2016 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
293 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Toyota RAV4, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 32/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 39,500 miles.
Typical
Where 2016 sits among all RAV4 years
What owners report
“The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was not contacted; however, the manufacturer was contacted.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 RAV4
“While stopped at a red light the vehicle jumped forward and struck the vehicle in front of me. I never took my foot off the brake.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 RAV4
“I was driving on the highway and smoke began to fill my vehicle. I pulled over and my vehicle caught fire. Unsure of the cause.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 RAV4
“The wiring harness was chew completely up. This affected my power brakes, engine,steering system, etc. These lights came on while driving the car! Rats chewed my wiring .”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 RAV4
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 171 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 25,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 6,145 and 47,700 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 23V734.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 drew 293 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 32/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).
What are the most common 2016 Toyota RAV4 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Toyota RAV4 are electrical (85 complaints), brakes & stability (45), and other (36).
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota RAV4 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Toyota RAV4 problems around 25,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 6,145 and 47,700 miles.
Does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.