Problems · by component

2016 Toyota RAV4 exterior lighting problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota RAV4 cite exterior lighting, 12% of all 239 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
28
12% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the exterior lighting

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Headlights and taillights are fogging/hazing up to where they dimmed out the lights when turned on making is somewhat difficult to see or others behind me to see me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2025Exterior lightingODI 11648864
“A fogging/white residue has developed over time on the inside of the tail lights. As this continues to progress it would make the lights much dimmer and harder to see. ( I see several references to the same issue doing an online search for 2016 rav4 taillight fogging)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11581201
“All 6 of mine lights (front/fog and inside/outside rear) are collecting haze / contamination on the inside of the lens. Lights are a primary safety/warning device. Anything (like interior fogging) that interferes with this function is a SERIOUS safety defect that the manufacturer should fix under a safety recall. I have already spent money replacing one of the side rear light assemblies, due to these being a safety hazard. I would like to avoid an accident or possible legal tickets.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11575378
“I took my car to Toyota for multiple issues with my electrical. My headlights go out every 5-10 minutes when trying to drive at dark. The headlights turn off or do not work if I try to use my blinker or windshield wipers. Three times now my car has stalled when I tried to turn on my headlights while driving. And one time it stalled when I went to make a left turn. Toyota ran a diagnostic and said everything was fine. I took it to autozone, they said the battery was fine. A third opinion and a new battery later and I’m still having the same problems. No one can tell me what’s wrong.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11506212
“After looking through Google reviews I see that so many have the same situation that we are having. The headlights keep blowing randomly about every 3-4 months. We were out West on back roads when ours blew this last time and had to drive with only one headlight, which was dangerous. I feel someone should look into all the numerous complaints showing up online regarding the headlights of the 2016 Toyota Rav4s.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2022Exterior lightingODI 11480560
“CONDENSATION IS APPEARING ON BOTH OF THE BACK BRAKE LIGHTS THE CAR HAS 40000 MILES NOT SURE SHY THIS IS HAPPENING I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAL HAS BEEN BROKEN ON THE RIM OF THE BACK LIGHTS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2021Exterior lightingODI 11416697

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2016 RAV4 problem areas