Toyota RAV4 Owner: "Just hit a Quarter Million Miles on my 2016 LE. Definitely The Most Reliable Vehicle I Have Owned"

Toyota makes some of the most reliable cars you can buy. Although the brand recently had plenty of issues, faithful car buyers still flock to the Japanese brand's offering. The Toyota RAV4 is a perfect example as it is one of the most popular compact SUVs. Many owners even prefer to drive their old RAV4 because they continue to serve well even after 20 years. One owner does the same with his 2016 RAV4 as he recently posted a Reddit thread about his proud achievement, after reaching 250,000 miles in nine years, with no issues.  

The owner is more than happy to share details about his ownership experience, and how he uses the car, so it reaches this mileage without giving any serious trouble. 

It is a classic case of buying an SUV purely as a commuter car. This owner's Toyota RAV4 is a two-wheel-drive LE model, which means it is a more basic car variant without the optional all-wheel drive. The forum member also shares that he uses the Japanese SUV as a daily driver and does a lot of highway miles due to his work, which takes him across the state. 

“I travel quite a bit daily for work. My job takes me all over the metropolitan area and occasionally other parts of the state. Lots of highway miles.” 

Highway driving at a constant speed is the least-straining type of driving on a car's mechanical systems. It is also why most vehicles use less fuel during highway driving, except for EVs and some of the hybrid models. Even so, this fourth generation of the compact SUV is a testament to the brand's reputation for reliability, upheld even by the fifth generation, despite some common Toyota RAV4 problems you should know about. 

You can still expect some minor repair bills around the 200,000-mile mark 

All cars break down eventually, but luckily for this RAV4 owner, his Japanese SUV has had very little need for TLC. Here's what he shares: 

“Besides routine maintenance, just the radiator, cooling fan motor and blower motor for the AC. All replaced after 200,000". 

The legendary reliability of the 2AR-FE engine. The 2016 Toyota RAV4 is motivated by a 2.5-liter, normally aspirated inline-four engine. The 2AR-FE is all about efficiency and ease of maintenance. It features sequential fuel injection and has hydraulic valve lifters, which means no adjustment is necessary over time. 

An interesting feature of this Toyota engine is that the timing chain tensioner can be replaced without removing the front engine cover (a typically necessary procedure when doing timing jobs). In the case of this Toyota RAV4, the engine develops 176 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 172 pound-feet at 4,100 RPM, which is adequate. 

Here's what else the owner says after a fellow member with a similar vehicle asked him about timing and valve work maintenance: 

“No, no valve work or timing chain replacement. Just brakes, tires, plugs, filters, transmission fluid, and the serpentine belt. Also, a pulley the last serpentine belt was replaced.” 

In case you are wondering how much maintenance costs, here's what another Toyota RAV4 owner was quoted by a dealership for his 60,000-mile warranty. 

Sadly, not all owners are equally as happy with their car's reliability, but oftentimes, this is due to some Toyota owners incorrectly fixing certain problems. Sometimes, the fault isn't theirs, as replacement parts on your Toyota RAV4 may not be installed properly.

Regardless, this 2016 Toyota RAV4 with 250,000 miles on the odometer is a perfect example of an owner who takes care of his car, and it takes care of him in return. I love stories like these, as they clearly indicate that modern cars aren't as unrealizable as many claim. If you have similar (or any) car stories, I would love to read about them. Feel free to hit the comment section below and share your thoughts.   

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Main image from 2016 Toyota RAV4 press release.

In-text image from the Reddit thread (in first paragraph)