2016 Toyota RAV4: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2016 Toyota RAV4

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2016 Toyota RAV4 recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota RAV4. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• ElectricalFire risk

  A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

  Details 23V734000

  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.

  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.

• Brakes

  Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 16V198000

  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."

  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.

• Tires & wheels

  An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 16V236000

  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."

  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.

2016 Toyota RAV4 safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Battery: The smaller battery may not fit securely with the RAV4’s battery mounting parts, and, in some cases, can move around when the vehicle is driven, causing…

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2016 Toyota RAV4 safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

238 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

Other Toyota RAV4 years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024