repaired · 2026 Q3
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
Risk. A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
2016 Toyota RAV4Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 240 owner complaints about the 2016 Toyota RAV4, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-734 the manufacturer reports only 38% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 24, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Toyota RAV4 has problems
240 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
59Electrical system10 crash/fire/injury
44Service brakes14 crash/fire/injury
28Exterior lighting
25Engine10 crash/fire/injury
19Air bags15 crash/fire/injury
15Structure
12Visibility/wiper
12Vehicle speed control
11Power train
4014 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 59 | 10 |
| Service brakes | 44 | 14 |
| Exterior lighting | 28 | 0 |
| Engine | 25 | 10 |
| Air bags | 19 | 15 |
| Structure | 15 | 4 |
| Visibility/wiper | 12 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 1 |
| Power train | 11 | 2 |
| 14 other systems | 40 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2016 Toyota RAV4 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Other: labels
Risk. An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
52kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 25 electrical system complaints. 88% were reported before 100,000 miles.
7under 30k miles22under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other RAV4 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAV4 median. How we score
'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2016 Toyota RAV4 safety ratings
2016 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 Toyota RAV4, and the recalls they led to.
- Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal EventsLed to recall 23V-734
In owners' words
What RAV4 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I was driving 9/3 and my left blinker light came on solid. I was not using my blinker. Within a few seconds my check engine light came on and another light. Then within 2 minutes the front left engine/tire caught fire.
The repair shop I was able to pull into as I was experiencing the issue with my vehicle reported: "Battery is unstable and is arcing off of the positive terminal. Battery tray, battery hold down tie, and battery j hook hold down were missing upon arrival." The issue was fixed by a Brakes Plus…
I called for a jumpstart for my truck after it cut off while I was turning onto a parking lot I hit a bump and it just cut off. I had to turn the truck completely off then start it again, after it started I made it completely onto the lot and parked it. When I went to start it again it wouldn’t…
Own a 2016 RAV4?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.