2016 Toyota RAV4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Toyota RAV4 ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 25 and a Good verdict among RAV4 years. It has 240 complaints, 3 recalls, and no reported deaths, with Electrical System issues as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 RAV4 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 240
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 33
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 12
- Injuries
- 27
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22.5 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 0
Top 2016 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System85 (35%)
- Brakes47 (20%)
- Engine36 (15%)
- Other33 (14%)
- Structure & Body20 (8%)
- Airbags19 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers16 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (5%)
- Steering10 (4%)
- Fuel System5 (2%)
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 sudden unintended acceleration or forward movement while braking or with the vehicle in park, sometimes resulting in a collision.
- Some describe the brakes failing to respond when pedal pressure was applied, causing the vehicle to keep moving into obstacles.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed crashes, or in other cases deployed without warning while braking.
- One owner reported smoke and flames coming from under the hood while driving at highway speed, leading to a rollover.
- A battery critical charging error flashed briefly on the dashboard during stop-and-go driving in cold weather.
2016 Toyota RAV4 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V734000Nov 1, 2023Electrical System1,853,568 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V236000Apr 22, 2016Other94 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V198000Apr 7, 2016Brakes16,656 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
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."
Risk: 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.
2016 Toyota RAV4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 RAV4 rates Good, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 25.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 RAV4?
- NHTSA complaints show Electrical System issues make up 35% of complaints, followed by Brakes at 20% and Engine at 15%.
- Does the 2016 RAV4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 RAV4, covering the electrical system (battery tray fit), a mislabeling issue, and a brake actuator inspection/replacement.
- Were there any fires or crashes reported for the 2016 RAV4?
- NHTSA data shows 33 crashes and 12 fires reported for the 2016 RAV4, with 27 injuries and no deaths.
- How does the 2016 RAV4 compare to other RAV4 years?
- The 2016 model's complaint index of 25 is well below years like 2021 (100) and 2019 (95), which carry Avoid verdicts, making 2016 one of the better years for this model.