2012 Toyota RAV4: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Toyota RAV4: 5 recalls, 260 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats, Airbags Vehicle recall #13V014000 · 2013 · 3,235 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #13V123000 · 2013 · 7,525 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Stability control, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V054000 · 2014 · 261,114 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Visibility/Wiper Vehicle recall #15V577000 · 2015 · 423,456 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, water May drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Seat belts Vehicle recall #16V096000 · 2016 · 1,123,752 vehicles
What's wrong: In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats May be cut by the seat cushion frame.
Why it matters: A cut seat belt May not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 22 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility/Wiper (53): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (2), warning light on (2).
- Speed control / throttle (49): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (15).
- Brakes (34): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (9).
- Electrical (30): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), warning light on (10), fire / smoke (4).
The 2012 Toyota RAV4 has 260 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 32 RAV4 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 293). Complaints peaked in 2016 (62 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 25,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (287 complaints, 11 recalls), 2013 (257 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Toyota RAV4.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota RAV4 problems?
Owners have filed 260 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper (53), speed control / throttle (49), brakes (34).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota RAV4 get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Toyota RAV4 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.