TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 168 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 1 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 2 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 3 |
| Nov 2017 | 2 | 5 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 6 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 7 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 8 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 9 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 10 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 11 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 12 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 13 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 14 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance316.7%
- Electrical316.7%
- Body & structure211.1%
- Brakes211.1%
- Visibility211.1%
- Fuel system15.6%
- Interior & seats15.6%
- Other / unspecified15.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while the vehicle was being charged, the battery intermittently failed to charge. As a result, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated but turned off after the battery was on charge mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the cause of the failure could not be determined, and the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be driven more often. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- NHTSA ID
- 11544590
- Incident
- Sep 14, 2023
- Mileage
- 41,000 mi
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, he attempted to avoid a rock but was unsuccessful. The contact stated that rock struck the fuel neck and caused a substantial fuel leak, 13/8 hose was unprotected and cut. A fellow motorist alerted the contact of the failure. The contact inspected the vehicle and found the leak. The contact temporarily fixed the leak and drove to the residence. The contact ordered a new filler neck and repaired the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer recommended that the contact take the vehicle to an authorized local dealer for inspection. The vehicle was inspected by a service dealer. The vehicle was repaired by owner. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11419467
- Incident
- May 31, 2021
- Mileage
- 40,000 mi
LDA AUDIO WARNING TOO LOW TO BE HEARD WHEN DRIVING I SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE LOOKING AT A SCREEN INSTEAD OF THE ROAD. SEAT BELT WARNING NOT AUDIBLE
- NHTSA ID
- 11206177
- Incident
- May 6, 2019
- Mileage
- 41,000 mi
2017 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED BRAKING WHILE CAR IS IN CRUISE CONTROL. *LD *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 11175470
- Incident
- Dec 17, 2018
JAN 29, 4:45PM, EVERETT WA. SHORTLY AFTER MERGING ONTO SOUTHBOUND I-5 FROM 526 THERE WAS A SINGLE LOUD EXPLODING NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF GLASS PIECES. THE SHADE GUARD WAS CLOSED. OPENING SHADE GUARD SHOWED THAT SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED LEAVING JAGGED GLASS AROUND THE EDGE TILTING UPWARDS. VEHICLE SPEED ABOUT 55MPH. WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND ABOUT 40 DEGREES.
- NHTSA ID
- 11173169
- Incident
- Jan 29, 2019
- Mileage
- 42,800 mi
RE.: PREMATURE FAILURE OF 2017 TOYOTA RAV-4 SE HYBRID 4-WD ALUMINUM WHEEL. ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7TH, 2018, WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 70 AT AROUND 10:25 A.M., THE LEFT REAR WHEEL FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY ON MY WIFE'S 2018 TOYOTA RAV-4 SE HYBRID. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY WIFE, MY 13-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, AND MY 9-YEAR OLD SON WHEN WE WERE STARTLED BY A LOUD BOOM, WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT I HAD RAN OVER SOMETHING, BUT QUICKLY RULED THAT OUT BECAUSE WITHIN SECONDS I COULD FEEL THE VEHICLE'S REAR END MAKING LOUD NOISES AND VIBRATED STRONGLY. I KNEW THEN THAT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. WE WERE GOING ABOUT 65MPH AND TRAVELING EAST ON THE FAR LEFT HAND OF A 4-LANE HIGHWAY. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE BUDDHIST TEMPLE, I TOOK THE DAMAGED TIRE OUT TO INSPECT IT. I WAS TRYING TO SEE WHAT HAD CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. BUT AS I WAS INSPECTING THE TIRE I THEN NOTICED THE FRACTURED AREA IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ALUMINUM WHEEL. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM MY PICTURES, THE INNER AND OUTER ALUMINUM WHEEL BEADS HAS NO SIGN OF DAMAGE. IN ADDITION, I COULD NOT DETECT ANY PUNCTURE HOLE IN AND AROUND THE RUBBER TIRE THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE METAL FRACTURES. I WANT TO ALERT YOU TO THE POTENTIAL ALUMINUM WHEEL DEFECT THAT MAY EXIST IN MY OTHER THREE FACTORY SUPPLIED WHEELS, AS WELL AS OTHER RAV-4 THAT HAVE THE SAME SE WHEELS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN. I HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL REVIEW THE EVIDENCE I HAVE PROVIDED AND BEGIN A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THIS DANGEROUS WHEEL DEFECT. I WILL KEEP THE DAMAGED WHEEL AND WILL NOT ALLOW TOYOTA OR BOMMARITO TO TAKE POSSESSION OF MY DAMAGED ALUMINUM WHEEL UNTIL I HAVE RECEIVED FURTHER INSTRUCTION FROM YOUR OFFICE. (SEE ATTACHED PDF FOR ADDITIONAL VEHICLE INFO)
- NHTSA ID
- 11139134
- Incident
- Oct 7, 2018
- Mileage
- 9,425 mi
PURCHASED 02/13/17. MAR VA TO FL, SEAT HEATER ON, NOTICED HOT SMELL SEAT GOT EXTREMELY HOT, TURNED IT OFF, TAKES 10-15 MINS TO COOL DOWN WHILE IN SEAT. DAY 2 OF TRIP, HAPPENED AGAIN. STOPPED AT REST AREA, JEANS STUCK TO LEG, EXAM SHOWED RED POPPED BLISTER ON UPPER RIGHT LEG, EXTREMELY PAINFUL. APPLIED BURN CREAM AND BANDAID. DROVE TO FRIENDS, SITTING ON LEFT CHEEK. TOOK PICS, WENT TO URGENT CARE. DIAGNOSIS 2ND DEGREE BURN. 3/23 DEALER INSPECTED SEAT HEATER, STATED IT'S DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF AT 107 BUT WOULD PUT IN SYSTEM INCASE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, DIAGNOSED OPERATING AS DESIGNED. IN MAR CORPORATE OPENED 1ST CASE. BURNED 5 MORE TIMES, LAST ON 3/19/18, VEHICLE TO DEALER EACH TIME, ALWAYS DIAGNOSED "OPERATING AS DESIGNED". ONE TECH CHECKED TEMP WITH 3 DIFFERENT GUNS, HIGHEST TEMP WAS 111 OTHER GUNS WITHIN 3 DEGREES. ONE DEALERS SERVICE WRITER SUGGESTED THEY DISCONNECT IT TO ENSURE NO MORE BURNS. HAVE MEDICAL ISSUES, THAT WHILE DRIVING ARE EASED WITH THE HEAT FROM THE SEAT. ON 6/15 AND 7/12 18, VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO DRIVER'S SEAT GETTING EXTREMELY HOT, SHUT DOWN AND NOT OPERABLE FOR 3 HOURS, THO THE PASSENGER SEAT WORKED. REPORTED ISSUES TO MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED ANOTHER CASE NUMBER. JUST FOUND OUT BOTH HAVE BEEN CLOSED. 7 TIMES TO DEALER FOR NAV/RADIO PROBLEMS, 2 CASES, STOPPED WORKING BLACK SCREEN, SYSTEM FREEZING UP, TAKES 5-7 MINS CALCULATING DIRECTIONS, NOT RECOGNIZE ROADS DRVING ON, USE CELL PHONE AS GPS. SOME SERVICE WRITERS DON'T WRITE ALL CONCERNS ON REPAIR ORDER, REPEATED BLOWN FUSES, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAR SLAMS ON BRAKES, CRUISE SLOWS THO CAR AHEAD IS IN OTHER LANE. CODES SINCE PURCHASE, LOST COMMUNICATION WITH BCM-3 TIMES, LOST COMMUNICATION WITH NAV CONTROL MODULE ONCE, LOST COMMUNICATION WITH BCM MODULE B-ONCE, PRE COLLISION SYS-TWICE, 1 ROUGH IDLLE. DEALER NEVER TOLD ABOUT CODES, ALWAYS "SYSTEM OPERATING AS DESIGNED".
- NHTSA ID
- 11120657
- Incident
- Mar 13, 2017
- Mileage
- 1,123 mi
THE WIPERS DO NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER, THE WIPERS ARE STUCK EVEN WITH A CLEAN WINDSHIELD
- NHTSA ID
- 11088492
- Incident
- Apr 16, 2018
- Mileage
- 4,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
ENGINE
This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual references the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) charger.
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.
STRUCTURE:BODY
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.