2016 Toyota RAV4 maintenance schedule

The 2016 RAV4 is part of the XA40 generation (2013-2018), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2016 RAV4 needs, and when

All 11 of these items come from Toyota's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Toyota's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter (2AR-FE)

5,000 for severe duty

10,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter (2AR-FE)30,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
Cabin air filter (2AR-FE)15,000 mi / 18 monthsManufacturer
Tire rotation (2AR-FE)5,000 mi / 6 monthsManufacturer
Brake fluid (2AR-FE)Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer
Engine coolant (2AR-FE)100,000 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid (2AR-FE)Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer
Spark plugs (2AR-FE)120,000 mi / 12 yearsManufacturer
Serpentine belt (2AR-FE)Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid (AWD)Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer
12V battery (2AR-FE)Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them. Services we could not find an interval for are left off rather than guessed.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
0W-20, 4.6 qt
Coolant
SLLC
Transmission fluid
ATF WS

Powertrains in this generation

  • 2.5L 4-cyl (2AR-FE), 176 hp, 6-speed Auto, FWD/AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA recalls for the 2016 Toyota RAV4

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Toyota dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Electrical system

NHTSA 23V734000

November 2023

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.

April 2016

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

NHTSA 16V198000

April 2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$429

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other RAV4 model years

XA50 (2019-2026)

XA40 (2013-2018)

Shopping new? The Toyota RAV4 guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-16. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a RAV4 for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2016 RAV4 earns before you buy it.

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