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2016 Toyota RAV4 Hv
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
17 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 26, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#3 of 598Among the 2016 models with a matured record, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hv ranks #3, scoring higher than 99% of them. See the 2016 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2016 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 17%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hv, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Brakes (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Brakes
29%5 complaints
“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 ST…”
Body & structure
24%4 complaints
“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 HITTIN…”
Visibility & wipers
18%3 complaints
“IN FULL SUN CONDITIONS, INFORMATION SCREEN IS WASHED-OUT. TRIED CONTRAST ADJUSTMENT WITH NO SUCCESS. FRONT - SIDE WINDOWS ARE TINTED AS ALLOWED BY ARIZONA VEHICLE CODE.”
Engine
12%2 complaints
“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…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 17 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 4 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Toyota before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- Owners of this model report brakes problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any brakes symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Toyota RAV4 HV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every RAV4 Hv model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hv against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.