TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Toyota RAV4 steering problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Toyota RAV4 have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 RAV4 | 11 |
| 2014 RAV4 | 19 |
| 2015 RAV4 | 45 |
| 2016 RAV4 | 10 |
| 2017 RAV4 (this page) | 12 |
| 2018 RAV4 | 10 |
| 2019 RAV4 | 31 |
| 2020 RAV4 | 27 |
| 2021 RAV4 | 20 |
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 12 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Toyota RAV4, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: The Parking Assist Monitor System assists the driver during parking and parallel parking by displaying an image of the area behind the vehicle. When the D/C Cut Fuse is removed or battery terminal is disconnected, the power source to the steering angle sensor is cut off. When the D/C CUT fuse is reinstalled or the battery terminal is reconnected, the rear view monitor will operate, but it may not display estimated course lines to assist parking operation until the system has initialized. Initialize the Parking Assist Monitor System after installing the D/C CUT fuse during Pre-Delivery Service (PDS).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a cluster of critical steering and brake system failures on this 2017 RAV4. The most dangerous issues involve intermittent loss of power steering assist—sometimes with the steering wheel locking solid—occurring at highway speeds and low-speed maneuvers without consistent warning. One owner lost steering at 35 mph and crashed; another experienced complete steering and brake failure at 15 mph, resulting in an uncontrolled run through an apartment complex that hit a mailbox structure and light post.
The Electric Power Steering (EPS) system has failed on multiple occasions, with some owners seeing the EPS warning light and others reporting no warning at all. Dealers have replaced EPS computers and voltage sensors but issues often recur or cannot be reproduced during service visits.
Beyond steering, owners report brake failures where the pedal becomes unresponsive at highway speeds, ABS and brake lights illuminating with momentary loss of control, and an unrelated recall issue that damaged battery connections and caused complete engine shutdown while driving—with Toyota refusing to reimburse repair costs.
Additional complaints include rear suspension clunking and side-to-side swaying that worsened after shock absorber replacement, intermittent squealing and grinding from the front end misdiagnosed as brake pads, and a steering pull to the right that persists after alignment.
Same Toyota RAV4 steering reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering (EPS) System Failure
Steering wheel loses assist or locks up entirely, making the vehicle difficult or impossible to steer. Occurs intermittently without warning lights in some cases, or with EPS warning light in others.
When: 30,000 miles (narrative #5); 35 mph incident (narrative #6); November 2024 onwards (narrative #7); various speeds (narrative #3)
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel locked up; loss of power steering assist; inability to turn steering wheel; EPS warning light illuminated; no warning lights present
Codes mentioned: 21TG01 (Electrical System)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced computer assembly and negative terminal voltage sensor (narrative #7); dealer unable to duplicate failure in narrative #5; vehicle remained unrepaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer's Campaign Number 21TG01 (Electrical System) issued; no recall action taken in time before crash incidents
Brake System Malfunction with Loss of Control
Vehicle fails to slow down or stop when brake pedal is depressed, combined with steering control loss. Occurred during low-speed maneuver and high-speed incident.
When: Approximately 15 mph at apartment complex (narrative #3)
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle lurches forward without driver input; brake pedal unresponsive or fails to slow vehicle; steering control lost; vehicle unable to stop despite brake application; airbags did not deploy
Intermittent Squealing and Grinding Noises from Front End
Recurring squealing, grinding, and hissing sounds from front of vehicle, particularly during braking or acceleration at low speeds and traffic lights. Initial misdiagnosis by dealer as brake pad wear.
When: Starting around 21,000 miles; recurring through 50,000 miles (narrative #1)
Symptoms owners cite: intermittent squealing noise; grinding sound; hissing sound from front of engine; rubber squeaking sound; squeaking when turning steering wheel left or right; whirring and hissing sounds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced front brake pads without checking calipers or hose; replaced both tires; second dealer performed diagnostic but found nothing wrong; water pump and drive belt replaced at 50,000 miles; issue persisted after repairs
Instrument Cluster and Electrical System Failures
Speedometer and RPM gauge become inoperable simultaneously with power steering failure, indicating a deeper electrical system fault.
When: Approximately 30,000 miles (narrative #5)
Symptoms owners cite: instrument cluster failure; speedometer inoperable; RPM gauge inoperable; power steering assist failure
Codes mentioned: 21TG01 (Electrical System)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer's Campaign 21TG01 identified but no repair completed
Rear Suspension Clunking and Swaying Instability
Persistent clunking from rear suspension combined with vehicle swaying side-to-side, particularly on bumpy roads or during longer drives. Worsens after shock absorber and stabilizer link replacement.
When: Used vehicle purchase July 2023; Florida road trip March 2024 (narrative #2)
Symptoms owners cite: clunking noise in rear on bumpy roads; stability and swaying feeling; rear of vehicle swaying back and forth; rear moving separate from front; swaying worse after suspension repairs; loss of vehicle control in rain
Repairs/costs cited: Right rear shock absorber was bad; replaced shock absorbers and stabilizer links; problem worsened post-repair
ABS and Brake Light Activation with Loss of Control
ABS and brake warning lights illuminate while driving, temporarily causing loss of vehicle control. System self-corrects after speed reduction.
When: Approximately 70 mph (narrative #8)
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates; brake light illuminates; vehicle momentarily out of control; system corrects itself after speed reduction
Steering Pull to Right
Steering consistently pulls to the right despite wheel alignment.
When: After alignment service (narrative #11)
Symptoms owners cite: steering pulls to right; issue persists after alignment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle recently aligned
Electrical System Fault from Recall Issue
An active recall caused damage to battery connections, resulting in complete vehicle shutdown while driving on highway exit ramp.
When: June 5, 2025 (narrative #4)
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle completely shut off while driving; battery connection damage
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required towing and repair; cost under $200; owner requested reimbursement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota refused reimbursement for damage caused by unresolved recall issue open for over 3 years
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Air pressure seems wrong and the car shakes sometimes while driving. I hit potholes all over this town but it can't be helped.
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster failed, which caused the speedometer and RPM gauge to be inoperable. Additionally, the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel was locked up. The failure occurred on four separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and Toyota of Brookfield (20655 W…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 Toyota RAV4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2017 Toyota RAV4?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 28,234 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Toyota/RAV4.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.