Recall 16V596 covers 337,449 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 and Hs 250 Hybrid vehicles for rear tie-rod failure. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 337,449 vehicles, including 2006-2011 RAV4 SUVs and 2010 Hs 250 Hybrid vehicles, because loose rear suspension arm lock nuts can damage threads, allow rust, and lead to rear tie rod failure. A failed rear tie rod can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk; the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The rear suspension arm on 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 and Hs 250 Hybrid vehicles helps hold the rear wheel at the correct angle. It includes a rear tie rod with an adjusting lock nut, the hardware a technician uses to set rear wheel alignment after service. When that nut is tight, the arm keeps the wheel pointed where the suspension was set.
In affected vehicles, the adjusting lock nut was not tightened correctly after service. A loose nut lets the threaded section move, which damages the threads and exposes them to rust. As the damage builds, the rear suspension arm can fail and the vehicle's rear alignment can change abruptly.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the arm fails, the change can happen without a prior noise, light, or handling symptom that gives you time to react.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2006-2011 RAV4 plus the 2010 Hs 250 Hybrid, all tied to the rear suspension.
| 2006 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2007 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2008 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2009 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2010 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2011 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2010 Lexus Hs 250 Hybrid | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 337,449 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
A rear tie rod failure can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the repair soon and use extra caution until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 or Hs 250 Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free rear-suspension-arm replacement that fixes loose rear tie rods and prevents an abrupt alignment change.
- Reference recall number 16V596 when you call, and ask whether Toyota recall G0V or Lexus recall GLK applies to your vehicle.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota has mailed one, plus any paperwork from the earlier 13V-383 recall if you have it.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard cornering if the vehicle feels unstable.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces both rear suspension arms, also called rear tie rods, and encapsulates the adjusting locknuts so they stay sealed after the repair. This matters if the earlier 13V-383 work only inspected or sealed the parts instead of replacing both arms. Parts and labor are covered under recall 16V596. Toyota uses its standard reimbursement plan for documented related repairs paid before the recall notice. Bring repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 11, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| August 11, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 12, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| September 30, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| September 30, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 3, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V596?
Recall 16V596 covers 337,449 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 and 2010 Hs 250 Hybrid vehicles with rear suspension arms whose lock nuts were not tightened correctly after service. A failed rear tie rod can cause loss of vehicle control. Toyota will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 or 2010 Lexus Hs 250 Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V596. If it is, call a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for the rear suspension arm replacement. Reference Toyota recall number G0V for RAV4 vehicles or GLK for Hs 250 Hybrid vehicles.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the safety defect at no cost. Toyota dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts free of charge under recall 16V596.
Is it safe to drive with recall 16V596 open?
The recall does not carry a do-not-drive order. Still, the risk is loss of vehicle control if a rear tie rod fails, so confirm your VIN and schedule the free repair with a franchised Toyota dealer as soon as you can.
What if my RAV4 was already repaired under recall 13V-383?
Your vehicle still needs a VIN check for recall 16V596. Toyota says this recall supersedes 13V-383 because some vehicles were inspected and sealed without both rear suspension arms being replaced. If your VIN is included, the dealer must replace both rear suspension arms for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V596000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V596 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V596000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →