The 2017 Toyota RAV4 has racked up two mild recalls, over an incorrect load-capacity label and an improperly inflated spare tire. However, 150 complaints reveal problems with battery drain and brake failure, and there’s an open investigation into the compact SUV’s 12V battery, which may cause a fire.
Key Points
- The 2017 Toyota RAV4 has its fair share of issues, including racking up 150 consumer complaints over steering, braking, electrical issues, and random battery drain that in many cases has caused the vehicle to stall.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched two rather innocuous recalls for the 2017 model year, focusing on an incorrectly labeled load sticker and an improperly inflated spare tire.
- In early-2021, the NHTSA launched an investigation into 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles over complaints alleging a non-crash fire originating in the left side of the engine compartment, possibly due to the 12V battery.
2017 Toyota RAV has Two Minor Recalls, Over 150 Complaints Covering Issues from Batteries Draining to Random Engine Stalls
Overall, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 is a reliable compact SUV labeled a “Top Safety Pick+” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. While you can usually expect fewer issues with a more tenured model, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 isn’t without its share of problems.
The vehicle has two rather innocuous National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls, focusing on an incorrectly labeled load sticker and an improperly inflated spare tire. Unfortunately, the recalls themselves ignored more worrying issues. Where the bigger problems genuinely lie is revealed in the over 150 NHTSA complaints.
The most significant problems pertain to three areas: steering, braking, and electrical issues. Unfortunately, Toyota hasn’t released any recalls for these issues yet. Let’s go over the most prominent and serious complaints, recalls, and the model year’s one investigation:
Steering Randomly Pulls to One Side at High Speeds
There are over 250 reports from owners of their RAV4 randomly pulling to one side on its own, which is mainly noticeable at higher speeds. On Car Complaints, owners cite this issue happening in cars ranging from brand-new to 7,000 miles.
Faulty Braking System Can Lead to Premature Brake Pad Replacements
Over 25 official complaints on the NHTSA website describe multiple instances of brake failure for the 2017 Toyota RAV4. While some are lucky enough only to need premature brake pad replacements, others describe a total failure of the pre-collision system, which became standard for all 2017 trim levels.
Electrical Issues Include Failing Headlights and Battery Drain
Many of the complaints you’ll find on NHTSA relate to the automatic headlights randomly failing, with consumers mentioning needing constant bulb replacements or the entire system replaced. These issues aren’t mileage specific, as some owners see them after 1,000 miles, and up to 100,000 miles. Premature starter motor failure is another common issue for the 2017 Toyota RAV4, with many owners needing replacement under 50,000 miles.
The most worrying of the 2017 Toyota RAV4 electrical issues is consistent battery drain. Some owners have reported that the issue has caused their vehicle to stall, or not start.
Reported Fires in Engine Compartment of 2017 RAV4 have Led to an Open Investigation by the NHTSA
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation received 11 complaints alleging a non-crash fire originating in the left side of the engine compartment of model year 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles. The issue prompted the Office of Defects to open an investigation in February 2021.
A majority of the reported fires occurred while driving, with four taking place with the ignition off. Drivers experienced stalling prior to the fire in half of the instances where the vehicle was in motion. The 12-volt battery was identified as the area of origin in a majority of the incidents reviewed.
The investigation was launched in February 2021 and was opened to better understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles relative to competitor vehicles.
2017 RAV4 Offers Affordability and Reliability, and its Two Recalls are not Really Indicative of any Underlying Issues
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 is popular for its cheap price point ($19,900-$29,900) and reliability. Also when you consider that the 2017 model has been on the roads of America for nearly five years yet racked up only two rather light recalls, over an incorrect label and an improperly inflated spare tire, you can feel confident that Toyota’s 2017 RAV4 is a solid choice when shopping for a pre-owned compact sport utility vehicle.
So, if you are comfortable with the slight chance of encountering these issues, the 2017 RAV4 is still an affordable, capable, and an all-around great compact SUV.
Photos: Toyota
