2012 Toyota RAV4: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2012 / toyota / rav4
known issues5 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-09)
complaints266 on file (2012-02-29 → 2026-06-17)
recalls5
investigations0
fars100 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Windshield wiper motor and washer pump failureVISIBILITY/WIPER45 complaints2016-04 → 2025-09rav4-2012-wiper-motor-failure
  • 11687761 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
  • 11528402 The contact stated that upon activating the windshield wipers, the wipers responded erratically. The contact stated that the wipers moved significantly slowly, changed direction, and paused in the center of the windshield. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated
  • 11244309 I TURNED THE WIPERS ON THE OTHER DAY WHEN IT WAS RAINING, THEY CAME ON AND MADE ONE WIPE UP AND STOPPED ON THE DOWNWARD WIPE. I GOT OUT AND PULLED ON ONE SIDE AND THEY WIPED SEVERAL MORE TIMES THEN STOPPED AGAIN. I PULLED ON THEM AGAIN AND THEY MOVED BUT VERY SLOWLY THEN THEY
Seat belt recall parts unavailable or buckle malfunctionSEAT BELTS27 complaints2014-10 → 2017-07rav4-2012-seat-belt-recall-parts
  • 11005251 WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND BEEN CALLING THE DEALER REPEATEDLY. THEY STATE AS OF TODAY THEY STILL CAN NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT AS THEY HAVE NO PARTS AND HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED. NOR WILL THEY SCHEDULE TO REPAIR INTO THE FUTURE. THIS RECALL EFFECTS THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK
  • 10985688 THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER TIGHTENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT BY ANOTHER DRIVER
  • 10983511 WHILE FASTENING THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE BUCKLE FAILED TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LUBRICATED THE BUCKLE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT
Unintended engine acceleration while braking or stoppedVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL20 complaints2016-12 → 2025-03rav4-2012-sudden-acceleration-braking
  • 11650394 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
  • 11174879 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
  • 10936736 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
Body paint peeling and bubbling down to primerSTRUCTURE8 complaints2019-02 → 2026-06rav4-2012-paint-peeling-body
  • 11735644 My vehicles clear coat and paint in the top has been peeling at an alarming rate, a year or so ago it started, but the last 6 months have been excrutiating. This problem poses a risk to me as if the issue continues on, oxidation might occur and possibly lead to holes in the
  • 11355343 PAINT IS PEELING ON MULTIPLE PANELS. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD BODY DAMAGE OR BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT
  • 11181575 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
Airbag warning light on or unexpected airbag deploymentAIR BAGS11 complaints2016-03 → 2024-08rav4-2012-airbag-warning-deployment
  • 11609926 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
  • 11151726 THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS MEANS THAT IN CASE OF A VEHICLE CRASH MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, YET I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER RAV 4 OWNERS THAT HAVE VIN NUMBERS WITHIN THE RECALL
  • 10897900 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

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
2662012-02-292026-06-17394VISIBILITY/WIPER:54; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:50; SERVICE BRAKES:39; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:31; SEAT BELTS:31

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
16V09600019/02/2016SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHERToyota 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.
14V05400012/02/2014SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEToyota 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.
15V57700018/09/2015VISIBILITY/WIPERToyota 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.
13V01400016/01/2013AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVESoutheast 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.
13V12300009/04/2013EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSSoutheast 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.

Investigations all years →

none listed

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-2024100legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Toyota RAV4 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/toyota/rav4
@misc{wrenchpro_2012_toyota_rav4_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Toyota RAV4},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/toyota/rav4}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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