Every 2016 Toyota RAV4 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Electrical System · NHTSA 23V734000
Jan 11, 2023Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
- Problem
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V734000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 16V198000
Jul 4, 2016Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V198000 →Tires · NHTSA 16V236000
Apr 22, 2016Tires
- Problem
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V236000 →
2016 Toyota RAV4 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 257 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota RAV4, reporting 37 crashes, 12 fires, 27 injuries. Toyota has issued at least 257 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System60
- Service Brakes48
- Unknown Or Other38
- Exterior Lighting28
- Engine27
- Air Bags19
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (100)
- Structure (87)
- Electrical System (74)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (15)
- Engine (11)
- Unknown Or Other (7)
Read Toyota RAV4 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 257 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota RAV4. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“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.”
2016 TOYOTA RAV4Sep 3, 2026 · NC
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11761822
Crash
“I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING DECK. AS I TURNED INTO THE SPOT I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T SLOW OR STOP. THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER WHATSOEVER. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL.”
2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRIDDec 12, 2016
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10934892
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH and attempting to change lanes, the contact looked through the sideview mirrors and then looked forward. The contact noticed that the vehicle in front of the vehicle had stopped.”
2016 TOYOTA RAV4Sep 18, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11688062
Crash
“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS BACKING OUT WHEN MY CAR SURGED BACKWARD INTO A TREE THAT PREVENTED HER FROM GOING DOWN A REVENE ON A MOUNTAIN. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER, REAR DOOR, UNDERCARRAGE, AND STRUCTURAL.”
2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRIDOct 18, 2016
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10916854
Fire
“While shopping at the grocery store, I experienced an incident upon leaving the parking lot. After reaching my first red light, I noticed smoke rapidly billowing from under the hood of my vehicle. My husband, who was driving behind me, immediately saw the smoke and instructed me to pull over.”
2016 TOYOTA RAV4Apr 28, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11657186
Check your RAV4 by VIN
Not every 2016 Toyota RAV4 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Toyota dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →