2012 Toyota RAV4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2012 Toyota RAV4 ranks 18th out of 21 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 15 and a Best verdict. It has 260 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no reported deaths, making it one of the stronger RAV4 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #18 of 21 RAV4 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 260
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 36
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 22
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 0
Top 2012 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe unintended acceleration or the engine surging when shifting out of park or reversing, sometimes resulting in a crash into a parked object.
- Some report the brake pedal feeling like it sinks or the vehicle continuing to accelerate despite braking, leading to rear-end collisions.
- A vehicle electrical fire was reported overnight while parked, melting the windshield coating and dashboard near the sunroof and interior light controls.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a frontal crash into a pole at approximately 35 mph, resulting in rib and sternum injuries.
- Owners note a persistent clicking noise from the brakes that dealers attributed to normal new-vehicle sounds before replacing brake pads and shims.
- One driver reported the vehicle rolling on a sloped driveway after exiting without fully engaging park.
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 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2012 RAV4 ranks 18th out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 15 and a Best verdict, making it one of the more favorable years for this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 RAV4?
- NHTSA data shows the top problem area is the engine, accounting for 27% of complaints (69 total), followed by visibility and wiper issues at 23% and brakes at 17%.
- Does the 2012 RAV4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 RAV4, covering seat belts, visibility and wipers, brakes, structure and body, and another labeled 'Other'. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 RAV4 compare to other RAV4 years?
- The 2012 RAV4's complaint index of 15 is much lower than the worst years like 2021 (100) and 2019 (95), and it shares the Best verdict with years like 2013, 2014, and 2022.
- Were there any crashes or fires reported for the 2012 RAV4?
- NHTSA data shows 36 crashes, 4 fires, and 22 injuries reported for the 2012 RAV4, with no reported deaths.