Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,988 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Toyota RAV4 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Toyota RAV4:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #8

Dec 052022

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving around 60 mph the engine suddenly started jumping revs and would not catch back into gear. Turned engine off and on and vehicle would shift normally from 1-3 but would not go into 4-6 gear. Had to place transmission in manual mode and select gear 3 to drive home. Brought to a local transmission shop and was told it was the torque converter. This issue also cause the check engine light, TSC light to come on. It was also throwing codes for faulty shift solonoids.

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #7

Jan 222024

RAV4

  • miles
Delayed/harsh shifting when accelerating or maintaining speeds of 60 - 70 mph. Shuddering sporadically when RPMs are between 2000 - 3000. Marysville Toyota of Washington reproduced and confirmed the issue noted above. They diagnosed the vehicle with a failed Torque Converter. No warning light have come on and the dealership was made aware of this as well. Due to no warning lights, it came as a surprise when the vehicle jolted. I was on the highway maintaining speed when all of a sudden there was a delay and the vehicle began to reduce speed then after 20 - 30 seconds the vehicle forced itself over 3000 RPM and began to regain speed. As the vehicle would suddenly reduce speed without warning I utilized the right lane until I was able to exit from the highway as I was becoming a hazard on the road due to the issuing my vehicle was having.

- Marysville , WA, USA

problem #6

Nov 082023

RAV4

  • miles
While exiting slowly from the parking lot, the Toyota started to make a beeping alarm noise, then suddenly lurched forward. Applying the brake had no effect, and the car accelerated across the LRT tracks, climbed onto the passenger platform, and only stopped when it collided with an electrical box there.

- Lynbrook, NY, USA

problem #5

Feb 102021

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It says is something wrong with the eco or PCM

- Flushing, NY, USA

problem #4

Sep 302016

RAV4

  • 30,000 miles
I have problem with cv joint less 30,000 miles, Toyota tell me everything is good with the SUV, but have some noise, now don't have good stability when a drive

- Norcross, GA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #3

Nov 252016

RAV4

  • 9,000 miles
I have noticed that when shifting from reverse into drive the transmission can take 2-3 seconds to actually "shift" into the drive gear and have the gas pedal move car forward. During the 2-3 seconds, pressing the gas does nothing but rev/increase the RPM in the engine. If you do press the gas and the "shift" takes place it will jerk the vehicle forward a bit.

- North Bend, WA, USA

problem #2

May 182016

RAV4

  • miles
Vehicle has whistle or whining noise on acceleration at 55-70 mph. (previously the vehicle made this noise at lower speeds and the transmission was replaced (repair order was opened on 6/1 and closed on 6/9/2016). As stated above the vehicle now whines/whistles at 55-70 mph. Apparently replacing the transmission did not resolve the issue.

- Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA

problem #1

Jul 212016

RAV4

  • 900 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. While the vehicle was started and the gear shifter stick was placed in the park position, the vehicle independently moved forward and crashed into an unoccupied parked vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 900.

- Cypress, TX, USA

Not what you are looking for?