1996 Toyota RAV4: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 47 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but the vehicle was not examined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 367,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2013
“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 the road without incident. There were no prior warnings to indicate a problem. Oil and smoke came from the engine compartment; however there was no fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic noticed a hole that was blown through the engine.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2005
“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 deployed half way. *ak *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving on highway with any pump or tap to gear shift it will go into neutral, losing all power, almost caused an accident.contacted dealer.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · May 2002
“Driver' s seat belt fails to release for usage, needs to jerk hard to pull it out. Would retract back very slowly.also, seat belt will not allow driver to move in seat. Took vehicle to dealer, and was informed that retractor needs to be repaired due to being broken on inside. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2001
“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”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2000
“The front struts on my 1996 toyota rav4 have been leaking for sometime. When this was dicovered the vehicle only had 30,000 miles and has never been off raod.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2000
“Whenever the brakes are appliedthe transmission would shift into neutral on its own. Took to dealer several times & had vehicle test driven. Brakes were tapped lightly & transmission shifted into neutral. Mechanic could not find cause of problem. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 1999
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 1998
“Since the vehicle's purchase, it would occassionally hydroplane on slighty wet surfaces and go to the left. Approximately three months ago the vehicle abruptly hydroplaned from the right lane of the freeway to the left with no warning. The last incident ended in a crash. While traveling in a light rain at approximately 50 mph, the rear of the vehicle pulled sharpley to the right with no warning. It felt as if traveling on ice. The vehicle slammed head on into the guard rail.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact RAV4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1996 Toyota RAV4. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Toyota RAV4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 84,500 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Toyota RAV4 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.