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KLUNK

2016 Toyota Rav4

The Verdict

50 Proceed with Caution

The 2016 Toyota Rav4 has 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (79 complaints) and body (72 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 50/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Rav4, consider the 2000 model year which has 82% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2000 has 82% fewer complaints

View the 2000 Toyota Rav4 dashboard →

50

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

16V236000 TIRES

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, 201...

Risk

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

Remedy

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 ...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

16V198000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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 manufacture...

Risk

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

Remedy

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 servic...

Reported Jul 4, 2016

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000213196
200146223142179
200260125669358
20034622954194
2004417533022
2005441160168
2006377298616546
20075223715025142
2008272277917026
200920729244225
201025030404832
201114836314723
201214236413115
20139521723827
20146512673416
201512224814925
20167242792810
201784321234213
2018107251284018
2019228279445659
20201781513127623
2021142191395513
202263627315
2023641224318
2024811326383
202541510103

By Category

Electrical
79
Body
72
Brakes
42
Engine
28
Transmission
10

By Severity

1
94
2
93
3
1
4
43

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2016 Toyota Rav4 stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 2

I am filing a complaint regarding Toyota sending out letters to RAV4 owners reference factory paint peeling. The letter stated, “Customer Support Program Notification Paint Peeling (Vehicles Painted with factory-applied blizzard pearl or super white paint). In this letter it stated that it is a possibility veh’s painted with this paint may experience paint peeling off. In the letter it states that if you are not experiencing this issue, there is nothing you need to do at this time. I did not experience any issues at the time. The letter was sent approximately 6-7 years ago. On May 20th 2026 I noticed on the roof of my vehicle between the windshield and sun roof a large softball size area of metal where the paint peeled/flaked off. In contacting Toyota dealership they said there is nothing they can do. Contact was made today 6/15/26 ( I didn’t notice the paint peeling off until 6/13/26). I then called Toyota Corporate and they said since the extended warranty expired 12/11/2025 I have to pay for the fix and they will not. Online there are thousands of others experiencing the same issue. I received a quote of $1600 and $2300 dollars just to strip and repaint the roof. I have the video showing the paint peeling off by itself. This is ridiculous and Toyota needs to be held accountable. According to Toyota the cause of this issue is due to sunlight over time degrades the adhesion between the factory-applied paint primer coat layer and the base metal electrodeposition layer causing the paint to peel from the metal body panel.

1mo ago
Body 2

Vehicle: 2016 Toyota RAV4 Color: Factory Super White / Blizzard Pearl (whichever applies) I am filing a complaint regarding a well-known latent manufacturing defect involving peeling factory paint on my 2016 Toyota RAV4. The original factory-applied white paint is peeling and delaminating from the exterior metal body panels under normal use and maintenance conditions. The paint failure appears unrelated to any accident, impact, misuse, neglect, or environmental damage. The failed component is the factory-applied exterior paint and coating system on the vehicle’s metal body panels. The affected areas are available for inspection upon request. The paint is separating from the primer/base layer and peeling off in sheets, exposing underlying surfaces and creating risk of corrosion and reduced vehicle value. Toyota has publicly acknowledged widespread issues involving “Super White (040)” and “Blizzard Pearl (070)” paint on numerous Toyota models, including RAV4 vehicles, through Customer Support Program ZKG and multiple Technical Service Bulletins. Toyota documents specifically state the issue involves paint adhesion failure during the manufacturing process causing peeling on exterior metal body panels. This issue creates safety concerns because exposed metal surfaces may eventually corrode or rust, reducing long-term structural integrity and potentially creating visibility distractions while driving as paint continues to separate and peel unexpectedly. Large peeling sections can also detach while driving and create roadway debris hazards for other motorists. The condition has been widely reported by consumers across online forums, complaint databases, and dealerships for many years. Numerous owners of white Toyota vehicles have reported identical failures involving factory paint peeling and delamination. The problem has been visually confirmed by dealership personnel / independent body shop personnel (modify if applicable). And they have refused to cover it at all

1mo ago
Engine 2

I called for a jumpstart for my truck after it cut off while I was turning onto a parking lot I hit a bump and it just cut off. I had to turn the truck completely off then start it again, after it started I made it completely onto the lot and parked it. When I went to start it again it wouldn’t turn over or startup. I used my State Farm app to request for a jumpstart or possible tow 2/23/25. On 3/9/25 the truck wouldn’t start again and I requested for another jumpstart. The engine light came on shortly thereafter saying that the AWD wasn’t available and that the FWD train was only available. I took it in for a battery replacement and that seemed to help for a couple of months, then my headlights started going out one at a time. The passenger side bulb went out first. I replaced it with a new one at Valvoline and then the driver side bulb went out two weeks or so later and I replaced it then the check engine light came back on and I eventually had to take into the dealership for repairs and maintenance. They said they fixed it. It worked for about a 12 days and then the headlights started dimming over time as the week went on the engine light came back on and the driver side bulb was out again. So from 12/23/25 to 1/5/2026 was the length of time the truck worked but still poorly performance wise. The gas goes very quickly still and I have to fill it way too often now in its condition. I’ve spent about $5400.00 in total with trying to repair and keep gasoline in it to work. I’m taking it back to the dealership today after reporting this to NHTSA.

6mo ago
Electrical 1

Air bags malfunction. There is a warning ️ pop up message on my dashboard that says, Air bags malfunction contact manufacturer dealer. This is clearly a safety issue and it should be part of a recall or a recall needs to be started with this issue.

6mo ago
Electrical 1

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Toyota Rav4. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was purchased from a private seller. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 98,000. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and a Carfax report indicated that in November 2025, the mileage was reported at 170,000.

6mo ago
Electrical 4

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. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop in time and rear-ended the other vehicle. The contact's dog was occupying the front passenger's side seat and was not wearing a seat belt. The contact stated that it was a fender-bender; however, the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed in addition to the front air bags, causing the vehicle to be totaled. The contact stated that the front driver's side air bag deployed and hit the contact's face, and the contact's eyeglasses caused a bruise on the contact's eyebrow. The contact also sustained a bloody nose and soreness on the forehead. The contact sustained bruises from the shoulder to the elbow after being hit by the driver's side curtain air bag. A police officer called medical personnel, who took the contact's blood pressure, checked the contact's injuries, and confirmed that an ambulance was not needed. The contact had not sought medical assistance. The contact stated that the hood of the vehicle opened and closed upon impact, and one of the coolant hoses was leaking. The trunk of the other vehicle opened and closed upon impact, and the other vehicle sustained minor damage to the fender. The other vehicle was drivable, and the other driver did not sustain injuries. A police report was filed, but the police report information was not available. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer and Pedersen Toyota(4455 S College Ave Fort Collins, CO 80525) were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

10mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to properly close while pressing the electrical buttons on both the key fob and the two liftgate buttons located inside or outside the vehicle. The contact stated that the liftgate had to be closed manually to securely close the liftgate. The contact stated that after her daughter had loaded groceries inside vehicle, the liftgate failed to latch properly but was closed after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact's daughter was informed that the hinges and liftgate needed to be replaced. The contact was provided with an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

10mo ago
Body 1

Rear seat belt passenger side would not unlatch, trapping the passenger. This was and is the only time we have ever used this seat belt.It took two people to help get her thru the upper part of seat belt,had to exit over the top of back seat passenger. This life saving mechanism was and is unsafe and could of caused death if in the event of accident with fire. We have Owned two other Toyota's. Never any other dangerous life threatening events. Our request is the right thing to do. Replace this inoperative major defective part at an authorized Toyota Dealership here in. Dayton Ohio? Do we need to report this to the Highway Safety Dept.? [XXX] & [XXX] . Please respond. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

11mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact leased a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because the contact no longer had the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted.

13mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

13mo ago
Body 2

UNKNOWN - UNABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIR IN VEHICLE’S CURRENT LOCATION. This car is currently being stored in England and requires shipment back to the United States per my lienholder and military orders. Because of the recall that is currently open, the government’s provided shipment service (Mildenhall VPC) refuses to ship the vehicle unless I can get this repair performed locally. I’ve contacted numerous Toyota dealerships regarding this recall, and none of them have been able to address the repair due to the car not being made within the country, lack of OEM parts, etc. I’ve been back in the United States for over a month now, and the car is being stored with my friend/power of attorney until I’m able to get some resolution to this situation. I’ve tried to ship it numerous times now and they are refusing to do so unless the repair can be performed (which isn’t possible) or it is cleared from the VIN’s recall notice.

14mo ago
Engine 4

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. Once I stopped, he asked me to pop the hood. Upon opening it, he urgently removed his shirt to try and extinguish the fire. The damage was extensive — a hole burned through the hood, significantly compromising the vehicle’s crash safety rating. Additionally, melted plastic covered the battery area, and the radiator hose was damaged, rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive.

14mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

15mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was not contacted; however, the manufacturer was contacted.

15mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the battery charge was reduced, and the vehicle would not immediately start and the vehicle occasionally stalled. The contact also stated that the battery was replaced on four occasions. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 91,475. Parts distribution disconnect.

16mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the battery warning light was illuminated, and the battery was replaced at the local independent mechanic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

16mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

16mo ago
Electrical 1

Headlights and taillights are fogging/hazing up to where they dimmed out the lights when turned on making is somewhat difficult to see or others behind me to see me.

16mo ago
Transmission 2

shudder in the torque converter of certain 2013–2018 Toyota RAV4 models. The shudder could occur while driving at light throttle between 25–50 miles per hour. 

16mo ago
Engine 4

I had a significant car accident in 2020 and luckily only broke my thumb. I was rear ended. The car I had at the time was a brand new Toyota Rav4, which luckily did have side airbags and they deployed appropriately. However, I have since had the opportunity to drive other vehicles and would like to ensure the safety of myself and others on the road whether the car be foreign or domestic. Please see the following requests: 1. Toyota's electronics freeze intermittently. This is not the first Toyota Rav4 that I have had and it seems to have done this in the majority of them (2/3). This is dangerous as it can become a distraction to the driver if not familiar with this abnormality. The backup camera also variously changes it's functions, preferences, and layout. 2. The navigation system has to be updated by a chip instead of updated wirelessly. 3. It is not an electric vehicle. 4. I should not have to pay for gasoline or electricity if the sun can be used as a fuel source. Please research the and utilize solar cell panel paint to charge all electric cars and implement that into all domestic and foreign electric cars as soon as possible due to the inflating economy. 5. With full self driving availability please ensure that all cars on the road, whether they be electric or gas, have this capability due to safety issues as well as the extent of morbidity and mortality cases due to trauma patients. I have already emailed you on this problem. Please follow up. 6. Due to the younger generation and their addiction to social media as well as their cell phones, please ensure that there is voice capability within all cars. It may also be beneficial for a camera to be installed inside of the car since the younger generation is so prone to filming themselves. This would also help with liability issues if an accident were to occur. 7. Ensure there is a way to charge a cell phone without needing to plug in the phone.

17mo ago

231 total

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