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
239 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2019
RAV4 HYBRID LIMITED WITH NAVIGATION. THE NAVIGATION CONTROL [MAPS / RADIO / VOLUME CONTROL] FREEZES SUDDENLY AND SCREEN IS NOT MANAGEABLE UNTIL THE CAR STOPS, ENGINE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. ONE TIME, RADIO WAS LOUD, AND COULD NOT TURN IT DOWN AS THE SCREEN WAS FROZEN. HAS HAPPENED ABOUT ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS.
Seats, Dec 14, 2019
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WHEN MOVED BACK, LOCKS IN AND WON'T MOVE FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED AT A CAR WASH WHEN CAR WAS NOT MOVING.
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
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2019
THE REVIEW CAMERA DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY PICTURE WHEN THE SUN SHINES DIRECTLY INTO THE WINDSHIELD THAT ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION WITH PEDESTRIANS WITH CHILDREN. I WAS BACKING UP FROM THE PARKING SPACE. THANKS GOD NOTHING HAPPENED BUT THIS CAMERA SCREEN MUST BE RECALLED. I REPORTED IT TO PALM BEACH TOTOTA REP. WHEN I DISCOVERED IT BUT I DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SCREEN BECAME DARK AS LCD SCREENS MANUFACTURED YEARS AGO IF YOU REMEMBER. TOYOTA RAV4-2016 THAT I DROVE BEFORE HAD EXCELLENT SCREEN AND CLEAR PICTURE THAT DID NOT AFFECTED BY ANY LIGHT.
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
Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2019
THE AUTO HIGHBEAM FEATURE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.
Exterior lighting, Oct 16, 2019
THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO COMPLAINT #11268870, CONCERNING A HEADLIGHT PROBLEM WITH OUR 2016 RAV 4 LE. THE CURTAIN OF DARKNESS CREATED BY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MOVES UP AND DOWN WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR AS THE VEHICLE ADJUSTS TO THE VAGARIES OF THE ROAD. IT BECOMES A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO SEE WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE PAST ABOUT 60 FEET. SO YOU ARE DEALING NOT ONLY WITH LIMITED SIGHT DISTANCE AND AN OMINOUS CURTAIN OF DARKNESS, ITS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY BECAUSE THE DARKNESS CONTINUES TO MOVE UP AND DOWN AS YOU DRIVE CAUSING A SERIOUS DIVERSION OF CONCENTRATION. PUTTING ALL THE FACTORS TOGETHER CREATES A VERY STRESSFUL, ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Exterior lighting, Oct 16, 2019
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON THE VISIBILITY DISTANCE IS LIMITED TO ABOUT 60 FEET. AFTER THAT ALL THAT YOU CAN SEE IS A BLACK VEIL LIKE A CURTAIN HUNG OVER THE LIGHTS. NOTHING CAN BE SEEN OR DETECTED IN THE DARKNESS BEYOND WHERE THE LIGHT ABRUPTLY ENDS PRESENTING A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING EXPERIENCE. THE CONDITION IS AMPLIFIED ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS WHERE THERE IS NO STREET LIGHTING OR OTHER AMBIENT LIGHT. DRIVING ON HIGH BEAMS IS THE ONLY SAFE OPTION, BUT EVEN THEN THE HIGH BEAMS CONFLICT WITH EACH SIDE AND THERE IS NO PERIPHERAL VISION MAKING TURNING A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL. SEARCHING THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BRINGS UP A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS NOT ONLY FOR THE 2016 RAV 4 LE BUT THROUGH 2018 AS WELL. DRIVING UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IS A VERY DANGEROUS COMMUTE, AND SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS INCLUDE HITTING DEER, DRIVING OFF THE ROAD WHILE TURNING, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DETECT ANY MOVEMENT OR OBSTACLES IN THE CURTAIN OF DARKNESS THAT THESE HEADLIGHTS CREATE. STATEMENTS IN THE COMPLAINTS MENTION THAT THE DEALERSHIPS SAY THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM AND THEY CAN ONLY ADJUST TO TOYOTA'S SPECS. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY SMALL ON THIS VEHICLE SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE SOLUTION IS. AS FAR AS I KNOW NO ONE HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS FLAW, BUT PERHAPS IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THAT OCCURS, UNLESS THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM CAN BE CORRECTED. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE SAFELY IN THIS VEHICLE WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON. AND TO DRIVE WITH ONLY THE HIGH BEAMS AT ALL TIMES PRESENTS ANOTHER HAZARD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA MANUFACTURING BEFORE THE WORST HAPPENS BECAUSE OF IT. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES TAKEN OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT SHOWS THE LIMITED SIGHT DISTANCE AND THE CURTAIN OF DARKNESS THAT FALLS BEYOND THE LIGHT.
Service brakes, Oct 8, 2019
ABS SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS NO COVERAGE PLUS I DID NOT GET THE RECALL OF 2016. I AM ON LONG-TERM DISABILITY AND THIS IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR.
Service brakes, Sep 16, 2019
BRAKES ARE SQUEAKY AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED (20 MPH AND LESS) AT APPROXIMATELY 20K MILES.
Service brakes, Sep 11, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. IN TURN, THE SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND THE TWO OCCUPANTS IN THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR NECK INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 197537 WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Structure, Sep 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PINE BELT SUBARU (1104 NJ-88, LAKEWOOD, NJ 08701, (732) 719-4521) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 22, 2019
PURCHASED 2016 RAV4 FROM LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IN JUNE 2019. HAD BADLY FOGGED TAIL LIGHTS ON PURCHASE (AS DID FOUR OTHER 2016 RAV4S I LOOKED AT ON DEALER LOTS). PAID LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP $650 ON 6/24/19 TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHTS WITH OEM. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER (8/17/19) HAD RAIL STORM AND SAW CONDENSATION INSIDE RIM OF ALL 4 TAIL LIGHTS. CAN REPLACE THEM AGAIN BUT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN LIGHTS ARE DIMMED FROM FOGGING.
Suspension, Aug 5, 2019
THE CV JOINS ON BOTH SIDES WORE OFF TO PREMATURE. I HAD TO FIXED IT BECAUSE OF THE NOISE THEY WERE MAKING. IT BEGAN WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES. I THOUGHT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. MANY NEW TOYOTAS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSU.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2019
WATER LEAK AND DAMAGE DRAIN TUBES IN DPILLAR PLUGGED BY DEBRIS. WATER LEAKED INTO HEADLINER, SOAKED FLOOR AND CAUSED SMELL AND MOLD GROWTH. COST INSURANCE A BUNDLE. DEALER DID NOT SPECIFY CAUSE BUT CHARGED ME FOR "SERVICING" AUTO. THE RUGS WERE REMOVED, CLEANED, AND THE INSULATION REMOVED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 27, 2019
STARTED MY 2016 RAV4 LIMITED ON 7/27/2019. AFTER STARTING IT NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES ARE WORKING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS. THE VEHICLE WAS FINE WHEN I SHUT IT OFF THE NIGHT BEFORE. NOW ANTI LOCK BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE ALERT, PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM, AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ARE ALL FAILING.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2019
MOONROOF DRAIN CLOGGED AND CAUSED WATER TO RUN DOWN A FRAME AND SEEP UNDER CARPET. VEHICLE IS NOW FULL OF MOLD DUE TO THE LEAK. AT THIS TIME THE LEAK IS FIXED BUT THE MOLD ISSUE PERSISTS. THIS BEEN CONFIRMED BY DEALER AND TOYOTA NATIONAL OFFICE. THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE DRAIN OR DRAIN MAINTENANCE IN THE MANUAL. THE MOLD IS A SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD. MY CURTAIN AIR BAG IS ALSO PROBABLY DAMAGED DUE TO WATER RUNNING DOWN THE FRAME. THE WATER MUST HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR A WHILE BUT I DID NOT BECOME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNDER THE MOLD STARTED TO SMELL WHEN THE WEATHER GOT WARM. THE WATER ALSO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DAMAGE CRUCIAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. NATIONAL TOYOTA OFFICE AND THE DEALER ARE DISMISSIVE ABOUT THE ISSUE. TOYOTA'S SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS "CALL YOUR INSURANCE" INSTEAD OF TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT INFORMING THE CONSUMER ABOUT THE DRAINS. I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE IF I WAS INFORMED TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE DRAINS FOR DEBRIS. MY RAV4 FOR 41K MILES ON IT. USE IS NORMAL.
Service brakes, Jun 18, 2019
MY BRAKES SEEM TO SCRAPE ABOUT THE FIRST 5 TIMES I USE THEM THEN THE SOUND GOES AWAY
Service brakes, May 20, 2019
MY CAR HAS ONLY 22,700 MILES. FRONTS END BRAKES AND ROTOR ARE TOTALLY WORN OUT. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN NORMALLY.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 2019
2016 TOYOTA RAV4 WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH RPM CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNG FORWARD. HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD DID NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM GOING FORWARD. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH BRAKE ENGAGED, AT INTERSECTION ON US17, JACKSONVILLE, FL. VERY SERIOUS SAFETY DISCREPANCY THAT HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SEVERE ACCIDENT AND OR FATALITY.
Service brakes, Mar 30, 2019
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD. BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE FROM GOING FORWARD. HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHIN TWO SECONDS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GETTEL TOYOTA OF LAKEWOOD (941-567-1080, LOCATED AT 5959 E. STATE RD 64, BRADENTON, FL 34208) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.
Power train, Feb 1, 2019
I HAVE PROBLEM WITH CV JOINT LESS 30,000 MILES, TOYOTA TELL ME EVERYTHING IS GOOD WITH THE SUV, BUT HAVE SOME NOISE, NOW DON'T HAVE GOOD STABILITY WHEN A DRIVE
Service brakes, Dec 29, 2018
I HAD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT BRAKES AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES FINALLY THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES AND TURN THE ROTORS THAT WAS ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS AGO THAT NOISE STARTED AND THEY REPLACE THEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND NOW THEY'RE MAKING NOISE AGAIN I DON'T KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM OR A DEFECT
Structure, Dec 3, 2018
HELLO, MY SUNROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. ONE MORNING, I DECIDED TO OPEN MY SUNROOF. WHEN I PRESSED THE OPEN BUTTON, THE SUNROOF MADE A CRACKING NOISE THAT GOT WORSE AS THE SUNROOF OPENED. I WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT THE TIME. TEMP: ABOUT 65 DEGREES.,OVERCAST.