Total Complaints
355 filings
TOYOTA RAV4 · model year
355 NHTSA complaints, 56 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012TOYOTARAV4 carries 355 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 56 crashes, 8 fires, 26 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 RAV4 is visibility/wiper with 53 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (49) and service brakes (34). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2012 RAV4, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
355 filings
Crashes Reported
56 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 53 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 49 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 34 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 30 |
| SEAT BELTS | 30 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 26 |
| ENGINE | 22 |
| AIR BAGS | 22 |
| POWER TRAIN | 19 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 12 |
| STEERING | 9 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 7 |
| SUSPENSION | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 4 |
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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 c
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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 y
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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, 2010-20
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone, where it was scanned with an OBD2 scanner and DTC: P0607, P1603, and P1604 were retrieved. The vehicle was taken to another local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an unknown electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000
Mileage: 138,000
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone, where it was scanned with an OBD2 scanner and DTC: P0607, P1603, and P1604 were retrieved. The vehicle was taken to another local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an unknown electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000
Mileage: 138,000
The small pipe that's part of the Upper Radiator Coolant Hose Connector Adapter broke off and drained coolant from the vehicle. This small pipe had deteriorated and become brittle leading to the failure.
The windshield pump is not working front and back The wipers turn but no liquid comes out though the tank is full It does not make the sound it normally does when it pumps the windshield liquid Dealer wants almost $200 just to look at it and verify the problem
I have a 2012 Toyota Rav-4 Limited . I have had the vehicle since 2020. Ever since I bought the vehicle it fogs up. All the windows fog up and it does not matter what setting I have it on, de-foggers, fan, fresh air, AC, etc. nothing resolves the problem.It is very dangerous as I cannot see where I am going. I cannot use the front de-foggers in bad weather because it makes the afore mentioned problem worse.I have to put the windows down to see and this remedy is not feasible. I have researched and a lot of other people are experiencing this same safety issue in this model vehicle. I love the vehicle but dread bad weather as it is a struggle to see . Please help.
I have a 2012 Toyota Rav-4 Limited . I have had the vehicle since 2020. Ever since I bought the vehicle it fogs up. All the windows fog up and it does not matter what setting I have it on, de-foggers, fan, fresh air, AC, etc. nothing resolves the problem.It is very dangerous as I cannot see where I am going. I cannot use the front de-foggers in bad weather because it makes the afore mentioned problem worse.I have to put the windows down to see and this remedy is not feasible. I have researched and a lot of other people are experiencing this same safety issue in this model vehicle. I love the vehicle but dread bad weather as it is a struggle to see . Please help.
Unknown
While at the end of a car wash with the car in neutral, the car accelerated by itself. It reached 60 mph for over a half mile, and was unresponsive to steering and brakes. The left front wheel was severely damaged. Fortunately, there were no accidents.
While at the end of a car wash with the car in neutral, the car accelerated by itself. It reached 60 mph for over a half mile, and was unresponsive to steering and brakes. The left front wheel was severely damaged. Fortunately, there were no accidents.
While at the end of a car wash with the car in neutral, the car accelerated by itself. It reached 60 mph for over a half mile, and was unresponsive to steering and brakes. The left front wheel was severely damaged. Fortunately, there were no accidents.
Over the last several years, I have experienced a minimum of four, possibly one or two more, incidents of this vehicle accelerating at a high rate while I have had my foot on the brake. In all of these cases, I was braking to come to a stop - braking quickly and hard in a couple cases. While braking and slowing, my engine revved/accelerated at a very high rate. In all of these incidents, I changed gears to neutral, and the acceleration stopped. These incidents were random and very far apart from one another in terms of time. In all cases, my foot was firmly (and only) on the brake pedal, and my floor mat was in the proper position and secure. There was nothing in contact with the acceleration pedal. On Monday, March 10, 2025, I got into my car in our garage to go to work. The car started normally. When I put my car into reverse, the engine started revving/accelerating at a very high rate and it was lurching, like it was trying to move. Luckily, my foot was firmly on the brake, and t
Constant brake issues Sun visors won't stay in place (breaks) Massive oil consumption (not leaking) Oil on dipstick appears black & burnt quickly after adding or replacing oil
Constant brake issues Sun visors won't stay in place (breaks) Massive oil consumption (not leaking) Oil on dipstick appears black & burnt quickly after adding or replacing oil
No accident but dealer mechanic says I need a new transmission as torque converter is the problem. . Car has 107500 miles and has had routine maintenance. I have since learned that there were dealer service bulletins on this issue and some owners got repairs. My vehicle, a 2012 RAV4, was not included in the bulletin. I read many situations like mine on the RAV4world website and other social media. Toyota needs to be held accountable for the thousands in repair costs owners are experiencing for a design flaw. The safety issue is the transmission could fail prematurely.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 65 MPH, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. The driver sustained burns to the neck, skeletal injuries, and bruises. The passenger sustained skeletal injuries, cuts, bruises, and throat issues. Medical attention was provided to both occupants. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire or crash. The vehicle was towed to a tow plaza. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
Mileage: 132,000
Over the last 4 years I have had 2 prior occurrence where I've lost power turning or stopping, causing the engine to stall. Both times the vehicle was taken to our mechanic and he replaced the connectors to the battery. On January 18th, 2024, while turning off of a rural highway onto the street we live on I again lost power and the engine stalled and smelled a faint electrical smell. I called my mechanic and he said he could get it in on January 22nd. We checked all connections to the battery, made sure the battery terminals were clean. The morning of January 22nd, while on my way to the mechanic the vehicle in front of me stopped quickly. I started to stop a little quicker than normal, causing the front of the vehicle to tip down. I immediately lost power and the engine died, causing me to rear end the vehicle in front of me. The collisions was at slow speed, but it also caused disproportionate damage to my vehicle. Over the weekend of January 20th, we became aware if a recall for 2
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, traction control, and 4WD drive warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for approximately two months. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Mileage: 125,000
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, traction control, and 4WD drive warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for approximately two months. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Mileage: 125,000
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, traction control, and 4WD drive warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for approximately two months. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Mileage: 125,000
after stepping on the breaks the car the vehicle revs and moves forward
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.