CarTold

2016 vs. 2017 Toyota RAV4: What Changed

EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types for the 2016 and the 2017 Toyota RAV4. Check the individual trims for equipment and production changes these records do not cover.

One campaign covers both years. Two campaigns (service brakes and tires) cover the 2016 and not the 2017, while two campaigns (equipment and tires) cover the 2017 and not the 2016.

Fewer campaigns do not establish better reliability. Confirm each car's coverage and repair status by VIN.

The campaigns that separate them

Imported NHTSA recall campaigns that name one of these two model years but not the other, with their component labels. Campaigns covering both years are left out of this list.

Only the 2016

  • 16V198000 service brakes
  • 16V236000 tires

Only the 2017

  • 17V295000 tires
  • 19V503000 equipment
A campaign may cover only part of a model year's production. Use the campaign number to ask an authorized dealer whether the car's VIN is included and what work remains. Our recall tool finds model-year campaigns; this guide explains the vehicle-specific check.

Side by side

2016 2017
Engines listed 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl
Drive types Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel types Regular Gasoline Regular Gasoline
Combined MPG 24–32 24–32
Recall campaigns 3 3
Complaints on file 254 320
Investigations 1 1
Complaint totals reflect different time on the road, sales and reporting. They cannot rank these years for reliability. The categories below identify symptoms to read about, not failure odds. How reporting time affects the comparison.

What owners reported, by system

2016

Other 65 (26%)
Electrical 53 (21%)
Brakes 43 (17%)

2017

Electrical 103 (32%)
Other 82 (26%)
Visibility & lighting 39 (12%)

Full reports

Open each year's report to read the recall, investigation, manufacturer communication and EPA variant records on file:

2016 RAV4 full report 2017 RAV4 full report Every RAV4 year compared

Sources and methodology