Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems
Owners filed 302 complaints about the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with NHTSA between Dec 2016 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (107).
Complaints
302
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
31
Reported by owners
Fires
23
Reported by owners
Injuries
28
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system107
- Service brakes37
- Engine31
- Exterior lighting31
- Air bags19
- Structure18
- Power train15
- Steering12
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Vehicle speed control12
- Visibility/wiper12
- Wheels9
- Suspension6
- Seat belts5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
44
37
27
29
30
24
31
47
30
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 27 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2025 | 30 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
107 reports4 crashes15 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 85,887, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 237,660.”
Service brakes
37 reports8 crashes
“Hi, Im reporting a serious safety issue with my 2017 Toyota rav4 The emergencybrake failed to engage, which caused the car to roll down the hill , I took the car to Toyota dealership while it was under the warranty and back down they told me it was nothing wrong with it. It just needed to be adjusted but it never worked the way it should have I do have a family and friends. They do have the same car and all have Same issues with E brake not not engaging l like this to be documented,”
Engine
31 reports1 crash12 fires
“11/1/23 recall for battery safety. Hold down clamp issue. I received an interim recall notification in 2023. I have called Toyota twice and they still don’t have a remedy. It’s been over a year and this is a safety/fire hazard. It’s unacceptable they have not arranged for a remedy over a year later.”
Exterior lighting
31 reports1 fire
“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.”
Air bags
19 reports13 crashes
“When the passenger front airbag deployed in an accident, a coil about 3 inches long and an inch wide was ejected from the airbag compartment and info the face of the occupant. Minor injuries sustained but was near the eye. The coil became embedded in the skin and the coil had to be removed.”
Structure
18 reports6 crashes2 fires
“I have a 2017 RAV4 Hybrid XLE that I bought brand New. I have done all schedule maintenance on it. I was driving to an appointment on 15 November 2023 and the vehicle all the sudden jerked violently side to side throwing me off the road. I brought the car to the shop thinking an alignment or something. My whole rear subframe was cracked, and by the driver side rear wheel bolt it was broke straight through where the tow bar connects to the subframe. The mechanic said it was from rust from living in the Northeast, and the salt from the road during winter months. The Mechanic said Even though I took care of the vehicle this was going to happen anyways due to the subframe suspension parts that Toyota puts in the RAV4. Being flung into a ditch coming off a highway is a dangerous situation, and could of cost me my life because Toyota wants to save money and put in parts knowing that the rust problem will and could occur. I did my research, and found out this has been going on since 2007 and there have been recalls on models all the way up to 2012. If this is a known thing then why is Toyota being allowed to still make a weak subframe. Does someone have to die for…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.