VehicleVerdict

2016 Toyota RAV4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 sits mid-pack among RAV4 years: 291 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 342, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 34 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (59), brakes (45), and other (33), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

291

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

43

Crash-involved

19

Fires reported

34

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other RAV4 years?

RAV4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted1,240 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 54 complaints1997: 61 complaints1998: 92 complaints1999: 75 complaints2000: 34 complaints2001: 418 complaints2002: 682 complaints2003: 392 complaints2004: 182 complaints2005: 168 complaints2006: 880 complaints2007: 1,240 complaints2008: 708 complaints2009: 397 complaints2010: 498 complaints2011: 402 complaints2012: 357 complaints2013: 331 complaints2014: 275 complaints2015: 399 complaints2016: 291 complaints2017: 408 complaints2018: 435 complaints2019: 1,168 complaints2020: 795 complaints2021: 505 complaints2022: 206 complaints2023: 234 complaints2024: 250 complaints2025: 101 complaints
RAV4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RAV4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Toyota RAV4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5920%
Brakes4515%
Other3311%
Lighting2810%
Engine248%
Airbags186%
Visibility & Wipers165%
Body & Structure145%
Speed Control124%
Transmission114%
Steering103%
Fuel System62%
Driver Assistance52%
Latches & Locks31%
Seats21%
Suspension21%
Seat Belts21%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V734000Electrical SystemNovember 1, 2023 · 1,853,568 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.

Consequence

A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.

16V236000OtherApril 22, 2016 · 94 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence

An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.

16V198000Electrical SystemApril 7, 2016 · 16,656 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence

Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“OUR 2016 RAV4 PRODUCED A LOUD CLUNK THEN LOST POWER (AFTER BEING DRIVE 5-10 MINUTES) AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER NOR THE CAR POWER COME BACK ON. WHITE SMOKE BEGAN WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF LOSING POWER AND WITHIN ONE MINUTE FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER'S…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 4, 2021 · fire

“While exiting slowly from the parking lot, the Toyota started to make a beeping alarm noise, then suddenly lurched forward. Applying the brake had no effect, and the car accelerated across the LRT tracks, climbed onto the passenger platform, and only stopped when it collided with an electrical box…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 8, 2023 · crash

“The car rapidly caught on fire while parked and off. Smoke first appeared from the hood and subsequently flames came out of the hood causing the entire car to catch in fire. There were no warning lights/messages. The car was inspected by our insurance, USAA”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 4, 2022 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND IMPAIRED THE CONTACT'S VISION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OFF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 22, 2016

“OUR 2016 RAV4 PRODUCED A LOUD CLUNK THEN LOST POWER (AFTER BEING DRIVE 5-10 MINUTES) AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER NOR THE CAR POWER COME BACK ON. WHITE SMOKE BEGAN WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF LOSING POWER AND WITHIN ONE MINUTE FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER'S…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 4, 2021 · fire

2016 Toyota RAV4 — common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

It is close to typical for the RAV4: 291 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2016 RAV4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (59 complaints), brakes (45 complaints), other (33 complaints).

Does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Toyota RAV4 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota RAV4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RAV4 years to avoid are 2007, 2019, 2006, 2020, 2008, 2002. The cleanest record among RAV4 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2016 Toyota RAV4?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.