Jump LinksToyota Keeps It SimpleWhat Can We Say? It's ToyotaVarious Electrical IssuesIssues With Brakes/ABS SystemEngine May Stall RandomlyThere Aren't Many To Worry AboutBattery Short Circuit (1,853,568 Units Affected)Damaged O-Ring In Brake Actuator (16,656 Units Affected)2012 Toyota RAV4 Problems2019 Toyota RAV4 ProblemsToyota's reputation for legendary reliability has spread around the world - everybody knows Toyota models last the longest and cost the least to keep running. Among the most reliable models from the brand, the RAV4 emerges as a pack leader. Not only is it Toyota's best-selling vehicle, but it was the best-selling SUV in the country for 2025. Who wouldn't want one with reliability like that? That said, the new models aren't all that cheap anymore. If you're looking at the used market, then finding a ten-year-old example should save you a stack of cash. In this article, we'll discuss 2016 Toyota RAV4 problems, recalls, and how it compares to other models.All specs are sourced directly from the manufacturer. This article explores the common problems as reported by owners and local authorities, and recalls as issued by the NHTSA. Information is correct at the time of writing and your mileage may vary. 2016 Toyota RAV4 Overview Toyota Keeps It Simple ToyotaThe Toyota RAV4's fourth generation was sold for the 2013–2018 model years, placing the 2016 RAV4 squarely in the middle as the first year of this generation's facelift. That said, it's fairly common for most models to have more problems in earlier model years, since automakers tend to work out issues as the years go by. That means the 2016 RAV4 remains relatively unproblematic. It's not perfect, though, as we'll discuss later on. Nevertheless, this model year was powered by a single engine (excluding the hybrid variant). Buyers could choose between front- and all-wheel drive, with the FWD models getting slightly better fuel economy. No matter your configuration, all gas-only RAV4s from 2016 made 176 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. 2016 Toyota RAV4 Common Problems What Can We Say? It's Toyota ToyotaThere's always an assumption when it comes to any Toyota model that it should be one of the most reliable cars on the market. While that's not always true, the 2016 RAV4 tends to live up to the legend. It's not the most reliable RAV4 model year, but it's part of one of the most reliable generations.We use sources like the NHTSA and Car Complaints to compile reliable data straight from customers who have experienced issues with any given model. This RAV4 has 315 customer complaints across both platforms, and only three recalls. That might seem like a lot, but for a car that sells hundreds of thousands of units every year, it's really not that bad. Fortunately, there don't seem to be any 2016 RAV4 transmission problems, but it's not totally free of issues. Various Electrical Issues "Driving down the freeway approximately 70mph, dashboard lit up and car completed turned off without warning for approximately 30 seconds before power came back on it's own. I was able to drive an additional 15 minutes to work. After parking, I tried to lock the car with the key fob and nothing happened. Upon further review, I determined that the car was completely dead, no power, no clicking when cranking, no lights, nothing came on. Had to tow to a Toyota dealer, where they replaced a positive battery terminal but the car still wouldn't start."- 2016 Toyota RAV4 Owner, 19 October 2024, NHTSA Issues With Brakes/ABS System One of the more pressing problems with 2016 RAV4s includes issues with the braking and ABS systems. Firstly, a handful of owners reported unintended acceleration - when the brake pedal was depressed, the car still accelerated. Other complaints include the brakes feeling soft and not working as well as intended, and some owners say the car shudders when the pedal is depressed. That's all fairly nerve-wracking, but there aren't too many of these complaints; the chances remain fairly low of this happening. Engine May Stall Randomly While this may be related to the various electrical issues we mentioned above, there are plenty of people reporting their car's randomly stalling while driving. Some people explain how the warning lights all turn on for a moment, while others say the car simply shut off while they were driving. There are a handful of complaints that mention the car stalls on steep hills, but there aren't enough to pinpoint any specific cause. Examining the various natures of each complaint, we feel as though this is still an electrical issue more than an engine problem. Recalls On 2016 Toyota RAV4 There Aren't Many To Worry About ToyotaEven though there are a few hundred complaints about the 2016 RAV4, there are only three official recalls. Of those, two are serious enough to talk about in more depth. Just to clarify: one recall affecting just 94 units was issued on April 22nd, 2016, and pertains to incorrect load-carrying capacity labels. The other two recalls are more serious, and should have solved most of the issues people complained about in the section above. Battery Short Circuit (1,853,568 Units Affected) Damaged O-Ring In Brake Actuator (16,656 Units Affected) Another recall was issued on April 7, 2016, and pertains to a potentially damaged o-ring in the brake actuator. It affected 16,656 units, including 2016 RAV4 models that were manufactured between October 30, 2015, and February 3, 2016, and a few Lexus models from a similar time frame. The NHTSA explains how 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. Not having enough brake fluid pressure could cause a loss of vehicle control while depressing the brake pedal. How 2016 RAV4 Issues Compare To Other Model Years 2012 Toyota RAV4 Problems Toyota 2019 Toyota RAV4 Problems ToyotaRemember how we said the earlier model years of any given model are usually more problematic? Well, this is one of those cases. The 2019 RAV4 introduced the model's fifth generation, and it came with a host of issues. Some highlights include transmission problems, overheating/coolant leaking into the cylinders, the gas tank only holds about half of what it should, and there are more electrical issues. Overall, there are over 1,000 complaints between the NHTSA and Car Complaints. As for recalls, the 2019 RAV4 is affected by seven. The most notable include the fuel pump potentially failing (affecting 1,525,742 Toyota and Lexus units), the engine may leak coolant (affecting 44,191 units), and the front lower suspension arms may separate (affecting 9,502 units). Buying A 2016 Toyota RAV4 Is A Valid Choice ToyotaIn general, buying a 2016 Toyota RAV4 is a safe bet. It's mostly reliable, even though it has some problems. Some of the worst issues are electrical, which include the 12-volt battery shorting out, the car stalling, and some brake issues. However bad that may sound, none of it is especially common in comparison to other model years. When buying a used car like this one, it's always important to get it inspected at a trusted shop beforehand. Ensure that recalls were taken care of, too.