The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota RAV4 · 2017

2017 Toyota RAV4. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index33100 = average car
Complaints140NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold407,594U.S. model year
Per 100K sold34complaints
Year rank#4 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD23 / 29 / 25Regular$2,500
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)AWD22 / 28 / 25Regular$2,500
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AV-S6)AWD34 / 30 / 32Regular$1,950

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,600 and 44,100 miles. Median 19,200, from 174 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical36,50012,400–82,50046
Brakes9,8004,000–28,80024
Lights6,000500–25,00023
Engine34,30018,600–73,60016
Body structure9,5002,300–19,60014

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes20%
Electrical19%
Lights14%
Body structure9%
Airbags8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
321342424238

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 23V734000 Nov 2023 Electrical System / 12V/24V/48V Battery

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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 f

  • 19V503000 Jun 2019 Equipment / Other / Labels

    Defect. 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."

    Risk. 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 May 2017 Tires / Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedBattery hold down bracket thermal events20212024

Manufacturer communications 206

Toyota filed 206 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • The parking assist monitor system assists the driver during parking and parallel parking by…
  • A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and life
  • The Parking Assist Monitor System assists the driver during parking and parallel parking by…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Rav4 Hybrid SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20142058267,698Electrical
201533100315,412Steering
201637131352,154Brakes
201733140407,594Brakes
201838164427,170Electrical
2019111508448,071Fuel or ev drive system
202088357430,387Fuel or ev drive system

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data