2016 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

24Engine complaints

10.3%Of all 234 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55 · 23.5%

SERVICE BRAKES43 · 18.4%

Unspecified / other33 · 14.1%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING28 · 12%

ENGINE24 · 10.3%

Share of the 234 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Toyota RAV4 overview page.

What owners report

“MY BRAND NEW CAR CAUGHT FIRE IN THE FRONT WHILE IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A RESTAURANT. I CAME OUTSIDE TO LEAVE AND IT WAS TOWED…”NHTSA complaint 11398858 — filed 03/03/2021

“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

“IT WAS A COLD DAY IN MASSACHUSETTS. I WARMED UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE STARTING TO DRIVE TO WORK. I…”NHTSA complaint 11063443 — filed 01/18/2018

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have engine problems?

Engine is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Toyota RAV4: 24 of 234 complaints on file (10.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2016 Toyota RAV4 have in total?

234 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 33 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, 27 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.