2017 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

31Engine complaints

10.3%Of all 301 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM102 · 33.9%

Unspecified / other61 · 20.3%

SERVICE BRAKES36 · 12%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING31 · 10.3%

ENGINE31 · 10.3%

Share of the 301 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2017 Toyota RAV4 overview page.

What owners report

“WATER PUMP LEAK I BELIEVE STARTED AROUND 21,000 MILES.ALONG WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE PADS I COMPLAINED OF RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF CAR WITH…”NHTSA complaint 11325390 — filed 05/21/2020

“WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020, I SMELLED SMOKE. I LOOKED AT THE TEMPERATURE ON THE DASHBOARD AND IT…”NHTSA complaint 11317639 — filed 03/11/2020

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD…”NHTSA complaint 11259053 — filed 09/30/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Toyota RAV4 have engine problems?

Engine is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2017 Toyota RAV4: 31 of 301 complaints on file (10.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2017 Toyota RAV4 have in total?

301 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 32 involved a crash, 24 involved a fire, 28 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.