1996 Model Year

Toyota RAV4

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
46
Recalls
0
Crashes
4
Severe
10

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Engine
Oct 2016

EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL USE, 1 QT EVERY 1000 MILES

STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Jul 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WOULD DROP, THE DOORS WOULD SHUT ABNORMALLY AND THE LOCKS WOULD...

Seat Belts
Jul 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRE...

Electrical System Fire
Jan 2013

I GOT THE CAR OFF OF MY BROTHER FOR $4,000.00, IT LOOKS GREAT, NEVER EVER BEEN WRECKED, PAINT GREAT, BRAND NEW TIRES, NEW EXHAUST, NEW BRAKES, ETC. I...

Engine
Oct 2006

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS CLOGGED UP AND I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED LIKE THAT. NM

Engine
Mar 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF...

Steering
Sep 2004

NOTE: TOYOTA CALLED AND SAID THAT SINCE I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED, THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING.....I SAVED THE PART. I AM WRITING NOW BECAUSE I SAW A T...

Air Bags Crash
Mar 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER HIT ICE POT HOLE, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND HIT A GUARD RAIL, PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S AIR BAG...

Power Train
Jan 2004

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE OWNER HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE SWERVED ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER GO INTO 5TH GEAR. THE 4TH G...

Air Bags
Nov 2003

THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT FORCEFUL IMPACT.*JB

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 1996 Toyota RAV4 has 46 complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. 4 crash-related incidents have been reported.

Complaint Trend