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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2017 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
5%of 307 total for the year
Median mileage
39,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Toyota RAV4, 5% of the 307 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11118902, filed 2018-08, 25,000 miles

“Vehicle once stationery put back in drive and try going ahead makes a noise from the front right cv axle had taken it to steven Toyota va, they came back saying it's a known issue through Toyota”

NHTSA complaint #11413315, filed 2021-04, 39,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11173469, filed 2019-02, 12,978 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202567%
202485%
2023117%
2022117%
2021236%
2020386%
2019829%
2018268%
2017165%
2016115%
2015258%
20142010%
20132911%
2012197%
2011259%
20103810%
2009289%
2008376%
2007535%
2006538%
200586%
20042315%
200320966%
200237671%
200119061%
2000517%
199946%
19981013%
199759%
1996919%

Other parts of the 2017 Toyota RAV4

Electrical system
108 complaints
Other or unknown
65 complaints
Brakes
38 complaints
Exterior lighting
32 complaints
Engine
31 complaints
Air bags
20 complaints
Body and structure
19 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
13 complaints
Steering
12 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Toyota RAV4

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology