2012 Toyota RAV4 problems
Owners have filed 357 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota RAV4. Wipers, windshield & visibility is the most reported problem area, at 17% of complaints. After that come cruise control (14%) and brakes (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 357 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 56 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 26 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 27,000 miles 237 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 97 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 51 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 29 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 17 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 20 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 10 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 237 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 27,000 miles. For wipers, windshield & visibility specifically, the median reported mileage is about 32,000 miles (24 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 56 complaints mention a crash; 8 complaints mention a fire; 26 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 14th most-complained-about out of 30 model years of the Toyota RAV4 with enough data (248 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota rav-4. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the vehicle would make a clicking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The technician stated that it was normal for a new vehicle to make noises but proceeded to replace the brakes pad and shim kit. Additionally, all of the brake components were lubricated however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, she attempted to apply the brakes and they failed to respond.
My toyota rav4 was involved in an accident where it was struck on the passenger door causing my car to roll on its side, deploying the curtain airbags but the side airbags were never deployed causing additional injuries to the occupants.
Got into a severe car accident. The vehicle that hit us was going approx 50MPH head on. Our air bags did not deploy...updated 03/15/16
This incident occurred on a tues nite in nov2012 at 930est. I had been playing bridge at a club house . I attempted to start car(this is a keyless ignition system)by normal procedure. Press brake, then press start button.nothing happened!I waited a few seconds, tried again,no joy. I got out to maybe hitch a ride, but all others had left. I opened and closed all doors plus thetailgate. I got back in at the car started ok.
Both front drive axles exhibited signs of severe corrosion damage leading to complete loss of lubricant and had to be replaced at 34,056 miles. The vehicle is garaged and not subject to any unusual operating conditions. Symptoms included severe cracking and popping noises on turns.