ToyotaRAV4 EV2016Electric/toyota/rav4-ev/2016/electric/

2016 Toyota RAV4 EV

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 RAV4 EV.

Body SUVEngine ElectricTransmission Automatic (S6)

As an electric SUV equipped with an Electric engine and an Automatic (S6) transmission, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 EV presents a unique reliability profile for researchers, defined by 233 owner complaints predominantly targeting the Electrical System alongside 3 separate recalls. Contextualizing these figures within the model's broader complaint history from 2002 to 2014 reveals a stark shift, as the 2016 EV's volume sits far above the record low of just 5 complaints in 2013, even if it remains below the 555-complaint peak of the 2002 model year. Ultimately, this positions the 2016 model as a distinct regression in the RAV4's reliability trajectory, meaning this electrified variant reintroduced substantial owner grievances after a period of historic improvement for the nameplate.

Model year20192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA efficiency23/29/25 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range0 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 55D23L · 355 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 55D23L · 355 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/65R17, P235/55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-7.0, 7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter178010V020 alt 1780137021
Fuel filter770240R010 alt 7702442070
Spark plug9091901233 alt 9091901259
Battery2880036071 alt 2880028102
Front wiper blades852120R050 alt 8522202280
Serpentine belt9091602721 alt 90916A2021
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 9091603136
Cabin air filter8713907020 alt 8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.1 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight3891 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 29 / 25 MPGe
Electric range0 mi
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, SAE J1703 · DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.0
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT 3
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · API · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.0 qt
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 qt
Engine CoolantHOAT

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts98.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts98.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 217.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 159.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.05-1.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.35-2.37 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.04-1.17 lbs
Oil TypeND 11 Oil

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 20 /; Front: 25; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 79; Rear: 65 /; Front: 79; Rear: 65
ABS Sensor Torque6.2 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementRear: .413
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .984
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0059

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for the RAV4 EV shows a sharp escalation in complaints from just 5 in 2013 to 188 in 2014, alongside an increase in recalls (3 to 7) and investigations (1 to 2). While no direct complaint total is provided for the 2016 model year, the target year’s top complaint areas—led by Electrical System (34), Service Brakes (29), and Exterior Lighting (24)—indicate persistent trouble, and the 11 fire complaints and 33 crash complaints are notably high for a single model year. This suggests the 2016 RAV4 EV continues the deteriorating reliability trend seen from 2013 to 2014, with no evidence of improvement in the available data. Given the absence of a complaint count for 2016 to compare precisely, but the presence of multiple serious complaint categories and fire incidents, the 2016 RAV4 EV appears to carry elevated risk and is not a recommended buy.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
257
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
233
Owner complaints
33 involved a crash · 11 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 233 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System34
Service Brakes29
Unknown Or Other25
Exterior Lighting24
Air Bags14
Structure12
Engine9
Power Train8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V198000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipReported 07/04/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota…

16V236000TiresReported 22/04/2016

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016… Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 257 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
21TG012025-06-18Electrical System21TG01 Exprired - Replaced with Campaign 23TA13 During a recent investigation of reported…
21TG012025-06-18Electrical SystemCampaign Expired - replaced with campaign 23TA13TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAV4 EV. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 RAV4 EV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the RAV4 EV?

EPA figures are 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 0 miles.