1996 TOYOTA RAV4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

54

Owner Complaints

4 Crashes 4 Fires

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

8

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4

The 1996 TOYOTA RAV4 has received a total of 54 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc (4 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (3 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (3 complaints).

Recalls for the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4, potentially affecting up to 16,270 vehicles.

Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 16,270 vehicles affected

Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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Owner Complaints for the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4

54 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 3 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 3
Air Bags
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
Complaints: 2
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Electrical System
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 1
Engine
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 1
Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelatch
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Power Train
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmissionshift Pattern Indicator
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 1
Seats
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagesknucklespindlearm
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontmacpherson Strut
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1 2 Injuries
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10919964 | ENGINE | | 70,000 miles
EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL USE, 1 QT EVERY 1000 MILES
#10563346 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | | 6,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WOULD DROP, THE DOORS WOULD SHUT ABNORMALLY AND THE LOCKS WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
#10563346 | STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | | 6,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WOULD DROP, THE DOORS WOULD SHUT ABNORMALLY AND THE LOCKS WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
#10532844 | SEAT BELTS | | 367,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 367,000.
#10494598 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 150,000 miles Fire
I GOT THE CAR OFF OF MY BROTHER FOR $4,000.00, IT LOOKS GREAT, NEVER EVER BEEN WRECKED, PAINT GREAT, BRAND NEW TIRES, NEW EXHAUST, NEW BRAKES, ETC. I WAS WAITING ON HIM TO GET THE TITLE NOTARIZED AND HE BROUGHT IT OVER TODAY, BUT THIS MORNING WHEN I SHUT THE DOOR IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE FUSE BOX BURST INTO FLAMES, BOTH WINDOWS CAME DOWN AND LUCKILY I HAD A LARGE FIRE EXTINGUISH IN MY HOUSE AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, OTHERWISE IT WAS PARKED BETWEEN 3 BUILDINGS WORTH 1/2 MILLION $$$ AND SURELY WOULD HAVE BURNED ALL 3 DOWN IF I HAD NOT HAD THE ABILITY TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FLAMES WERE AS HIGH AS THE WINDOW AND THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS AS ALL THE WIRING BURNED UP IN LESS THAN 2 MINUTES IN THE FUSE BOX AREA. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, I AM SURE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS AND AT THE VERY LEAST THE ENTIRE CAR WOULD HAVE BURNED UP. I AM 55 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS THE VERY FIRST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED THAT CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

View all Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4

Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

03001 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL PINION GEAR WASHERS. *TT

TC00008 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SUBJECT REGARDING SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SSC X05) - REPLACED TRANSAXLE RETURN PROCEDURE (4WD AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PINION GEAR WASHER REPLACEMENT). *JB

TC00001 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SUBJECT REGARDING FINAL OWNER NOTICES FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN X05 - AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE INION GEAR WASHER. *TT

BO00198 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

PROCEDURE THAT IMPROVES DOOR LOCK OPERATION. *YC

BO00102 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

PROCEDURES TO IMPROVE DOOR LOCK OPERATION "FEEL". *YC

97062000697 — TRAILER HITCHES

CLARIFYING THE INSTALLATION INSTURCTIONS FOR THE REAR STEP RECEIVER HITCH. *YC

97050900897 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

VARIOUS INFORMATION ON REDUCING NOISES REGARDING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. *YC

BO01497 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

RAV4 FRONT DOOR HANDLE OPERATION. *JD

NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 TOYOTA RAV4

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the TOYOTA RAV4

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Other TOYOTA Models

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