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
2017 Toyota RAV4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAV4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
162 reports with mileage · 145 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
62 reportsWHEN 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…
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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.
INTERIOR TRIM PIECE UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND DIRECTLY OVER THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY FALLS DOWN (JUST FRONT CLIPS RELEASE) ALLOWING THE TRIM TO HANG DOWN AND BLOCK ACCESS TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I MANAGED TO GET THE TRIM OUT OF THE WAY, BUT IT FELL SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET I…
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INTERIOR TRIM PIECE UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND DIRECTLY OVER THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY FALLS DOWN (JUST FRONT CLIPS RELEASE) ALLOWING THE TRIM TO HANG DOWN AND BLOCK ACCESS TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I MANAGED TO GET THE TRIM OUT OF THE WAY, BUT IT FELL SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. REPAIRS ARE UNDERWAY. I DON'T KNOW IF TOYOTA CAN CORRECT THIS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
I STARTED IT AND NOTICED IMMEDIATELY SOMETHING WAS WRONG. VEHICLE STARTED MOVING AND I TRIED TO APPLY BRAKE. BRAKE WAS HARD INITIALLY AND VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING. THEN I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY BUT IT KEPT MOVING. WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR I GOT PANIC. I SWITCHED TO P AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING, THOUGH SLO…
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I STARTED IT AND NOTICED IMMEDIATELY SOMETHING WAS WRONG. VEHICLE STARTED MOVING AND I TRIED TO APPLY BRAKE. BRAKE WAS HARD INITIALLY AND VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING. THEN I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY BUT IT KEPT MOVING. WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR I GOT PANIC. I SWITCHED TO P AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING, THOUGH SLOWLY ON THE STREET. THEN I TURNED POWER OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. AT THIS POINT ALL DASH BOARDS LIGHTS WERE ON AND IT WAS MAKING A LOUD, WIRED NOISE. IT LASTED SEVERAL SECONDS AND VEHICLE KEPT MOVING DURING THIS TIME. FINALLY IT CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 4200 MILES. THE SCARY THING IS, BRAKE FAILED FOR NO REASON AND ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS WERE ON EVEN AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED.
2017 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, AUDIBLE SOUND. IT IS TO MUTED TO HEAR, EVEN IF THE RADIO IS OFF. SECOND RAV 4. MY 2015 RAV4 LANE DEPARTURE WAS LOUD. TOYOTA STATES THAT THEY CAN'T INCREASE THE VOLUME. THIS TO ME, IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. NO RECOURSE WAS OFFERED BY TOYOTA ON MY LEASED VEHIC…
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2017 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, AUDIBLE SOUND. IT IS TO MUTED TO HEAR, EVEN IF THE RADIO IS OFF. SECOND RAV 4. MY 2015 RAV4 LANE DEPARTURE WAS LOUD. TOYOTA STATES THAT THEY CAN'T INCREASE THE VOLUME. THIS TO ME, IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. NO RECOURSE WAS OFFERED BY TOYOTA ON MY LEASED VEHICLE. BOTTOM LINE, IF I ACCIDENTALLY CROSS OVER A WHITE LINE I GET A LOW ALMOST MUTED SOUND, WHICH IF I HAVE THE RADIO ON I CAN NOT HEAR. TOYOTA NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE TECHNOLOGY THAT THEY USED FOR THIS ON THE 2015 MODEL, TO MAKE IT ACTUALLY WORK!
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…
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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?
THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WITH STRANGE LETTERS AND IMAGERY.
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN HIGH WINDS. NO OBJECT OR DEBRIS STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THE SUNROOF SIMPLY EXPLODED, LIKELY FROM AN UNDETECTABLE DEFECT IN THE GLASS AND AIR PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL, COUPLED WITH TORSIONAL OR AIR PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL FORCES CAUSED BY THE WIND. THE GLASS OF THE SUNROOF EXPLO…
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THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN HIGH WINDS. NO OBJECT OR DEBRIS STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THE SUNROOF SIMPLY EXPLODED, LIKELY FROM AN UNDETECTABLE DEFECT IN THE GLASS AND AIR PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL, COUPLED WITH TORSIONAL OR AIR PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL FORCES CAUSED BY THE WIND. THE GLASS OF THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD, WITH MOST OF THE GLASS BEING THROWN OUT AND BEHIND THE VEHICLE, AND SOME LANDING ON THE SLIDING SUNSHADE THAT COVERS THE SUNROOF, THAT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME. THE GLASS CLEARLY SHATTERED OUTWARD, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE IMAGES TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD, ATTACHED.
THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. HAS NEVER WORKED SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON APRIL 1, 2017.
WAS DRIVING AND THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM PICKED UP A CAR IN THE LEFT HAND TURNING LANE WHEN I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEAD STOP. HAPPENED A SECOND TIME- SAME TRIP, DIFFERENT LOCATION. NO PRE-BRAKE OR WARNING, JUST BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEAD STOP WHEN PASSING A CAR IN A TURNING LANE TO MY LEFT AND THERE WERE NO V…
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WAS DRIVING AND THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM PICKED UP A CAR IN THE LEFT HAND TURNING LANE WHEN I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEAD STOP. HAPPENED A SECOND TIME- SAME TRIP, DIFFERENT LOCATION. NO PRE-BRAKE OR WARNING, JUST BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEAD STOP WHEN PASSING A CAR IN A TURNING LANE TO MY LEFT AND THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME EITHER TIME- MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. 55MPH THE FIRST TIME, 45 MPH THE SECOND. BOTH TIMES GOING STRAIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD A SAFETY INSPECTOR FROM TOYOTA COME OUT AND RUN TESTS- THEY GAVE ME MY CAR BACK AND SAID I WOULD HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE TEST WITHIN 30 DAYS. MY CONCERN IS WHY THIS HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE AND WHAT WAS DONE TO ENSURE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 2/4/2017.
Official recalls
323V734000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
Nov 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.
Consequence & remedy
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. 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.
19V503000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jun 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."
Consequence & remedy
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.
17V295000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
May 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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE21005 · Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
Opened Feb 25, 2021 · Closed Aug 12, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021. At the time of opening, ODI attributed eleven allegations and additional EWR events to this PE. PE21005 focused on replacement batteries installed in the subject vehicles. No reported fire event identified in PE21005 involved the originally supplied 12V battery. The reported fires took place in vehicles known to contain aftermarket batteries or whose age exceeded the expected life of the original equipment battery. ODI identified battery dimensioning as it relates to the battery retention system (hold down bracket, radiator support bolt, J-hook, and battery tray) as the main factor set in the contact between the battery hold down bracket contacting the positive terminal of the 12V battery. The subject vehicles carried over the same battery tray and retention system from the prior generation (MY2006 – MY2012) of RAV4 vehicles. However, the subject vehicles were equipped with a dimensionally smaller battery (Group 35) than the prior generation (Group 24F). The smaller- length measurement in the Group 35 battery size in a battery tray originally designed to fit a Group 24F battery contributed to increased potential for battery movement which was exacerbated by the diversity in aftermarket battery configuration and irregularities intrinsic to battery replacement procedures. Battery movement coupled with the proximity of the B+ terminal on the battery and the grounded electrically conductive hold down bracket set the stage for a short to ground leading to an engine stall (if in operation) followed by a vehicle fire. This investigation was not able to classify the installation status, battery size, or cause of every allegation due to the fire event causing damage to the area, inaccessible vehicle, modification to the battery retention system after the event, and/or inconclusive photographic evidence. Toyota's investigation of the issue identified aftermarket battery catalogs that listed an improper battery replacement size (Group 26R) that would nevertheless fit into the subject vehicles whose battery retention system is incapable of reliably restraining a Group 26R battery. On 18 November 2021, Toyota initiated a consumer advisory campaign (21TG01) to the subject vehicle owners, notifying them of the correct size battery and offering a free inspection of the battery and retention hardware, a caution label to affix to the hold down bracket, and a discounted replacement 12V battery. This investigation with Toyota established three broad categories to characterize the battery retention system state of a given vehicle: "correct", "minor mis-installation", and "major mis-installation". - The "correct" terminology references the front bolt, bracket, and J-hook installed in a position not in contact with the positive battery terminal and the front bolt torqued to 17 Nm and the J-hook engaged with the tray hole and torqued to 4.9 Nm. - A "minor mis-installation" would describe the three retention components installed in the prescribed location, however not to the correct torque values. - The "major mis-installation" condition would constitute a retention component missing or disconnected from the system. Toyota's own testing used five exemplar batteries installed on a subject vehicle in each battery categorization resulted in: - Contact between the B+ terminal and hold down bracket in "major mis-installations" - Movement of the battery in "minor mis-installations" - No observable motion in "correct" installations. ODI conducted its own evaluation of the Toyota- specified replacement battery and 5 aftermarket Group 35 batteries. The six batteries tested conformed to the Group 35 Battery Council International (BCI) standard on overall dimensional tolerance and terminal location. That standard does not define the edge shape or material of battery casing. Physical interaction between the hold down bracket and the battery case and the friction between the casing material and the battery tray resulted in a large variability in movement forces required to incite movement when the battery was installed in the "correct" condition. Resulting in movement at an induced lateral load between 0.6 G and 1.91 G equivalent force across each battery. This force is higher than a typical vehicle could exert in a steady state turn and would only experience loads through brief shock or impulses. Multiple shock or impulse loads across time would contribute to a delay between the replacement battery installation and the fire event. Likelihood of a fire event increases as the installation method degraded from the "correct", to "minor mis-installation", and then to "major mis-installation". Protruding vent caps atop some of the batteries tested aided in restricting battery movement relative to the hold down. An absence of vent caps permitted additional movement. Following several discussions and vehicle inspections with ODI during this investigation, on 01 November 2023, Toyota filed a safety recall (NHTSA 23V-734) of 1,853,568 MY 2013 through MY 2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles to reduce the risk of a vehicle fire with redesigned battery retention components. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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