Does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Toyota RAV4, the most recent reported on November 1, 2023 (Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota RAV4?

Owners have filed 240 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (59 complaints), followed by service brakes (44).

How many 2016 Toyota RAV4 complaints mention a crash or fire?

33 of 240 complaints report a crash and 12 a fire; 27 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2016 Toyota RAV4 recalls and problems

3 recalls and 240 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Toyota RAV4.

recalls

240

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Toyota RAV4 recalls

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

NHTSA campaign 23V734000 · reported November 1, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 1,853,568 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Equipment: other, labels · Tires

NHTSA campaign 16V236000 · reported April 22, 2016 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · 94 vehicles potentially affected

The 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."
The risk: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Electronic stability control (ESC) · Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

NHTSA campaign 16V198000 · reported April 7, 2016 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 16,656 vehicles potentially affected

The 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."
The risk: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system59
Service brakes44
Unknown or other33
Exterior lighting28
Engine25
Air bags19
Structure15
Vehicle speed control12
Visibility/wiper12
Power train11

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 24, 2026 · Suspension
Mechanic said he thought rear lower rearward; non-adjustable control arms, lateral arms were a recall. They were falling apart. I've been complaining about a clunky noise for a year or so. Thank you for your help […] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Sep 3, 2026 · Electrical system · fire reported
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.

Aug 30, 2026 · Air bags
"The red master warning triangle and an 'SRS Airbag System Malfunction' message illuminated unexpectedly on the dashboard of my 2016 Toyota Rav4 XLE under normal driving conditions. I contacted a certified Toyota dealership, and they confirmed that this dashboard warning indicates the vehicle's airbag system is…

Aug 14, 2026 · Electrical system
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 location, given I was…

Jul 16, 2026 · Electrical system
Intermittent stalling in various conditions including idling, highway driving and city driving.

RAV4 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2013	2	257	22	29
2014	4	197	20	25
2015	4	305	37	41
2016	3	240	33	12
2017	3	307	33	24
2018	3	333	31	33
2019	7	883	25	3

Across all years, the 2007 RAV4 has the most complaints (1,004). All Toyota RAV4 years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Toyota RAV4, the most recent reported on November 1, 2023 (Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota RAV4?: Owners have filed 240 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (59 complaints), followed by service brakes (44).
How many 2016 Toyota RAV4 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 33 of 240 complaints report a crash and 12 a fire; 27 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 24, 2026.