2017 Toyota Rav4
Common Problems
Ranked from 93 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
30 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Electrical System Recall Issues
17complaintsMedium severityElectricalMultiple recalls for electrical system issues not resolved within a reasonable timeframe.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 2
Airbag Deployment Failure
5complaintsHigh severityElectricalAirbags do not deploy during crashes, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 3
Brake Issues
5complaintsHigh severityBrakesMultiple complaints about brake failures and premature replacement at low mileage.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Brake Pad and Rotors Wear Out Prematurely
5complaintsHigh severityBrakesBrake pads and rotors wear out before 10,000 miles, posing a significant safety hazard.
$250–$700est. brake pads + rotors (per axle) · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Electrical System Malfunction Leading to Random Failures
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system fails intermittently, leading to random vehicle failures without warning.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 6
Recall Repair Delay
5complaintsMedium severityOtherThe manufacturer has not provided the necessary parts for the recall repair in a timely manner.
Related recall: 19V503000
- 7
Visibility Issues
4complaintsMedium severityOtherHeadlights and windshield visibility issues cause significant nighttime driving difficulties, including dimming, dark areas on the windshield, and poor illumination of the road.
Related recall: 19V503000
- 8
Automatic High Beams Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalAutomatic high beams intermittently shut off, causing loss of high beam functionality.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 9
Battery Issues
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalMultiple reports of battery failures requiring frequent replacements or unexpected start-up events.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 10
Headlights Fail to Properly Illuminate
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalHeadlights fail to properly illuminate, especially in low light conditions, reducing visibility.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V734000
- 11
Service Brakes Fail to Function Properly
3complaintsHigh severityBrakesService brakes fail to function properly, especially in cold weather, posing a significant safety risk.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Air Bag Deployment Failure
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalSeveral incidents where air bags did not deploy during collisions.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 13
Airbag Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe airbag system malfunctions, with the 'SRS Airbag System Malfunction' light intermittently turning on during driving.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 14
Battery Terminal Gumming Up
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe battery terminal posts gum up frequently, requiring cleaning and replacement.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 15
Battery Terminal/Wiring Contact with Hold-Down Clamp
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe battery terminal or wiring contacts the metal hold-down clamp, causing a fire.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 16
Brake Failure During Accidents
2complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe brakes fail during accidents, leading to collisions and injuries.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Engine Stall at Idle
2complaintsMedium severityEngineReports of engine stalling when coming to a stop or starting again after a short drive.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
2complaintsMedium severityEngineVehicle stalls at idle when stop-start system malfunctions, leading to potential accidents.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Engine Stalling and Unintended Acceleration
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls and accelerates unintentionally, leading to crashes.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Fire Incidents
2complaintsHigh severityOtherSeveral reports of sudden fires in the vehicle, often in the battery area, leading to total loss of the vehicle.
Related recall: 19V503000
- 21
Headlight Bulb Failures
2complaintsLow severityElectricalRecurring issues with headlight bulbs needing frequent replacements.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V734000
- 22
Headlight Failure
2complaintsMedium severityOtherBoth headlights fail simultaneously, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V503000
- 23
Liftgate Issues
2complaintsMedium severityOtherProblems with the liftgate, including difficulty opening and closing, and failure to lock/unlock properly.
Related recall: 19V503000
- 24
Pre-Collision System Does Not Work as Specified
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalPre-collision system does not slow or stop the vehicle as specified, posing a safety risk.
Related recall: 23V734000
- 25
Severe Structural Damage in Crashes
2complaintsSafety riskOtherCrashes lead to severe structural damage, including cracked subframes and broken bolts.
Related recall: 19V503000
- 26
Steering Wheel Lock-Up During Driving
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe power steering locks up, making it difficult to steer the vehicle.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 27
Structural Issues
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof and roof have exploded or shattered without any apparent cause, posing a serious safety risk.
Related recall: 19V503000
- 28
Tire Blowout or Flat Tire
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe tires blow out or become flat unexpectedly, posing a risk to the driver.
Related recall: 19V503000
- 29
Transmission Shudder and Shift Hesitation
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionTransmission shudders between gears, especially between 20-55 mph, causing shift hesitation.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 30
Transmission Slippage
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionComplaints of transmission slipping and occasional failure to stop properly.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.