2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 RAV4 most often describe electrical problems — batteries that go flat or leak, and no-start or shutdown situations — along with a cluster of under-hood fire reports that several owners connect to the 12-volt battery recall. Headlight complaints are the other recurring theme, mostly about weak low-beam coverage on the LE trim and automatic high beams that switch off without warning. Many of these reports arrive at relatively modest mileage, and the battery-related ones often mention that the recall part was not yet available.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Battery drain, corrosion, acid leak and no-start

   • 50 complaints (16%)
   • median 47,736 mi at 3.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe batteries that go flat repeatedly, sometimes needing replacement several times in a few years, and terminal posts that corrode or gum up quickly. Some owners report yellow fluid under the vehicle or acid that damaged components under the hood according to the dealer diagnosis. Others describe the car failing to start or shutting down while driving, with a charging malfunction message, and several dealers were unable to find a stored fault. Spread from roughly 15,000 to 100,000 miles, with several reports in the 30,000-60,000 mile range.

   Recall 23V7340007 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the 23V734000 battery recall has been completed and whether a Toyota-specified battery of the correct size is fitted. Check the battery tray, hold-down bracket and terminals for corrosion, acid residue or looseness.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Please see attached sheet for all that has happened since I purchased the car. I've had to replace the battery 2 times in 3 years as well. I have new battery and it became corroded fast. My car kept telling me there was an electrical issue and the check engine light would come on and all of the fails LED to the transmission issues.”

   NHTSA complaint #11398650, filed 2021-03, 90,000 miles

   “I was stopped at a red light and suddenly the battery light came on and the car shut down completely. I could not steer or move. After a moment I was able to start the car and proceed home. That was the only time it has happened and it occurred in october of 2020. I brought the car to my mechanic a few days later and they could not find a problem. Invoice is attached.”

   NHTSA complaint #11399310, filed 2021-03, 30,798 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Under-hood smoke and fire

   • 34 complaints (11%)
   • median 76,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 26 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe smoke, sparks or flames from the engine bay, sometimes noticed after parking or while driving at ordinary speeds, and sometimes with no warning light beforehand. In several reports the vehicle was a total loss and the fire department extinguished the flames; the cause was often listed as undetermined. Some owners mention they had been notified of the battery recall but the remedy part was not available. Reported from about 24,000 to 125,000 miles, with several cases in the 50,000-100,000 mile range.

   Recall 23V7340004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm recall 23V734000 status and ask for any battery service history. Inspect the battery area for a loose or incorrect-size battery and look for scorching or melted connectors near the battery and fuse box.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had own 2017 Toyota rav4le for less than 3 years and less then 25000 mile, we follow the instructions to have a schedule maintenance. We have never experience any problem at all, overall it was good driving car. However, on 5/4/2020, I parked my car at parking lot, turned off engine. I heard gentle click click two sound, do not realized it was from my car (other people was unload stuff). I open the driver side door get ready to off my car and go. I smelled rubber burning. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11327143, filed 2020-06, 24,500 miles

   “While I was driving home from work on thursday, march 5, 2020, I smelled smoke. I looked at the temperature on the dashboard and it showed that the temperature was a little below the middle line indicating the vehicle was not hot. I continued driving for a couple more blocks and continued to smell smoke so attempted to pull over into a parking lot. When I tried to pull over, the vehicle stopped on its own so I was half way between the street and parking lot. I saw smoke come out from under the hood of the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11317639, filed 2020-03, 16,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Shudder or vibration at idle and low-speed shudder

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine shaking or vibrating when stopped at a light once the car is fully warm, with the tachometer dipping low enough to feel like a stall is coming. Some were told no fault codes were stored and that the behavior was normal, and one dealer reportedly reproduced it on another vehicle. Others report a shudder during light acceleration or gear changes that was traced to worn engine mounts or a CV axle. Reported from about 4,000 to 94,000 miles, frequently in the 15,000-40,000 mile range.

   What to check: Test drive until fully warm and stop at a light in gear to feel for vibration. Ask whether the idle issue has been diagnosed and whether engine mounts or the CV axles have been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving at 25 MPH to 40 MPH my vehicle starts to shudder. I can hear it as if it is coming up from the under carriage. It doesn't do it all the time but it occurs at least once per week. The shudder occurs when driving on a suburban street going straight down the road.”

   NHTSA complaint #11340977, filed 2020-07, 4,200 miles

   “After driving for about 20 minutes in cold weather, when the vehicle stops at red light/stop signs RPM drops to 400-500 resulting in noticeable shaking like the engine is about to stall. I'm afraid the vehicle my stall in the future.”

   NHTSA complaint #11372485, filed 2020-10, 21,950 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brakes feel spongy or need a deep pedal

   • 38 complaints (12%)
   • median 14,000 mi at 1.6 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe a brake pedal that travels close to the floor, a spongy feel, and in some cases having to press very hard or use the parking brake to stop. Owners report returning to the dealer repeatedly after brake work, with the pedal feel returning, and some say the dealer wanted to charge for further diagnosis. A few reports describe a lunge forward when braking from low speed. Reported from about 15,000 to 60,000 miles, including soon after a brake service.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the pedal with the engine running: it should feel firm and hold pressure without sinking. Ask for brake service records and whether the master cylinder or lines have been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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”

   NHTSA complaint #11308039, filed 2020-02, 42,000 miles

   “Last spring had $700.00 brake job on my daughters car at Toyota dealer we have delt with for years.I happen to drive it one day and found brakes spongy and went within one inch of floor to stop. Just drove again and same problem !. Is this a design problem with master cylinder !”

   NHTSA complaint #11394858, filed 2021-02, 60,251 miles

Buying note. Have any 2017 RAV4 inspected for the open battery recall and for corrosion or an incorrect-size battery before purchase, and check the service history for repeated battery or no-start visits. A nighttime test drive and a firm-brake-pedal check are worth doing on any example, and confirm the idle vibration question with the seller.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.