MYRModel Year Report

2016 Toyota RAV4

● Typical for this model
2016 Toyota RAV4
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota RAV4 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 1994: 4 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaints 1996: 47 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 77 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 309 complaints 2002: 527 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 154 complaints 2005: 141 complaints 2006: 704 complaints 2006 2007: 1003 complaints 2008: 575 complaints 2009: 327 complaints 2010: 400 complaints 2010 2011: 287 complaints 2012: 260 complaints 2013: 257 complaints 2014: 197 complaints 2014 2015: 303 complaints 2016: 237 complaints 2016 2017: 305 complaints 2018: 330 complaints 2018 2019: 875 complaints 2020: 630 complaints 2021: 382 complaints 2022: 141 complaints 2022 2023: 150 complaints 2024: 170 complaints 2025: 81 complaints 2025
2016: 237 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19944
19951
199647
199754
199877
199962
200030
2001309
2002527
2003314
2004154
2005141
2006704
20071003
2008575
2009327
2010400
2011287
2012260
2013257
2014197
2015303
2016237
2017305
2018330
2019875
2020630
2021382
2022141
2023150
2024170
202581

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%

24% of complaints: electrical system — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20231210

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, 20180118

Also filed under ENGINE and ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

The repair shop I was able to pull into as I was experiencing the issue with my vehicle reported: "Battery is unstable and is arcing off of the positive terminal.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260814

SERVICE BRAKES 19%

19% of complaints: service brakes — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20160408

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12%

12% of complaints: exterior lighting — 28 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20160603

​"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, 20260830

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20160504 — electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 16V198000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160603 — equipment, tires

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.

Campaign 16V236000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210225 — PE (closed 20240812)

Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events

R 20241227 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 23V734000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 16V198000 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V236000 (equipment, tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V734000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1996 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2019 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

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 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.