2016 Toyota RAV4 Limited AWD 2.5L I4 from North America

Summary:

Unreliable, uncomfortable, noisy - worst car I ever had

Faults:

Oil leak from transfer case / front differential area. First detected in 2018 and repair attempted by a Toyota dealer. Repairs held for some time, but in February 2021 it started leaking again. Reported to another Toyota dealer (I moved to a different state), who confirmed the issue. Dealer kept the car for several days and attempted repair, unsuccessfully. Leak returned as soon as the car was brought back home. Returned the car to the dealer, who replaced the transfer case following Toyota's instructions. Repair didn't solve the problem. Dealer kept the car for another week and replaced the transmission. In total, two different Toyota dealers had to perform repairs on four occasions to correct a simple oil leak. The car was out of service for over 20 days. During the entire process, Toyota was very unhelpful, dragging their feet and nickel-and-diming the dealer. The "case manager" assigned to the case was unhelpful and rude.

General Comments:

Noisy, uncomfortable, unreliable. Small, uncomfortable seats, below average legroom. Terrible ride and below average handling. Engine is very noisy. Not worth the price Toyota asks for this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th April, 2021

21st Apr 2021, 13:25

Glad to hear the truth revealed about Toyota reliability :)

21st Apr 2021, 14:37

I recently rented one and I see a lot of people also stating how uncomfortable the seats are. I don't know why Toyota can't seem to come up with a decent seat for this vehicle. The 2020 seats are no better. I had some serious back pain after driving one for an extended trip. My 2004 Avalon has far better seats. Sorry your experience has been less than stellar.

In reply to 21st Apr 2021, 14:37

21st Apr 2021, 18:55

I agree the seats are like sitting on a park bench. My little Elantra is much more comfortable

21st Apr 2021, 21:15

A 4 wheel drive on a Rav4. Are you kidding me. That Rav4 started out as a simple cheap runabout SUV in about 1995-1998. Toyota started loading them up with things it wasn't designed for because the public was demanding more. And people paid the price for it down the road. Be smart and keep it simple with a Rav4 and it will last a long, long time...

In reply to 21st Apr 2021, 13:25

22nd Apr 2021, 13:30

Toyota, like a lot of manufacturers, have went downhill post year 2000 with the more modern cars. Myself I had a 1993 Camry that was one of the most reliable cars I ever had. Highly doubt a modern Toyota (or any other car) would give me the same reliability and longevity as that car did. This is not blind nostalgia = take a look at the reviews on here and elsewhere. People talk about older cars with positive points; more modern ones all people do is complain about how they are back and forth to the dealer with electronic or other serious issues. I believe modern cars are too complex. The 1990's was the sweet spot.

In reply to 21st Apr 2021, 21:15

22nd Apr 2021, 16:46

Agree, no need to have 4WD on a RAV4. It can’t compete with a Wrangler off road, so just stick to the fundamentals and be a 2WD simple small SUV for families hauling kids and maybe a dog.

In reply to 22nd Apr 2021, 16:46

23rd Apr 2021, 17:45

Exactly. And if the Rav-4 would ever need towing assistance, you can always count on the Wrangler to come to the rescue.

In reply to 23rd Apr 2021, 17:45

24th Apr 2021, 16:20

True of most vehicles.

In reply to 21st Apr 2021, 13:25

25th Apr 2021, 17:22

That sounds like you had Toyota on your hit list. Go on, cherry pick to confirm your bias.

2016 Toyota RAV4 Limited Hybrid from North America

Summary:

Poorly built Toyota

Faults:

Rattles on the inside. It does not have the usual Toyota build.

Horrible front seats. Back and bottom are sore after just a few minutes drive.

Entune system should be abandoned. Touch screen does not work. Sometimes you have to turn the car completely off to reset the radio.

All in all, a very poorly constructed vehicle. Regret that I purchased it.

General Comments:

Loud - lots of road noise.

Does not inspire confidence that it is going to last very long.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th January, 2020

17th Jan 2020, 22:49

Sorry you have had bad luck with your RAV4. No doubt that Toyota has had to cut some corners to produce that car. Car makers costs are going through the roof with no end in sight for them.

Also if you are going to buy a used RAV4, it's probably better to move up to the Lexus RX350 which is basically the same car with more solidness to it. Best years built were the 2011-2015 models.

Also if you sell your RAV4, do it with a private party... dealers are $3000.00-5000.00 behind low blue book. Which is way too low.

18th Jan 2020, 18:50

I think Toyota has been turning around in the past 15 years or so. Same with Nissan. It seems the Japanese industry gets in hands of questionable management quite easily. At this time, I would rather look at Honda and Mazda, they are doing a little better. Some people say also check Kia and Hyundai, but from having a 2015 Sonata I can tell you, stay away from these brands, they have certainly improved in some areas, but they cut costs in many other areas and have plenty of problems with sensors and stuff, and IT'S costly to repair (contrary to a common belief that Korean cars are cheap to run). The few thousands of dollars you are going to save buying a Hyundai, you'll spend in repairs after the warranty. Sorry for the off topic.