2016 TOYOTA RAV4 Power Train Problems
10 NHTSA complaints on file
Power Train Issues in the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4
10 power train complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. Of these, 2 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 0 resulted in injury.
10
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Power Train Complaints
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...
shudder in the torque converter of certain 2013–2018 Toyota RAV4 models. The shudder could occur while driving at light throttle between 25–50 miles per hour.
While driving around 60 mph the engine suddenly started jumping revs and would not catch back into gear. Turned engine off and on and vehicle would shift normally from 1-3 but would not go into 4-6 gear. Had to place transmission in manual mode and select gear 3 to drive home. Brought to a local transmission shop and was told it was the torque converter. This issue also cause the check engine light, TSC light to come on. It was also throwing codes for faulty shift solonoids.
Delayed/harsh shifting when accelerating or maintaining speeds of 60 - 70 mph. Shuddering sporadically when RPMs are between 2000 - 3000. Marysville Toyota of Washington reproduced and confirmed the issue noted above. They diagnosed the vehicle with a failed Torque Converter. No warning light have come on and the dealership was made aware of this as well. Due to no warning lights, it came as a surprise when the vehicle jolted. I was on the highway maintaining speed when all of a sudden there was a delay and the vehicle began to reduce speed then after 20 - 30 seconds the vehicle forced itself over 3000 RPM and began to regain speed. As the vehicle would suddenly reduce speed without warning I utilized the right lane until I was able to exit from the highway as I was becoming a hazard on the road due to the issuing my vehicle...
While exiting slowly from the parking lot, the Toyota started to make a beeping alarm noise, then suddenly lurched forward. Applying the brake had no effect, and the car accelerated across the LRT tracks, climbed onto the passenger platform, and only stopped when it collided with an electrical box there.
IT SAYS IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ECO OR PCM
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
I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION CAN TAKE 2-3 SECONDS TO ACTUALLY "SHIFT" INTO THE DRIVE GEAR AND HAVE THE GAS PEDAL MOVE CAR FORWARD. DURING THE 2-3 SECONDS, PRESSING THE GAS DOES NOTHING BUT REV/INCREASE THE RPM IN THE ENGINE. IF YOU DO PRESS THE GAS AND THE "SHIFT" TAKES PLACE IT WILL JERK THE VEHICLE FORWARD A BIT.
VEHICLE HAS WHISTLE OR WHINING NOISE ON ACCELERATION AT 55-70 MPH. (PREVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE MADE THIS NOISE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED (REPAIR ORDER WAS OPENED ON 6/1 AND CLOSED ON 6/9/2016). AS STATED ABOVE THE VEHICLE NOW WHINES/WHISTLES AT 55-70 MPH. APPARENTLY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER STICK WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY MOVED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.
Other 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 Problem Areas
Electrical System
55 complaints
Service Brakes
43 complaints
Unknown Or Other
32 complaints
Exterior Lighting
28 complaints
Engine
24 complaints
Air Bags
18 complaints
Structurebody
12 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
12 complaints
Visibilitywiper
12 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
4 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
4 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
3 complaints
Seat Belts
2 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking
1 complaint
Back Over Prevention Warnings
1 complaint
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestorageevaporative Emissionscanister
1 complaint
Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkages
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelock
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
1 complaint
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
1 complaint
Tires
1 complaint