2016 TOYOTA RAV4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
289
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
21
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4
The 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 has received a total of 289 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. 21 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (55 complaints), Service Brakes (43 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (32 complaints).
Recalls for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4, potentially affecting up to 7,447,772 vehicles.
Recall 23V734000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
| 1,853,568 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 23V734000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
| 1,853,568 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 23V734000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
| 1,853,568 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 23V734000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
| 1,853,568 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 16V236000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 94 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 16V236000 — TIRES
| 94 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 16V198000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
| 16,656 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 16V198000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
| 16,656 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4
289 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
I called for a jumpstart for my truck after it cut off while I was turning onto a parking lot I hit a bump and it just cut off. I had to turn the truck completely off then start it again, after it started I made it completely onto the lot and parked it. When I went to start it again it wouldn’t turn over or startup. I used my State Farm app to request for a jumpstart or possible tow 2/23/25. On 3/9/25 the truck wouldn’t start again and I requested for another jumpstart. The engine light came on shortly thereafter saying that the AWD wasn’t available and that the FWD train was only available. I took it in for a battery replacement and that seemed to help for a couple of months, then my headlights started going out one at a time. The passenger side bulb went out first. I replaced it with a new one at Valvoline and then the driver side bulb went out two weeks or so later and I replaced it then the check engine light came back on and I eventually had to take into the dealership for repairs and maintenance. They said they fixed it. It worked for about a 12 days and then the headlights started dimming over time as the week went on the engine light came back on and the driver side bulb was out again. So from 12/23/25 to 1/5/2026 was the length of time the truck worked but still poorly performance wise. The gas goes very quickly still and I have to fill it way too often now in its condition. I’ve spent about $5400.00 in total with trying to repair and keep gasoline in it to work. I’m taking it back to the dealership today after reporting this to NHTSA.
I called for a jumpstart for my truck after it cut off while I was turning onto a parking lot I hit a bump and it just cut off. I had to turn the truck completely off then start it again, after it started I made it completely onto the lot and parked it. When I went to start it again it wouldn’t turn over or startup. I used my State Farm app to request for a jumpstart or possible tow 2/23/25. On 3/9/25 the truck wouldn’t start again and I requested for another jumpstart. The engine light came on shortly thereafter saying that the AWD wasn’t available and that the FWD train was only available. I took it in for a battery replacement and that seemed to help for a couple of months, then my headlights started going out one at a time. The passenger side bulb went out first. I replaced it with a new one at Valvoline and then the driver side bulb went out two weeks or so later and I replaced it then the check engine light came back on and I eventually had to take into the dealership for repairs and maintenance. They said they fixed it. It worked for about a 12 days and then the headlights started dimming over time as the week went on the engine light came back on and the driver side bulb was out again. So from 12/23/25 to 1/5/2026 was the length of time the truck worked but still poorly performance wise. The gas goes very quickly still and I have to fill it way too often now in its condition. I’ve spent about $5400.00 in total with trying to repair and keep gasoline in it to work. I’m taking it back to the dealership today after reporting this to NHTSA.
I called for a jumpstart for my truck after it cut off while I was turning onto a parking lot I hit a bump and it just cut off. I had to turn the truck completely off then start it again, after it started I made it completely onto the lot and parked it. When I went to start it again it wouldn’t turn over or startup. I used my State Farm app to request for a jumpstart or possible tow 2/23/25. On 3/9/25 the truck wouldn’t start again and I requested for another jumpstart. The engine light came on shortly thereafter saying that the AWD wasn’t available and that the FWD train was only available. I took it in for a battery replacement and that seemed to help for a couple of months, then my headlights started going out one at a time. The passenger side bulb went out first. I replaced it with a new one at Valvoline and then the driver side bulb went out two weeks or so later and I replaced it then the check engine light came back on and I eventually had to take into the dealership for repairs and maintenance. They said they fixed it. It worked for about a 12 days and then the headlights started dimming over time as the week went on the engine light came back on and the driver side bulb was out again. So from 12/23/25 to 1/5/2026 was the length of time the truck worked but still poorly performance wise. The gas goes very quickly still and I have to fill it way too often now in its condition. I’ve spent about $5400.00 in total with trying to repair and keep gasoline in it to work. I’m taking it back to the dealership today after reporting this to NHTSA.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Toyota Rav4. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was purchased from a private seller. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 98,000. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and a Carfax report indicated that in November 2025, the mileage was reported at 170,000.
Safety Rating for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4
The 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4
Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 21 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
Dealer Daily Mes — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
DD: On 2/25/2021, NHTSA opened an investigation into certain RAV4 vehicles related to the 12V battery.
G0X_Dealer Packa — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dealer Package: This Limited Service Campaign has expired as of November 30, 2019. In the subject vehicles the power function of the back door could become inoperative if there is interference with an object while using the power back door. Toyota has developed a new power back door Electronic Control...
G0X_Technical In — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
Technical Instructions: This Limited Service Campaign has expired as of November 30, 2019. TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN G0X POWER REAR HATCH MUTIPLEX ECU CERTAIN 2016 MODEL YEAR RAV4 & RAV4 HYBRID
T-SB-0025-19 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TSB: Some 2009 ? 2018 model year RAV4 and 2017 ? 2018 model year iM vehicles may exhibit a grind/groan noise from the front brake pads. An updated pad kit is now available as a service part. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
T-SB-0025-19 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TSB: Some 2009 ? 2018 model year RAV4 and 2017 ? 2018 model year iM vehicles may exhibit a grind/groan noise from the front brake pads. An updated pad kit is now available as a service part. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
T-SB-0120-18 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TSB: Some 2013 ? 2017 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit corrosion around the rear hatch hinges. The corrosion may be present in varying degrees, ranging from paint blisters to red surface rust with perforation. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
T-SB-0120-18 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TSB: Some 2013 ? 2017 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit corrosion around the rear hatch hinges. The corrosion may be present in varying degrees, ranging from paint blisters to red surface rust with perforation. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
SET-TSB-17-006 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Publication discusses how to find the diagnostic information and component exchange information for the Southeast Toyota accessory overhead DVD player.
17-006 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Rear Seat Entertainment Overhead DVD
T-SB-0201-17 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
TSB: Some 2016 model year RAV4 vehicles equipped with 2AR-FE engines may exhibit a rocking (back and forward) motion while utilizing the vehicle?s cruise control between 55 ? 75 MPH, while driving on a flat and straight freeway/highway. The Engine Control Module/ECM (SAE Term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic has been...
Showing 10 of 21 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the TOYOTA RAV4
- 2011 TOYOTA RAV4 — 398 complaints
- 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 — 355 complaints
- 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 — 328 complaints
- 2014 TOYOTA RAV4 — 264 complaints
- 2015 TOYOTA RAV4 — 391 complaints
- 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 (current)
- 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 — 402 complaints
- 2018 TOYOTA RAV4 — 422 complaints
- 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 — 1,136 complaints
- 2020 TOYOTA RAV4 — 771 complaints
- 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 — 466 complaints
Other TOYOTA Models
- TOYOTA CAMRY — 23,209 total complaints
- TOYOTA PRIUS — 15,411 total complaints
- TOYOTA COROLLA — 14,342 total complaints
- TOYOTA SIENNA — 10,769 total complaints
- TOYOTA TACOMA — 10,512 total complaints
- TOYOTA TUNDRA — 8,997 total complaints
- TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 6,663 total complaints
- TOYOTA 4RUNNER — 6,405 total complaints