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)

57 of 301 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 2 of 3

Nov 29, 2022Engine & coolingFire

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 determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11495352

Oct 28, 2022Electrical systemEngineFire

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 hear back from the insurance company concerning our claim. Upon researching engine fire related to defective battery in these vehicles I learned that almost 2 million 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 have been affected. I am just thankful everyone was able to get out of the vehicle safely before it caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11491354

Aug 22, 2022AirbagsCrash2 injuries

While traveling around 40 mph on a roadway another vehicle ran a stop sign approximately 2 feet in front of my vehicle. This vehicle came onto the roadway from a side road at a sustained speed with no braking. I swerved to avoid impact and went over an embankment. The vehicle sustained extensive damage to the front and underneath. It is a total loss. The airbags did not deploy during the accident. There were also serious injuries to the driver and passenger. The driver sustained a broken neck in 4 places. The passenger sustained massive hematomas, a fractured arm, and 7 fractured ribs in the chest and separated sternum. There were no warning lights or messages displayed. An inspection has not been performed on the airbag system. The vehicle is currently located at the insurance company's salvage yard.

NHTSA ODI 11480603

May 20, 2022SteeringEngineCrash1 injury

The driver owned a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact called on behalf of her son who was driving approximately 35 MPH when he lost control of the steering due to the functionality of the steering wheel and accidentally crashed into a pole. There were no warning lights. The 2 front and 1 side air bag deployed. The police and fire and ambulance arrived on the scene. The driver was transported to the hospital where he received a CT scan for his injury. There was a police report. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000

NHTSA ODI 11465436

May 20, 2022Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

On Saturday, May 14, 2022, my vehicle burned. and has since been totaled. The car had been trouble-free since I bought it in 2018. I was so pleased with it that I had just paid off the balance on the loan the week before because I wanted to keep it for 10 years. Prior to it burning, I had just driven it a couple miles for the first time in 2 weeks (it had been parked in a friend's garage). There were no warning lights visible during that time. I got out of the car for 3 minutes and was about to get back in when I noticed white smoke coming out of the hood. Within 30 seconds the hood had become engulfed in flames. The entire front and interior of the car was destroyed in the blaze, which the Fire Department had to extinguish. No one was injured, but two cars on either side were damaged by the fire. The car had last been serviced by Headquarter Toyota in Miami on January 22, 2022. They had not done the government-recommended inspection of the engine area during the servicing.

NHTSA ODI 11465496

May 13, 2022EngineFire

The contact owned a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle and immediately exited the vehicle. The contact then saw flames coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. There were no injuries sustained. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

NHTSA ODI 11464584

Feb 8, 2022Crash

The axle broke while I was driving. I was on CA HWY 101 NB, it was a day after the rain so I was careful not to speed. As I was heading towards a decline the car made a loud pop sound that came from the rear left side. I looked back because my initial thought was the tire popped but as I looked at my rear view mirror the car veered rapidly to the left headed straight to the median. Safety at risk: I tried to break but it seemed like the breaks were not responding well. I turned the wheel to not hit the median and the car turned completely, facing traffic and sliding to the right side of the freeway where it stopped on its side. The car was checked and we have a letter from Toyota saying the part broke due to speeds over 80 mph. But I was not driving over 80, and and axle is probably not supposed to break at that speed. There were no warning lights, or symptoms. My vehicle seemed completely healthy.

NHTSA ODI 11451016

Jun 12, 2021Electrical systemLightsEngineFire

I bought my Rav4 in September of 2017 brand new and within 6 months I had a dead battery needing replacement so I replaced it via AAA. Since then, I have had the battery replaced an additional 3 times! I always serviced my car at the dealer and took very good care of it. Then after 50k miles, I started having odd lighting issues…both headlight bulbs had to be replaced within 3 weeks of each other and one high beam bulb, and then my tail lights went out! Then I would occasionally have trouble starting the car and with a natural gas smell, rotten eggs. Which could be a catalytic converter or fuel pump issue but can also be the battery. Well, my Rav was in the driveway with a dead battery and with no tail lights and had been sitting there for a month since I mainly drive our Sienna.My Rav just caught on fire and was completely destroyed. No one was hurt but if the Sienna had been out there it would’ve caught on fire and it burned the garage door…Rav totaled! I also had a very expensive brake job last year and think those are faulty too. But this fire….was bad and I can’t get a car of equal value with what i received for the total loss. What is Toyota doing about this? Less than 4 yr old well taken cared of Rav 4 XLE that I paid cash for and now can’t even replace with a Corolla! There were no warning lights ever, not even for the dead battery’s. And less than 6 months prior to the fire, it was serviced at my Toyota dealer and they said all was good. The firemen that came also told me that Rav4 fires have increased and I searched on Consumer Reports and sure enough…what was explained was a carbon copy of my experiences. Thank god no one was in it when it started, but the house could’ve caught fire as well. Toyota needs to do something for those of us who had their cars totaled due to fire…just the time invested finding a replacement is worth something….not to mention the time vested researching vehicles before I bought the Rav4. plus the depreciation, etc….

NHTSA ODI 11420682

Mar 10, 2021EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT TOTALED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER JAY WOLFE TOYOTA OF WEST COUNTY ( 14700 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011) AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11400228

Feb 3, 2021AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE WAS CONTACTED FOR THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT FROM UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SOUGHT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. T MOSES TOYOTA (1433 MACCORKLE AVE, SAINT ALBANS, WV 25177, (304) 727-7777) WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE HOWEVER, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA AND THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,240.

NHTSA ODI 11394421

Nov 13, 2020BrakesCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ALL SEASON TIRES. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A RAINY DAY, A TRUCK BEGAN TO MERGE INTO HIS LANE. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WHICH CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO VEER INTO THE LEFT LANE AND HIT THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NEITHER HIMSELF OR THE OTHER DRIVER SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD RECENTLY STARTED TO EXPERIENCE PAIN IN HIS RIGHT CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAULTY ABS SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11374530

Aug 11, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED, WARNING MESSAGES BEGAN TO DISPLAY ON THE DASH SCREEN; BEFORE WHITE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER LARRY MILLER TOYOTA (2465 48TH CT. BOULDER, CO 80301) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,500.

NHTSA ODI 11348663

Jun 3, 2020EngineFire

I HAD OWN 2017 TOYOTA RAV4LE FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS AND LESS THEN 25000 MILE, WE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE A SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE. WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEM AT ALL, OVERALL IT WAS GOOD DRIVING CAR. HOWEVER, ON 5/4/2020, I PARKED MY CAR AT PARKING LOT, TURNED OFF ENGINE. I HEARD GENTLE CLICK CLICK TWO SOUND, DO NOT REALIZED IT WAS FROM MY CAR (OTHER PEOPLE WAS UNLOAD STUFF). I OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR GET READY TO OFF MY CAR AND GO. I SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. I LOOK AROUND AND SEE MY ENGINE HAD LIGHT SMOKE CAME OUT FROM ENGINE, THEN BECAME DARKER SMOKE, AND FOLLOW BY FIRE. I CALLED 911, THEY SEND A FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OFF THE FIRE FOR ME. MY TOYOTA RAV4 LE WAS ALL BURNED BY UNKNOWN REASON. I DO NOT SMOKE, I PAID OFF MY CAR AND I HAVE NO FINANCIAL GAIN TO HAVE CAR BURN. I JUST WANT TO WARNING OTHER OWNER, IT COULD HAPPENED TO YOU, I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO WORK OUT FROM MY BURNING VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT TOYOTA DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ABLE TO HONOR SUCH WARRANTY, ASKED ME CALL HEADQUARTER, I TRIED TO EMAIL BUT AFTER I UPLOAD PICTURES AND IT WAS SUDDENLY INTERCEPTED IN THE CLOUD-DISAPPEAR. I AM REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO WARNING OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327143

Apr 17, 2020Electrical systemAirbagsBody & structureCrash1 injury

2017 RAV 4 STRUCK A CONCRETE LIGHT POST IN PARKING LOT. CAR WAS MOVING FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, IMPACTED DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND FENDER. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO COLLISION ALARM SOUNDED. ENTIRE FRONT PANEL DESTROYED, MAJOR ELECTRICAL SENSOR DAMAGE, DRIVER'S DOOR UNABLE TO OPEN. HOOD DAMAGED. SUSPENSION BENT. DRIVER SUFFERED MAJOR BRUISING AND CHEST PAIN. BOTH ELBOWS IMPACTED SOMETHING IN COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11321413

Mar 11, 2020Electrical systemEngineFire

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 SHOWED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS A LITTLE BELOW THE MIDDLE LINE INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HOT. I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR A COUPLE MORE BLOCKS AND CONTINUED TO SMELL SMOKE SO ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OVER, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON ITS OWN SO I WAS HALF WAY BETWEEN THE STREET AND PARKING LOT. I SAW SMOKE COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. ABOUT TWO MINUTES LATER, FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11317639

Feb 18, 2020AirbagsBody & structureCrash1 injury

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN A LEFT HAND TURN LANE. A VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ACCIDENTALLY DROVE HEAD FIRST INTO MY CAR. MY PASSENGER AND I HAD SEAT BELTS ON. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED OF THE OTHER CAR WAS GREATER THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE CONSIDERABLE FRONT END DAMAGE. A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SAYS "SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. VISIT YOUR DEALER". I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. I HAVE READ THAT IF A VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND THE SEAT BELTS ARE ON IT MAY NOT ACTIVATE. THAT IS OK - JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS THE INTENT.

NHTSA ODI 11309946

Feb 10, 2020Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED AS WHITE SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AS FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUHISED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED WAS AWAITING INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER THE DEALERSHIP WAS MADE OF AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11308368

Dec 21, 2019TiresWheels1 injury

I WAS DRIVING ON I 10 SOUTHBOUND WITH MY TWO DISABLED CHILDREN. MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT THE SIDEWALL IN 1-2 INCH CHUNKS. IT SOUNDED LIKE MACHINE GUN FIRE. I HAD TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SHOULDER HOLDING MY STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY AND PUTTING MY CAR IN NEUTRAL. I HAD AIR CHECKS AND BALANCING REGULARLY. I KEEP MY CAR IN A GARAGE WITH LOW MILEAGE. DISCOUNT TIRES CHECKED MY TIRES ON THREE OCCASSIONS AND TOLD ME TO GO TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR HELP. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS RUDE AND DISMISSED MY CONCERNS COMPLETELY MAKING IT SOUND LIKE MY TIRES WERE WEARING AT A NORMAL RATE, WHICH IS NOT TRUE. I ASKED THEM TO HELP ME REACH OUT TO THE TIRE MANUFACTURER AND/OR HELP ME DETERMINE IF MY NEW RAV4 CAME TO ME WITH IT'S ORIGINAL TIRES OFF THE LOT. THEY DISMISSED ME AND I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO TOYOTA TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR AGAIN. BEWARE, ONCE THEY HAVE YOUR MONEY, IT SEEMS THEY NO LONGER CARE ABOUT YOU AFTER THE INITIAL SALE. I AM UNCERTAIN IF THIS IS THE CASE WITH ALL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS, OR JUST OURS IN TUCSON, AZ, BUT PLEASE, BUYERS BEWARE! THEY ENDANGERED ME AND MY CHILDREN AND REFUSED TO ADMIT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE ROAD I TRAVELLED WAS SMOOTH, I WAS TRAVELING AT 65MPH, AND I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. MY SPINE IS A WRECK FROM THE JARRING... LEGS ARE BRUISED UP, TOO. THANKFULLY A STATE TROOPER ASSISTED US. STATE FARM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS ABSOLUTELY BOTCHED UP BY THEIR AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND DISPATCHED TO SOMEWHERE IN PHOENIX. SO GRATEFUL FOR THE STATE TROOPER AND DISCOUNT TIRES FOR THEIR CARE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND THE TERRIBLE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM. MY LAST TIRES LASTED TO 60,000 MILES. NO REASON I SHOULD HAVE HAD TO CHANGE ALL 4 TIRES ON A NEW VEHICLE AT 19,000-20,000 MILES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD PAY FOR MY TIRES.

NHTSA ODI 11290446

May 15, 2019Seats1 injury

TRAVELING ON A TRIP USING DRIVERS HEATED SEAT. IT GOT TOO HOT. I TURNED IT OFF. GOT TO HOTEL, CHECKED IN SETTLED IN FOR NIGHT. WOKE UP TO 3 BURNS ON UPPER BACK LOWER BACK AND UPPER LEG. 3AM BLISTERS POPPED WITH EXCRUCIATING PAIN. WENT TO DOCTOR, SHE STATED 1-BURN 2-3RD DEGREE, 1 BURN 2ND DEGREE, 1 BURN 1ST DEGREE.

NHTSA ODI 11207907

Apr 3, 2019AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S ARMS AND RIBS WERE BRUISED AND HIS NECK SNAPPED BACK AND WAS SWOLLEN. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED; HOWEVER, X-RAYS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DOCTOR. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. *BF*JB 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI 11193611

Mar 28, 2019Electrical systemVisibility & wipersCrash

I HAD TO VISIT TOYOTA BECAUSE MY RADIO WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF, WHEN I PARK. EVEN AFTER VISITING TOYOTA FOR AN UPDATE, MY RADIO WILL CHANGE ON ITS OWN, NOT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL) BUT ON ITS OWN.SO IT IS NOT FIXED. WIPERS WILL TURN ON THEN STOP. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEVICE BEHIND THE DASH THAT I CAN HEAR CLICKING ON AND OFF WELL AFTER THE IGNITION IS OFF OR WHILE THE CAR IS IDLE FOR A BIT. MY CLIMATE CONTROL CHANGES ON ITS ON EVEN THOUGH IT WORKS FINE MOST OF THE TIME. IT IS AS IF MY CAR IS RECEIVING ADDITIONAL COMMANDS FROM ANOTHER SOURCE. LAST WEEK, AT NIGHT, I WITNESSED TWO MEN STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, SOMEHOW ACTIVATING CAR ALARMS FROM RANDOM CARS. JUST YESTERDAY, NOT FAR FROM WHERE I LIVE A DRIVER "LOST CONTROL" AND RAN INTO TWO HOMES. THE DRIVER WAS THROWN FROM THE CAR, WHILE THE CAR AND THE HOUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THAT WAS STRANGE TO HEAR ABOUT. IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE FOR MY CAR, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11192165

Sep 29, 2018AirbagsBody & structureCrash1 injury

I WAS IN A CRASH, SIDE IMPACT, PRETTY BAD. INJURED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HIT MY HEAD AND SHOULDER AGAINST THE SIDE ON THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. TRAVELING ON FREEWAY 50-60MPH, HEARD SCREECHING BEHIND DRIVERS SIDE OF ME... HEARD CRASH THEN I WAS IMPACTED ON DRIVERSIDE AND EVENTUALLY REAR PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO BE AIRBORNE AND LAND UPRIGHT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!

NHTSA ODI 11132299

Sep 9, 2018Speed controlCrash2 injuries

I WAS BACKING MY CAR UP TO UNLOAD A SHELF AT WORK. I WAS BACKING A SHORT DISTANCE( 15 FT) ON A FLAT SURFACE.THE TAILGATE OF THE CAR WAS UP. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT TO BACK IT TOWARDS A HANDICAP RAMP. MY CAR WAS ROLLING SO I WAS USING THE BRAKE AND MOVING SLOWLY WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. I WAS PRESSING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, ALMOST STANDING ON IT , AND MY CAR ACCELERATED THROUGH THE RAILING ONTO THE RAMP WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THIS RAILING WAS ABOUT 35 FT LONG AND HAD 7 POST THAT WERE CEMENTED INTO THE RAMP. THE WHOLE RAILING WAS KNOCKED DOWN. TWO OF MY COWORKERS WERE STANDING ON THE RAMP WAITING TO HELP UNLOAD THE SHELF WERE INJURED. BOTH COWORKERS HAD BROKEN LEGS THAT REQUIRED METAL RODS. ONE COWORKER HAD A MORE SERIOUS LEG INJURY AND WILL REQUIRE MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND SKIN GRAFTING.

NHTSA ODI 11128346

Jul 24, 2018Engine & cooling1 death

ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2017, MY 88-YEAR-OLD FATHER, DIED OF ACCIDENTAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. HIS DEATH RESULTED FROM HIS NEW TOYOTA RAV4 KEYLESS CAR NOT TURNING OFF, ULTIMATELY FLOODING HIS APARTMENT WITH THE DEADLY GAS. HE WAS FOUND IN HIS BED, DEAD, ON SEPTEMBER 7TH, AROUND 10:25 A.M. HIS TWO CATS HAD ALSO EXPIRED. THE TOYOTA RAV4 WAS STILL RUNNING ' 14 HOURS FOLLOWING HIS RETURN HOME FROM A FAMILY DINNER. THE CARBON MONOXIDE READING INSIDE HIS CAR WAS 330. THE RESIDENCE REGISTERED AT 53. MORE THAN TWO HOURS AFTER DISCOVERING MY FATHER'S BODY, THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS IN THE HOUSE WERE STILL 30. THIS AFTER DOORS AND WINDOWS WERE OPENED AND A LARGE FAN PROVIDED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS USED TO PUSH THE AIR THRU THE RESIDENCE. THE CARBON MONOXIDE TRAVELED TO THE NEIGHBOR'S ADJOINING GARAGE AND THRU HER APARTMENT WALLS. MORE THAN ONE HOUR AFTER MY FATHER WAS DISCOVERED, THE NEIGHBOR'S APARTMENT CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS WERE STILL 40 ' REQUIRING A HOSPITAL VISIT. THE DETECTIVE ON THE SCENE FOUND THE TOYOTA KEY FOB ON THE DINING TABLE ' JUST YARDS FROM THE ATTACHED GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED. THE CAR WAS LEASED IN JULY OF 2017. IT WAS DELIVERED IN MID-AUGUST 2017, BY TOYOTA DEALER. AT NO TIME DURING THE SALE OR UPON DELIVERY, WAS IT IMPRESSED UPON MY FATHER THAT THE KEYLESS CARS PRESENTED A CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CONCERN. AT NO TIME WAS MY FATHER OFFERED AN OPTION FOR A 'KEYED' CAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING SYSTEMS ON THE CAR TO SUGGEST THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. IT SEEMS INCOMPREHENSIBLE THAT TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM WITH ADDITIONAL WARNING DEVICES FOR DRIVERS, AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF AFTER A SET TIME, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, BE REQUIRED TO EMPLOY A POLICY THAT SUGGESTS A KEY IGNITION WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR SENIOR DRIVERS. FYI: LOCAL POLICE/EMT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE. A REPORT WAS FILED. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11113398

Jun 25, 2018AirbagsCrash

MY WIFE DROVE HER CAR (2017 TOYOTA RAV4 , PURCHASED ON NOV 17TH,2016) INTO MY NEIGHBOR 'S MAILBOX AND A SMALL TREE NEXT TO THE MAILBOX IN THE RESIDENTIAL AREA ON THE MORNING OF JUN 22TH,2018.PLEASE FIND ATTACHED PICTURE AND YOU WILL FIND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY UNDER THE SITUATION LIKE PICTURE SHOWS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY . ALSO, I WANT TO CONFIRM IS ANY RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL? THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT 33971 SUMMERSET DRIVE,SOLON,OH.NOBODY HURT BUT THE CAR LOOKS REALLY TERRIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11103823

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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 →