2016 Toyota RAV4 engine problems

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

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

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MD

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 the federal safety agency.

Filed Apr 28, 2025 · Body, Electrical · TN · fire

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.

Filed Oct 21, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

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.

Filed Jan 19, 2024 · Engine · 65,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 1, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · WI

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!

Filed Dec 10, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · NC · fire

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

Filed Nov 28, 2022 · Engine · 47,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Sep 2, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · FL · fire

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.

Filed Apr 20, 2022 · Engine · TN · crash

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.