2017 TOYOTA RAV4 Power Train Problems

While driving on or around 6/5/25, an active recall on my vehicle caused damage to my battery connections causing my vehicle to completely shut off while driving on an highway exit ramp. I almost lost complete control of the vehicle. Thankfully, the vehicle turned back on and I was able to get the vehicle to safety. I had to get the car towed and repaired. The repair was directly related to the damage from an active recall issue being open without remedy for over 3 years on my vehicle. When I asked Toyota for reimbursement of under $200 they refused. This is a safety issue beyond the recall and I am concerned this is going to happen to someone else and there are going to be deaths. Toyota needs to stand by their recall too and may the financial aspect correct with me. Other members of the public need to be aware of the issues beyond their recall that can affect their cars and that Toyota is requiring them to be responsible for the damage that was caused while waiting on a remedy to the recall.

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving 20-25 MPH, the vehicle shuddered while the transmission was shifting into the next gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon scanning the vehicle with an OBD II code reader, the contact retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating a starter failure. However, upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to Toyota Warranty Bulletin Number: POL17-06. The contact stated that a preventative service was previously performed on the vehicle, however, the failure occurred. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

All wheel drive disengages while driving. It has disengaged several times while driving up a steep hill in the rain resulting in loss of control of vehicle. First time car skidded into a ditch. Warning on dash said return vehicle to dealer. Vehicle has been returned 3 times. They blame the problem on a defect in the emission control system which turns off the AWD system when a leak in the vapor control system is detected. Dealer first replaced the fuel filler cap. That worked for a couple of weeks, then something under the hood which worked a few days. Now the car is scheduled for a gasket on the fuel tank to be replaced for $1,500! I am all for controlling emissions to the environment, but it should not be at the cost of safety. A fix is needed to separate the AWD from the emission control system. SAFETY FIRST!

Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles. We purchased this vehicle new. Both inner CV Axles are leaking grease. I expected, for a Toyota brand, for these parts to last much longer. It is difficult to know how long these have been leaking, but suspect for quite some time. Meaning these parts have been quite defective for possibly over a year or two. If these were to dry out without knowing, the CV could completely lock up--very dangerous.

la transmisión de mi vehículo presenta ruidos extraños y ala ves se escucha un zumbido qué es bien molestoso perdió fuerza y velocidad también el consumo de combustible es demasiado mi rav 4 solo tiene 40,400 millas corridas es frustrante porqué la marca no a hecho nada para corregir el problema tengo muchos conocidos qué frecuentan el mismo problema

Vehicle suddenly started to develop shuddering episodes that lasted 2-3 seconds, while driving at low speeds 20-50 MPH and between 1000-2000 RPM. Condition is intermittent, usually when the engine is hot and increasingly becoming worse and frequent. Took vehicle to local Toyota dealer and they diagnosed it with a malfunctioning Torque Converter and recommended replacement. No codes were reported during diagnosis. Toyota dealer mechanic promptly recognized problem as he encountered similar problems with other vehicles of same model. Mechanic reported of a known recall for models from 2009 to 2015, but not for later models. Transmission Control Module was reset by dealer's mechanic and condition improved but not resolved. Owner contemplating replacement of malfunctioning part to avoid catastrophic damages to vehicle's transmission and potential uncontrollable vehicle's behavior while driving.

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle started making a rumbling sound and was also shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who test drove the vehicle, and the tires were balanced and rotated; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine block stabilizers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had become significantly worse while driving between 25-30 MPH and 45-50 MPH. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Mileage: 94,000

While driving around 70-75 mph, I took my foot off gas pedal to coast, the "EV" light came on and off for about "1/2 - 1" second several times. I experienced a strong shaking, vibration, and a feeling that the car may be broken out by itself. It was very noticeable and troubling. If I waited the second for the light to go off while coasting, then no problems. It is not easy to recreate it constantly, so when I tried to show the problem to some mechanics. It could not appear. I have found many same complaints online from many years ago. But it seems no solutions yet. Dealers usually says if they cannot see/experience it, they cannot consider it is an issue. So it seems no one takes any actions to try to solve this issue.

Recurring Problems with AWD Malfunction, Engine Light On. Contacted Toyota two month ago, No reply from Toyota; Description of Complaints: On March 19, 2021, I was driving my Rav4 (VIN[XXX] ) to go to Toledo Ohio. During the driving, the AWD System Malfunction/2WD Mode Engaged and the Engine Light came on (see attached). Interestingly, the warning lights came on and off three to four times and each time I felt a drag/hesitation as if the gear was changed from 4WD to 2WD (Exhibit 1) . It advised me to visit the Toyota Dealer. After arriving Toledo, OH I visited Jim White Toyota Dealer next morning and explained the situation. The dealership was very cordial and helpful. Unfortunately, they did not record any malfunctioning Code (Exhibit 2). While returning home on March 21, 2021, the AWD warning light did not come on. A few days later, these warning lights came on again, and that forced me to visit the local Toyota Dealer, Fitzgerald, for inspection again. They diagnosed the problem to Code P0456 (Exhibits 3-4). This code refers to “…that there is a small leak in the evaporative emission control system.” Today (05/31/2021), after two repairs at Fitzgerald Toyota, Gaithersburg, The "AWD malfunction came back on with the engine light on again. The code reads: P043Eand F;P2401,P2402 and P2419. Please ask Toyota to address this problem and make it as part of recall to fix this problem. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

VEHICLE ONCE STATIONERY PUT BACK IN DRIVE AND TRY GOING AHEAD MAKES A NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT CV AXLE HAD TAKEN IT TO STEVEN TOYOTA VA, THEY CAME BACK SAYING IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE THROUGH TOYOTA

Mileage: 39,000

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SHEET FOR ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 2 TIMES IN 3 YEARS AS WELL. I HAVE NEW BATTERY AND IT BECAME CORRODED FAST. MY CAR KEPT TELLING ME THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND ALL OF THE FAILS LED TO THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES.

Mileage: 90,000

WHEN DRIVING AT 25 MPH TO 40 MPH MY VEHICLE STARTS TO SHUDDER. I CAN HEAR IT AS IF IT IS COMING UP FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT IT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK. THE SHUDDER OCCURS WHEN DRIVING ON A SUBURBAN STREET GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD.

Mileage: 4,200

2017 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSION GIVES UP AT 100K MILES.THE TOYOTA DEALER ASK ME TO $6000 FOR REPAIR.

THE TRANSMISSION, IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY IN EVEN MILDLY COLD WEATHER. HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS, AND NOW THE TRANMISSION, IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY WHEN YOU FIRST START IT UP. THE ENGINE RPMS ARE AT 3,500, WHEN DOING 30 MPH DOWN THE ROAD,AND PUSHING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL NOT GO, THERE ARE NO ERROR LIGHTS, THERE IS AN TRANMISSION SHIFT ISSUE WITH ACCELERATION ISSUE. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN GOING DOWN A 35 MPH ROAD, THERE ARE CARS THAT CAN ACCELERATE AND THIS CAR GOES NOWHERE. START THE CAR AFTER BEING PARKED OUTSIDE IN COLD WEATHER, WAITED 5 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR, AND IT IS STILL NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY. THERE HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT AND GO INTO GEAR PROPERLY, NOT SURE IF ITS THE COMPUTER PROGRAM, OR GEAR ISSUE. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE SECOND YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. OWNED THE CAR SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WITH THE CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO GO THE PROPER SPEED LIMIT, AND THE DEALER IS TRYING TO SAY OH, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP, DID NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM LAST WINTER BEING LEFT OUT ALL DAY AND NIGHT. THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FOR THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE GEARS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS, THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ACCELERATE PROPERLY BECAUSE OF THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND IF YOU DO ACCELERATE YOU CAN END UP RUINNING THE ENGINE.

POWER TRANSMISSION, SAFETY ISSUE, THE POWER TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT IN A TIMELY MANNER TO PROPER GEARS,IN COLD WEATHER, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY AFTER LEAVING WORK, THE CAR WILL ONLY GO 30 MPH AT 3,500 RPM. UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP, THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, AND NOW IT IS. TOYOTA DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE SHIFT POINTS ARE HIGHER THAN NORMAL, WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING, AND PER THE DEALER WELL IT TAKES AWHILE FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP BEFORE IT WILL GO TO NORMAL SHIFT POINTS, AND ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. WELL 30 MPH AT 3500 RPM, THIS IS NOT NORMAL, AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SO WHEN YOU LEAVE WORK YOUR CAR WILL ONLY GO 30 MPH ON A 60 MPH FREEWAY. THE DEALERS RESPONSE IS AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUNNING AND WARMED UP IT WILL WORK NORMALLY. THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL ABOUT THIS ISSUE, NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE LAST WINTER NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVING THIS ISSUE THIS WINTER.

Mileage: 12,978

THERE'S A RECALL ON MY 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 AND THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO MENTION IT. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN JULY 2017. THE RECALL WAS MADE JUNE 15 2017. RECALL ID#265486. RECALL IS 17R2 FOR TIRES. SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT HERE AS I HAVE KIDS IN THE CAR SOMETIMES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. THE ALSO HAS THE FOLLOWING NOTICEABLY PROBLEM WHEN IN MOTION OR DRIVING MODE: SUSPENSION ISSUES: STRUTS,SPINDLE, CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, STABILIZERS, AND RELATED COMPONENTS MAY PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS VERY SCARY TO HEAR THAT TRUTLE GRINDING NOISE.

Mileage: 25,000