1996 Toyota RAV4

▲ Better than typical

1996 Toyota RAV4
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:54:44.918Z

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.

How is this computed?

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	314
2004	154
2005	141
2006	704
2007	1004
2008	575
2009	327
2010	400
2011	287
2012	260
2013	257
2014	197
2015	303
2016	238
2017	307
2018	331
2019	876
2020	634
2021	385
2022	143
2023	153
2024	172
2025	85

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 28%

28% of complaints: service brakes — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

FIRE

POWER TRAIN 19%

19% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASH

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980226

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing catalytic convertor and engine.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 9%

9% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch.

INJURY

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY

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. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI report, 20040212

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO CRASH. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20021223

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DURING A HEA-ON COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19961114

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes issues (13 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2019 ■ 2006

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.