2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems – Keep An Eye Out for Severe Engine and Electrical Concerns! 

The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV that has been produced by Toyota from the 1994 model year until the present. The first compact crossover SUV, this car was made for consumers wanting a vehicle that had the benefits of the SUV while containing the performance benefits of a compact car. Despite these positives, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems dissuade some potential buyers from purchasing this vehicle. 

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Let’s look at the most common problems in each category, such as the steering system, transmission, electrical system, lights, windshield, and engine! Noticing common symptoms can help you avoid hefty repair costs to fix your 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. 

2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems – Steering

There are various components within your steering system that makes it easier to turn the car and steer the vehicle. The major steering system components between the steering wheel and the gear include the wheel, steering column, steering coupler, power steering hoses, steering pump, and steering gear. 

Since there are so many components and since the mechanisms are connected, one problem can lead to a bigger issue with another connected part. This means that the total price of the steering column replacement cost can lead to numerous 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. 

Pulls to One Side

• The first symptom is the steering wheel not being centered on your column and the car. When you turn the steering wheel, it is usually supposed to return to the center without having any problems. The power steering system includes this ability to recenter the steering wheel, which is a key sign that there might be bad steering column symptoms. 
  • Pulling to one side can be due to a steering leak. Paying to fix the power steering leak can range from low prices, like $150 for a new power steering tank replacement, to upward of $1,000 for a new power steering rack and pinion cost. 

Knocking Noise

• If you hear noises when you turn the steering wheel in either direction, this signifies that the steering column is bad or damaged. These could be sounds like clicking, thumping, or clunking when you turn the wheel. The reason for this is damage to the internal components within the steering column.
  • Replacing the steering column ranges from $400 to $900, with the cost for the parts itself being only about $100 for use or $300 if new.  

Steering Lock

• If your steering wheel is becoming more difficult to turn or feels like it is getting stuck, then it shows an issue with the power steering system, since turning the wheel should normally be easy and smooth to do. 
  • A steering lock can be due to a fault with the steering rack. The steering rack is the steering system’s main focus, showing the importance of a steering box in controlling your car. When the box wears out over time, shows damage, or completely breaks over a long time of use, the steering can be compromised and not work properly. If this happens during an inopportune time while you are driving, then this can be quite dangerous. 
    • The average cost to repair a leak on a steering rack and pinion assembly will usually run between $500 and $1000, which is much more expensive than other parts of the power steering system. However, paying for this repair cost can help you save a power steering leak from getting worse in your vehicle. 

2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems – Transmission

Jumping Gears

• • If your transmission takes a while to go into gear, you may have a low transmission fluid condition. This low fluid can be due to a leak or contamination from water intrusion during off-road or flooding conditions. Other possibilities could be an engine-related problem that will cause the computer to prevent transmission shifting.

• The cost to have your fluid changed by a dealer is usually between $80 and $250, with the average cost coming to $100 for automatic and manual cars, including the other 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. 

Rough Shifting

• • When your transmission grinds when shifting gears, this is a condition related to the clutch not releasing, the shift synchronizer rings worn or broken, or a shifter problem. Transmission oil/fluid that is low, dirty, or the wrong fluid can also cause this problem in manual transmissions.

• Replacing a transmission synchronizer is around $1,500 to replace the synchro, with adding $400 also to replace the sliding gear. 

Transmission Failure

• Used Transmission – A general repair shop will install a used transmission in your car as a cheap, hands-off option to fixing the 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems.
  • Price range: $400 to $1600, Labor & Fluid: $400 to $800
• Rebuilt Transmission – The price range of a rebuilt transmission is so wide because it depends on the other 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. The final price could be different than the initial price as it’s very difficult to determine the extent of the damage/problem until the transmission has been removed.
  • Price Range: $1500 to $2500 (some higher-end cars can be $3500+ to rebuild the transmission).
• Remanufactured Transmission – Another popular option is to install a remanufactured transmission. 
  • Price range (incl. labor): $2500 to $3500

Transmission Slipping

• • Slipping can also be caused by low transmission fluid, contamination due to lack of maintenance or water intrusion, or internal wear and tear. A high revving engine is a typical sign that you have worn clutches or other parts inside the transmission going bad.

• Replacing the transmission clutches is usually between $500 and $2,500, with the price depending on the type of car and the other present 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. 

2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems – Electrical

Door Ajar Light Stays On

• • Owners report the door ajar light stays on, causing the2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. Some of the most common solutions are to replace the door latch assembly, clean or replace the door ajar sensor, or purchase a used replacement door latch. 

• The typical repair cost of replacing the door latch assembly is around $410 to replace this part at nearly 57,000 miles. 

Battery Not Holding Charge

• • Owners report the battery doesn’t hold a charge, causing the 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems since it can drain the battery. 

• The repair price of replacing the battery is around $220 for this fix at nearly 47,000 miles to fix the 2008 Ford Edge problems. 

Body Control Module Failure

• Drives of the 2017 Toyota RAV4 report the body control module fails during use. The body control module is a processor-based power distribution center that controls various electrical functions and accessories within the vehicle's body.
  • The average cost for the body control module replacement is between $512 and $537, with the labor price between $79 and $100 and the cost of hte parts between $432 and $437 to fix the 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. 

2017 Toyota RAV 4 Problems – Lights

Poor Headlights

• • If you find that your headlights are dim all of the time and do not get any brighter when you rev your engine, this is due to a dying battery that will soon be completely dead. In this situation, the lights will not get any brighter after you drive your car and will stay at a suboptimal brightness for the entire drive.
    • The lack of headlight power means that you could have a weak alternator or a damaged electrical connection between lights. 

• Replacing your car alternator costs around $400 for a remanufactured part, while the average price is between $300 and $500, including parts and labor. 

• • The price of a new alternator is between $500 and $1,000 to fix the 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. 

2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems – Windows and Windshield

Poor Windshield Visibility

• The windshield wiper motor is in charge of pushing the wipers across the windshield when you turn on the wipers from inside the vehicle, usually during inclement weather, or when you have to clear something off the window. Once the motor has become damaged or wears down over time, it can lead to poor visibility and other 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. 
  • You will usually pay an average of between $230 and $310 for the windshield wiper motor replacement and the total windshield wiper motor repair cost. This fix and service’s total labor cost will usually run you between $50 and $70, while the parts and the total cost come out to between $180 and $250 for the repair cost. 

2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems – Interior Accessories

Power Seat Control Issues

• The power seat control module is a front seat that can be easily adjusted by using a switch, buttons, or a joystick positioned within arm’s reach of the occupant. Most cars on the road these days have this feature, allowing the driver to quickly and electronically change their seat position to reach the pedals and the steering wheel.
  • The average price for the power seat control module replacement cost is typically between $653 and $675, with the cost of the labor ranging between $82 and $104. Finally, the cost of hte parts is generally priced around $571. As you can see, the total time of billed hours for this procedure is around 1 hour since most mechanics charge between $80 and $100 per hour for this complicated work. 

2017 Toyota RAV4 Problems – Engine

Engine Stalls

• • Bad Battery – A bad battery is one of the most common reasons your car will stall while driving. The car battery is the rechargeable battery that supplies the necessary electrical current to a motor vehicle, with the main purpose to feed the starter, which in turn powers and starts the engine to run your car. If the battery is dead, your car will not start. 

• Replacing your car battery is usually between $45 and $250, depending on the other 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. 

• • Fuel Pump – The second cause of why your car stalls while driving is that there is something wrong with your fuel pump. The first time you will notice a problem with a fuel pump is that the car can stall while driving, and can cause you not to be able to restart the car. The fuel pump might show signs of why the car stalls while driving, like a slight buzzing noise while it is running. 

• Replacing your fuel pump is between $725 and $889, with the labor between $172 and $217 for between 1.5 and 3 hours of work. 

• • Electrical Failure – Your car stalling could be due to bad electrical wiring. Make sure you check your vehicle for any corroded wiring and improper connections within the electrical system.

• Replacing your car’s electrical wires is usually between $1,200 and $1,500 to rewire the vehicle. 

• • Fuel Pressure – If your car stalls while going up or down hills, low fuel pressure is the main culprit. Without enough fuel pressure, your car will not be able to run reliably and consistently. When you try to go uphill or put your car through some more stress, this can cause the car to stall without enough pressure. 

• Replacing the fuel pressure regulator in your car costs between $252 and $336, with the labor costing between $104 and $131 for 1 hour to 1.5 hours of work. 

• Distributor Cap – The distributor cap is in charge of delivering the voltage to the spark plugs. If the wiring is bad, then it can throw the timing off of the spark plugs and be one of the main reasons why the car stalls while driving. 
  • Replacing your distributor cap in your vehicle is between $93 and $121 to fix the other 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems. 

The Bottom Line

Finding out the most common 2017 Toyota RAV4 problems can help drivers decide whether this car is a safe bet to buy. Noticing the warning signs, like your car stalling, electrical concerns, transmission issues, and windshield visibility, you can help keep the repair and replacement costs as low as possible.