2017 Toyota RAV4 engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 26, 2026COFireBody & StructureEngineOther / Unknown

   Yesterday March 25th 2026 I went to work and parked my 2017 Toyota RAV4 and about 30minutes later it was on fire in the parking lot. The fire happened around the battery area

   NHTSA complaint #11727377 · source
2. Filed Jan 25, 2025AZEngine

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11638508 · source
3. Filed Jul 31, 2024MOFireElectrical SystemEngine

   As the driver was making a right hand turn, the dash lights came on and the vehicle lost power. The driver was able to get the vehicle to roll to a stop in the middle of the road after making the turn. As the driver exited the vehicle to check the engine, the passenger stated smoke could be smelled coming into the cabin. Before the hood could be disengaged, flames engulfed the engine compartment and began raising above the hood of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11605730 · source
4. Filed Apr 25, 2024PAEngine

   Driving along, and all of sudden engine shuts down. Message indicated a malfunction, showed picture of battery, and indicated to put vehicle in park, and restart engine. Did so, and engine started. Dangerous situation, but luckily traffic was light.

   NHTSA complaint #11585205 · source
5. Filed Jan 4, 2024HIFireElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   --Battery terminal/wiring for negative terminal came into contact with the metal hold down clamp --Caused a two alarm structure fire and loss of two vehicles --Current recall in place but remedy of situation not available until 2024 --Current recall in place --Maintenance required light appeared and owner took vehicle in for service two weeks prior to the incident

   NHTSA complaint #11563588 · source
6. Filed Dec 10, 2023DEEngine

   I was driving my car when no warning lights came on the car started stalling and turning off and then sparks started to come out from the hood. I was able to get the car in a parking lot and when the hood was opened the battery clamp part came off and welded itself to the hood of the car. I had it towed to Price Toyota where they said the battery was fine and that the bolt was missing. They put the same clamp back on and presumed someone tampered with it. The only place that…

   NHTSA complaint #11559360 · source
7. Filed Oct 16, 202389,000 miCTFireTowedEngine

   The contact owned a 2017 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that upon arriving at her destination and returning to the vehicle a short time later, she found it engulfed in flames. A witness had already notified local emergency services, who were able to extinguish the fire. The fire marshal was unable to determine the origin of the fire but concluded that the cause was a non-suspicious mechanical failure with the vehicle. A police and fire report was filed, and no injuries were…

   NHTSA complaint #11550162 · source
8. Filed Sep 11, 2023125,000 miINFireTowedEngineOther / Unknown

   The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, fire was detected near the engine and front of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, crash,es or air bag deployment. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent towing lot. The contact called the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11543875 · source
9. Filed Aug 4, 2023CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Vehicle experienced an unexplained acceleration while at a complete stop with foot on the brake. This has happened several times.

   NHTSA complaint #11536606 · source
10. Filed Jun 2, 2023KYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Vehicle surges when accelerating since it was new. Throttle goes dead where engine idles but now power at all. Does it from a standing start, does it on hills and when merging onto a freeway. Now it happens on cruise control, when set on 75 mph engine loses power and slows down to 45 for a few minutes then shutters and speeds back up to 75. This past month if you let the fuel get down to 1/4 of a tank it will happen all the time. On interstate this week it happened and…

    NHTSA complaint #11524969 · source
11. Filed Nov 29, 202260,000 miLAFireTowedEngine

    The contact owned a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the odor of smoke was present inside the vehicle. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, smoke and flames were seen coming from under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene to extinguish the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet…

    NHTSA complaint #11495352 · source
12. Filed Oct 28, 2022MDFireElectrical SystemEngine

    While driving the vehicle I smelled something burning and saw smoke coming out of the air vents. I immediately pulled to the side of the road and got out. I noticed fire and smoke coming from under the hood. I called 911 and the Fire Dept. arrived to put the fire out. It was towed to a nearby storage yard until the insurance company could be notified. After talking with and submitting photos to the insurance company the vehicle was considered a total loss. We are waiting to…

    NHTSA complaint #11491354 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology