CarProblemIndexSource: NHTSAData retrieved 2026-07-01

2016 Toyota RAV4 — Recalls, Complaints & Buying Checklist

Quick summary

Recalls: 3 official NHTSA recall(s) on record, e.g. Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip.

Most-reported issue: Electrical System (49 owner reports of 233 total).

Before you buy: owners reported issues most often with Electrical System, Service Brakes — worth having these checked on a used example.

VIN check: confirm any open recall by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Used-car buying checklist

Based on this model’s reported issues. Tick as you inspect.

Owner-reported complaints by category

Counts are voluntary reports to NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold — they are not a failure rate or safety ranking.
Electrical System49
Service Brakes33
Unknown Or Other27
Exterior Lighting26
Air Bags18
Structure13
Power Train11
Steering10
Vehicle Speed Control10
Engine9

Official recalls

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — campaign 16V198000 (07/04/2016)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, t…

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."

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Tires — campaign 16V236000 (22/04/2016)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Sci…

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."

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery — campaign 23V734000 (01/11/2023)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may n…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Compare related vehicles

Next year: 2017 Toyota RAV4Rival: 2016 Honda CR-VRival: 2016 Ford ESCAPERival: 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOXSame class: 2016 Ford EXPLORERSame class: 2016 Honda PILOTSame class: 2016 Jeep CHEROKEE
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Source: U.S. NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov), public domain. Data retrieved 2026-07-01 · data v0.1.
This page is general information, not medical, legal, or safety advice. Complaint data is voluntarily reported to NHTSA and is unverified; a complaint count is not a danger or failure rate. Always confirm open recalls for a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the manufacturer.