Are there a lot of engine complaints for the 2016 Toyota RAV4?

NHTSA lists 36 engine complaints for the 2016 RAV4, which is 15% of the 240 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2016 Toyota RAV4 engine fire issue?

No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint area on the 2016 RAV4.

At what mileage do 2016 RAV4 engine problems tend to show up?

The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 13,300 miles.

Did the 2016 RAV4 engine complaints involve fires or crashes?

Among the 36 engine complaints, NHTSA records 8 fires, 4 crashes, and 1 injury.

How does the 2016 RAV4 compare to other years for engine complaints?

The 2016 RAV4's engine complaints are 15% of its total complaints, lower than the 27% share seen in 2019 and the 32% share seen in 2020.

2016 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 36 engine complaints for the 2016 Toyota RAV4, 15% of its 240 total complaints for the year. Eight of these cases involve fire and one involves injury, with a median mileage at failure of 13,300. No related recall is listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints: 36; 15% of 240
Crashes reported: 4
Fires reported: 8
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 13,300 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Owners report smoke and then flames coming from under the hood, sometimes while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
Some describe the engine losing power or shutting off suddenly while driving, followed by smoke and fire from under the hood.
Several report sudden unintended acceleration while braking at low speed, including one case where the brake pedal was pressed fully with no effect.
One owner describes the engine stalling when shifting quickly from reverse to drive, requiring multiple steps to restart the vehicle.
A few complaints mention fires starting without warning lights or prior symptoms, discovered only after smoke appeared.

When 2016 Toyota RAV4 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 8, 2016, latest Jul 16, 2026.

36 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2016 to Jul 2026; peak Jun 2016 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Toyota RAV4

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by RAV4 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2010107 (27%)
201198 (34%)
201269 (27%)
201345 (18%)
201438 (19%)
201556 (18%)
201636 (15%)
201746 (15%)
201850 (15%)
2019239 (27%)
2020205 (32%)
202146 (12%)
202234 (23%)
202332 (21%)
202446 (26%)
202518 (21%)

Frequently asked questions

Are there a lot of engine complaints for the 2016 Toyota RAV4?: NHTSA lists 36 engine complaints for the 2016 RAV4, which is 15% of the 240 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Toyota RAV4 engine fire issue?: No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint area on the 2016 RAV4.
At what mileage do 2016 RAV4 engine problems tend to show up?: The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 13,300 miles.
Did the 2016 RAV4 engine complaints involve fires or crashes?: Among the 36 engine complaints, NHTSA records 8 fires, 4 crashes, and 1 injury.
How does the 2016 RAV4 compare to other years for engine complaints?: The 2016 RAV4's engine complaints are 15% of its total complaints, lower than the 27% share seen in 2019 and the 32% share seen in 2020.