1996 Toyota RAV4 Latches/Locks
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
IN WINDY CONDITIONS OR ON PARKED INCLINE REAR LIFTGATE WHICH OPENS LIKE A DOOR, SLAMMED INTO OCCUPANT WHO SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK THE DEVICE WHICH HOLDS THE DOOR OPEN IS NOT ADEQUATE BECAUSE OF THAT THE DOOR CLOSES TOO EASILY. *YH
IN COLD WEATHER, BELOW 30 DEGREES, BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCK MECHANISMS ARE PRONE TO FREEZING. THIS SOMETIMES MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE VEHICLE. OTHER TIMES, THE DOOR OPENS, BUT THEN WILL NOT SHUT BECAUSE THE LOCK MECHANISM IS FROZEN. THE DOOR JUST BOUNCES AGAINST THE FRAME AND DOES NOT LATCH. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE LATE DECEMBER OF 1998. ON A FEW OF THE OCCASIONS I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE WHILE MANUALLY HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT, AND THEN TIE THE DOOR SHUT FROM THE INSIDE UPON ARRIVAL TO MY DESTINATION.
DOOR LOCK FAILED.
Trend Over Time
Complaints by year
Other Issues
Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 1996 Toyota RAV4 has 3 Latches/Locks complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.