2012 Toyota Rav4: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 355 complaints
355
Total Complaints
27,000mi
Median Mileage
Visibility/Wiper
Top Issue
56
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
8,400
25th Percentile
27,000
Median Mileage
60,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Visibility/Wiper
53
Vehicle Speed Control
49
Service Brakes
34
Electrical System
30
Seat Belts
30
Unknown Or Other
26
Air Bags
22
Engine
22
Power Train
19
Body
12
Severity Assessment
56
Crashes
8
Fires
26
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THERE WAS A RAPID INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OPENED THE D..."
"THE ANGLE OF THE FORWARD-LEANING HEADRESTS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT UP STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THEY PUSH THE DRIVER'S HEAD FORWARD, CAUSING NECK AND BACK PAIN. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND DANGEROUS SINCE MANY PEOPLE ARE TURNING THE HEADRESTS AROUND IN ORDER TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY. THANK YOU. *TR"
"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 VEHICL..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Visibility/Wiper
53 complaints
25th: 10,500 mi
Median: 33,251 mi
75th: 75,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
49 complaints
25th: 4,000 mi
Median: 10,600 mi
75th: 49,000 mi
Service Brakes
34 complaints
25th: 6,975 mi
Median: 13,475 mi
75th: 35,536 mi
Electrical System
30 complaints
25th: 10,000 mi
Median: 33,000 mi
75th: 85,000 mi
Seat Belts
30 complaints
25th: 19,056 mi
Median: 24,500 mi
75th: 57,250 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
NY: 38
PA: 30
CA: 29
FL: 25
NJ: 18
OH: 17
VA: 16
MA: 14
TX: 13
CO: 12
Who Files Complaints?
2%
Original Owners
98%
Second+ Owners
Toyota Rav4 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (5)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Rear/Other
Campaign 16V096000 | 19/02/2016
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.
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 14V054000 | 12/02/2014
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.
Visibility/Wiper
Campaign 15V577000 | 18/09/2015
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 w
Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Campaign 13V014000 | 16/01/2013
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 de
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.
Labels
Campaign 13V123000 | 09/04/2013
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-
Maintain Visibility
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace wiper blades every 6-12 months
- Keep the washer fluid reservoir full — use winter-rated fluid in cold climates
- Clean the inside of the windshield quarterly to reduce glare
- Address windshield chips immediately — they spread with temperature changes
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28