Most common 1996 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of the 47 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota RAV4 complaints by model year
Best RAV4 years: 2014. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025. Compare all years →
What 1996 Toyota RAV4 owners say
Brakes
The ABS brakes malfunctioned, causing the brake pads to burn and resulting in a "fire" on the brakes. Brakes locked up unexpectly even when not pressing the brakes. Dealer replaced calipers/ pads/ master cylinder. However, master cylinder problem is still occurring.
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.
Transmission & drivetrain
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.
When I was driving down the highway, my friend (who was sitting in the passenger seat and likes to sit with his knees up) accidentally bumped the gear shift into neutral. I was in the passing lane on a busy highway and found that all of the sudden I had no power to the wheels. It was very frightening. I pulled over as soon as I could. I feared that if I put the gear shifter back into drive, the car would drastically lurch (faster or slower). After this happened, I noticed that the gear shift is actually located closer to the passenger side than the driver side and easily bumped into neutral. I called a local Toyota dealer and asked that they fix the problem. I was told that all cars are designed to be able to switch into neutral should you be sliding on a slippery road. And that they therefore could and would do nothing about this problem. …
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 a problem. Oil and smoke came from the engine compartment; however there was no fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic noticed a hole that was blown through the engine.
The catalytic converter is clogged up and I think it should have not happened like that. Nm
1996 Toyota RAV4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 27 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 26 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Toyota RAV4 a good car?
Based on 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 RAV4 rates better than average: 81% fewer complaints than a typical year of the RAV4 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Toyota RAV4?
The brakes — 11 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (9) and engine & cooling (6).
How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Toyota RAV4. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota RAV4?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025. See the full Toyota RAV4 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Toyota RAV4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 99,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.