2016 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 239 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 33 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 27 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v batteryNov 1, 2023
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.
A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 23V734000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresApr 22, 2016
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."
An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V236000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipApr 7, 2016
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."
Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V198000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
19 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Aug 30, 2026
"The red master warning triangle and an 'SRS Airbag System Malfunction' message illuminated unexpectedly on the dashboard of my 2016 Toyota Rav4 XLE under normal driving conditions. I contacted a certified Toyota dealership, and they confirmed that this dashboard warning indicates the vehicle's airbag system is completely disabled, leaving the occupants without airbag protection in the event of a collision. However, the dealership stated they will not cover the cost to diagnose or repair the system because there is not yet an active safety recall for this specific VIN. I am filing this complaint to formally report this critical safety defect. A premature failure of the vehicle's primary safety restraint system is an immediate and severe safety hazard that warrants a formal NHTSA investigation and a mandatory recall."
Air bags, Jan 5, 2026
Air bags malfunction. There is a warning ️ pop up message on my dashboard that says, Air bags malfunction contact manufacturer dealer. This is clearly a safety issue and it should be part of a recall or a recall needs to be started with this issue.
Air bags, Sep 18, 2025, crash
The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH and attempting to change lanes, the contact looked through the sideview mirrors and then looked forward. The contact noticed that the vehicle in front of the vehicle had stopped. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop in time and rear-ended the other vehicle. The contact's dog was occupying the front passenger's side seat and was not wearing a seat belt. The contact stated that it was a fender-bender; however, the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed in addition to the front air bags, causing the vehicle to be totaled. The contact stated that the front driver's side air bag deployed and hit the contact's face, and the contact's eyeglasses caused a bruise on the contact's eyebrow. The contact also sustained a bloody nose and soreness on the forehead. The contact sustained bruises from the shoulder to the elbow after being hit by the driver's side curtain air bag. A police officer called medical personnel, who took the contact's blood pressure, checked the contact's injuries, and confirmed that an ambulance was not needed. The contact had not sought medical assistance. The contact stated that the hood of the vehicle opened and closed upon impact, and one of the coolant hoses was leaking. The trunk of the other vehicle opened and closed upon impact, and the other vehicle sustained minor damage to the fender. The other vehicle was drivable, and the other driver did not sustain injuries. A police report was filed, but the police report information was not available. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer and Pedersen Toyota(4455 S College Ave Fort Collins, CO 80525) were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2024, crash
involved in a multi car accident at the intersection of [XXX] , and [XXX] bound on ramp at [XXX] and the other two parties involed air bags deployed . I t boned the car traveling on [XXX] that had ran the intersection red light after the incrdent i was facing acroos all lanes of traffic and a car traveling the same direction hit me in the passenger front door and no air bags deployed in my 2016 toyota rav 4 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2023
My sunroof is leaking for the fourth time. The first time it ruined the curtain airbags on the driver side. It started leaking again today and I am wondering if the airbags will be damaged again.
Air bags, Feb 16, 2023, crash
The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic, a GMC Denali crashed into the rear of her vehicle, which caused her vehicle to crash into the rear of a GMC Arcadia. There were no warning lights that were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to her lower back, arm, upper back, bruises, neck, and head, and medical attention was provided. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Air bags, Mar 8, 2022, crash
The friend of the contact's son owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while his son's friend was driving at 10-15 MPH and making a turn with his son in the passenger seat, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The front passenger air bags and the passenger curtain air bags deployed brutally and violently hit the contact's son face, chest and head. The contact's son was transported to the hospital with the assistance of emergency units. The contact's son sustained three dislocated front upper teeth and root, two dislocated front lower teeth and lesions on the lips. Additionally the contact's son sustained injuries on the neck, face, head, chest and pelvis. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 1, 2021, crash
I was driving on the entrance road to a major highway, and as I approached the curve in the road and pressed on the brakes to decelerate, the vehicle began to shake, and as I pressed the brakes harder to slow down, they did not engage, the front wheels became locked in the position of the curving road at an angle and the vehicle went off road at approx 45mph down an embankment and into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle is totaled and although there were no fatalities minor injuries did occur since the airbags did not keep the passenger nor driver from hitting there head on the windows and door jam, and the steering wheel.
Air bags, Apr 28, 2020, crash
HIT A DEER HEAD ON GOING ROUGHLY 70 MPH, AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF AND RADIATOR AND SENSOR GOT PUSHED INTO THE CAR. WAS ON THE HIGHWAY JUST OUTSIDE OF GILLETE, WY WHEN IT OCCURED.
Air bags, Dec 13, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY VEER OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE CRASHED INTO A TREE AT 42 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND SHOULDER, AND ALSO HAD WHIPLASH. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVE, PRIMARILY IN THE FRONT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER HIRED AN INDEPENDENT ENGINEERING FIRM THAT TOOK THE INFORMATION FROM THE VEHICLE'S BLACK BOX. THEIR FINDINGS STATED THAT ALL OF THE SENSORS WERE WORKING AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED WAS 42 MPH. THE REASON THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WAS "INSUFFICIENT DECELERATION". THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *LN *TR *DT *DL
Air bags, Nov 16, 2019
THE AIR BAG LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF FROM THE DASH ALL THE TIME, I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAM DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE LIGHT WASN'T ON WHEN I WENT THERE BUT I THINK THEY COULD AT LEAST TAKE A LOOK AT IT BUT THEY DIDN'T CARE, IT'S A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL WITH THESE KIND OF PROBLEM
Air bags, Oct 3, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS SPOUSE WHO OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NOSE AND BRUISING TO THE RIBS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *TT UPDATED 11/28/18*JB
Air bags, Jul 25, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL, I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR ENDED COLLISION ON A HIGHWAY WHILE STOPPED CAUSING MY CAR TO REAREND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SAID MALFUNCTION ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS $19000 IN DAMAGE, I ASKED FOR THE SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND FEEL SAFE. THEY WOULD NOT DO IT BECAUSE THEY SAID THE COMPUTER WAS ABLE TO RESET. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED OVER AND OVER AS I COULD NOT FEEL SAFE, NO ONE WOULD LISTEN SO I ENDED UP TRADING THE CAR THAT WAS 7 MONTHS OLD IN AND TAKING A LOSS TO FEEL SAFE. SINCE THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED I COULD NOT FEEL LIKE IT WOULD KEEP ME SAFE IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THIS.
Air bags, Jun 8, 2018, crash
IN MAY, THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THIS VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A 4-LANE HIGHWAY; HWY 60 IN PHOENIX. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THERE WERE NO ERROR MESSAGES OR INDICATED MALFUNCTIONS. THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. IMMEDIATELY UPON IMPACT, TWO ERROR MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH:H AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND AN AWD MALFUNCTION 2WD MODE ENABLED. I FOUND THIS VERY DISTURBING AS I CAN'T BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. AS A RESULT, MY DAUGHTER SUFFERED FROM A CONCUSSION, NECK PAIN, AND HER KNEE SUFFERED INJURY BY SLAMMING INTO THE DASHBOARD. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY, LIBERTY MUTUAL, WAS CONTACTED THAT EVENING TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT. THE NEXT DAY, I FILED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA REGARDING THE ERROR MESSAGES AND THE LACK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. A THIRD PARTY RETRIEVED THE 'BLACK BOX' FROM THE VEHICLE AND PRESENTED A REPORT TO TOYOTA. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THE THIRD PARTY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY AND THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. MY INSURANCE DOESN'T BELIEVE THIS TO BE A TRUE ASSESSMENT, NOR DO I. I ASKED TOYOTA HOW TO HAVE THIS ESCAPED TO THE NEXT LEVEL FOR FURTHER REVIEW AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD NO OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ME. MEANWHILE, THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG ICON WILL NOT LEAVE THE DASH AND THE CAR REPAIR SHOP WILL NOT RELEASE AN UNSAFE CAR TO ME. SOMEONE IS BEING REASONABLE. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WASN'T WORKING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY AND IS NOW INDICATING THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MEANWHILE, I AM STRANDED IN PHOENIX, AZ BECAUSE I STILL DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE IN WHICH TO MOVE MY DAUGHTER HOME TO N.C. PHOTOS AND REPORTS ARE ATTACHED FOR YOUR REVIEW. THE FILE FROM THE BLACK BOX WAS TOO LARGE TO UPLOAD.
Air bags, Service brakes, Feb 8, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, AND FRONT SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1802082867. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
Air bags, Dec 21, 2016, crash
ON DECEMBER 5, 2016 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE LEFT FRONT FENDER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IMPACT WAS DIRECT AS THE OTHER VEHICLE STRUCK MINE AT A NINETY DEGREE ANGLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FENDER AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY. IMPACT FORCED MY VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR SUPPORTING A STEEL LIGHTPOLE. I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 30 MPH AT TIME OF IMPACT WITH THE CONCRETE PILLAR. SUDDEN IMPACT CAUSED THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE GROUND. THIS WAS THE DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE SUDDEN STOP. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT I WAS TRAVELLING ON A HIGHWAY AND IN MOTION. VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER, PASSENGER AND SIDE AIRBAGS.
Air bags, Service brakes, Sep 4, 2016, crash
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Air bags, Aug 16, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND METAL FRAGMENTS EJECTED FROM THE AIR BAGS ALONG WITH A YELLOW POWDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700.
Air bags, Jun 3, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.