2016 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

Intermittent stalling in various conditions including idling, highway driving and city driving.

NHTSA ID

11750762

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11708766

Incident

Feb 23, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11657186

Incident

Apr 22, 2025

Driving down the freeway approximately 70mph, dashboard lit up and car completed turned off without warning for approximately 30 seconds before power came back on it's own. I was able to drive an additional 15 minutes to work. After parking, I tried to lock the car with the key fob and nothing happened. Upon further review, I determined that the car was completely dead, no power, no clicking when cranking, no lights, nothing came on. Had to tow to a Toyota dealer, where they replaced a positive battery terminal but the car still wouldn't start.

NHTSA ID

11620925

Incident

Oct 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light and an additional unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven home. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil and air filter, and an additional unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11566462

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

Mileage

65,000 mi

On two occasions as of this date, the engine just shut off while driving my 2016 Toyota RAV 4 XLW AWD. My daughter was able to get to the side of the road when it happened while she was driving thankfully (in a 25 or 30MPH zone). Additionally, at times the vehicle won't start when sitting parked and operating the push to start. It takes several tries, the vehicle just makes a clicking noise. After a short time, it starts up like nothing happened. I took the vehicle into a Toyota dealer and explained the issue. They said they found nothing wrong. There is seriously something wrong with this vehicle and no one seems to be able to figure it out...until someone dies. I've read several similar issues on this site that included incidents with fire and smoke. There needs to be a recall. Now! Or, a class action suit. Now!

NHTSA ID

11553113

Incident

Oct 25, 2023

The car rapidly caught on fire while parked and off. Smoke first appeared from the hood and subsequently flames came out of the hood causing the entire car to catch in fire. There were no warning lights/messages. The car was inspected by our insurance, USAA

NHTSA ID

11496910

Incident

Dec 4, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of engine oil. The engine consumed half a quart of oil every 300 to 400 miles. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for an oil consumption test. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

NHTSA ID

11495189

Incident

Nov 24, 2022

Mileage

47,000 mi

While my wife was driving the car it suddenly shutoff. She was in the middle of a turn and was able to get to the side of the road. I few moments later she saw what she assumed was steam coming from under the hood and she immediately got out of the car. Within a minute of getting out of the car she saw flames dripping down from the engine. She called the fire department who put the flames out, but the car is most likely totaled. The fire department told her it looked like the battery exploded. I want to make sure you are aware of this as I see you have had other complaints.

NHTSA ID

11482632

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

On the evening of February 5th, I drove to my friend's house to pick them up for dinner. They live on the same street and are about 1200' away. I made a left turn into their driveway which is concrete with a fairly steep decline. While my foot was on the brake the car suddenly accelerated and I was unable to stop it before it hit the rear bumper of my friend's pickup. There was no damage to the pickup and my car had damage to the passenger side bumper and fender. Erie insurance looked at the car on March 1st and provided an estimate and payment on the same day. ($2,716 minus the $1,000 deductible) After receiving the estimate, I drove the car to Nashville Toyota North where I agreed to pay for a scan of the computer. After returning home I received a call from them requesting me to pick up the car. Their tech told the service manager that they could not do the scan since the car had been involved in a crash. I was told I needed to contact corporate Toyota which I did on the same day. I didn't have a ride to get back to the dealership and they let me keep it there. It was at the dealership from March 1st through April 15th when I picked it up. The car is now at a body shop.

NHTSA ID

11461442

Incident

Feb 25, 2022

I called in a complaint a few weeks ago, the ref# is 1145-8214. ODI. I would like to upload my photos and other information of my RAV4 fire that started without any warning. I would also like to add that this was not a battery related issue. We never replaced the battery in the 2 years we had this RAV4. We bought this car from a reputable Toyota dealership. My husband would have also noticed if the battery was the incorrect size. We believe this fire was caused by rodents eating on the soybean wiring coating. We had issues with our Camry with chewed up wiring we had to replace those wires and saw feces in our all ourToyota cars.

NHTSA ID

11460576

Incident

Mar 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, unattended in the driveway, it caught fire in the engine. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, property damage or police report filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The manufacturer was not contacted. The fire department provided report number 2022-05-FV. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11458214

Incident

Mar 19, 2022

Mileage

112,000 mi

- I believe the ECM has failed, and I believe this after replacing battery, starter, spark plugs, and spark plug wires. While accelerating, and while maintaining a consistent speed over 50 mph, the tachometer (and engine, accordingly) yanks itself back and forth between 3500 and 5500 rpm. The vehicle physically jumps back and forth between massive acceleration and decceleration, without any change in throttle/pedal placement. This occurs while in Cruise Control, Eco Mode, Normal Mode, and Sport Mode. There is not yet a discernable pattern or trigger identified in why this occurs. - My safety and the safety of others has been put at risk by the vehicle's jerking, halting, and unplanned acceleration in heavy traffic situations. It scares me and others in traffic, to the point that people have asked if I was okay after being able to visibly notice the car's behavior on the highway, and my reaction. - The problem has been reproduced twice by an independent service center. Toyota Dealership read the computer for the vehicle to pull codes, told me nothing was wrong, and sent me away. - The vehicle has been inspected by my local Toyota dealership (lackluster inspection, in my opinion). Nothing resulted from this inspection. - There were (and still are) NO warnings lamps, messages, reminders, codes, or notifications of any kind to show that something is abnormal in my engine. This is the most vexing part of this issue. As far as the computer in the Rav4 is concerned, everything is nearly perfect. and it IS NOT.

NHTSA ID

11435857

Incident

Sep 9, 2021

The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed smoke and flames were coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that when they attempted to move to the passenger side of the road they realized there was not enough room to do so causing them to roll over several times downhill eventually crashing into two trees. The contact stated that a civilian came and assisted them out of the vehicle once they noticed the crash. The air bags did deploy. The contact received head, neck, rib, sternum, and foot. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11424085

Incident

Jun 22, 2021

Mileage

89,000 mi

OUR 2016 RAV4 PRODUCED A LOUD CLUNK THEN LOST POWER (AFTER BEING DRIVE 5-10 MINUTES) AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER NOR THE CAR POWER COME BACK ON. WHITE SMOKE BEGAN WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF LOSING POWER AND WITHIN ONE MINUTE FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER HOOD.

NHTSA ID

11415425

Incident

May 4, 2021

Mileage

102,000 mi

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 AWAY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED FROM THE FIRE. I SAW THE RAV4 INVESTIGATION IS HAPPENING AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU HAD MY REPORT INCLUDED. THE FIRE HAPPENED IN THE FRONT LEFT (AS IT WAS STATED IN THE ARTICLE OTHER CARS). I CAN SEND YOU ADDITIONAL DETAILS IF NEEDED BUT EVERYTHING IS MATCHING UP WITH THE OTHER INCIDENTS. IT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR WHICH IS WHY IT WAS SUCH A STRANGE EVENT.

NHTSA ID

11398858

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

14,600 mi

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 MY WIRING .

NHTSA ID

11297434

Incident

Dec 4, 2019

Mileage

6,145 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHIN TWO SECONDS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GETTEL TOYOTA OF LAKEWOOD (941-567-1080, LOCATED AT 5959 E. STATE RD 64, BRADENTON, FL 34208) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

NHTSA ID

11184350

Incident

Aug 20, 2016

Mileage

1,000 mi

WHEN BACKING UP (LIKE FROM YOUR DRIVEWAY) IF YOU SHIFT FROM "R" TO "D" TOO FAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ACTIONS WILL OCCUR: 1. THE ENGINE WILL STALL LEAVING YOU A SITTING DUCK IN TRAFFIC. RESTARTING IS NOT QUICK OR EASY. YOU MUST PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, SHIFT INTO "P" AND THEN HIT THE I/O BUTTON A NUMBER OF TIMES TO CYCLE BACK TO "START" POSITION TO GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. ALL THE TIME YOU ARE PRAYING ONCOMING TRAFFIC DOESN'T HIT YOU! 2. THE CAR WILL ENGAGE TRACTION CONTROL (TRAC INDICATOR ON). WHEN THIS HAPPENS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS (ALMOST) NO EFFECT (I.E. SEVERE HESITATION) ONCE AGAIN THIS LEAVES YOU A SITTING DUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE CAR DECIDES IT WANTS TO MOVE AGAIN. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THIS DEFECT IS 100% REPEATABLE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT SCARES THE LIVING CR@P OUT OF ME EACH TIME IT DOES IT!

NHTSA ID

11103860

Incident

Jun 13, 2018

Mileage

20,000 mi

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 GOT ONTO THE MASSACHUSETTS PIKE AND AFTER A COUPLE EXITS OF CRUISING AT 60 HIT STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. AT ONE OF THE ENTRANCES AND WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP IN THE TRAFFIC MY CAR FLASHED THE BATTERY CRITICAL CHARGING ERROR FOR A SPLIT SECOND BEFORE SAYING EVERYTHING NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED BY PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK. AFTER THAT, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT ON HAZARDS UNTIL ABOUT 15 SECONDS LATER OF TRYING TO GET THE POWER BACK ON DID THE CAR START UP. WITHIN THAT TIME A DRIVER BEHIND ME DECIDED TO HIT ME IN THE REAR. ON RESTART THE CAR DIDN'T SHOW THE FAULT BUT UPON LOOKING UP THE BATTERY CRITICAL CHARGING FAILURE IT STATES TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR AND TO IMMEDIATELY TAKE IT TO A SHOP. THE SHOP CANNOT FIND THE CODE DUE TO IT BEING WIPED MAKING SOLVING THE ISSUE EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.

NHTSA ID

11063443

Incident

Jan 16, 2018

Mileage

7,400 mi

ENGINE STALLS FOR A FEW SECONDS ON HILLS

NHTSA ID

11022994

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

35,000 mi

WHILE WAITING FOR RED LIGHT ON A LOCAL STREET (THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT IN A STOPPED FOOT ON THE BRAKE POSITION) THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND DASHBOARD DISPLAY MESSAGE APPEARED STATING "CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE".

NHTSA ID

11022546

Incident

Sep 10, 2017

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (WEST HERR TOYOTA OF WILLIAMSVILLE LOCATED AT 8129 MAIN ST, WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221; (716) 803-8010), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-331-4331 AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. CASE NUMBER: 1706191051 WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,478.

NHTSA ID

11001720

Incident

Jun 16, 2017

Mileage

2,478 mi

THE IDLE SPEED IN THE RAV4 4 IS SET TOO HIGH CAUSING THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN STOPPED WITH FULL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. TOYOTA REFUSED TO REDUCE THE IDLE SPEED AND STATES THAT THIS NORMAL OPERATION. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE SET THE IDLE HIGH SO THE CAR WILL PASS EMISSION STANDARDS AND AS A RESULT NOW HAS THIS DEFECT WHERE THE CAR MOVES FORWARD WITH FULL BRAKE APPLIED DUE TO THE HIGH IDLE SPEED. THIS MAY BAY BE AN EMISSIONS PROBLEM BUT IT MOST CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ID

10994337

Incident

Nov 1, 2016

Mileage

5 mi

THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 8/30/16 AND INVOLVED A SUDDEN TOTAL AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. VEHICLE INVOLVED WAS A SIX MONTH OLD 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH 5300 MILES. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN SOUTHBOUND LANES OF I-65 BETWEEN LAFAYETTE AND LEBANON, IN. WHILE MOVING AT 60 MPH IN A VERY HEAVY RAINSTORM. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER IN AVON, IN. AFTER EXAMINING MY VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS WATER IN MY ENGINE WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT I HAD BEEN DRIVING THROUGH DEEP STANDING WATER. WHEN TOLD THAT I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEN IT WAS "AN ACT OF GOD" AND STILL WAS NOT COVERED. SINCE DEALING WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE, AT A COST OF $10,000, I HAVE HAD THE CAR EXAMINED BY A MECHANICAL ENGINEER WHO IS OF THE OPINION THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED DUE TO THE RE-DESIGN OF THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM. AIR IS INDUCTED AT LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND, WITH HEAVY RAIN, WATER SPLASHING OFF ROAD IS FORCED THRU AIR FILTER. WATER SHOULD NOT REACH THE AIR FILTER BUT, SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY AVENUE FOR ENTRANCE TO THE ENGINE WITHOUT SUBMERSION, IT OBVIOUSLY DID. ONCE FILTER IS SATURATED THERE ARE NO BAFFLES OR SWALES TO PREVENT WATER FROM RUNNING DIRECTLY INTO THE INTAKE OF THE ENGINE. TOYOTA ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT EITHER FINANCIALLY OR FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE IN THAT IKNOW THAT THIS IS TRUE. I FEEL EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO HAVE AVOIDED A CRASH AT THIS SPEED AND IN THESE CONDITIONS. I HOPE THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CORRECT THIS DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10928126

Incident

Aug 30, 2016

Mileage

5,300 mi