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2016 Toyota RAV4 recalls & problems

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 has 3 safety recalls and 240 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (59 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints240filed by owners
Crashes · fires33 · 12reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2016 Toyota RAV4 in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemNov 1, 2023

12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 23V7340001,853,568 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.
Risk
A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
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. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
EquipmentApr 22, 2016

Other › Labels

Recall 16V23600094 vehicles

Problem
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. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Risk
An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.

Components: Equipment › Other › Labels; Tires

Electronic stability control (esc)Apr 7, 2016

Electronic stability control (esc)

Recall 16V19800016,656 vehicles

Problem
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 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk
Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.

Components: Electronic stability control (esc); Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk16.9%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

2016 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk17.4%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

2016 Toyota RAV4 NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2016 Toyota RAV4 NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

RAV4 LE/XLE

26mpg combined
City / highway23 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

RAV4

25mpg combined
City / highway23 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

RAV4 AWD

25mpg combined
City / highway22 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

RAV4 Limited AWD/SE AWD

24mpg combined
City / highway22 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer5937252,000 mi
Service brakes441401121,500 mi
Unknown or other3302015,000 mi
Exterior lighting2800013,400 mi
Engine2538114,600 mi
Air bags191501725,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate150319,300 mi
Visibility/wiper121119,878 mi
Vehicle speed control121003,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Torque converter1120019,500 mi
Steering101006,145 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4201—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations