Toyota RAV4 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls issued for the Toyota RAV4 2016 and 239 complaints filed by owners. It has 29% fewer complaints than the average Toyota RAV4 from 2016–2025 (335 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Toyota RAV4 2016? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Toyota RAV4 2016
Electrical system
NHTSA campaign 23V734000 · 2023-11-01
What happens
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.
Consequence
A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Tires
NHTSA campaign 16V236000 · 2016-04-22
What happens
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."
Consequence
An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Brakes (hydraulic)
NHTSA campaign 16V198000 · 2016-04-07
What happens
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."
Consequence
Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
239 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
33 with a crash · 12 with a fire · 27 injuries
Most reported problems on the Toyota RAV4 2016
- Electrical system: 58 (24% of complaints)
- Brakes: 44 (18% of complaints)
- Exterior lighting: 28 (12% of complaints)
- Engine: 24 (10% of complaints)
- Air bags: 19 (8% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Toyota RAV4 2016
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Brake hard somewhere safe: the car shouldn't pull to one side and the pedal shouldn't sink; check rotors and pads.
- Test headlights, brake lights, turn signals and hazards.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Toyota RAV4 recalls by year
- 2016 : 3 recalls · 239 complaints
- 2017 : 3 recalls · 307 complaints
- 2018 : 3 recalls · 332 complaints
- 2019 : 7 recalls · 879 complaints
- 2020 : 6 recalls · 635 complaints
- 2021 : 1 recalls · 387 complaints
- 2022 : 1 recalls · 148 complaints
- 2023 : 3 recalls · 157 complaints
- 2024 : 3 recalls · 176 complaints
- 2025 : 3 recalls · 88 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Toyota RAV4 2016 have?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls issued for the Toyota RAV4 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Toyota RAV4 2016?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: electrical system (58 of 239 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 12, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).