TOYOTA RAV4 HV · model year

2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HV

24 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016TOYOTARAV4 HV carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 RAV4 HV is unknown or other with 5 filings, followed by service brakes (5) and visibility/wiper (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2016 RAV4 HV, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

24
Complaints
8
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

24 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
SERVICE BRAKES5
VISIBILITY/WIPER3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
ENGINE2
STEERING1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SUSPENSION1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20181229SERVICE BRAKES

I HAD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT BRAKES AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES FINALLY THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES AND TURN THE ROTORS THAT WAS ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS AGO THAT NOISE STARTED AND THEY REPLACE THEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND NOW THEY'RE MAKING NOISE AGAIN I DON'T KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM OR A DEFECT

Mileage: 22,000

20181115STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHROME TRIM ON THE DASHBOARD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIEW OF THE FRONT SIDE MIRRORS WERE OBSTRUCTED BY A SHINY GLARE THAT CREATED A BLINDING EFFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LACK OF VISIBILITY BECAME MORE PROMINENT AND PERSISTENT IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WHEN THE SUN WAS PRESENT. STEVINSON TOYOTA WEST (780 DENVER WEST COLORADO MILLS BLVD, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80401, (720) 259-2544) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING A FABRIC MASKING TAPE TO THE CHROME TRIM OF THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36.

Mileage: 36

20180505FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I FILLED MY CAR WITH FULL TANK I AM ONLY RUNNING MY CAR JUST GAVE ME 248 MILES THE FUEL TANK LIGHT WAS FLASHED .AND THE CAR SUPPOSED TO GO FOR 339 OR 349 MILES WITH FULL TANK I WANT TO DOWNTOWN MIAMI FROM TAMPA I WAS SUPPOSED TO STOP TO FULL IT AGAIN.

Mileage: 20,192

20170816ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES IN SUNNY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GERMAIN TOYOTA OF NAPLES (13315 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110 (888) 722-4942) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT HAVE THE WINDOWS TINTED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE TINT, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ *TR

Mileage: 10,000

20170816VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES IN SUNNY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GERMAIN TOYOTA OF NAPLES (13315 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110 (888) 722-4942) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT HAVE THE WINDOWS TINTED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE TINT, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ *TR

Mileage: 10,000

20161212CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING DECK. AS I TURNED INTO THE SPOT I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T SLOW OR STOP. THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER WHATSOEVER. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL.

Mileage: 1,750

20161201UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AUTOMATIC TRUNK LIFT GATE PISTON HAS NOT WORKED SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR BRAND NEW WITH 32 MILES ON IT IN MARCH 2016. THE PISTON WAS ORIGINALLY REPLACED 200 MILES INTO DRIVING THE CAR. PISTON HAS REPEATEDLY FALLEN OFF OF JOINT AND HAS CAUSED EXTENSIVE BODY DAMAGE MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN OVER THE WEEKEND AND CAUSED VERY EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK AND ROOF OF THE CAR AND THE TRUNK IS UNABLE TO BE SHUT. CAR IS OUT OF SERVICE CURRENTLY AND THE TRUNK HAD TO BE BUNGEED TO ANOTHER PART OF THE CAR IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT TO A NEARBY DEALER WHICH WAS A 30 MILE DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT SHUT AND IT WAS OPEN THE ENTIRE DRIVE. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE PUTTING THEM IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 16,000

20161201STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

AUTOMATIC TRUNK LIFT GATE PISTON HAS NOT WORKED SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR BRAND NEW WITH 32 MILES ON IT IN MARCH 2016. THE PISTON WAS ORIGINALLY REPLACED 200 MILES INTO DRIVING THE CAR. PISTON HAS REPEATEDLY FALLEN OFF OF JOINT AND HAS CAUSED EXTENSIVE BODY DAMAGE MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN OVER THE WEEKEND AND CAUSED VERY EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK AND ROOF OF THE CAR AND THE TRUNK IS UNABLE TO BE SHUT. CAR IS OUT OF SERVICE CURRENTLY AND THE TRUNK HAD TO BE BUNGEED TO ANOTHER PART OF THE CAR IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT TO A NEARBY DEALER WHICH WAS A 30 MILE DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT SHUT AND IT WAS OPEN THE ENTIRE DRIVE. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE PUTTING THEM IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 16,000

20161018CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS PARKING MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING SPACE (ON AN INCLINE) WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAKS, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD JUMPED A RAISED SIDEWALK AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING THE CONCRETE WALL OF A BUILDING. IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED AT THE PURCHASING DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG.

Mileage: 2,000

20161018CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I WAS PARKING MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING SPACE (ON AN INCLINE) WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAKS, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD JUMPED A RAISED SIDEWALK AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING THE CONCRETE WALL OF A BUILDING. IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED AT THE PURCHASING DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG.

Mileage: 2,000

20161018CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS BACKING OUT WHEN MY CAR SURGED BACKWARD INTO A TREE THAT PREVENTED HER FROM GOING DOWN A REVENE ON A MOUNTAIN. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER, REAR DOOR, UNDERCARRAGE, AND STRUCTURAL. *TR

Mileage: 9,000

20161018CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS BACKING OUT WHEN MY CAR SURGED BACKWARD INTO A TREE THAT PREVENTED HER FROM GOING DOWN A REVENE ON A MOUNTAIN. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER, REAR DOOR, UNDERCARRAGE, AND STRUCTURAL. *TR

Mileage: 9,000

20161018CrashSERVICE BRAKES

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS BACKING OUT WHEN MY CAR SURGED BACKWARD INTO A TREE THAT PREVENTED HER FROM GOING DOWN A REVENE ON A MOUNTAIN. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER, REAR DOOR, UNDERCARRAGE, AND STRUCTURAL. *TR

Mileage: 9,000

20161018CrashSUSPENSION

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS BACKING OUT WHEN MY CAR SURGED BACKWARD INTO A TREE THAT PREVENTED HER FROM GOING DOWN A REVENE ON A MOUNTAIN. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER, REAR DOOR, UNDERCARRAGE, AND STRUCTURAL. *TR

Mileage: 9,000

20161008UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR THE LAST WEEK OF JUNE 2016, MY 2016 RAV4 SLE HYBRID CENTER CONSOLE DECK LID SLAM TO CLOSE THERE IS NO SPRING TO HOLD THE LID IN THE CONSOLE SO YOU CAN CLOSE IT NORMALLY, MY GRANKIDS (6 AND 5 YEARS OLD) CAN GET HURT IF THEY PUT THEIR FINGER, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAY THIS MODEL DOESN'T HAVE THE SPRING, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE KIDS IF THEY OPEN THE LID AND LET IT GO COULD EASILY BREAK THEIR FINGERS,IT DOES NOT CLOSE LIKE A REGULAR OTHER CAR LID, MECHANICS CHECKED AND SHOW ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY CAR AND ANOTHER TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID LIMITED 2016 THAT IT HAS THE SPRING BUT THE RAV4 SLE HYBRID 2016 NOT, SO PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE ANY CHILD GET HURT AND THAT WILL BE VERY BAD THEY COULD LOSE A FINGER, WITH THE FORCE THAT THE LID CLOSES.

Mileage: 10

20160929CrashSERVICE BRAKES

AS THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING INTO ITS USUAL PARKING SPOT AT SLOW SPEED WITH THE FOOT BRAKE BEING APPLIED, IT SUDDENLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED. DESPITE THE FOOT BRAKE BEING FULLY APPLIED, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STOPPED UNTIL IT STRUCK AN UNMOVABLE OBJECT.

Mileage: 4,000

20160901ENGINE

DURING THE FIRST STARTUP OF THE DAY (OR AFTER COOLED DOWN) THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES RAPIDLY FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE AND THE ENGINE SURGES ROCKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH. THE CAR IS IN PARK, AND MY FOOT HAS TO BE ON THE BRAKE TO START THE CAR, BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE CAR IN GEAR. SO FAR IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I CAN'T REPRODUCE IT FOR THE DEALERSHIP. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN WOBBLE AT STARTUP WITHOUT THE ENGINE SURGING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I LEASED THE CAR.

20160901STEERING

DURING THE FIRST STARTUP OF THE DAY (OR AFTER COOLED DOWN) THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES RAPIDLY FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE AND THE ENGINE SURGES ROCKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH. THE CAR IS IN PARK, AND MY FOOT HAS TO BE ON THE BRAKE TO START THE CAR, BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE CAR IN GEAR. SO FAR IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I CAN'T REPRODUCE IT FOR THE DEALERSHIP. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN WOBBLE AT STARTUP WITHOUT THE ENGINE SURGING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I LEASED THE CAR.

20160810UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE PRE COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) DOES NOT WARN THAT THE CAR IS CLOSE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. SINCE IT DOES NOT PROVIDE AN AUDIBLE, HOW CAN ONE BE SURE THAT THE PCS WILL STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE A COLLISION.

Mileage: 1,000

20160728UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TOYOTA HAS INSTALLED A DECORATIVE SILVER TRIM ON THE 2016 RAV4 DASHBOARD FACING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS TRIM REFLECTS SUNLIGHT INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES AT CERTAIN ANGLES OF BRIGHT SUNLIGHT. THIS REFLECTION CAN APPEAR SUDDENLY WHEN MAKING A TURN OR EMERGING FROM A SHADOW. THIS REFLECTION CAN DISTRACT OR PARTIALLY BLIND A DRIVER, AND OVER TIME FATIGUE A DRIVER. ACCORDINGLY, I BELIEVE THIS DECORATIVE SILVER TRIM IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS DISTRACTED, FATIGUED DRIVERS CAUSE ACCIDENTS. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD OFFER TO REPLACE THIS TRIM WITH A NON-REFLECTING MATERIAL. OTHER TOYOTA RAV4 OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS FEATURE ON THE INTERNET (SEE RAV4WORLD.COM). I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS DESIGN FEATURE DIRECTLY TO TOYOTA CORPORATE. THEIR TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVES LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE ON 27 JULY. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER'S REPRESENTATIVE THAT TOYOTA CONCLUDED THIS IS THEIR STANDARD PART FOR 2016 RAV4 AND AS SUCH IS NOT DEFECTIVE. TOYOTA TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVES WOULD N

Mileage: 2,500

Compare 2016TOYOTARAV4 HV to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HV have?
The 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HV has 24 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HV?
The most-complained component for the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HV is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Is the 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HV safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.