Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
234Complaints
3Recalls
33Crashes
11Fires
27Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (23.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.2× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System
55 · 23.5%
Recalled
Recall 23V734000
Service Brakes
43 · 18.4%
Recalled
Recall 16V198000
Exterior Lighting
28 · 12%
No official action
—
Engine
24 · 10.3%
No official action
—
Air Bags
18 · 7.7%
No official action
—
Structure:body
13 · 5.6%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 234 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 3 campaigns
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE NAVIGATION DISPLAYS, RADIO AND ALL EQUIPMENT THAT USES IT QUITS AND SHUTS DOWN AND WILL GO OFF AND ON 3-8 TIMES AND THEN IT…”NHTSA complaint 11400257 — filed 03/10/2021 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“REAR HATCH MOTOR FAILED. HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. TOYOTA ADMITS FAULT/DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO COVER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FIXING IT.”NHTSA complaint 11310180 — filed 02/19/2020 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE WIRING HARNESS WAS CHEW COMPLETELY UP. THIS AFFECTED MY POWER BRAKES, ENGINE,STEERING SYSTEM, ETC. THESE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING THE CAR! RATS CHEWED…”NHTSA complaint 11297434 — filed 01/06/2020 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota RAV4?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 55 of 234 NHTSA complaints (23.5%), followed by service brakes (43), unspecified/other issues (33), exterior lighting (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have?
234 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 33 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 27 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V198000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2016 Toyota RAV4's reported problems?
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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