The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota RAV4 · 2016

2016 Toyota RAV4. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index37100 = average car
Complaints131NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold352,154U.S. model year
Per 100K sold37complaints
Year rank#7 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD23 / 29 / 25Regular$2,500
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)AWD22 / 28 / 25Regular$2,500
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AV-S6)AWD34 / 30 / 32Regular$1,950

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,500 and 44,400 miles. Median 14,800, from 166 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical49,50011,500–92,60026
Brakes16,1003,900–40,30038
Lights13,4002,900–39,20018
Engine13,3005,100–60,50016
Body structure6,5001,500–16,80010

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes27%
Lights14%
Wipers & visibility8%
Electrical8%
Engine8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
257371221036

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 23V734000 Nov 2023 Electrical System / 12V/24V/48V Battery

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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 f

  • 16V236000 Apr 2016 Tires

    Defect. 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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 16V198000 Apr 2016 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

    Defect. 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 M

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedBattery hold down bracket thermal events20212024

Manufacturer communications 259

Toyota filed 259 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Squeak noise which is heard coming from the front
  • Squeak noise which is heard
  • Front Brake Vibration Key Points: * Issue can occur at any time if improper torque is applied…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201344117218,249Electrical
20142058267,698Electrical
201533100315,412Steering
201637131352,154Brakes
201733140407,594Brakes
201838164427,170Electrical
2019111508448,071Fuel or ev drive system

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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