NHTSA lists 260 complaints for the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 36 of them mention a crash and 4 mention a fire. 17 complaints mention an injury, with 22 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as TOYOTA RAV4.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
5 recalls.
Date: 2016-02-19. Systems: SEAT BELTS.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-09-18. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
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 co (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-02-12. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-04-09. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Defect: 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 To (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-01-16. Systems: AIR BAGS, SEATS.
Defect: 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; (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
332 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 163 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 56 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 48 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 21 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 19 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 14 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 11 |
|---|
| AIR BAGS | 10 |
|---|
11028712
Date: 2026-01-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Some 2005 a 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedur
11012742
Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
11012743
Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
11012744
Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
11012735
Date: 2024-12-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film wi
11012727
Date: 2024-12-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
11006161
Date: 2024-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Some 2005 a 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedur
11007455
Date: 2024-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Some 2005 a 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedur
11007444
Date: 2024-07-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
11007445
Date: 2024-07-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,