Home · 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hv · Complaints

What 301 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hv

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (301)Crash / fire / injury (57)Electrical system (105)Brakes (36)Engine (31)Lights (31)Airbags (19)Body & structure (18)Transmission & drivetrain (16)Fuel system (13)Speed control (12)Steering (12)

Newest first · 301 complaints · page 12 of 13

Sep 11, 2017BrakesCrash

PURCHASED MY NEW RAV4 ON 12/2017. ON 8/13/2017 I WAS AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND STOPPED AT THE END OF THE LINE AND THE SERVICE BRAKE WHEN I PRESSED THE PEDDLE THE BRAKE WAS FIRM AND STOPPED CORRECTLY. THE LINE MOVED AND I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF OF THE SERVICE BRAKE AND THE LINE STOPPED AND I APPLIED THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE AND HAD TO PRESS THE PEDDLE FURTHER THAN I PRESSED THE PEDDLE THE FIRST TIME I STOPPED IN THE LINE. WHILE STOPPED IN THE LINE THE SECOND TIME THE RAV4 STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND I HAD TO PRESS THE SERVICE BRAKE EVEN FURTHER TO GET THE RAV4 STOP. THE LINE MOVED FORWARD AND I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF OF THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE AND THE LINE STOPPED AND WHEN I PRESSED THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT SLOW UNTIL I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER THE ACCIDENT MY SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS VERY SPONGY AND SLOW TO RESPOND WHEN PRESSING THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE. I TOOK MY RAV4 ON 8/14/2017 TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY SERVICE BRAKES CHECKED. WHEN I TOOK THE RAV4 IN I DID NOT HAVE ANY PAPER WORK TO SIGN. THE AFTERNOON THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID MY RAV4 WAS READY. WHEN I WENT TO GET MY RAV4 THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID NO CODES AND DID NOT GIVE ME ANY PAPER WORK AND I DID NOT SIGN ANY PAPER WORK. WHEN I GOT IN TO DRIVE THE RAV4 AWAY MY SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS FIRM NOT SPONGY AND RESPONDED QUICKLY AS VERY LITTLE MOVEMENT TO PRESS THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE TO STOP THE RAV4. MY SERVICE ON THE TOYOTA WEB SITE SERVICE HAS NEVER REPORTED THE SERVICE EVEN TODAY. I CALLED THE TOYOTA AND TOLD THEM OF THIS SITUATION AND THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO BRING MY RAV4 BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/24/2017 AND HE WOULD DOWNLOAD THE EVENT RECORDER AND DID ON 8/31/2017. NO ISSUES WAS REPORTED ON THE EVENT RECORDER. LETTER SHOWED NO REFERENCE THAT I HAD MY SERVICE BRAKES CHECKED ON 8/14/2017. SERVICE BRAKE IS SPONGY WHILE STOPPED NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11022755

Sep 7, 2017Electrical system

THE LANE DEPARTURE WARNING TONE CANNOT BE HEARD WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY TO INCREASE THE VOLUME OF THE WARNING TONE AS THE CONSUMER. TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM (SEE PG 258 OF OWNER'S MANUAL) BUT REFUSES TO FIX. THIS IS A RISK TO PERSONAL SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI 11022150

Aug 27, 2017Body & structure

I PURCHASED A NEW 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 IN APRIL AND THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN AUGUST. WHILE DRIVING ON I15, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION LIKE A TIRE BLOWOUT FOLLOWED BY SOUNDS OF BREAKING GLASS AND THEN WIND. MY SUNROOF HAD "EXPLODED". I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND EXAMINED THE ROOF. THERE WAS NO INDICATION ANYTHING HAD STRUCK THE GLASS OR MY VEHICLE. THE INSIDE "VISOR" WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME AS WAS THE SUNROOF. I HAD NOT PASSED UNDER ANY OVERPASS OR OTHER OVERHEAD STRUCTURE I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THEY REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA. TOYOTA DENIED THE "WARRANTY" SINCE I COULD NOT "PROVE" THE GLASS HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK! THE DEALER REPLACED THE GLASS AT NO COST "ONE TIME WARRANTY". I AM CONCERNED THIS PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR SINCE THERE WAS NO CAUSE DETERMINED. PHOTOS ATTACHED

NHTSA ODI 11019986

Aug 22, 2017Lights

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 LE. THE FIRST TIME WE DROVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT WE WERE SHOCKED THAT, WHEN USING LOW OR HIGH BEAMS, A DARK AREA APPEARED ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING OUR VISION. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND FEEL SAFE. WHEN YOU GO UP AND DOWN SMALL HILLS, THE DARKNESS MOVES UP AND DOWN AS WELL, AND IS VERY ANNOYING. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS WAS THE WAY THE CAR WAS MADE. THEY WOULD DO NOTHING AND,IN FACT, TOLD US THAT THEY DIDN'T OWN THE CAR ANYMORE AND THAT WE SHOULD COMPLAIN TO TOYOTA; THAT IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAINED PERHAPS THEY WOULD HAVE A RECALL. FRANKLY, WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11018788

Aug 22, 2017Body & structure

AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET, I MADE A LEFT TURN. WHILE TURNING THE DRIVER'S DOOR POPPED OPEN (IT MADE A POPPING SOUND). IT WAS AJAR, NOT FULLY OPEN. I WAS ABLE TO CLOSE IT BACK WHILE CONTINUING TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11018797

Aug 21, 2017Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD DARKENED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY SENSE, WHICH DARKENED THE WINDSHIELD AT NIGHT TO PROTECT THE DRIVER FROM THE GLARE OF ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED (PIERCEY TOYOTA IN MILPITIS, CA) WHERE THE SALES MANAGER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350.

NHTSA ODI 11018704

Aug 18, 2017Visibility & wipers

MY 2017 RAV4 IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE CAR IS A LEASE AND WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I GOT IT. IT HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES, WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING. WHEN I HAVE MY HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT THEY SEEM TO CAP OFF. THIS ALLOWS ME TO ONLY SEE THROUGH THE BOTTOM HALF OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE UPPER HALF GOES PITCH BLACK. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BECAUSE IT IMPAIRS MY VISION. THIS IS A REOCCURRING EVENT AND HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. IT STARTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016, AND I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF HOW DANGEROUS IT IS.

NHTSA ODI 11016253

Aug 12, 2017BrakesCrash1 injury

BREAKS FAILED WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND FAILED IMMEDIATELY AGAIN WHEN TRYING TO PULL BACK INTO PARKING SPACE AFTER CAR HIT A CAR AND THEN HIT A CART CORRAL PUSHING THAT INTO ANOTHER CAR. AS A RESULT 3 CARS INCLUDING OURS WERE DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI 11014830

Aug 10, 2017Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PERFORMANCE TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5676 DIXIE HWY FAIRFIELD, OH 45014) WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES MET TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE DISTANCE THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS BEFORE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO STOP THE CAR. DISTANCE IS INCREASING AS WE PUT MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL CONTINUE MOVING TOWARDS THE FLOOR AFTER STOPPING. AS IN A DRIVE THRU LINE. BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT AND SPONGEY. MIMCS AIR IN BRAKE LINE. UPDATED 10/4/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11014151

Aug 5, 2017SteeringSpeed controlBrakesCrash

AS I WAS APPROACHING THE MAIL BOX AREA IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO TURN INTO THE PARKING AREA IN FRONT OF THE FOUR METAL MAILBOXES AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN "PARK" WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD AND JUMPED THE SIX-INCH, BRICK-PAVER CURB. I CRASHED INTO THE MAILBOX STRUCTURE, COMPLETELY UPLIFTING THE BASE THAT WAS BOLTED INTO THE CONCRETE AND HIT A WOOD TRASH CONTAINER HOLDER. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER BUT MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP AND I ALSO COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING. I CONTINUED UP A HILL (AT 45-50 MPH) CONSISTING OF TALL GRASS, WILDFLOWERS, ROCKS, ETC., ACROSS A WALKING PATH OF WOODCHIPS AND MULCH, THEN DOWN THE HILL (STILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE) GRAZING THE BRANCHES AND LEAVES OF A SMALL TREE BEFORE COMING OFF THE SIX-INCH CURB AND BACK ONTO THE STREET, WHERE I HIT A LIGHT POST. I MANAGED TO LIFT THE PARKING BRAKE, SLAM ON THE BRAKE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI 11013006

Jul 24, 2017Wheels

PURCHASED NEW 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR, I HAD A FLAT TRAVELING ON THE TOLL ROAD. SPEED LIMIT WAS 70MPH. I WAS ON THE TOLL ROAD FOR ABOUT 20 MILES. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD A LARGE SIDEWALL HOLE. I TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY GAVE ONE QUICK LOOK AND I WAS TOLD THAT "NO WARRANTY WAS ON THE TIRE BY TOYOTA OR BRIDGESTONE." I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THE TIRE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. SEE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE TIRE. I HAVE THE TIRE IN MY POSSESSION IF SOMEONE WISHES TO INSPECT IT FOR MANUFACTURER FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11010418

Jul 14, 2017AirbagsBody & structureCrash

WHILE PULLING INTO TO A PARKING SPACE,MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED THE CURB CAUSING THE CAR TO HIT A TREE,CAUSING ALL AIR BAGS TO GO OFF. I WAS ASKED IF I HIT THE GAS INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED SO FAST THAT I SUPPOSE ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE BUT I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED. IS THERE A WAY THAT THEY CAN TELL WHAT HAPPENEED?

NHTSA ODI 11005357

Jul 6, 2017BrakesEngine

PURCHASED CAR FROM ST. CHARLES TOYOTA IL ON JULY4, 2017 VIN [XXX]. PURCHASED AND PICKED UP 2017 RAV4 LE FROM THEM ON JULY4TH (BETWEEN 11AM - 3PM). DROVE CAR FROM ST. CHARLES TO PEORIA IL. TODAY ON JULY6 RAV4 HAS 194 MILES. LATER CAME TO KNOW THAT THEIR SERVICE DEPT. WAS ACTUALLY CLOSED ON JULY 4TH. IDENTIFIED THREE PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SWAYED LITTLE RIGHT FROM MIDDLE POSITION. WAS CURIOUS AND CHECKED DIPSTICK TODAY ON JULY6 AND FOUND ENGINE OIL DIP STICK AT ABNORMAL LOW LEVEL. PICTURE ATTACHED. BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY, FELT A DRAG IN BRAKING WHEN I APPLY BRAKES. FOUND WATER DRIPPING DOWN ON GROUND WHILE A/C WAS RUNNING IN PARKED POSITION. WATER DRIPPED ON GROUND LITTLE OFF FROM FRONT AXLE. RECORDED WATER DRIPPING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11003533

Jun 29, 2017Electrical system

THE CAR IS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 XLE AWD. THE CAR WAS A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE FOR A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4 XLE AWD THAT HAD NON REPARABLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA BY AN ARBITRATION DECISION. THE FIRST DAY I DROVE THE CAR THE PASSIVE SAFETY SENSE SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY WHEN A CAR PASSED ME ON THE LEFT SIDE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME OR THEIR WOULD HAVE BEEN AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I TRADED THE CAR OFF 9 DAYS LATER AT A LOSS DUE TO COMPLETE LACK OF TRUST IN ANY TOYOTA PRODUCT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER TREATED BE HORRIBLY ON THE PREVIOUS CAR THAT I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN EVER.

NHTSA ODI 11002346

Jun 20, 2017Lights

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHTING TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD. IN ADDITION, THE AUTO HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE INTERMITTENT IN ILLUMINATING THE ROAD AHEAD. HOSELTON TOYOTA OF EAST ROCHESTER, NEW YORK WAS CONTACTED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO GET USED TO THE WAY THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATED. THE DEALER'S REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER AND TECHNICIAN WERE CONTACTED A SECOND TIME AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ADJUSTED SLIGHTLY. HOSELTON TOYOTA WARNED THAT ANY MORE ADJUSTMENTS WOULD BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ODI 11000269

May 3, 2017Electrical system

THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WITH STRANGE LETTERS AND IMAGERY.

NHTSA ODI 10983387

Apr 28, 2017

THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN HIGH WINDS. NO OBJECT OR DEBRIS STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THE SUNROOF SIMPLY EXPLODED, LIKELY FROM AN UNDETECTABLE DEFECT IN THE GLASS AND AIR PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL, COUPLED WITH TORSIONAL OR AIR PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL FORCES CAUSED BY THE WIND. THE GLASS OF THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD, WITH MOST OF THE GLASS BEING THROWN OUT AND BEHIND THE VEHICLE, AND SOME LANDING ON THE SLIDING SUNSHADE THAT COVERS THE SUNROOF, THAT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME. THE GLASS CLEARLY SHATTERED OUTWARD, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE IMAGES TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD, ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI 10981350

Apr 13, 2017

THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. HAS NEVER WORKED SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON APRIL 1, 2017.

NHTSA ODI 10972301

Mar 31, 2017Lights

THE DASH LIGHTING DURING CERTAIN DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS IS UNREADABLE, OR REQUIRES EXCESSIVE STARING TO DETERMINE QUANTITIES SUCH AS VEHICLE SPEED, FUEL AMOUNT, AND OTHER QUANTITIES ON THE MULTI FUNCTION INFORMATION DISPLAY (MFID). WHETHER IT IS UNREADABLE DEPENDS ON THE ANGLE OF THE SUN RELATIVE TO THE VEHICLE.THE INABILITY TO QUICKLY SEE WHAT IS INADEQUATELY DISPLAYED FORCES THE DRIVER TO EITHER GUESS THE SPEED OR TO STARE TOO LONG IN AN ATTEMPT TO ASCERTAIN THE SPEED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. (I BELIEVE IT AFFECTS OTHER TOYOTA MODELS AS WELL AS MY RAV4 EV). *JS *JS

NHTSA ODI 10969759

Mar 18, 2017Airbags

THE LIGHT FOR "SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OR COUNTRY ROADS. THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF ONLY ONCE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI 10966689

Mar 6, 2017

WAS DRIVING AND THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM PICKED UP A CAR IN THE LEFT HAND TURNING LANE WHEN I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEAD STOP. HAPPENED A SECOND TIME- SAME TRIP, DIFFERENT LOCATION. NO PRE-BRAKE OR WARNING, JUST BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEAD STOP WHEN PASSING A CAR IN A TURNING LANE TO MY LEFT AND THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME EITHER TIME- MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. 55MPH THE FIRST TIME, 45 MPH THE SECOND. BOTH TIMES GOING STRAIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD A SAFETY INSPECTOR FROM TOYOTA COME OUT AND RUN TESTS- THEY GAVE ME MY CAR BACK AND SAID I WOULD HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE TEST WITHIN 30 DAYS. MY CONCERN IS WHY THIS HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE AND WHAT WAS DONE TO ENSURE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 2/4/2017.

NHTSA ODI 10958760

Feb 7, 2017

UNABLE TO HEAR LANE DEPARTURE ALERT MOST OF THE TIME. DEALER SAYS IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, CONFIRMED BY TOYOTA.COM.

NHTSA ODI 10949988

Jan 10, 2017Lights

HALOGEN PROJECTION HEADLIGHTS ARE UNSAFE. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE SIDES AND UPPER PART OF THE ROAD AND CAUSE A MOVING LINE IN THE CENTER OF YOUR FIELD OF VISION WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS ABOUT THE LINE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CLEARLY AT NIGHT USING THE LOW BEAMS. ON A DOWNHILL, THE AREA OF ILLUMINATION IS CUT OFF AND UNSAFE - HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS LINE ALSO BOUNCES AROUND WITH THE BUMPS ON THE ROAD AND CAUSES ME TO GET NAUSEOUS WHEN DRIVING WITH LOW BEAMS AT NIGHT. THIS WAS NOT A ONE TIME INCIDENT: THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10944076

Dec 29, 2016BrakesCrash

I WAS DRIVING AND TAKING A TURN AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN RESULT IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10938656

Dec 28, 2016Speed control

WHILE DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH, MY RAV 4 CAME TO AN ABRUPT DEAD STOP WITH NO WARNING. THERE WAS NOT A CAR IN FRONT OF MINE, BUT A CAR WAS STOPPED IN A MEDIAN TO MY LEFT FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF MY CAR. I COULD ONLY ASSUME THAT MY RAV 4 APPARENTLY SENSED THAT CAR WHEN IT CAME TO A SUDDEN DEAD STOP. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO MY CAR AND THOUGHT THE ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. A PASSENGER WITH ME, WHO IS A WITNESS TO THIS EVENT, IS AN OWNER OF A RAV 4 SE WITHOUT THE SAFETY SENSE/PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM. WE WERE SHOOK UP BY THIS BECAUSE HAD THERE BEEN A CAR OR SEMI TRUCK TRAILER BEHIND US, WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THE DEALER, TOYOTA OF WARREN, WHERE WE PURCHASED THE NEW CAR, AND AFTER A DAY IN SERVICE, THEY SAID THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE WITH THE SENSORS ALIGNED CORRECTLY. I WAS TO LET THEM KNOW IF THIS SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN, AND IT DID. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, AGAIN WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND WITH NO CAR IN FRONT OF MINE, A CAR IN THE PASSING LANE WENT BY ME AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH TO MY 65 MPH. MY CAR CAME TO A DEAD STOP. THANK GOD THERE WAS NOT A CAR BEHIND ME AT THE TIME, OR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT WE EXPERIENCED, WE FOUND A NUMBER OF REPORTS CONCERNING THIS VERY SITUATION HAPPENING WITH THEIR RAV 4'S COMING TO SUDDEN STOPS FOR NO REASON. THESE REPORTS OF THIS VERY PROBLEM WERE REPORTED TO TOYOTA WITH NO RESOLUTION. THESE OWNERS ALSO SOLD THEIR CARS AT A LOSS BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUES. ACCORDING TO THESE REPORTS, TOYOTA DOES KNOW THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS, BUT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10937816

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Working with the data? Download all 301 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hv verdict →