KnownCarProblems2012 Toyota RAV4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 260 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota RAV4, most often about the visibility and wipers (23% of complaints, typically around 31,500 miles). It is 16th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2012 Toyota RAV4 problems
Visibility and wipers
59 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles. Parts named most often: glass, side/rear, windshield wiper/washer, windshield, rear window wiper/washer.
Warming up the car in the am because of ice on the windshield the windshield cracked on the driver side about 2" from the bottom traveled across to passenger side and back down.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the windshield wipers seized without warning. The failure occurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v577000 (visibility/wiper). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable.…
Speed control
49 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav 4. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning while driving 1 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer stated the sudden acceleration was a normal occurrence. The failure mileage was 10,000. Updated 10/17/13
I was driving approximately 20 MPH. When tried to stop at the traffic signal and pressed the brake then instead of stopping the car was going forward. It almost hit the car at front of me. There was a sudden acceleration and RPM went upto 9000. I pressed the brake pedal multiple number of times then the car engine…
Brakes
39 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav-4. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, she attempted to engage the brakes but it failed to stop the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal sunk to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure.…
Slowing down at a stop sign the brakes pedal became very soft and the engine started revving up and the vehicle moved forward while I was pressing on the brake. This has happened three times since january and it's very scary. I've made an appointment with Toyota for tomorrow 6/3.
Electrical
30 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles.
Wiring harness that controls normal 2wd/4WD has been chewed by rodents leaving vehicle stuck in 4WD. Vehicle was parked on garage apron when wires were chewed.
At first 3 warning lights were on where I was driving at speed around 10mph: check, 4WD, trac off. Then suddenly I could not turn the steering wheel easily, and I realized I was loosing control of the vehicle. I made a decision to move out of the busy road and turn into a small street. This I did, but only was able to…
Seat belts
30 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 24,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav-4. The contact stated that when a child safety seat was placed in the rear driver side of the vehicle, the rear middle seat belt buckle would be covered abnormally and could not be utilized by the rear middle passenger. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the air conditioning unit failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was discovered that the parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact was advised by the dealer that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v577000…
Other or unspecified
26 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles.
9/21/15 tn accident reported case #wc1523557 vechile towed, 04/05/216, auto auction auction announced as true mileage unknown [phone] june 7, 2018, purchased from carlock Toyota tupelo, ms. Auto check reported multiple owners, , score 68. Dealeship did not reveal any of this when purchased--only found out when direct…
Four-wheel drive, traction stability, check engine light all went on and will not shut off. Driving in 4-wheel drive put strain on engine. Plus there are many complaints about this situation. $545 for service is cost for common to this car issue. See forum link…
Engine
23 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles.
I was waiting at a stop light on norristown road to cross bethlehem pike in springhouse, pa at approximately 5 pm on 5/22/15. I was first in line to cross the intersection in the direction of picking up 309 south in about 1/2 mile. I had been waiting at the light for a minute or two when my car surged forward. I put…
This problem has to do with the RAV4 gear shifter sticking and/or deformed. The problem is addressed for years 2013-2015 in Toyota tsb 0145-14; however, the problem also exists in the 2012 model. The 2012 RAV4 can have a sticking or deformed gear shifter. This could be caused by coffee having been spilled into the…
Air bags
22 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 35 MPH, the contact crashed into a pole. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained rib and sternum injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted about the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Toyota RAV4 recalls
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2016. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is g0f.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 rav4 vehicles manufactured july 28, 2005, to december 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 rav4 EV vehicles manufactured july 24, 2012, to august 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
Visibility and wipers: visibility/wiper
Risk: Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on november 7, 2016. Owners may contact toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 rav4 vehicles manufactured october 27, 2008, to december 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 rav4 EV vehicles manufactured july 24, 2012, to august 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and toyota and lexus dealers will update the software for the skid control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on march 28, 2014. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 toyota tacoma and lexus rx350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 toyota rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the vehicle stability control (vsc) system, antilock brake system (ABS), and traction control system.
Equipment: labels
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on may 28, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 toyota tundra, 2010-2012 rav4, 2012 toyota sequoia, 2010-2011 toyota corolla, 2010-2011 toyota camry and camry hybrid, 2010-2013 toyota highlander and highlander hybrid, 2010-2013 toyota fj cruiser, 2011 toyota land cruiser, 2010-2013 toyota venza, 2010-2011 toyota 4runner, 2010-2013 toyota tacoma, 2011-2012 toyota sienna, 2012 toyota prius, 2013 scion fr-s, 2011 scion xd, 2011 scion xb, and 2012 scion tc vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Seats
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on march 21, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 tacoma, 4runner, camry, camry hybrid, prius, and rav4; model year 2009-2010 avalon, fj cruiser, and highlander hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year corolla, sienna and tundra; model year 2009-2013 highlander and venza; model year 2012 prius v; and model year 2010-2012 sequoia. During modification by set to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest dvd systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Toyota RAV4
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota RAV4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (59 complaints, typically around 31,500 miles); speed control (49 complaints, typically around 10,500 miles); brakes (39 complaints, typically around 16,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota RAV4 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 19, 2016 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Toyota RAV4?
- It is 16th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints, with 260 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.