2012 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
15/100
#18 most-complained of 21 RAV4 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2012 Toyota RAV4 has 260 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 15 out of 100 — #18 highest of 21 RAV4 model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (69 complaints, 27% of the total). Complaints report 36 crashes, 4 fires, and 22 injuries.
- Complaints
- 260
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 36 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27 hwy
Top 2012 Toyota RAV4 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine69 (27%)
- Visibility & Wipers59 (23%)
- Brakes44 (17%)
- Electrical System32 (12%)
- Seat Belts30 (12%)
- Other29 (11%)
- Airbags22 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (7%)
- Structure & Body18 (7%)
- Steering9 (3%)
2012 Toyota RAV4 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V096000Feb 19, 2016Seat Belts1,123,752 vehicles
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 outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 15V577000Sep 18, 2015Visibility & Wipers423,456 vehicles
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 connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V054000Feb 12, 2014Brakes261,114 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
2012 Toyota RAV4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Toyota RAV4 a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Toyota RAV4 ranks #18 of 21 among RAV4 model years (Complaint Index 15/100, verdict: Best). It has 260 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota RAV4?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (69 complaints), visibility & wipers (59 complaints), and brakes (44 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 25,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota RAV4, most recently reported 2016, covering seat belts, visibility & wipers, brakes, and other.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Toyota RAV4?
- EPA rates the 2012 Toyota RAV4 at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.