1996 Toyota RAV4

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

80/100

Buy

AVOIR's read: it scores well across the board with no single weak engine.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Toyota RAV4, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Service brakes	12	24%
Power train	9	18%
Engine and engine cooling	5	10%
Air bags	4	8%
Latches/locks/linkages	3	6%
Seat belts	2	4%
Electrical system	2	4%
Steering	2	4%
Suspension	2	4%
Fuel system	2	4%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

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 VEHI
NHTSA complaint: Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

I GOT THE CAR OFF OF MY BROTHER FOR $4,000.00, IT LOOKS GREAT, NEVER EVER BEEN WRECKED, PAINT GREAT, BRAND NEW TIRES, NEW EXHAUST, NEW BRAKES, ETC. I WAS WAITING ON HIM TO GET THE TITLE NOTARIZED AND HE BROUGHT IT OVER T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS CLOGGED UP AND I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED LIKE THAT. NM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS TO INDICATE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

NOTE: TOYOTA CALLED AND SAID THAT SINCE I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED, THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING.....I SAVED THE PART. I AM WRITING NOW BECAUSE I SAW A TV NEWS STORY ABOUT THE ROLL-OVER CONCERN WITH SUV'S. THIS WOULD HAVE
NHTSA complaint: Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER HIT ICE POT HOLE, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND HIT A GUARD RAIL, PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED HALF WAY. *AK *NM
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

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 EVENTUAL
NHTSA complaint: Power train

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1996 Toyota RAV4. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Exterior lighting 09E012000

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

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

The seven scores

Reliability	95	excellent
Longevity est.	90	excellent
Maintenance	84	excellent
Depreciation	80	excellent
Performance	45	below average
Efficiency	45	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 91% of other
Longevity: better than 100% of other
Running costs: better than 91% of other
Value retention: better than 89% of other

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 95: from NHTSA recalls and complaints, divided by approximate units sold so it is comparable between models.
Longevity 90: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1996 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 84: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1996 Toyota RAV4?

Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 12 of them (24%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1996 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 95/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.

How long will a 1996 Toyota RAV4 last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 90/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1996 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1996 Toyota RAV4?

AVOIR's read: buy, because it scores well across the board with no single weak engine. Its overall ownership score is 80/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.