2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid ranks 4th worst out of 10 model years, with a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict. Brakes and structure/body issues each account for 24% of its 17 complaints, with brake failures reported as early as 1,750 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #4 of 10 RAV4 Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 17
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 32
- 34 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other5 (29%)
- Brakes4 (24%)
- Structure & Body4 (24%)
- Engine3 (18%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (18%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (12%)
- Electrical System1 (6%)
- Fuel System1 (6%)
- Steering1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the brake pedal sinking to the floor with no stopping power while parking at slow speed, in some cases leading to a crash into a wall or object.
- Some describe the vehicle lurching or surging forward or backward unexpectedly while parking or backing up, resulting in a collision.
- At startup or after the engine cools, some owners felt the steering wheel jerk side-to-side while the engine surged and rocked the car, though the issue was intermittent and hard to reproduce.
- Several owners say glare from the dashboard, trim, or instrument cluster in sunlight makes it hard to see the gauges or road, with one dealer only recommending window tint.
- One owner reported the fuel gauge and range estimate were inaccurate, with the low-fuel light coming on well before the expected range was reached.
2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 34 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 32 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,050
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other RAV4 Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid reliable?
- Compared with other RAV4 Hybrid years, 2016 ranks 4th worst of 10 years tracked, with a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints.
- What are the main problems with the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?
- Brakes and structure/body issues each make up 24% of the 17 complaints filed, followed by engine issues at 18% and visibility/wiper complaints also at 18%.
- Does the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, though it recorded 4 complaints involving crashes.
- What year RAV4 Hybrid should I avoid instead?
- Based on complaint index, 2019 (89) and 2021 (78) rank worse than 2016 (67) and carry Avoid verdicts, while 2022 and 2023 rank best.
- At what mileage do 2016 RAV4 Hybrid brake problems occur?
- The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid is 3,000 miles.