NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
In a frontal collision, the rear outboard seat belts may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames at no cost.
This page covers 5 recalls, 265 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Toyota RAV4.
76 MPGe combined
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints filed against the 2012 Toyota RAV4 cluster most heavily around visibility and speed control. On the visibility side, owners widely report persistent window fogging that doesn't clear regardless of HVAC setting, defrost, fan, fresh air, or air conditioning, making it difficult to see while driving. A smaller group reports wiper-related problems. Speed control complaints are the second-largest named group, with owners describing unintended acceleration events where the vehicle surged without driver input and, in some cases, felt unresponsive to braking or steering during the episode. Seatbelt complaints round out the top three reported systems, though the narratives don't point to a single dominant symptom there. Scattered reports also mention excessive oil consumption accompanied by warning lights, and paint or clear coat peeling on the roof.
265
Total Complaints
39
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
18
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Toyota RAV4 has 5 recalls, the most serious affecting RAV4 EV models, where a software fault in the electric drive motor can cause the vehicle to drop into neutral and lose drive power without warning. On the braking side, a defect in the brake actuator can disable the anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control all at once, leaving the driver with reduced ability to stop or steer in an emergency. There is also a seatbelt concern: in a frontal crash, the rear outboard seatbelts can be cut by the seat cushion frame, meaning the belt may not hold the occupant. On the visibility side, water can drip onto the wiper linkage joint, corrode it over time, and eventually cause the wiper linkage to separate from the motor, leaving the driver without wipers in wet conditions.
At a glance
What can fail
In a frontal collision, the rear outboard seat belts may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames at no cost.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can drip onto the connection between the wiper linkage and wiper motor, potentially causing the wiper system to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the water diverter channel and install a new wiper linkage with motor crank arm, protective cover, and retainer ring.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software problem in the electric traction motor may cause the motor to shift into neutral, resulting in loss of drive power.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing defect can affect the electric brake actuator, causing warning lights to appear and disabling ABS, traction control, and stability control systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle stability control computer software and perform repairs as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An electrical component in the brake actuator may develop increased resistance, causing warning lights for Vehicle Stability Control, Antilock Brakes, and Traction Control to illuminate.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software in the Skid Control electronic control unit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
