2016 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 240 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Toyota RAV4, 5% of the 240 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11173443, filed 2019-02, 30,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10928394, filed 2016-11, 9,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11708766, filed 2026-01“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11559394, filed 2023-12“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11572248, filed 2024-02Related service bulletins
- 10201352Jul 6, 2021TT: Some 2014-2021 model year vehicles equipped with Dynamic Torque Control AWD system may experience a ?Noise? or ?Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10131830Mar 17, 2017TSB: Some 2016 model year RAV4 vehicles equipped with 2AR-FE engines may exhibit a rocking (back and forward) motion while utilizing the vehicle?s cruise control between 55 ? 75…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% |
| 2021 | 23 | 6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% |
| 2019 | 82 | 9% |
| 2018 | 26 | 8% |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 25 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 10% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 19 | 7% |
| 2011 | 25 | 9% |
| 2010 | 38 | 10% |
| 2009 | 28 | 9% |
| 2008 | 37 | 6% |
| 2007 | 53 | 5% |
| 2006 | 53 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 15% |
| 2003 | 209 | 66% |
| 2002 | 376 | 71% |
| 2001 | 190 | 61% |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 13% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2016 Toyota RAV4
59 complaintsBrakes
46 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsExterior lighting
28 complaintsEngine
25 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Toyota RAV4
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