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2012 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

163 reports with mileage · 97 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports4 fire reports17 injury reports

What owners actually said

260 reports
85,000 miles · Jul 7, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

2012 RAV4 - FOR NO APPARENT REASON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND 4X4 LIGHT HAVE BEEN COMING ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN OFF, THEN ON, ETC. WE GOT A CODE OF P0607, BUT THE CAR IS SHOWING NO SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT CODE ERROR. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING FINE. I HAVE CHECKED THE BATTERY CONNECTION AND THE GAS CAP. BAS…

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2012 RAV4 - FOR NO APPARENT REASON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND 4X4 LIGHT HAVE BEEN COMING ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN OFF, THEN ON, ETC. WE GOT A CODE OF P0607, BUT THE CAR IS SHOWING NO SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT CODE ERROR. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING FINE. I HAVE CHECKED THE BATTERY CONNECTION AND THE GAS CAP. BASED ON A LARGE NUMBER OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS, I WOULD ASK THAT NHTSA SERIOUSLY LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND STRONGLY CONSIDER A RECALL THAT WILL ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM FOR OWNERS. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER WHO HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHTS BACK ON A FEW DAYS LATER. PLEASE HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11229921

85,000 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

MY 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 DRIVER SIDE VISOR STARTED FALLING DOWN ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, LATER WOULD FALL DOWN AND WOULDN'T GO BACK UP AND STAY. THEN IS WAS VERY LOOSE. I WOULD MOVE IT TO THE SIDE BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE TO DRIVE. THIS LAST TIME I TRIED TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF. MY PASSENGER SIDE IS DOING IT AS WELL AN…

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MY 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 DRIVER SIDE VISOR STARTED FALLING DOWN ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, LATER WOULD FALL DOWN AND WOULDN'T GO BACK UP AND STAY. THEN IS WAS VERY LOOSE. I WOULD MOVE IT TO THE SIDE BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE TO DRIVE. THIS LAST TIME I TRIED TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF. MY PASSENGER SIDE IS DOING IT AS WELL AND MAKING IT HARD FOR THE PASSENGERS TO SEE AND EVEN MYSELF BECAUSE IT'S CONSTANTLY BLOCKING MY VIEW OF THAT SIDE. I'M VERY AGGRAVATED BECAUSE I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA! MY VEHICLE WASN'T CHEAP BUT APPARENTLY THE PARTS THEY PUT IN THEM ARE. I AM INCLUDING THE FIRST PICTURE OF ME AT A 4WAY RED LIGHT TO SHOW MY VIEW DRIVING AND AT A RED LIGHT, I CAN'T SEE AND HAVE TO BEND DOWN TO DO SO. ALSO THE LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. I ALSO INCLUDED PICTURES OF THE FABRIC BUBBLING OFF. MY VEHICLE WAS GARBAGE KEPT FOR 6 YEARS AND FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO IT'S BEEN OUTSIDE. ALSO, MY WIPERS POP AND GET STUCK WHEN TRYING TO USE THEM. EVEN IF IT'S RAINING OR JUST CLEANING MY WINDSHIELD OFF. THEY WILL GO AND THEN IT'S LIKE IT CAN'T AND GETS STUCK BUT IT LITERALLY WILL MAKE A POP SOUND AND BOUNCE WHEN TRYING TO USE THEM. IT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS AND EVERYONE COMPLAINS ABOUT THEM WHEN RIDING WITH ME. I'M SO FRUSTRATED WITH IT. THEY HAVE DONE IT THE WHOLE TIME I'VE OWNED IT AND I'M THE ONLY OWNER OF IT.

NHTSA ODI #11229175

47,000 miles · May 21, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

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: HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/AMP/S/WWW.RAV4WORLD.COM/FORUMS/96-4-3-GENER…

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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: HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/AMP/S/WWW.RAV4WORLD.COM/FORUMS/96-4-3-GENERAL/196945-4WD-STUCK.HTML%3FAMP=1

NHTSA ODI #11208911

98,000 miles · Apr 3, 2019
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD NOT REMAIN SECURED AND FELL DOWN, WHICH WAS A VISIBILITY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE KELLY TOYOTA (1 MARY JANE WOOD DR, UNION TOWN, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD NOT REMAIN SECURED AND FELL DOWN, WHICH WAS A VISIBILITY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE KELLY TOYOTA (1 MARY JANE WOOD DR, UNION TOWN, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #11193595

58,000 miles · Mar 28, 2019
Engine

AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT WITH A SPEED OF APPROX. 60 MPH, I HEARD A STRANGE ENGINE NOISE. I SAW THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLICKERING AND THEN I EXITED THE HIGHWAY, PARKING ON A NEARBY STREET. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THE DIP STICK WAS DRY. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A AUTO SHOP. THE FIRST SHOP ( NOT TOYOTA) DETERMINED THE …

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AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT WITH A SPEED OF APPROX. 60 MPH, I HEARD A STRANGE ENGINE NOISE. I SAW THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLICKERING AND THEN I EXITED THE HIGHWAY, PARKING ON A NEARBY STREET. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THE DIP STICK WAS DRY. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A AUTO SHOP. THE FIRST SHOP ( NOT TOYOTA) DETERMINED THE OIL LEAK WAS FROM THE OIL FILTER CAP O-RING WHICH PART OF IT FLATTEN AND EXTENDED OUT CAUSING A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL TO LEAK OUT. THE SECOND SHOP( NOT TOYOTA) WHO DID THE LAST OIL CHANGE ( UNKNOWN BRAND OF FILTER KIT USED) REPLACED THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC OIL FILTER CAP WITH AN AFTER MARKET METAL ONE AND REFILLED APPROX. 3 QUARTS OF OIL. I WAS NEVER TOLD WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE OIL FILTER CAP O-RING. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE BUT I'M CONCERNED THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11192137

93,000 miles · Mar 19, 2019
EnginePower Train

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO AN ENGINE KNOCK. AFTER 90 MINUTES TO TROUBLESHOOT I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. ENGINE MOUNT WAS BROKEN, NEEDED REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED. MECHANIC HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11190078

60,000 miles · Mar 7, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MARCH 06 2019 WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ALL THREE LIGHTS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, 4WD LIGHT, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALL CAME ON. WE ARE RELIGIOUS WITH OUR SERVICE WITH DEANSHIP. BIG COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE COMPLAINED OF FOLLOWING WEBSITE. I BELIEVE THIS IS ISSUE WITH TOYOTA HOW THEY BUILD THERE PRODUCT. WWW.CARGURU…

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MARCH 06 2019 WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ALL THREE LIGHTS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, 4WD LIGHT, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALL CAME ON. WE ARE RELIGIOUS WITH OUR SERVICE WITH DEANSHIP. BIG COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE COMPLAINED OF FOLLOWING WEBSITE. I BELIEVE THIS IS ISSUE WITH TOYOTA HOW THEY BUILD THERE PRODUCT. WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-D306_DS582579

NHTSA ODI #11184813

40,000 miles · Feb 21, 2019
Structure

THE WHITE PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF THE CAR IN MANY LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE ROOF, HOOD, BUMPERS, AND DOORS. THERE IS NO RUST PRESENT NOR WAS THE CAR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. THE PAINT IS SIMPLY BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF. THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED THE MAJORITY OF ITS LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #11181575

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2019
Structure

RUST UNDER HOOD

NHTSA ODI #11181051

43,000 miles · Feb 6, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS COMING TO A STOPLIGHT AND PRESS THE BRAKES THE CAR CAME TO STOP THEN THE ENGINE REVVED UP VERY FAST. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES BUT THE ENGINE WAS REVVING VERY FAST THAT I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK THEN THE ENGINE STOP REVVING.

NHTSA ODI #11174879

Official recalls

5

16V096000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Feb 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: 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.

15V577000 · Visibility/wiper

Sep 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

14V054000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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 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.

Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

13V123000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Toyota RAV4 problems