2016 Toyota RAV4 MPG
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 gets 22–23 mpg in the city and 28–30 on the highway (24–26 combined), across the 4 gasoline versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 26 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive and is rated 24 mpg combined. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 32 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2015 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 Hybrid AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 34 | 30 | 32 | Regular · 274 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 LE/XLE | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular · 338 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 29 | 25 | Regular · 349 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 25 | Regular · 357 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 Limited AWD/SE AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular · 362 g CO₂/mi |
2016 Toyota RAV4 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 costs about $2,510 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (26 mpg combined), or roughly 17 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (24 mpg combined) comes to about $2,720 a year, $210 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2016 Toyota RAV4 specs
2016 Toyota RAV4 buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and automatic transmissions, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a small sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 2.5 L hybrid | 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2016 Toyota RAV4 problems
Owners have filed 257 complaints about the 2016 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (19% of component mentions), followed by service brakes (15%) and exterior lighting (9%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 23 complaints a year: about as many as the 2015 (25 a year) and fewer than the 2017 (32 a year).
That ranks 12th of 17 Toyota RAV4 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 257, 37 mention a crash, 12 a fire and 21 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 60 | 19% |
| Service brakes | 48 | 15% |
| Unknown or other | 38 | 12% |
| Exterior lighting | 28 | 9% |
| Engine | 27 | 8% |
| Air bags | 19 | 6% |
| Structure | 19 | 6% |
| Visibility/wiper | 15 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 4% |
| Power train | 11 | 3% |
| Steering | 11 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 2% |
| Suspension | 4 | 1% |
| Visibility | 4 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 2 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 2 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 2 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 2 | <1% |
| Seats | 2 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Tires | 2 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
I was driving 9/3 and my left blinker light came on solid. I was not using my blinker. Within a few seconds my check engine light came on and another light. …
The braking system malfunctioned during Winter and snowy road conditions. Several instances happened during the month of December 2023 and 2024. Latest were December 10 and 13, 2024. …
Headlights and taillights are fogging/hazing up to where they dimmed out the lights when turned on making is somewhat difficult to see or others behind me to see me.
2016 Toyota RAV4 recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota RAV4.
The most recent, campaign 23V734000 from November 2023, concerns electrical system.
16V236000 · April 22, 2016 · Equipment, Tires
Problem: The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Risk: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge.
16V198000 · April 7, 2016 · Electronic stability control (esc), Hydraulic service brakes
Problem: These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | RAV4 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V734000 | November 1, 2023 | Electrical system | 2013–2018 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 2 versions of the 2016 Toyota RAV4; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Toyota RAV4s can be compared fairly. Among other 2016 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2016 Chevy Equinox (26 mpg), 2016 Ford Escape (26 mpg) and 2016 Subaru Forester (27 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26 | 257 | 18 | 2 |
| 2014 | 26 | 197 | 15 | 4 |
| 2015 | 26 | 305 | 25 | 4 |
| 2016 | 32 | 257 | 23 | 3 |
| 2017 | 32 | 321 | 32 | 3 |
| 2018 | 32 | 348 | 38 | 3 |
| 2019 | 40 | 905 | 112 | 8 |
Every Toyota RAV4 model year compared →
Similar 2016 models
FAQ
Is the 2016 RAV4 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2016 Toyota RAV4 has 23 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (12th most of 17 model years), 3 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 32 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2016 RAV4 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (60), service brakes (48) and exterior lighting (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2016 RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 RAV4 get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 24–26 mpg combined (22–23 city, 28–30 highway). The hybrid version reaches up to 32 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 RAV4 per year?
About $2,510 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,720 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).