Model year
2012 Toyota RAV4
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 260 complaints for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 3 recalls and 6 complaints under RAV4 EV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are VISIBILITY/WIPER (53), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (49), SERVICE BRAKES (34). NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 22–24 mpg combined and 76 MPGe combined and 44 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,000–$3,050, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 30 complaints
- 2001 309 complaints
- 2002 527 complaints
- 2003 315 complaints
- 2004 154 complaints
- 2005 141 complaints
- 2006 705 complaints
- 2007 1,004 complaints
- 2008 575 complaints
- 2009 327 complaints
- 2010 400 complaints
- 2011 287 complaints
- 2012 260 complaints
- 2013 257 complaints
- 2014 197 complaints
- 2015 305 complaints
- 2016 240 complaints
- 2017 307 complaints
- 2018 333 complaints
- 2019 883 complaints
- 2020 636 complaints
- 2021 387 complaints
- 2022 149 complaints
- 2023 161 complaints
- 2024 176 complaints
- 2025 90 complaints
- 2026 42 complaints
Recalls
16V096000 · Feb 19, 2016
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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…
15V577000 · Sep 18, 2015
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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…
14V054000 · Feb 12, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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…
13V123000 · Apr 9, 2013
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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…
13V014000 · Jan 16, 2013
SEATS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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…
Complaints
260 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 36, fire flag on 4, injury field 22, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| RAV4 EV | 3 | 6 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 · possibility 0.185 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2WD · 2.5L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| RAV4 2WD · 3.5L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| RAV4 4WD · 2.5L · Automatic 4-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| RAV4 4WD · 3.5L · Automatic 5-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| RAV4 EV · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 78 | 74 | 76 | 44.0 | 103 | $1,000 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Toyota RAV4 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.