AI Damage2016 Toyota RAV4: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Toyota RAV4 filed 239 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. The maker issued 161 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 239
- involving a crash
- 33
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 161
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 24% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 19% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 12% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 58 complaints (24% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 40.
- Service brakes: 46 complaints (19% of all), 14 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Exterior lighting: 28 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Engine: 24 complaints (10% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Air bags: 19 complaints (8% of all), 15 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · hybrid · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- CVT
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 239 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 58 | 3 | 40 |
| Service brakes | 46 | 14 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 28 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 24 | 3 | 3 |
| Air bags | 19 | 15 | 3 |
| Visibility | 16 | 1 | 3 |
| Structure | 15 | 0 | 45 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 1 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 11 | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact's dog was occupying the front passenger's side seat and was not wearing a seat belt. The contact stated that it was a fender-bender; however, the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed in addition to the front air bags, causing the vehicle to be totaled.
The backup camera also variously changes it's functions, preferences, and layout. 2. The navigation system has to be updated by a chip instead of updated wirelessly. 3. It is not an electric vehicle. 4. I should not have to pay for gasoline or electricity if the sun can be used as a fuel source.
While exiting slowly from the parking lot, the Toyota started to make a beeping alarm noise, then suddenly lurched forward. Applying the brake had no effect, and the car accelerated across the LRT tracks, climbed onto the passenger platform, and only stopped when it collided with an electrical box there.
There were no warning lights that were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to her lower back, arm, upper back, bruises, neck, and head, and medical attention was provided. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot.
The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, she noticed traffic had slowed down and the driver applied the brake pedal but the brakes failed to respond and crashed into the rear of an unknown vehicle. The TPMS warning indicator light was illuminated.
I was driving on the entrance road to a major highway, and as I approached the curve in the road and pressed on the brakes to decelerate, the vehicle began to shake, and as I pressed the brakes harder to slow down, they did not engage, the front wheels became locked in the position of the curving road at an angle and…
The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed smoke and flames were coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that when they attempted to move to the passenger side of the road they realized there was not enough room to do so causing them to roll over several…
The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle at a low rate of speed, the brakes failed without warning and the vehicle drove into a brick pillar. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Police were called and a report was filed; no medical assistance was given at the scene.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 264 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RAV4 has 337 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 239, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Campaign Expired - replaced with campaign 23TA13TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY 21TG01…
Campaign Expired - replaced with campaign 23TA13TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY 21TG01 12-VOLT BATTERY SIZE AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION CERTAIN 2013 – 2018 RAV4
- 21TG01 Exprired - Replaced with Campaign 23TA13 During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in…
21TG01 Exprired - Replaced with Campaign 23TA13 During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines…
During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota retailers and others who sell or install…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination.
NHTSA lists 161 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota RAV4?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 239. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (10%), windows, sunroof (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA lists 161 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Toyota RAV4 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.