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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-TOYOTA-RAV4
2016 · toyota

toyota RAV4 problems

1 safety recall. 231 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
49 reports · avg $850
severe
brakes
33 reports · avg $450
severe
lighting
26 reports · avg $250
moderate
airbags
18 reports · avg $1,100
severe
body
12 reports · avg $1,500
severe
visibility
12 reports · avg $350
moderate
powertrain
11 reports · avg $2,500
severe
cruise control
10 reports · avg $600
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 RAV4 · brakes
SOMETIMES MY BRAKES WORK NORMALLY. OTHER TIMES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE HARD TO PUSH, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT COME BACK UP WHEN I RELEASE IT. IF I DON'T PULL THE PEDAL BACK UP WITH MY FOOT, BRAKES WILL CONTINUE TO BE APPLIED EVEN WHEN I'M ACCELERATING. I CAN'T TELL WHY THEY…
12/28/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385271.0
2016 RAV4 · electrical
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…
12/26/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11561837.0
2016 RAV4 · other
When slowing to a stop with foot off gas pedal and on the brake pedal engine suddenly revs to approximately 7K rpms. Mashing brake pedal and turning off engine is only way to control the vehicle. Restarting motor has returned it to normal operation until last occurrence when it…
12/26/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11561919.0
2016 RAV4 · cruise control
While changing the lane towards right, suddenly my vehicle over accelerated and was about to crash the vehicle ahead of me and quickly I decided to maneuver towards the right shoulder lane and within few seconds and speedy semi-truck passed from the left and saved our lives of 4…
12/25/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11498777.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V198000 07/04/2016

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

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.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Toyota RAV4?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 49 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Toyota RAV4 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Toyota RAV4?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 231 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 14 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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