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
266 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Nov 12, 2012
DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND BRAKING FOR CAR IN FRONT OF ME BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. READJUSTED MYSELF AND PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKES BUT STILL ROLLING. BRAKES TO FLOOR BUT STILL MOVING. HAD BRAKE PRESSED TO FLOOR AND ENDED UP ROLLING INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MINOR SCRATCHES ON MY FRONT BUT NONE ON CAR AHEAD OF ME. GOT OUT BECAUSE I THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND BECAUSE COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY I COULDN'T STOP. NO DAMAGE TO REAR. GOT BACK IN CAR AND DROVE HOME. BRAKES WORKED FINE SINCE. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM. UNSURE WHAT HAPPENED BUT I DID NOT SLAM ON BRAKES AND WAS ALERT AND PAYING ATTENTION WHEN BRAKES FAILED MOMENTARILY. DEALERSHIP ASSURED ME CAR WAS FINE. HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT SOMEONE FROM A RAV4 SITE SAID I SHOULD POST HERE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AS THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES HARDER AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SENT SOMEONE TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/19/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN. UPDATED 1/9/2013 *JS
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 2, 2012
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WAITING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. A CAR WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WERE GOING TO TAKE OFF. I PUSHED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS FAR DOWN AS I COULD. LUCKILY, THE APPROACHING CAR TURNED DOWN THE STREET I WAS STOPPED ON AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN RIGHT. AS SOON AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR SURGED FORWARD LIKE THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT ONE QUARTER MILE FROM MY HOUSE. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY. AFTER I GOT IN THE DRIVEWAY, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE CAR BACK UP AGAIN. I DROVE IT UP AND DOWN THE DRIVEWAY A FEW TIMES AND IT WAS FINE. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT AND IT WAS IN PLACE. VERY SCARY! *TR
Visibility, Oct 21, 2012
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AND SHATTERED, SENDING GLASS PARTICLES THROUGHOUT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. DRIVER SUSTAINED SMALL CUT TO LEFT MIDDLE FINGER. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SUNNY AND DRY WITHOUT ROAD HAZARDS. NO OTHER VEHICLES IN VICINITY. NO GRAVEL ON ROAD. WINDOW APPEARED TO BE INTACT PRIOR TO THIS SPONTANEOUS INCIDENT. *TR
Seats, Oct 15, 2012
THE HEAD RESTRAINT WILL NOT LET ME SIT UP COMFORTABLY. IT PUSHES MY HEAD FORWARD CAUSING NECK PAIN. CAN'T JUST LEAN SEAT BACK MORE AS SOME SUGGEST. THAT WOULD JUST DECREASE THE INADEQUATE BACK SUPPORT IN THE SEAT EVEN FURTHER! *TR
Power train, Sep 25, 2012
I PARKED MY CAR IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AND PROCEEDED TO CROSS STREET WITH MY CAR PARKED BEHIND ME. THANKFULLY A MAN FACING CAR YELLED "YOUR CAR!" MY NEW CAR WAS ROLLING DOWN THE STREET BACKWARDS, GAINING SPEED DOWN THE INCLINE, HEADED FOR CURB, SIDEWALK AND HUGE TREE. I CHASED THE CAR DOWN THE STREET, GOT DOOR OPEN, JUMPED INSIDE VEHICLE AS IT WAS MOVING AND SLAMMED ON BRAKE, INJURING MY BACK AND SHOULDER IN THE PROCESS. THE PUSH-BUTTON START ALLOWED CAR TO "FREE-WHEEL" OUT OF CONTROL WHEN TURNED OFF, LEFT IN DRIVE, AND KEY LEFT IN CAR. I AM IN AND OUT OF CAR MANY TIMES A DAY. NO OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED WILL ALLOW ME, WITHOUT WARNING, TO LEAVE CAR IF LEFT IN "DRIVE". I WAS NOT INFORMED BY TOYOTA THAT PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION WOULD ALLOW MY CAR TO BECOME A POTENTIAL WEAPON, FREE WHEELING, IF LEFT IN DRIVE AND UNATTENDED. I WOULD LIKE THIS SITUATION TO BE REMEDIED TO SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. EVEN AFTER GOING THROUGH THIS FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE, I CANNOT BE SURE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE WARNING SYSTEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 17, 2012
I PULLED INTO A LEFT TURN LANE TO MAKE A TURN. AS I WAS WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO CLEAR THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THAT STOPPED THE CAR. FORTUNATELY THERE WASN'T A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. I WAS RIDING WITH MY COUSIN AND WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR ON A BUSY STREET. THE CAR SURGED, MY COUSIN ASKED IF I HAD STEPPED ON THE GAS, I HADN'T. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I TOLD THE TECH WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE SAID THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. TOOK THE CAR FOR A SHORT DRIVE AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THIS WEEK THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO LUG DOWN WHEN IT SHIFTS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THIS CAR, NOT TO MENTION THE DEFECT IN THE PARALYZED WHITE PAINT. ONE TRIP THROUGH THE CAR WASH WITH NORMAL DIRT AND THE TOP LAYER OF PAINT CAME OFF IN ONE AREA. THE DEALERSHIP IS TO CALL ME WHEN THE REP COMES IN TO LOOK AT THE PAINT THAT WAS WEEKS AGO AND NO ONE HAS CALLED. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2012
I OPENED THE VEHICLE TRUNK TO PLACE A SMALL BOX INSIDE. WHEN I SHUT THE TRUNK DOOR, THE GLASS ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE, REAR QUARTER PANEL SHATTERED. THE LOCATION WAS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING BECAUSE THE WINDOW WAS LOCATED DIRECTLY BEHIND MY INFANT'S CAR SEAT. THERE WERE NO PRIOR SCRATCHES OR CRACKS ON THE PANE. ALSO, THERE WAS NOTHING ON OR NEAR THE GLASS THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCIDENT. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 1, 2012
THIS IS A LEASED CAR. THIS DATE WAS THE FIRST EPISODE OF A RECURRING PROBLEM. EACH TIME IT TOOK PLACE ON A LOCAL STREET. EACH TIME AS THE DRIVER ( MY WIFE OR MYSELF ) WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE TO BRING THE CAR TO A FULL STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THIS FIRST INCIDENT WAS NOTEWORTHY BUT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE NEWNESS OF THE VEHICLE. THE THREE INCIDENTS THAT FOLLOWED WERE CONSIDERABLY WORSE. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER FROM WHOM THE CAR IS LEASED AND WERE TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN . WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON AUGUST 23 AND PICKED IT UP ON AUGUST 30. AT THAT TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN TESTED AND NOTHING WA WRONG WITH IT. IN OTHER WORDS, TOYOTA HAS NO EXPLANATION OF WHY THESE FOUR INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED SO THAT WE COULD SAFELY TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN.THE LACK OF RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM LEAVES US WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT WE WOULD NEVER USE FOR THE ORIGINAL INTENDED PURPOSE.THE AUGUST 29, 2012, WALL STREET JOURNAL COLUMN 'ME AND MY CAR' HAS A LETTER DESCRIBING A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM ON A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER TWICE. EACH TIME THE LETTER WRITER WAS TOLD WHAT SEEMS TO BE TOYOTA'S STOCK ANSWER, "NOTHING IS WRONG'. THE WSJ COLUMNIST RESPONDS THAT ' COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC SPEEDCONTROL SYSTEMS ON TOYOTA (AND OTHER BRANDS )ARE FREQUENT'. HE GOES ON TO SUGGEST THAT FIGURING THE CAUSE WILL TAKE SEVERAL VISITS TO TOYOTA. NO ADDITIONAL VISITS WERE SCHEDULED OR EVEN SUGGESTED BY TOYOTA. *TR
Suspension, Aug 24, 2012
MY REAR SUSPENSION PERIODICALLY THUMPS A FEW MINUTES AFTER I START DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IS MOST NOTICEABLE ON A DIRT ROADS. IT SOUNDS LIKE A ROCK IS HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR, BUT I KNOW IT IS NOT A ROCK! IT ONLY DOES IT ONCE. IT'S LIKE THE SUSPENSION IS BINDING AND THEN RELEASES AFTER A CERTAIN DISTANCE DOWN THE ROAD. *TR
Power train, Aug 24, 2012
MY 2012 HAS DONE THIS VIRTUALLY FROM DAY 1. WHEN BRAKING, THERE IS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION FOR 1/4 TO 1/2 SECOND AT THE TIME THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. I ALSO NOTICE IT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND BRAKING. IT IS MORE DANGEROUS AT SLOWER SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING AT A LIGHT WITH SOMEONE IN FRONT OF YOU. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE PRESSING BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. IT DOES NOT DO THIS ALL THE TIME. MAYBE ONCE OR TWICE A DAY. I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH HOW HARD YOU BRAKE AND WHAT SPEED YOU ARE GOING. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE JUST BEFORE YOU COME TO A STOP. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS JUST AS THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFTS AND MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN IT DOWNSHIFTS TO SECOND OR FIRST. I NOTICE IT WHEN BRAKING SAY FROM 65 TO 55 MPH AS WELL, BUT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT THAT SPEED HAS NO OR MINIMAL AFFECT AND IS NOT THAT NOTICEABLE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2012
VEHICLE IS ONLY A FEW WEEKS OLD AND THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN DEVELOPING A CRACK FROM THE PASSANGER SIDE SPREADING TOWARDS THE CENTER OF AND DOWN TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSANGER SIDE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2012, fire
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE DOORS LOCKED AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP. SOMETIME BETWEEN 10PM AND 5:30AM THERE WAS A FIRE THAT CREATED ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT THE COATING ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND BLOW OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, MELT THE CENTER OF THE DASH AND THE AREA BETWEEN THE VISORS WHERE THE CONTROLS FOR THE SUNROOF AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE. IT ALSO CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRING THAT RESULTED IN TURNING ON THE HEADLIGHTS EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH WAS OFF. WE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE CAR BATTERY TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. TOYOTA DID AN INVESTIGATION AND DECIDED THAT THE AURORA BE ANY BABY ON THE DASH SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT CAUSING THE FIRE AND DAMAGE. SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF OTHER TOYOTAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL I THOUGHT YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS CASE. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Jun 13, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THEY WOULD CONTACT HER AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,620. UPDATED 07/25/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CHANGED GEARS ON ITS OWN, AND THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN AS WELL. UPDATED 08/08/12
Seats, May 25, 2012
THE ANGLE OF THE FORWARD-LEANING HEADRESTS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT UP STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THEY PUSH THE DRIVER'S HEAD FORWARD, CAUSING NECK AND BACK PAIN. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND DANGEROUS SINCE MANY PEOPLE ARE TURNING THE HEADRESTS AROUND IN ORDER TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY. THANK YOU. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THERE WAS A RAPID INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OPENED THE DOORS AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,009.