2017 Toyota Rav4 problems

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The Toyota RAV4 (Japanese: トヨタ・RAV4, Hepburn: Toyota Ravufō) is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. It is known for starting the wave of compact crossovers.

It made its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994, and in North America in 1995, being launched in January 1996. The vehicle was designed for consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, along with the manoeuvrability and fuel economy of a compact car. The vehicle's name is an abbreviation of "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", or "Robust Accurate Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", although not all models come equipped with the four-wheel drive system.

For the third-generation model, Toyota offered both short- and long-wheelbase versions of the RAV4. Short-wheelbase versions were sold in Japan and Europe; long-wheelbase versions in Australia and North America. Toyota of Japan also sold the longer-wheelbase version as the Toyota Vanguard (Japanese: トヨタ・ヴァンガード, Hepburn: Toyota Vangādo) at Toyopet Store dealership chain from 2005 through 2016. RAV4 for the Japanese market were sold at two different Toyota dealership chains, Corolla Store and Netz.

In 2019, the RAV4 was the best-selling SUV of any type in the world, and the fourth best-selling passenger car overall. North America is the largest market, with 535,000 units sold in 2019, followed by Europe (133,000) and China (127,000). By February 2020, a total of 10 million RAV4s had been sold globally.

2017 Toyota Rav4

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Common 2017 Toyota Rav4 problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 2017 Toyota RAV4, several common problems have been reported:

  1. Steering Pulls To One Side:
    • Owners have reported that the steering on the 2017 Toyota RAV4 tends to pull to one side at higher speeds, making long road trips tiring. This issue seems to be a design flaw rather than a repairable problem, as it is prevalent in cars with low mileage. No specific cost is assigned to fixing this issue.
    • To avoid this problem, potential buyers should test drive the RAV4 at highway speeds to feel for any off-center or wandering steering behavior.
  2. Transmission Issues:
    • The 2017 RAV4 has consistent reports of a clunky and rough shifting automatic transmission, particularly linked to the 6-speed automatic transmission. Owners have noted issues such as difficulty shifting from reverse to drive and drastic gear changes on hills. This problem is more related to the transmission's programming and design.
    • If the transmission fails, the repair cost is estimated to be around $4000.
    • To avoid transmission issues, it is recommended to test drive the RAV4 under various conditions, including uphill driving, to assess the transmission's behavior.
  3. Electrical Issues:
    • Electrical problems, more common in Hybrid models, have been reported by owners. These issues include the vehicle shutting off while driving and displaying a "Charging system fault" error. The resolution for these electrical issues can range from a simple software fix to a complete replacement of the electrical harness and system, leading to repair costs ranging from $200 to $6300.
    • To mitigate electrical problems, buyers should be cautious, especially with Hybrid models, and pay attention to any warning signs like sudden shutdowns or error messages.

These common problems with the 2017 Toyota RAV4, as reported by owners, highlight the importance of thorough testing and inspection when considering purchasing this vehicle.

2017 Toyota Rav4 engine

Do 2017 RAV4 have problems?

There are several reports that the steering on the 2017 Toyota Rav4 has a tendency to pull to one side while at higher speeds. Owners find themselves having to fight with the steering wheel and indicate that long road trips can be quite taxing due to having to constantly correct the issue.

Is RAV4 2017 reliable?

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 is one of the best slightly used SUVs you can buy. Though it's not as exciting as rivals in terms of performance, and it's a bit more costly on average, it's reliable, and it comes standard with a lot of advanced safety tech. The 2017 Toyota RAV4 was a sales leader in its class for the model year.

Are there any recalls on a 2017 Toyota RAV4?

Toyota RAV4 Recall Details

Vehicles recalled: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Toyota RAV4. The problem: Some 12-volt batteries have different top dimensions than the original battery and may not be properly secured.

How many miles will a 2017 Toyota RAV4 last?

Experts tend to agree that you can put upwards of 200,000 to 250,000 miles on a Toyota RAV4 if it has been properly cared for.

Do 2017 RAV4 have problems?

There are several reports that the steering on the 2017 Toyota Rav4 has a tendency to pull to one side while at higher speeds. Owners find themselves having to fight with the steering wheel and indicate that long road trips can be quite taxing due to having to constantly correct the issue.

Is RAV4 2017 reliable?

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 is one of the best slightly used SUVs you can buy. Though it's not as exciting as rivals in terms of performance, and it's a bit more costly on average, it's reliable, and it comes standard with a lot of advanced safety tech. The 2017 Toyota RAV4 was a sales leader in its class for the model year.

What is the common problem of Toyota RAV4?

The RAV4's issues include excessive oil consumption, steering wheel problems, lagging transmissions, fuel system problems, and electrical complications, among other troubles. Here, you'll see which RAV4 model years frequently experience what issues and what might cause them.

Is RAV4 2017 fuel efficient?

Toyota RAV4 2017 Fuel consumption

The Toyota RAV4 currently offers fuel consumption from 5.6 to 8.5L/100km. The Toyota RAV4 is available with the following fuel types: Diesel and ULP.

2017 Toyota Rav4 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Rav4 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Electrical system problems
  • Unknown or other problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Exterior lighting problems
  • Engine problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2017 Toyota Rav4 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 2017 Toyota Rav4

The NHTSA has received 254 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2017 Toyota Rav4. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2017 Toyota Rav4 vehicles.

2024-10-19

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-03
  • VIN: JTMBFREV6HJ
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
  • Summary: i have a 2017 rav4 with less than 60k miles and the factory back up camera stopped working
2024-09-22

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-22
  • VIN: 2T3NFREVXHW
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: 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.
2024-09-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
  • VIN: 2T3RFREV1HW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-09-17

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-17
  • VIN: 2T3NFREV8HW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-09-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-10
  • VIN: JTMWFREV8HJ
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact became aware that the VIN was included NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-09-09

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-26
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 2T3YFREV0HW
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: My Toyota RAV4 was involved in an accident. My vehicle was rear-ended on [XXX], at the corner of [XXX] and [XXX] in Tucson, AZ. Because it was during rush hour traffic, I moved my vehicle to an adjacent parking lot. It was while I was in this parking lot that I experienced brake failure and I was unable to stop my vehicle. As a result, my car hit a concrete pillar in the parking lot. This automatically stopped my vehicle and resulted in front end damage to my vehicle. 911 was dispatched and a sheriff was called to the accident scene. My car was towed to a tow yard before the Toyota collision center could begin work on estimating the amount of damages to my vehicle for the front-end and rear-end damage. My insurance company totaled my vehicle. I contacted Toyota to notify them of this brake failure. I was notified by a third party to contact you to report this incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-09-04

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-03
  • VIN: 2T3DFREVXHW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, there was a loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle's hood. The contact stated that while opening the hood of the vehicle the contact noticed there were several sparks near the battery. The contact unplugged the battery. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and it confirmed there was no remedy available, and there would be a charge for a diagnostic test. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 57,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-08-19

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-01
  • VIN: 2T3YFREV9HW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-08-19

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-20
  • VIN: 2T3RFREV9HW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The Recall is about battery terminal to contact the hold-down clamp Recall was issued before 7/2024. But the recall is not repaired till today 8/19/2024.
2024-08-14

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-11-15
  • VIN: 2T3RFREV3HW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: It has ben 9 months since the recall was issued. But still no remedy ready.
2024-08-09

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
  • VIN: 2T3ZFREV5HW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-08-05

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
  • VIN: JTMWFREV2HD
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-08-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
  • VIN: 2T3ZFREV4HW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: There has been a recall on my vehicle (2017 Toyota Rav 4) since November 2023. It is now August 2024. I have not been able to drive my vehicle this entire time and Toyota had done nothing to help me. There is a safety concern with the battery catching on fire, so I fear that this will happen while driving it, so I decided to pay for a rental car while I wait for a remedy. I have been paying for a rental car since November 2023 and Toyota still has not found a remedy. Please help.
2024-08-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
  • VIN: JTMDFREV7HJ
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-07-31

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-28
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: JTMDFREV5HJ
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
  • Summary: As the driver was making a right hand turn, the dash lights came on and the vehicle lost power. The driver was able to get the vehicle to roll to a stop in the middle of the road after making the turn. As the driver exited the vehicle to check the engine, the passenger stated smoke could be smelled coming into the cabin. Before the hood could be disengaged, flames engulfed the engine compartment and began raising above the hood of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle activated 911 and emergency personnel extinguished the fire. The fire was contained to the engine compartment. The vehicle does have a recall for aftermarket batteries causing fires. The vehicle was purchased on December 13, 2023 at which time the recall wasn't communicated by the independent dealer. Currently, there isn't a known fix for the recall.
2024-07-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-26
  • VIN: JTMRFREV1HD
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-07-18

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-18
  • VIN: 2T3NFREVXHW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-07-18

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-18
  • VIN: 2T3WFREV7HW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: This is in regards to Safety Recall 23TA13 "Certain Model Year 2013- 2018 RAV4- Potential Vehicle Fire related to 12-volt battery". This recall was suppose to have a solution "late June" Toyota has removed that verbiage once that date passed and we still don't have a resolution. Every day I'm concerned my car might just catch fire when going over a speed bump or hitting a pot hole. This issue has been known about since last November.
2024-06-06

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-06
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000(Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. The VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-06-02

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-11-07
  • VIN: 2T3NFREV1HW
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: 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)
2024-05-24

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-13
  • VIN: 2T3BFREV2HW
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: 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.
2024-05-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-05-10
  • VIN: 2T3WFREVXHW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle off and later attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The battery was then recharged. The failure occurred on several occasions before the vehicle was taken to the local mechanic. The local mechanic was unable to diagnose a failure or determine a cause for the failure. Additionally, after opening the rear hatch door, the door failed to close and remained open. The contact stated that water and condensation were present inside the rear brake light assembly. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,000.
2024-05-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-02
  • VIN: 2T3BFREV1HW
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to shake violently, prompting her to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection, the contact observed smoke coming from the battery. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the battery. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System), and the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-04-29

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-29
  • VIN: JTMDFREV4HD
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles. We purchased this vehicle new. Both inner CV Axles are leaking grease. I expected, for a Toyota brand, for these parts to last much longer. It is difficult to know how long these have been leaking, but suspect for quite some time. Meaning these parts have been quite defective for possibly over a year or two. If these were to dry out without knowing, the CV could completely lock up--very dangerous.
2024-04-25

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-16
  • VIN: 2T3DFREV1HW
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Driving along, and all of sudden engine shuts down. Message indicated a malfunction, showed picture of battery, and indicated to put vehicle in park, and restart engine. Did so, and engine started. Dangerous situation, but luckily traffic was light.

2017 Toyota Rav4 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2017 Toyota Rav4.

2023-11-01
  • Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risks were mailed December 8, 2023. Remedy parts are anticipated by December 2024. Remedy is planned to launch to dealers by November 1, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
2019-06-28
  • Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
  • Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
  • Summary: 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."
  • Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: 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.
2017-05-02
  • Manufacturer: Gulf States Toyota, Inc.
  • Components: TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: 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.

Negative 2017 Toyota Rav4 car reviews

  1. Ryder Hansen 2024-11-29

    We purchased our 2017 Rav4 LE brand new from the dealership and have driven it for 33k miles. Unfortunately, we have recently experienced some transmission issues such as hard shifting and delayed shifting until 6k rpm. Additionally, we had a problem with our braking system. Despite these issues, we initially enjoyed the comfortable seats and decent gas mileage. However, we did notice that the car collects dust and dirt easily and the radio and headlights could use some improvement. We also noticed that the paint seems to chip easily after just 6 months. Overall, we have had some challenges with our Rav4 and have been disappointed with the build quality.

  2. Travon Hermiston 2024-11-15

    Two years ago, my wife and I purchased a Toyota RAV4 from Findlay Toyota in Henderson, NV. Unfortunately, after only 12K miles, we noticed a strange sound when applying the brakes. Despite the service department's initial assurance that it was just dirt in the brake pads, the sound persisted at 14K and 19K miles. We were disappointed to learn that the service department claimed it was a known issue with the car and that we would have to pay for the brake replacement ourselves. We felt frustrated and unheard. When I reached out to Toyota, I spoke with a service manager who was unable to offer a solution. It was disheartening to feel like just another customer to them. I had a similar experience 30 years ago in Colombia, South America, with a Toyota Hilux that had brake problems. Despite the customer service department's lack of knowledge about the issue, the car was eventually recalled and the hydraulic hoses were replaced. It seems that Toyota still has room for improvement in their brake systems and service department training. As a result of these experiences, I have decided not to purchase a Toyota again.

  3. Pierce Cummerata 2024-10-01

    Hello! I hope you're doing well. I was wondering if there's a speedometer on the 2017 RAV4 XLE that shows the speed digitally as a number? I remember having it on my previous Chevy Equinox and Corvette, and it was really helpful. I sell Chevrolet and Nissan vehicles for a living, and I think it's a great feature to have. Other than that, the RAV4 XLE is a great vehicle!

  4. Selmer Lemke 2024-09-20

    The driver's seat is extremely uncomfortable on long rides, lacking proper armrests that fit a normal person's body when the seat is in the right position. This results in severe back, neck, and shoulder pain after just 2 hours, making longer drives unbearable. In contrast, I previously owned a Highlander, which was an SUV mini-van that I loved for its comfortable seats, smooth ride, and powerful engine. While the current model has some impressive tech features, such as beeping when crossing a line, I find it frustrating that I cannot turn them off, and the service department was unable to help. Additionally, the audio system plays music from my iPhone even when the audio is off, which can be distracting during calls. While the MPH is good and the engine is decent, it lacks acceleration for passing. Overall, I miss my old Highlander and wish that Toyota would bring back the previous model with its V6 engine, great storage, and roomy, comfortable interior.

  5. Allan Jacobs 2024-07-18

    The road handling and steering control of the SUV could be improved. Despite previous attempts to fix the issue, it still persists. In comparison to my 2007 Jeep Liberty, the 2017 Rav4 could benefit from some enhancements.

Positive 2017 Toyota Rav4 car reviews

  1. Emmett Skiles 2025-01-08

    Firstly, I would like to share my experience with the 2013 Ford Escape SEL, which I owned before purchasing the Toyota RAV4. Although the Escape had more options for the price point, I found the RAV4's appearance to be very inviting. The 2017 RAV4 only offers a 4 cylinder engine, while the 2016 model offered a 6 cylinder. However, the SE comes with ECO/Sport modes, which I find very useful. In ECO mode, I am getting about 29mpg, and in Sport mode, the engine is more peppy. The power is more than enough for merging onto highways and passing, in my opinion. The interior is quiet, and the road/engine noise into the cabin is minimal. The SE's suspension is a little more stiff than I would like, but it's still okay. There is almost no vehicle lean going around corners, and the electric steering feels fine. The stereo is great, and the cabin speakers are more than adequate, even better than my Escape's. The back seat is spacious, and the cargo area is fine. The LED trim on the headlights and tail lights looks very nice, and there is great visibility at night with just low beams on. The only thing I wish I had is a memory button for the driver's seat and a power passenger seat. Other than that, it's a nice vehicle, but I only have a little over 550 miles on it so far. After owning my RAV4 for 13 months and accumulating 32K miles, I have noticed a few things that could be improved. The front cup holders are in terrible locations, and I have spilled drinks due to this, which is very irritating. The seats, both front and back, could use more padding, as they are not comfortable on long drives. The dash lights only go so bright, which is not enough for me, and it appears that others reviewing this vehicle feel the same way. The steering wheel needs to tilt more and telescope further out. However, the gas mileage is great for an AWD, and I average 27 in the Winter and 29 in the Summer.Legroom and headroom are very good. As someone who is 6'-4

  2. Dion Goyette 2025-01-08

    Hi there! I just wanted to share my experience with the Limited model of Rav4. It has so many great features like floor mats, heated front seats, tinted windows, leather seats, and it looks amazing! The Rav4 is the perfect size for carrying all sorts of items and it's such a smooth ride with AWD (All Wheel Drive). This is actually my third Rav4 and even though I looked at other used cars, I just couldn't resist staying with the Rav4 over other vehicles in the same class. It also has great clearance from the ground, which makes it perfect for travelling in snow, and it's high enough above the road to avoid any truck spray when I pass them in bad weather. Plus, it gets reasonable mileage at 23-28 MPG and Toyotas are known for holding their resale value. Thanks for listening!

  3. Lavon King 2024-09-08

    I noticed that you mentioned in your review that the brakes on this model have been a problem area. I did some research and found that the brakes on this particular vehicle have been replaced twice according to its history at Carmax.

  4. Harry Hirthe 2024-08-22

    I'm glad to hear that you're happy with your new vehicle! It's understandable that you can't comment on its reliability or overall value just yet, since you haven't owned it for very long. Based on your positive experience with your last Toyota, I'm sure this one will do just as well, earning a solid 4 to 5 stars. While it would have been nice to have a 6 cyl option available, I'm sure the compact SUV still meets your needs. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

  5. Golden Dibbert 2024-06-16

    After 10 months, I still feel great about my Rav4. It's an excellent all-round vehicle. When we were shopping for SUVs, we looked at 4 different brands: Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru. We narrowed it down to Toyota and Subaru because they were both fun to drive, comfortable, and offered good value. Subaru was a close second, followed by Honda. Unfortunately, we weren't impressed with Mazda due to its poor visibility. The Toyota and Subaru were both a pleasure to drive in town and on the highway.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2017 Toyota Rav4 problems:

The most common problems with used 2017 Toyota Rav4s - CoPilot
The most common problems with used 2017 Toyota Rav4s - CoPilot
https://www.copilotsearch.com/posts/2017-rav4-problems/

Sep 24, 2020 ... The 2017 Rav4 has consistent reports about a clunky and rough shifting automatic transmission. It appears that this issue is more specifically ...

Advice as I consider purchasing 2017 RAV4 LE | Toyota RAV4 Forums
Advice as I consider purchasing 2017 RAV4 LE | Toyota RAV4 Forums
https://www.rav4world.com/threads/advice-as-i-consider-purchasing-2017-rav4-le.312078/

Mar 26, 2021 ... Bad: Noisy, all kinds from road, wind, engine. You name it, it had it. Constant gear changes at highway speeds. Just the ...

2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/toyota/rav4/2017/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2017 Toyota RAV4? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

4th Gen Rav4 and rav4 hybrid Common problems and issues ...
4th Gen Rav4 and rav4 hybrid Common problems and issues ...
https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/4th-gen-rav4-and-rav4-hybrid-common-problems-and-issues.1681347/

Jul 10, 2020 ... I am a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician and currently work at a Toyota dealership. ... I also have other videos covering 2007-2017 Toyota Camry ...

Considering buying used RAV4 - Common problems 2016-2018? : r ...
Considering buying used RAV4 - Common problems 2016-2018? : r ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/rav4club/comments/kre5dh/considering_buying_used_rav4_common_problems/

Jan 6, 2021 ... 64K subscribers in the rav4club community. The Toyota RAV4 is a terrific car that doesn't seem to fit into any one category.

Other years of Toyota Rav4

toyota rav4 2018 photo
Rav4 2018
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248

3

25

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Rav4 2019
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724

7

24

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196

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