2012 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 266 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 39 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat belts, rear/otherFeb 19, 2016
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.
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V096000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility/wiperSep 18, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V577000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleFeb 12, 2014
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.
If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V054000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsApr 9, 2013
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 13V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: seat belts
31 reports, newest first. Show all
Seat belts, Apr 14, 2016
THIS RECALL AFFECTS THE REAR PASSENGER SAFETY BELTS IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A POTENTIAL THE SEAT BELTS MAY BECOME CUT OR SEPARATED. I HAVE A FAMILY TO DRIVE AROUND SO I ASKED THAT TOYOTA PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL THE ISSUE COULD BE RESOLVED. I CONTACTED BOTH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, BOTH DENIED MY REQUEST FOR A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO PROTECT MY FAMILY. I ALSO HAVE AN INFANT AND MY INFANT CAN ONLY RIDE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. THE RAV 4 IS A FOUR PASSENGER VEHICLE AND WE WERE ADVISED BY A CAR SEAT SPECIALIST NOT TO INSTALL THE CAR SEAT IN THE MIDDLE. WE WOULD LIKE A LOANER VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND WE MAY SEEK LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST TOYOTA IN ORDER TO PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE. NHTSA RECALL 16V-096
Seat belts, Visibility/wiper, Apr 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Seat belts, May 8, 2015
GOOD AFTERNOON SIR/MA'AM, I AM A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE AT DOVER AFB. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT MINE; HOWEVER, IT WAS ONE I HAD INTERACTION TODAY. AS I WALKED TO MY OWN VEHICLE I WAS SUMMONED TO A 2012-2013 TOYOTA RAV4 TO A DISTRESSED MOTHER. HER SON (APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS OLD) HAD SOMEHOW MANAGED TO PULL THE REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT (SHOULDER PIECE) ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE LOCKING POINT, GOT IT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK, AND IT BEGAN CHOKING HIM. BY THE TIME I GOT THERE IT WAS SO TIGHT AND ALREADY UNBUCKLED BUT UNABLE TO BE FREED FROM HIS NECK. IT TOOK A MERE FEW SECONDS TO REALIZE IT WAS FURTHER LOCKING DESPITE HOLDING IT AND TRYING TO KEEP [XXX] STILL. I ASKED HIS MOTHER FOR A BOXCUTTER WHICH SHE HAD IN THE CENTER CONSOLE BUT WAS STILL UNABLE TO CUT IT FROM HIM MYSELF AND SHE WAS OBVIOUSLY TOO DISTRAUGHT TO DO IT OR ASSIST ME. I SENT HER FOR HELP AND ANOTHER CO-WORKER HELPED ME BY CUTTING IT AS I HELD HIM. MY QUESTIONS IS THIS... AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT AND PEOPLE BEING WELL VERSED IN WAYS TO PREVENT. THIS WAS A VERY PREVENTATIVE MOTHER ALREADY, NOT SURE THERE WAS MUCH ELSE SHE COULD DO AND SIMPLY HAVING A BOX CUTTER IN THE CAR SEEM LUDICROUS. HAS THERE BEEN ANY THOUGHT ON MAKING A BUTTON FOR PARENTS TO PUSH TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THESE BELTS TO PREVENT THIS? THERE SHOULD BE A MANUAL RELEASE AND I JUST DO NOT KNOW THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN ONE. I AM TRYING TO DO PATIENT TEACHING AT MY POSITION AS WELL. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED TO PREVENT A TRAGEDY FROM OCCURRING. LUCKILY MY EXPERIENCE TURNED OUT HAPPY BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY FRIGHTENING. V/R [XXX] VIN UNAVAILABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).?*JB
Seat belts, Mar 9, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND UNLATCH PREVENTING HER FROM REMOVING THE CHILD PASSENGER SEATBELT. THE CONTACT MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE CHILD FROM THE BELT AND WAS UNABLE TOO. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE SEATBELT HAD TO BE CUT CAUSING SCRATCHES AND BURNS TO THE PASSENGER SINCE THE SEATBELT WOULD NOT LOOSEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,409.
Seat belts, Oct 30, 2014
TL* 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 MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Seat belts, May 28, 2013
UNABLE TO SECURE DRIVER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT ON 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 PURCHASED NEW IN OCTOBER 2012. *TR