MYRModel Year Report

2016 Toyota RAV4

● Typical for this model
2016 Toyota RAV4
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
239
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 4 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaint 1996: 47 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 77 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 309 complaints 2002: 527 complaints 2002 2003: 315 complaints 2004: 154 complaints 2005: 141 complaints 2006: 705 complaints 2006 2007: 1,004 complaints 2008: 575 complaints 2009: 327 complaints 2010: 400 complaints 2010 2011: 287 complaints 2012: 260 complaints 2013: 257 complaints 2014: 197 complaints 2015: 305 complaints 2016: 239 complaints 2016 239 2017: 307 complaints 2018: 331 complaints 2019: 879 complaints 2020: 635 complaints 2021: 387 complaints 2022: 144 complaints 2022 2023: 157 complaints 2024: 175 complaints 2025: 88 complaints
1994: 4 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaint 1996: 47 complaints 1996 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 77 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 2000: 30 complaints 2000 2001: 309 complaints 2002: 527 complaints 2002 2003: 315 complaints 2004: 154 complaints 2004 2005: 141 complaints 2006: 705 complaints 2006 2007: 1,004 complaints 2008: 575 complaints 2008 2009: 327 complaints 2010: 400 complaints 2010 2011: 287 complaints 2012: 260 complaints 2012 2013: 257 complaints 2014: 197 complaints 2014 2015: 305 complaints 2016: 239 complaints 2016 239 2017: 307 complaints 2018: 331 complaints 2018 2019: 879 complaints 2020: 635 complaints 2020 2021: 387 complaints 2022: 144 complaints 2022 2023: 157 complaints 2024: 175 complaints 2024 2025: 88 complaints
1994: 4 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaint 1996: 47 complaints 1996 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 77 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 2000: 30 complaints 2000 2001: 309 complaints 2002: 527 complaints 2002 2003: 315 complaints 2004: 154 complaints 2004 2005: 141 complaints 2006: 705 complaints 2006 2007: 1,004 complaints 2008: 575 complaints 2008 2009: 327 complaints 2010: 400 complaints 2010 2011: 287 complaints 2012: 260 complaints 2012 2013: 257 complaints 2014: 197 complaints 2014 2015: 305 complaints 2016: 239 complaints 2016 239 2017: 307 complaints 2018: 331 complaints 2018 2019: 879 complaints 2020: 635 complaints 2020 2021: 387 complaints 2022: 144 complaints 2022 2023: 157 complaints 2024: 175 complaints 2024 2025: 88 complaints

2016: 239 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19944
19951
199647
199754
199877
199962
200030
2001309
2002527
2003315
2004154
2005141
2006705
20071,004
2008575
2009327
2010400
2011287
2012260
2013257
2014197
2015305
2016239
2017307
2018331
2019879
2020635
2021387
2022144
2023157
2024175
202588

Known problem areas

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

Electrical system

25% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving 9/3 and my left blinker light came on solid. I was not using my blinker. Within a few seconds my check engine light came on and another light. Then within 2 minutes the front left engine/tire caught fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-03

Also filed under Lane departure and structure

While exiting slowly from the parking lot, the Toyota started to make a beeping alarm noise, then suddenly lurched forward.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-10

Also filed under Service brakes and power train

It was a cold day in Massachusetts. I warmed up the car in the morning for 10 minutes before starting to drive to work. I got onto the Massachusetts pike and after a couple exits of cruising at 60 hit stop and go traffic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-18

Also filed under Engine and electronic stability control (esc)

Service brakes

19% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota RAV4. The vehicle accelerated forward while the contact's father was gently depressing the brake pedal.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-04-08

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Exterior lighting

12% · 28 reports

Engine

10% · 25 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

8% · 19 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota RAV4. While driving approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-06-03

​"The red master warning triangle and an 'SRS Airbag System Malfunction' message illuminated unexpectedly on the dashboard of my 2016 Toyota Rav4 XLE under normal driving conditions.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-30

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2016-05-04Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic16V198000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2016-06-03Equipment, tires16V236000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2021-02-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-08-12 Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
  4. R
    2024-12-27Electrical system23V734000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 59 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 28 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V198000 · Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V236000 · Equipment, tires
  • Recall 23V734000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota RAV4?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.