2016 Toyota RAV4: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

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

Filed Mar 25, 2025 · Electrical · 91,475 miles · FL

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

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 Feb 8, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · NY

I took my car to Toyota for multiple issues with my electrical. My headlights go out every 5-10 minutes when trying to drive at dark. The headlights turn off or do not work if I try to use my blinker or windshield wipers. Three times now my car has stalled when I tried to turn on my headlights while driving. And one time it stalled when I went to make a left turn. Toyota ran a diagnostic and said everything was fine. I took it to autozone, they said the battery was fine. A third opinion and a new battery later and I’m still having the same problems. No one can tell me what’s wrong.

Filed Mar 9, 2021 · Electrical, Visibility · 30,000 miles · LA

I have had and continue to have battery trouble with my toyota rav4. I first bought a new 2014 and at my regular maintenance at the dealership, the battery was replaced several times. I was uncomfortable enough to trade it in and get a new 2016. I still have this one, but it continues to have battery trouble. I have been left stranded at work when my car would not start. That is when I found massive amounts of corrosion, and to this day, the terminals corrode over even with new battery. The passenger door does not always lock with the key button bc of this issue. I would estimate I've replaced the battery 3-5 times between the two cars, with no real solution. Batteries have always been replaced/installed by the local toyota dealership. (I'm sure invoices could be pulled if necessary) my cars have not stalled while running, they won't start or just start to have electrical issues w lights, and it gets checked by the dealership. They usually recommend replacement while the battery is covered. A separate but equally unsettling issue is with the windshield. It recently cracked due to a passenger flicking a bug on it. You would think a rock landed on it.

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, between 2,000-3,000 RPM, the vehicle jolted backward and stalled without warning. The vehicle shuddered and the brake pedal was depressed to regain control of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to jack taylor's alexandria toyota (3750 richmond hwy, alexandria, va 22305) where a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that the defect was related to the torque converter. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced, and was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2018 · Engine · 20,000 miles · NC

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!

Filed Sep 13, 2017 · Engine · 35,000 miles · CA

Engine stalls for a few seconds on hills