YearToAvoid

2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

44/100

#6 most-complained of 10 RAV4 Hybrid years

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid ranks 6th out of 10 model years with a Complaint Index of 44 and a "Good" verdict. NHTSA lists 14 complaints, 1 recall, 1 crash, and 2 injuries for this year, with Brakes as the top problem area.

Complaints
14
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
32
34 city / 30 hwy

Top 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes3 (21%)
  2. Electrical System3 (21%)
  3. Engine3 (21%)
  4. Structure & Body3 (21%)
  5. Other2 (14%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers2 (14%)
  7. Fuel System1 (7%)
  8. Seat Belts1 (7%)
  9. Steering1 (7%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle lurching forward unexpectedly while shifting into park with a foot on the brake, resulting in loss of braking and steering control.
  • Some drivers describe unintended braking activating while the vehicle was in cruise control.
  • The dynamic radar cruise control reportedly failed to stop the vehicle when the car ahead slowed below 25 mph, leading to a rear-end contact in one case.
  • Wipers were reported to stick and stop working in cold weather even with a clean windshield.
  • Owners describe the 12-volt battery intermittently failing to charge, causing no-start conditions and warning lights that cleared once the battery was placed on charge mode.
  • One owner reported a fuel neck rupture and fuel leak after a rock strike, noting the fuel hose was left exposed and unprotected.
2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2017Sep 2017Dec 2017Aug 2018Jan 2019May 2019Sep 2023
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2017 to Sep 2023; peak Nov 2017 (4).

2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V295000May 2, 2017Suspension, Wheels & Tires409 vehicles

    Tires:temporary/emergency spare tire

    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.

2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
34 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
32 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other RAV4 Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution6717032
2017Good4414132
2018Caution5615032
2019Avoid8922340

All Toyota RAV4 Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid reliable?
Compared with other RAV4 Hybrid model years, 2017 ranks 6th out of 10 with a Complaint Index of 44 and a "Good" verdict. It has fewer complaints (14) than 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021.
What problems does the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid have?
NHTSA complaints are spread evenly across Brakes, Electrical System, Engine, and Structure & Body, each accounting for 21% of complaints. There was 1 crash and 2 injuries reported.
Does the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 17V295000) covers the suspension, wheels, and tires, involving spare tire pressure inspection. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
Should I avoid the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid?
No. Among RAV4 Hybrid years, 2017 is rated "Good" with a Complaint Index of 44, better than 2016 (67), 2018 (56), 2019 (89), and 2021 (78).
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 32 mpg combined (34 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.