1996 Toyota RAV4
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 47
- Recalls
- 1
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1996
None on file
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 47 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 47 |
| 1997 | 54 |
| 1998 | 77 |
| 1999 | 62 |
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 309 |
| 2002 | 527 |
| 2003 | 315 |
| 2004 | 154 |
| 2005 | 141 |
| 2006 | 705 |
| 2007 | 1,004 |
| 2008 | 575 |
| 2009 | 327 |
| 2010 | 400 |
| 2011 | 287 |
| 2012 | 260 |
| 2013 | 257 |
| 2014 | 197 |
| 2015 | 305 |
| 2016 | 239 |
| 2017 | 307 |
| 2018 | 332 |
| 2019 | 883 |
| 2020 | 639 |
| 2021 | 388 |
| 2022 | 145 |
| 2023 | 163 |
| 2024 | 175 |
| 2025 | 91 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
28% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Power train
19% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle parked on slight hill locked in reverse, rolled forward down hill and hit another car. Cause of this has not been determined.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-02-26
Engine and engine cooling
11% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing catalytic convertor and engine.
Latches/locks/linkages
9% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing latch.
Air bags
9% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving at 45 MPH consumer hit ice pot hole, lost control of vehicle, and hit a guard rail, passenger's air bag deployed, but driver's air bag deployed half way.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-12
While driving the driver and passenger air bags deployed although there was no crash.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-23
No deployment of driver's and passenger's airbags during a hea-on collision.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-11-14
Safety timeline
1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 13 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 9 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 5 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1996 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Toyota RAV4 is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1996 Toyota RAV4?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota RAV4 have?
- 1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.