2012 Toyota RAV4
5 recalls and 266 owner complaints on record for this model year.
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This page describes the model. To see how one particular car is equipped, and whether its identifier is valid, decode its VIN.
Decode a VIN5 recalls and 266 owner complaints on record for this model year.
This page describes the model. To see how one particular car is equipped, and whether its identifier is valid, decode its VIN.
Decode a VINAlmost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
Due to a software issue, the Parking Assist control unit that works with the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) to show the rearview camera image may briefly freeze when backing up if reverse gear is selected shortly after starting the vehicle. In addition, the rearview camera may not appear the next time the vehicle is started if the vehicle is turned on and off again within a short time window. This may increase the risk of a crash with a person or another vehicle during a backing event. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
A flaw in the vehicle's combination meter programming causes it to deteriorate its memory. Due to this the display of the monitor may not work, removing access to the speedometer and warnings. This increases the risk of accidents. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Due to a specific software update error that can cause an abrupt reset, the data communication module (DCM) may not restart at the next ignition cycle. It will no longer be possible to initiate an emergency call using the eCall system, increasing the risk of injuries, delayed assistance in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
The design of the accessory immobilizer is not robust enough. It allows the vehicle to be in 'Ready ON' mode even when no match is found between the vehicle and its key but will switch the vehicle to 'Ready OFF' after. It can happen while driving, which will stop the car and increase the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
The auxiliary battery terminal may be faulty. This can disable the power steering support. Moreover, the battery terminal can overheat at low speeds, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
The voltage of the high voltage (HV) battery may drop rapidly when the accelerator pedal is rapidly pressed to further accelerate the vehicle after it has been continuously driven in “EV mode” in cold outside temperatures.As a result, the hybrid system will shut down, resulting in loss of motive power, which may lead to an increased risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Matched on brand and model name — Safety Gate publishes no VIN. Check the production dates, and quote the recall code to a dealer.
ON JUNE10TH. I HAD A MAJOIR ACCIDENT IN WHICH BOTH MY WIFE & MYSELF SUFFERED FRACTURED STERNUMS & FRACTURED RIBS. WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT I PULLED INTO A LOT IN PRINCETON, N.J. & AFTER STOPPING TO SET MY GPS, I JUST TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR & THE CAR SHOT FORWARD, AS IF SHOT OUT OF A CANNON. WHILE STOPPED I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE & THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS IN THE SAME MANNER, THEREBY STRIKING A WALL. NOW I WENT FORWARD LIKE A ROCKET, WITH NO TIME TO HIT THE BRAKE, THEREBY GOING HEADFIRST INTO A PARKED CONSTRUCTION TRUCK.
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 *BF *TR
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. *TR
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. AS A RESULT, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND MINOR BURNS CAUSED BY THE SEAT BELT AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. 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. Medical attention was provided to both occupants. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire or crash. The vehicle was towed to a tow plaza. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
Over the last 4 years I have had 2 prior occurrence where I've lost power turning or stopping, causing the engine to stall. Both times the vehicle was taken to our mechanic and he replaced the connectors to the battery. On January 18th, 2024, while turning off of a rural highway onto the street we live on I again lost power and the engine stalled and smelled a faint electrical smell. I called my mechanic and he said he could get it in on January 22nd. We checked all connections to the battery, made sure the battery terminals were clean. The morning of January 22nd, while on my way to the mechanic the vehicle in front of me stopped quickly. I started to stop a little quicker than normal, causing the front of the vehicle to tip down. I immediately lost power and the engine died, causing me to rear end the vehicle in front of me. The collisions was at slow speed, but it also caused disproportionate damage to my vehicle. Over the weekend of January 20th, we became aware if a recall for 2013 to 2018 Rav4s regarding the tops of newer batteries being smaller and causing problems with the battery shifting causing loss of power and potential fires. We strongly believe this recall needs to be extended to the 2012s.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A DRIVER SIDE IMPACT COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED OR SALVAGEABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER WAS SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT AND REQUIRED X-RAYS DUE TO THE RISK TO THE INFANT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 EV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REMEDY. FIVE DAYS AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD TO A HIGH SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED OVER A MEDIAN, A CONCRETE BARRIER, AND INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR WHIPLASH, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAITED OVER THREE WEEKS FOR THE MANUFACTURER'S ENGINEER TO PROVIDE AN ANALYSIS ON HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO A DEALER WHERE THE BODY WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
DRIVING ON ROAD, HEADED TOWARDS HIGHWAY. LIGHT WAS GREEN AND I CONTINUED TO FORWARD TO GET ONTO HIGHWAY. A DRIVER A COUPLE CARS AHEAD STOPPED SUDDENLY BEFORE ENTERING ONRAMP TO HIGHWAY AND I SLAMMED INTO THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. THE TRUCK WAS JACKED UP SOME AND I HIT A STEEL BUMPER, WITH A TRAILER HITCH. MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, FRONT RIGHT SIDE RECEIVED MOST OF THE DAMAGE, BUT MY CAR WAS DETERMINED TOTALED AS IT HAD MORE THAN $14,000 DAMAGE. THE ENGINE WASN'T DAMAGED, THE WINDSHIELD FLUID WAS STILL IN THE CONTAINER, THE BATTERY WASN'T DAMAGED, YET THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR TOOK OFF AFTER I HIT HIM. IN THE QUESTION ABOVE, I CHECKED THE AFFECTED PARTS AS THE AIRBAGS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE MY CONCERN IS. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I RECEIVED WHIPLASH WITH A TORN LIGAMENT IN MY NECK. I HAVE ADDITIONAL INJURIES ON MY KNEE, AS MY KNEE SLAMMED INTO SOMETHING, STEERING WHEEL, BOTTOM OF DASHBOARD OR SOMETHING. ALL ARE CONSIDERED MINOR INJURIES, AS I WALKED AWAY. BUT I'M STILL CURRENTLY IN PAIN, WITH REGULAR HEADACHES. DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE COULD BE SO MUCH DAMAGE ON MY CAR TO TOTAL IT AND YET THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T INFLATE. THE COLLISION SHOP WAS UNSURE AS WELL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WOBBLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIB AND UPPER TORSO CONTUSIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.
I HAD A SEIZURE WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD, STOPPED BY A PALM TREE. IT HIT THE CAR ON THE RIGHT FRONT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, PERHAPS FOR GOING TO SLOW OR NOT. I WILL SAY THAT THE PALM TREE STOPPED THE CAR. I WAS MOVING FORWARD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE TREE. I FRACTURED MY SHOULDER. I DISLOCATED MY SHOULDER, AND BRUISED SEVERAL RIBS. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. I WAS IN A HOSPITAL FOR FIVE DAYS, SURGERY TOOK PLACE THERE. I WAS UNABLE TO WORK FOR TWO AND A HALF MONTHS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE LEFT COLLAR BONE DUE TO THE TIGHTNESS OF THE SEAT BELT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSES AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED RIB AND STERNUM INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,800. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ UPDATED 06/20/2013 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THEY WOULD CONTACT HER AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,620. UPDATED 07/25/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CHANGED GEARS ON ITS OWN, AND THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN AS WELL. UPDATED 08/08/12
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.