVERY NOW AND THEN THERE IS A COMPUTER ISSUE, THE CLEARS ITSELF. ALSO THE CLOCK WAS LOSING TIME. DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE,. WHEN EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN IS A SAFETY ISSUE. YET, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION CLEARED THE ERRROS OFF THE DASH.
Service brakes, Jan 23, 2019
AT JUST OVER 15000 MILES THE FRONT BRAKES ARE WORN NEEDING REPLACED. UNIVERSITY TOYOTA IN MORGANTOWN, WV SAYS THAT IS NORMAL WEAR.
Service brakes, Jan 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE TOOK A LONGER TIME TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION TOYOTA FORT MYERS (2555 COLONIAL BLVD, FORT MYERS, FL 33907, (239) 321-5413) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,500.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SWITCHED LANES AND THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE FEATURE IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DETECTION SYSTEM ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH THE PRECEDING VEHICLE WAS MORE THAN 150 FEET AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *TT*JB
Exterior lighting, Dec 4, 2018
WHEN HEADLIGHTS AFTER DARK ARE SET ON AUTOMATIC AND I MEET ON COMING TRAFFIC EITHER BRIGHT LIGHTS MY LIGHTS NOT ONLY DIM AUTOMATICALLY BUT THE AUTOMATIC TURNS IT'S SELF OFF AND WON'T COME BACK ON FOR A GOOD DISTANCE. I HAVE MET VEHICLES WITH EXCEPTIONALLY BRIGHT LIGHTS AND MY AUTOMATIC NOT ONLY TURNS OFF BUT THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF ALTOGETHER AND I AM LEFT WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. I AM FUMBLING WITH THE LIGHT SWITCH TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON MANUALLY. THIS COULD BE DEADLY.
Exterior lighting, Nov 26, 2018
I PURCHASED A 2017 RAV4 LE IN DECEMBER 2017. AFTER DRIVING IT IN THE DARK, I REALIZED HOW HORRIBLE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE. I HAD THEM ADJUSTED ON MAY 5, 2018, BUT LITTLE DIFFERENCE WAS NOTICED. THOSE THAT BUY THE HIGH END MODELS OF THE RAV4 GET BETTER HEADLIGHTS. AND THEY CANNOT BE RETRO FITTED INTO THE LE MODEL. DRIVING AT NIGHT SCARES THE BEJEZZUS OUT OF ME. MY PARENTS LIVE IN MONTANA (LOTS OF WILDLIFE), AND HITTING A DEER IS NOT MY IDEA OF FUN. I DRIVE HIGH BEAMS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, BUT DON'T WANT ANOTHER CAR TO WRECK DUE TO MY HEADLIGHTS. I CAN'T EVEN SEE ACROSS THE STREET WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON LOW BEAM. I CAN'T BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS NOT REMEDIED THIS ISSUE. DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2018, WAS HORRIBLE! I COULDN'T EVEN TELL IF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON NOVEMBER 24, 2018, AND GAVE THE SALESMAN A PIECE OF MY MIND. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AS LONG AS THESE HEADLIGHTS REMAIN AN ISSUE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND PUTS PEOPLE AT RISK OF THEIR LIVES IF DRIVING AT NIGHT. I WILL SEE WHAT THEY COME BACK WITH AFTER MY DISCUSSION THE OTHER NIGHT. I WASN'T ABLE TO DRIVE MOST OF 2017 DUE TO MEDICAL ISSUES, SO I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA IS BETTER THAN THIS AND SHOULD BE EMBARASSED BY THE SITUATION. I'VE SPOKE WITH THEM SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY KNOW WHO I AM WHEN IN THE DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT STEP IS TO WRITE TO THE TOYOTA CORPORATION ABOUT MY SPECIFIC COMPLAINT. I HAD A 2009 RAV4 AND DID NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. A HUGE BLACK EYE FOR TOYOTA.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 9, 2018
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR BRAKE NOISES AND ROTATED WARPING. CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS 35,XXX. EVERY 5-7K THE ROTARS OR PADS ARE REPLACED. THERE IS USUALLY A NOISE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AND A DUPLICATE VIDEO WAS FOUND ON YOUTUBE AND TURNED OUT TO BE A MASTER CYLINDER AND WAS ADVISED THAT IT IS NOT THAT BUT I HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS. BRAKES ARE A MAJOR PART OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES I THOUGHT ABOUT TOWING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. BUT THEY CLAIM THAT THE NOISES ARE NORMAL AND ARE JUST THE PADS SHIFTING, I HAVE HAD MY SHARE FAR OF CARS AND DRIVEN MANY DIFFERENT BRANDS AND NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE EVEN WITH MY PRIOR TOYOTA'S. SECOND COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO MY LOCKS. THERE ARE TIMES THE LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT LOCK OR CONSTANTLY MAKES NOISE WHILE TRYING TO LOCK/UNLOCK AND THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE NOISE BUT THE SECOND I STEP IN THE CAR IT MAKES THE NOISE.
Service brakes, Nov 8, 2018
I GOT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. WITHIN THE 17,000 MILES I HAVE PUT ON IT, IT HAS HAD TO HAVE THE SAME {ONLY ONE BRAKE) BRAKE REPLACED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. THE OTHER 3 BRAKES ARE LIKE NEW. ALSO, JUST LAST WEEK, ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH THE NEWEST BRAKE REPLACEMENT RECENTLY COMPLETED, THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK, AND WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, THEY DID DEPRESS, BUT I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THIS WAS TERRIFYING, AND ON THE FREEWAY, IT COULD HAVE COST ME MY LIFE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION, AND NO AMOUNT OF BRAKE REPLACEMENT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO DEMAND A NEW VEHICLE THAT IS SAFE.
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!
Vehicle speed control, Sep 9, 2018, crash
I WAS BACKING MY CAR UP TO UNLOAD A SHELF AT WORK. I WAS BACKING A SHORT DISTANCE( 15 FT) ON A FLAT SURFACE.THE TAILGATE OF THE CAR WAS UP. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT TO BACK IT TOWARDS A HANDICAP RAMP. MY CAR WAS ROLLING SO I WAS USING THE BRAKE AND MOVING SLOWLY WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. I WAS PRESSING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, ALMOST STANDING ON IT , AND MY CAR ACCELERATED THROUGH THE RAILING ONTO THE RAMP WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THIS RAILING WAS ABOUT 35 FT LONG AND HAD 7 POST THAT WERE CEMENTED INTO THE RAMP. THE WHOLE RAILING WAS KNOCKED DOWN. TWO OF MY COWORKERS WERE STANDING ON THE RAMP WAITING TO HELP UNLOAD THE SHELF WERE INJURED. BOTH COWORKERS HAD BROKEN LEGS THAT REQUIRED METAL RODS. ONE COWORKER HAD A MORE SERIOUS LEG INJURY AND WILL REQUIRE MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND SKIN GRAFTING.
Service brakes, Engine, Sep 6, 2018
ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW OFF OF THE LOT I STARTED TO NOTICE MY BRAKES STARTING TO RUB AND SQUEAK. IF I WAS GOING DOWN HILL THE FRONT OF MY CAR WOULD SHAKE. IT WAS TERRIFYING. I TOOK IT TO THE MAITA TOYOTA DELARSHIP IN SACRAMENTO. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING IS WRONG MY PADS ARE STILL GOOD. I BEGGED THEM TO FIX THEM THEY REPLACED MY FRONT ROTORS AND BREAK PADS. THIS DEALERSHIP ALSO PERFORMED A ENGINE CLEANING AND MULTIPLE OTHER THINGS THEY SAID MY CAR NEEDED AT THAT TIME RUNNING ME 795$ THIS BEING ON JULY 11TH 2018. THEN TODAY SEPT 6TH 2018. MY STARTER IS OUT MY CAR NO LONGER STARTS. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY ALL OF THE INSIDE LIGHTS COME ON AND ALL YOU HEAR IS A CLICKING SOUND. MIND YOU I ALSO HAD A CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR INSPECTION IN JULY AND THEY PLACED GREEN CHECK MARK'S ON EVERYTHING INCLUDING MY WINDSHIELD BEING FREE FROM CHIPS. I NOW QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF THIS DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. DO THEY TRULY INSPECT AND DO THE WORK ON YOUR CAR? BECAUSE FROM WHERE I AM SEEING THIS AT SITTING HERE WITH A YEAR OLD CAR IN MY PARKING LOT CURRENTLY NOT DRIVEABLE I BEGIN TO WONDER IF THEY DO. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS WITH A 2017 TOYOTA CAR THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW.
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2018
THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR IS LOSE (AND GETTING WORSE). IT IS AN OBSTRUCTION AND DISTRACTION TO DRIVING; I CONSIDER IT TO BE DANGEROUS. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REPAIR SOLUTION; THE ITEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
Structure, Aug 20, 2018
FROM THE IIHS WEBSITE: "THE TOYOTA RAV4 WAS REDESIGNED FOR THE 2013 MODEL YEAR. ALTHOUGH TOYOTA REINFORCED THE STRUCTURE IN LATER MODEL YEARS ON THE DRIVER SIDE TO IMPROVE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN SMALL OVERLAP FRONTAL CRASHES, NO SUCH CHANGES WERE MADE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE." FOR THE 2013 REDESIGN, TOYOTA KNEW ENOUGH TO CORRECT THE STRUCTURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO REMEDY THE IIHS'S RATING OF POOR; HOWEVER, THIS CORRECTION WAS NOT MADE BILATERALLY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE IS STILL COMPROMISED. AT THE TIME I PURCHASED THE RAV4, THE PASSENGER SIDE SMALL FRONT OVERLAP TEST WAS NOT BEING CONDUCTED BY IIHS, AND IT WAS NOT DISCLOSED THAT THE CHANGE WAS MADE ONLY TO THE DRIVER SIDE. THE SALES GM AT THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED ME THAT MY CAR IS STILL SAFE AND REMAINS AN IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK. I OPENED A CASE WITH TOYOTA AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM A CASE MANAGER WHO SAID THE CAR MEETS FEDERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES AND HAS A FIVE-STAR SAFETY RATING WITH NHTSA. HE CALLED THE SMALL OVERLAP FRONT CRASH TEST SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF "OVERLY AGGRESSIVE" AND "VERY SPECIALIZED." HE STATED THAT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A "CHRONIC PRODUCT DEFECT" TO MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE AND THAT MY "COMPLAINT IS WITH THE PRODUCT DESIGN" THAT THERE IS "NOTHING FOR TOYOTA TO DO." IF THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF CRASH TEST WERE SO SPECIALIZED AND UNIMPORTANT TO TOYOTA, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE DRIVER SIDE, WHICH AT THE TIME WAS THE ONLY SIDE BEING TESTED. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA FOR FAILING TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT BILATERALLY, IN MY OPINION, PUT ME IN A POSITION WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR UNDER FALSE PRETENSES. I CHOSE THE RAV4 BECAUSE AT THE TIME, IT RECEIVED ALL GOOD RATINGS IN THE VARIOUS CRASHES WHICH HAD BEEN CONDUCTED. THE FACT THAT TOYOTA IS UNWILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MISREPRESENTATION IS STARTLING FOR A COMPANY THAT HAS USED SAFETY AS THE FOUNDATION FOR ITS REPUTATION.
Wheels, Aug 14, 2018
WE PURCHASED A NEW 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT CAME WITH A "TEMPORARY" SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL. I PURCHASED AN OEM 2017 RAV4 WHEEL AND TIRE THAT MATCHES THE NORMAL TIRES FOR CONVENIENCE AND ESPECIALLY SAFETY REASONS. I ALSO ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE FULL SIZE TIRE AND WHEEL IN THE WHEEL WELL OF THE RAV4 WITH NO SUCCESS. IN SHORT, THE WHEEL WELL IS NOT ADEQUATE FOR A FULL SIZE TIRE AND PROJECTS APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR. IT ALSO CAN NOT BE SECURED TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER EVALUATING THE SITUATION, I CALLED THE TOYOTA CONSUMER DEPARTMENT AND AFTER THEY CONSULTED WITH THEIR TECHNICAL PERSONNEL, I WAS TOLD THAT THE FULL SIZE WHEEL WILL NOT FIT IN THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL! ON PAGE 644 OF THE 2017 RAV4 OWNERS MANUAL THERE IS A DIRECT REFERENCE TO A FULL SIZE WHEEL STORAGE AREA IN ADDITION ON PAGES 642 AND 645 TO A TEMPORARY TIRE USE, ETC. THE RAV4 TEMPORARY TIRE IS NOT THE SAME CIRCUMFERENCE AN FULL SIZE TIRES; THUS, THE TOYOTA CONSUMER DEPARTMENT STATED THAT DUE TO THIS SITUATION, TEMPORARY TIRES MUST NOT BE MOUNTED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IF THERE IS A FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT OF THE RAV4, A PERSON MUST MOUNT A REAR TIRE ON THE FRONT THEN MOUNT THE TEMPORARY TIRE ON THE RELOCATED FULL SIZE TIRE ON THE REAR. THIS PROCEDURE IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THE BEST OF SITUATIONS. I PROPOSE THAT TOYOTA BE REQUIRED TO MODIFY THE SPARE TIRE WELL TO FIT FULL SIZE TIRES AND PROVIDE FULL SIZE TIRES ON THEIR VEHICLES. HONDA DOES THIS FOR THEIR CRV SMALL SUVS. SPARE WHEEL WELLS FOR THE TOYOTA CAMRYS AND COROLLAS ARE LARGE ENOUGH FOR FULL SIZE TIRES. THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF THE USELESS TEMPORARY TIRE ASSEMBLY HAS TO COST MORE THAN A FULL SIZE TIRE. THE NET WEIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO IS ABOUT 12 LBS. WHICH ADDS ABOUT FIVE GALLONS OF GASOLINE PER YEAR @ 15,000 MILES. THIS CONCERN WAS EXPRESSED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSUE OF CONSUMER REPORTS ON PAGE 12.
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Aug 10, 2018
THERE'S A RECALL ON MY 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 AND THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO MENTION IT. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN JULY 2017. THE RECALL WAS MADE JUNE 15 2017. RECALL ID#265486. RECALL IS 17R2 FOR TIRES. SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT HERE AS I HAVE KIDS IN THE CAR SOMETIMES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. THE ALSO HAS THE FOLLOWING NOTICEABLY PROBLEM WHEN IN MOTION OR DRIVING MODE: SUSPENSION ISSUES: STRUTS,SPINDLE, CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, STABILIZERS, AND RELATED COMPONENTS MAY PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS VERY SCARY TO HEAR THAT TRUTLE GRINDING NOISE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 24, 2018
ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2017, MY 88-YEAR-OLD FATHER, DIED OF ACCIDENTAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. HIS DEATH RESULTED FROM HIS NEW TOYOTA RAV4 KEYLESS CAR NOT TURNING OFF, ULTIMATELY FLOODING HIS APARTMENT WITH THE DEADLY GAS. HE WAS FOUND IN HIS BED, DEAD, ON SEPTEMBER 7TH, AROUND 10:25 A.M. HIS TWO CATS HAD ALSO EXPIRED. THE TOYOTA RAV4 WAS STILL RUNNING ' 14 HOURS FOLLOWING HIS RETURN HOME FROM A FAMILY DINNER. THE CARBON MONOXIDE READING INSIDE HIS CAR WAS 330. THE RESIDENCE REGISTERED AT 53. MORE THAN TWO HOURS AFTER DISCOVERING MY FATHER'S BODY, THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS IN THE HOUSE WERE STILL 30. THIS AFTER DOORS AND WINDOWS WERE OPENED AND A LARGE FAN PROVIDED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS USED TO PUSH THE AIR THRU THE RESIDENCE. THE CARBON MONOXIDE TRAVELED TO THE NEIGHBOR'S ADJOINING GARAGE AND THRU HER APARTMENT WALLS. MORE THAN ONE HOUR AFTER MY FATHER WAS DISCOVERED, THE NEIGHBOR'S APARTMENT CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS WERE STILL 40 ' REQUIRING A HOSPITAL VISIT. THE DETECTIVE ON THE SCENE FOUND THE TOYOTA KEY FOB ON THE DINING TABLE ' JUST YARDS FROM THE ATTACHED GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED. THE CAR WAS LEASED IN JULY OF 2017. IT WAS DELIVERED IN MID-AUGUST 2017, BY TOYOTA DEALER. AT NO TIME DURING THE SALE OR UPON DELIVERY, WAS IT IMPRESSED UPON MY FATHER THAT THE KEYLESS CARS PRESENTED A CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CONCERN. AT NO TIME WAS MY FATHER OFFERED AN OPTION FOR A 'KEYED' CAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING SYSTEMS ON THE CAR TO SUGGEST THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. IT SEEMS INCOMPREHENSIBLE THAT TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM WITH ADDITIONAL WARNING DEVICES FOR DRIVERS, AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF AFTER A SET TIME, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, BE REQUIRED TO EMPLOY A POLICY THAT SUGGESTS A KEY IGNITION WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR SENIOR DRIVERS. FYI: LOCAL POLICE/EMT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE. A REPORT WAS FILED. *TT *TR
Service brakes, Jul 20, 2018
PRE COLLISION SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PER SPECIFICATION OR MANUAL. DOES NOT SLOW VEHICLE OR STOP IT. IF RELIED ON VERY DANGEROUS. TESTED ON TWO VEHICLES ONE WITH UNDER 2000 MILES AND ONE WITH UNDER 3000 MILES. DOES NOT MEET REPRESENTATIONS. FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTING TEST!
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2018
JACK SLIPS WILL NOT JACK UP CAR HI ENOUGH TO TAKE FLAT TIRE OFF WE WERE ON A COUNTY ROAD HAD TO GET A PIECE OF WOOD TO PUT JACK ON TO GET TIRE OFF
Electrical system, Jun 21, 2018
ON OCCASION, WHILE GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND I GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS "CHARGING MALFUNCTION". IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN I PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE BUSY STREET I LIVE ON. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED ONCE WHEN I PARALLELL PARKED. I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART FOR IT TO WORK AGAIN. I TRIED TO RECREATE THE SITUATION BUT CANNOT. I BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM EITHER. MOST RECENTLY IT HAPPENED TO ME LAST NIGHT WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. (6-20-18) TIME. I PURCHASED THE CAR AUGUST OF 2017 AND IT STILL IS UNDER WARRANTY HOWEVER I HAVE HAD NO LUCK WITH TOYOTA. THEIR RESPONSE WAS WE WILL NOTE IT IN THE FILE.
Service brakes, Jun 15, 2018
FRONT ROTORS CAUSED THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE TERRIBLY WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH WHEN YOU JUST TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDDLE. THE RAV 4 2017 ONLY HAS 14,900 MILES. I BROUGHT RAV 4 TO DEALER FOR NORMAL 15,000 MILE MAINTENANCE. I WAS TOLD THE ROTOR NEED TO BE RESURFACED... FOR $180.00....CALLED IT "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" IT APPEARS THAT IN COLORADO OR MOUNTAIN AREAS THAT ROTOR NORMALLY NEED TO BE RESURFACED. THE RAVA 4 FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF STEERING THE RAVA 4 AT 70 MPH. THEN DEALER SAID OH THAT IS NORMAL, WE HAVE TO RESURFACE ROTORS OF RAV 4 (2017) IN THIS AREA ALL THE TIME. ON MAY 16, 2018 I CALLED 800-331-4331 TOYOTA US HEAD QUARTERS AND SPOKE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. CASE # 1805162014 AND HE SAID HE WOULD CALL THE AUTONATION TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER ON ARAPAHOE IN COLORADO AND GET BACK TO ME IN A FEW DAYS. WELL ON MAY 31, 2018 CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM TOYOTA CALLED ME AFTER I SPOKE WITH ON MAY 30, 2018 TO ANDREA, EXPLAINING THE SITUATION. THE OFFICAL RESPONSE WAS OH THAT IS JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FOR RAV 4 2017 ROTORS...IT IS YOUR COST IF A RECALL IS ISSUED ON THE ROTORS YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED! THE REST OF THE STORY, I TOOK A TRIP FROM DENVER, CO TO PHOENIX, AZ MAY 3, 2018. I HAD APPROX 13,000 ON THE RAV 4., WHICH REQUIRES DRIVING DOWN HILL FROM FLAGSTAFF, AZ ...APPROX. 120 MILES. THAT MOUNTAIN DRIVING RESULTED IN THE RAV 4 BRAKING TO CAUSE THE SEVERE SHAKE OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALMOST LOOSING CONTROL OF RAV 4 AT 70 MPH. THE CRUISE CONTROL SLOWS THE CAR DOWN AS YOU APPROACH OTHER SLOWER VEHICLES AND IF YOU JUST TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDDLE THE RAV 4 WANTS TO SHAKE THE RAV 4 APART! YOU LOOSE TOTAL CONTOL OF RAV 4 IF LEAVE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDDLE.. TOYOTA SAYS THAT IS JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ... WELL AT SPEED LIMIT ON INTER STATE ..THESE ROTORS CAN CAUSE TO HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT!!!
Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2018, crash
WHEN STOPPED AT MY CLOSED DRIVEWAY GATES I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL IT TOOK OFF IN (DRIVE) FORWARD. IT DROVE SO HARD IT SENT THE GATE FLYING AND BROKE THE METAL LOCK. I WAS IN SHOCK AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE. IT STOPPED BUT I WAS IN SHOCK. IT JUST TOOK OFF. IT DID IT AGAIN AFTER REPORTING IT TO MY DEALER AND INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY WANT TO SEE IT AFTER THE REPAIRS ARE DONE. ALSO THE FRONT DETECTOR WILL SUDDENLY STOP MY RAV4 2017 WHILE I'M DRIVING 55 MPH FOR SOMEONE PASSING ME IN A RIGHT TURN LANE. BOUGHT IT LAST SUMMER. IS THIS A LEMON AND DOES THE LEMON LAW APPLY.