NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 47 owner complaints for the 1996 Toyota RAV4. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (11) and power train (9). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each RAV4 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 47 |
| 1997 | 57 |
| 1998 | 85 |
| 1999 | 63 |
| 2000 | 40 |
| 2001 | 314 |
| 2002 | 555 |
| 2003 | 327 |
| 2004 | 154 |
| 2005 | 141 |
| 2006 | 704 |
| 2007 | 1,003 |
| 2008 | 575 |
| 2009 | 327 |
| 2010 | 400 |
| 2011 | 287 |
| 2012 | 266 |
| 2013 | 261 |
| 2014 | 207 |
| 2015 | 305 |
| 2016 | 239 |
| 2017 | 307 |
| 2018 | 333 |
| 2019 | 884 |
| 2020 | 639 |
| 2021 | 389 |
| 2022 | 149 |
| 2023 | 164 |
| 2024 | 176 |
| 2025 | 94 |
“I NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE CAR. A SHORT TIME LATER AN ADDITIONAL SOUND OF SOMETHING ROLLING AROUND FREELY IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS HEARD. I SUSPECTED BRAKE TROUBLE AND TOOK THE CAR TO SEARS AUTOMOTIVE WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORKED ON 1 MONTH PRIOR. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANICS NOTICED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE FRONT AXLE SNAPPING AT THE WHEEL. THE SOUND WAS THE BROKEN OFF PIECE AND NUT ROLLING AROUND. THE BROKEN AXLE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BRAKE PAD AND CALIPER AND FRONT-END ALIGNMENT. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS, THE AXLE HAD A MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE BOTH AXLE PIECES IN MY POSSESSION. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXAMINE THEM OR IF THERE IS MORE INFORMATION NEEDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. - DARRYL ROBB. *AK”
“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 GEAR ALSO BEGAN SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER 40,000 MILES THE EXACT SAME FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE 5TH GEAR FAILING. THEY ARE NOT CLAIMING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. *JB”
“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 MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| RAV4 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| RAV4 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| RAV4 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (11), power train (9), latches/locks/linkages (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1996 Toyota RAV4 at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).