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.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE AT A COMPLETED STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 28, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, WENT OVER THE CURB, AND SLAMMED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS UNDER EVALUATION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Seat belts, Visibility/wiper, Oct 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) AND 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V054000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF INVALID VIN CONSUMER STATED DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 6/26/18*JB
Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2016
THE DOOR LOCKS WONT LOCK WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE..THEY USE TO WORK BUT NOW I HAVE TO LOCK THEM WITH THE BUTTON AND I HAVE A 21/2 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGTER WHO SITS IN THE BACK AND AM AFRAID WHEN THE CAR IS GOING CAN OPEN THE CAR WHEN IT IS GOING DOWN THE ROAD IF THE DOORS ARE NOT LOCKED. THIS IS A HAZARD AND DEFECT.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 11, 2016
THIS RECALL WAS INITIALLY ISSUED ON SEPT.17, 2015. AS OF OCT. 11, 2016 NO FIX HAS BEEN ISSUED. A YEAR IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TIME FOR TOYOTA TO COME UP WITH A REPAIR METHOD AND IMPLEMENTATION. TO DATE, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 5, 2016
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING WATER DRIPPING ONTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR LINK. OVER TIME THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE CORROSION & WEAR @ THE WIPER MOTOR LINK JOINT RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINK FROM THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM. RECALL DATE WAS 9-17-15 (OVER A YEAR). I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID LOSS OF MY WIPER AND A CORROSION PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Seat belts, Oct 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Seat belts, Sep 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Seat belts, Aug 28, 2016
REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELTS
Air bags, Aug 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 18, 2016, crash
WHILE STOPPED IN A LEFT TURN LANE AT A MAJOR CITY INTERSECTION BEHIND A LINE OF ABOUT 6 STOPPED CARS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RACE AT HIGH SPEED. THE CAR MOVED FORWARD AND HIT THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT BEFORE I COULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE HARD. I DID THAT, PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AT THE IGNITION KEY BEFORE CHECKING ON THE CONDITION OF THE FOLKS IN THE CAR IN FRONT. THERE WAS NO WAY THAT I COULD HAVE MISTAKEN WHICH PEDAL WAS WHICH, AS I WAS ALREADY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP FROM MOVING.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 8, 2016
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN LATE 2015. PART NEEDED TO SATISFY RECALL AS OF AUG. 2016 IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AT LOCAL DEALER. WORRIED ABOUT POSSIBLE FAILURE OF WIPERS DURING TRAVEL.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V233000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Seat belts, Visibility/wiper, Jul 9, 2016
I OWN A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER), BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PART FROM THE DEALER FOR AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Seat belts, Visibility/wiper, Jul 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER), BUT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PART FROM THE DEALER FOR AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000(VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Seat belts, Jul 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Seat belts, Jul 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 24, 2016
I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT APPX: 35-40MPH. ON US INTERSTATE #66. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, AND THE ROAD WAS RELATIVELY LEVEL. AS THE OTHER CARS SLOWED, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. UPDATED 01/11/17*LJ I --LITERALLY--HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE AS THE ENGINE SURGED. I MANAGED TO PUSH THE SHIFTER INTO PARK. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE BUT, WHEN I PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR SEVERAL TIMES, THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED BACK TO IDLE. I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT. I HAVE HAD TWO (2) SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN THE LAST 5-6 MONTHS-- BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I REPORTED IT--TO BOTH NHTSA AND TOYOTA. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, EXPECTING A QUICK FIX BUT INSTEAD, THE DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL BECAME DEFENSIVE, CLAIMED THAT THE WELL KNOWN HISTORY OF TOYOTA ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WAS A FRAUD. NEVERTHELESS, THEY HAD A PREPRINTED" UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION" REPORT FORM WHICH THEY FILLED OUT WITH MY "VERBATIM" ACCOUNTS. UPDATED 06/13/18*JB