2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 12%of 17 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, 12% of the 17 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In the Toyota rav 4 hybrid, the power (ignition button is about 2.25 from the AC button. (see attached photo). When you are driving less than 10 MPH you can push the button and the engine will turn off, steering wheel lock up, and the car keeps rolling. This happened to me. I was stopped at a light, as the light turned green, I wanted to turn off the AC, and I accidentally pushed the wrong button (because they were close together), and the whole engine turned off, while I was in the intersection. Luckily, the streets were empty so nothing happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10855336, filed 2016-04, 5,000 miles“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 car is in park, and my foot has to be on the brake to start the car, but I'm concerned about this happening in traffic with the car in gear. So far it's an intermittent problem. I can't reproduce it for the dealership. The steering wheel can wobble at startup without the engine surging. This has been happening since I leased the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10903096, filed 2016-09Related service bulletins
- 11029893Feb 13, 2026This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model…
- 11029892Feb 13, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
- 11005119Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- 11005061Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology