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: exterior lighting
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Oct 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND IMPAIRED THE CONTACT'S VISION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OFF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,800.
Exterior lighting, Oct 8, 2016
HEADLIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE AND VERY UNSAFE. LIGHT CAST IS A HALF MOON WITH A HORIZONTAL UPPER BORDER. IT IS DARK ABOVE THAT AND THERE IS MINIMAL PERIPHERAL LIGHT CAST BY THE HEADLIGHTS SO TURNING CORNERS IS VERY DIFFICULT. HIGH BEAMS ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVE ABILITY TO SEE.
Exterior lighting, Jun 7, 2016
PURCH 2016 TOYOTA AWD RAV4 1 WK AGO. NEVER TRIED LIGHTS B4 PURCH AS WAS DAYLIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING W/DARK GOING TO WORK I USED THE HEADLIGHTS TO FIND OUT YOU CANT SEE W/THEM. I HAVE NEVER HAD HEADLIGHTS I COULDNT SEE WITH. ON DIM: BEAMS SHORT FOOTAGE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE & THE FIELD OF VISION IS DARK W/LINE OF DARKNESS ABOVE BEAM & YOU CANNOT SEE ANY FUTHER. LIKE YOU ARE IN A BIG BLACK TUNNEL. YOU DONT HAVE A FIELD OF VISION ON THE FRONT & SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AT ALL! THE DRIVER COULD POSSABLY HIT SOMETHING OR A PEDESTRIAN, ETC.DUE TO IMPROPER VISION LIGHTING. I HAD TO STOP & ROLL DOWN THE DRIVERS WINDOW SO I COULD MAKE SURE I WAS TURNING LEFT CORRECTLY ON THE ROAD TO MY HOME AT NIGHT. I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. HIGH BEAM: BEAM UP AT THE TREE TOPS IN FRONT OF YOU CRIS CROSSED. WITH THESE HEADLIGHTS YOU HAVE NO FIELD OF VISION! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AFTER DARK BECAUSE I CANNOT SEE AT ALL! I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED & THEY STATE CANT ADJUST THEM BUT THEY DID TRY TO. VISION WAS/IS STILL BAD. I TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF MIGHT KNOW HOW TO ADJUST & THEY STATED SAME THING. THEY CHECKED THE LIGHTS, STATED LIGHTS WERE IN TOYOTA'S SPECS & IS LITTLE ROOM FOR ADJUSTMENT. I TRIED USING AGAIN THIS MORNING & STILL BAD FIELD OF VISION. I CALLED & ASKED DEALERSHIP TO FILE OFFICIAL COMPLAINT W/TOYOTA CONCERNING THE BAD FIELD OF VISION OF THESE HEADLIGHTS, DUE TO BEING AFRAID I MIGHT HIT SOMETHING I CANT SEE & BE KILLED OR INJURED OR HIT SOMEONE ELSE I CANT SEE & INJURE OR KILL THEM. THE PROBLEM W/HEADLIGHTS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATLLY BEFORE THIS HAPPENS W/ME OR SOMEONE ELSE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS ALL THE TIME. BOUGHT AS RETIREMENT VEHICLE COSTING $30,000.00 & CANT SEE TO DRIVE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT MY RECOURSE IS. PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN BEFORE MAJOR MISHAP! THANKS