10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,460 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Toyota RAV4:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #32

Aug 052023

RAV4

  • miles
after stepping on the breaks the car the vehicle revs and moves forward

- New York, NY, USA

problem #31

Mar 042020

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
When pulling my 2012 Toyota Rav4 into a parking space at very low rate of speed, I tapped the brake pedal and the engine immediately started roaring and accelerating out of control. The car jumped the curb that was directly in front of the parking spot, crossed the road, jumped another curb, and landed in a muddy ravine. The car was towed to the Toyota dealership to be repaired and the tech couldn't find anything wrong with the brakes. I reported the incident to Toyota. They sent an investigator. They claim the edr detected no defects in the vehicle and blamed it on either me mistaking the accelerator for the brakes or my custom fitted, lock-in weathertech floor mat which has been in place since day one of owning this vehicle since 2012. I had never had any problems with the vehicle before this and I have always loved my car but am now terrified that it will accelerate on it's own again.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #30

Jan 232020

RAV4

  • 88,000 miles
In a paved parking lot I attempted to park by applying the brakes but the car surged forward. It only stopped by going over a curb and hitting a tree at the perimeter of the parking space.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #29

Oct 152019

RAV4

  • miles
Air bag light is on all the time and seat bell is flashing and front rotors excessive rust and only about 2 1/2 inches in middle the rotors.

- Munhall, PA, USA

problem #28

Dec 162019

RAV4 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,450 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to ball Toyota of charleston (1905 patrick St plaza, charleston, wv 25387, (304) 513-3777) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact stated that Toyota corporation sent an engineer to retrieve data from the vehicle data recorder, but was unsuccessful. The approximate failure mileage was 33,450. The consumer stated inspection was performed in Sept 2019 and no defect was found in vehicle. And last incident was on December 16th and brakes/tires were replace a month prior.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #27

Jun 072018

RAV4

  • 34,049 miles
9/21/15 tn accident reported case #WC1523557 vechile towed, 04/05/216, auto auction auction announced as true mileage unknown 901-480-4250 June 7, 2018, purchased from carlock Toyota tupelo, Ms. Auto check reported multiple owners, , score 68. Dealeship did not reveal any of this when purchased--only found out when direct general canceled policy because of auto condition---dealership only uses carfax--front bumper loose and crinkled, hood crinkled, brakes were not new as was told-a cover under hood missing which could cause a fire.

- Mantee, MS, USA

problem #26

May 152018

RAV4

  • 58,000 miles
Pull into parking place step on the brakes.the car seam S if the gas was engage

- Baltimoore, MD, USA

problem #25

Feb 092018

RAV4 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. While driving at a low speed and depressing the brake pedal to stop, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to central Maine Toyota (15 airport rd, waterville, me 04901, phone number: (207) 872-5444) where the technician diagnosed that the failure was due to driver error. The failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 66,500.

- Waterville, ME, USA

problem #24

Jun 152013

RAV4

  • 8,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. While driving 40 mph and attempting to clean the windshield, the fluid failed to exit the windshield washer reservoir. Also, while attempting to brake in the snow at 5 mph, the ABS failed to engage and the contact had to repeatedly depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the tire pressure indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.

- Mendon, MA, USA

problem #23

Dec 292016

RAV4 6-cyl

  • miles
I started having problems 04/06/2015 with my brakes grinding and vibrating the front of my 2012 rav 4. I took it in to the dealership and they put new brake pads and resurfaced the front rotors. 42,968 miles on the car.. I was told these new brake pads had a life time warranty on them.. again Dec. 2016 I started having the same issues so I had to take the rav 4 back in for service and I was told that the brake warranty would not cover the brakes until the brake pads are worn down more. I can not drive a car with my brakes grinding and vibrating the front end of my car when I use the brakes. The brakes are grinding down into the rotors because I was told the rotors where blue.. which means they are hot. I'm not a mechanic but these pads I'm being told are to hard and they are grinding into the rotors. I was to hear back from the Toyota garage because they where to order these new type pads for my Rav4. I waited a week and never heard back from the garage. So I took the SUV to another repair service to have these brakes and rotors replaced.. the grinding and vibrating has stopped. And I feel safe to now drive my rav 4.. when your having grinding // vibrating of the brakes on your car I don't believe that's a safe way to continue to drive a vehicle.. I didn't even have to drive over 35 miles an hour for this grinding// vibrating to start. It would only happen 50-60% of the time I would use my brakes.. but that's 50-60% of the time to much. The brakes on a vehicle are very important. I made this repair garage give me the brake pads and the rotors. So I did keep them.. I'm not going to be the accident that takes my life "then there"S a recall" on these faulty brake pads.. being to hard and grinding into the rotors. This is my 5th Toyota and my 3rd Rav4. So I know what they should be driving like. And I never had any of my brakes ever replaced prior to these..

- Fayette City, PA, USA

problem #22

Oct 032016

RAV4

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder and the actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 14V054000 (electronic stability control, service brakes hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailable...updated 06/21/17 invalid VIN consumer stated dealer repaired the problem. Updated 6/26/18

- Deland, FL, USA

problem #21

Dec 162014

RAV4

  • miles
When coming to a stop and my foot is on the brakes, the car continues to move forward. This has happened at least a dozen times: 3 times going down a bridge, twice on the interstate, and the rest is when I'm going down a hill and put my brakes on to stop. My daughter has been with me on three occurance. I have taken it to the dealership twice and they said they couldn't find anything wrong. This is a safety issue. So far I've been lucky and not hit the rear of another car, but I don't want to take a chance.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #20

Jan 092015

RAV4

  • 50,000 miles
Without cause or reason, the "brake actuator" circuit malfunctioned causing the car to lose cruise control, ABS, anti-skid and sporadic tail light problems (lights will stay on or come on when the car is parked). I brought it to my Toyota dealer and they were unable to identify the problem. The next day, the roads were snow covered and the brakes locked up approaching an intersection causing the car to skid into another vehicle. When I brought the car back to the dealer, after the body was repaired, they located the problem and said it would cost $2900 to replace. Before I was able to have the vehicle repaired, the wiring caught fire, probably because the taillights came on by themselves during the night, as they occasionally did (without a key in the ignition). The car was towed to the Toyota dealer who estimates upwards of $10,000 for repairs to the computer and wiring system. The Toyota service manager recommends we sell the $19,000 car for "wholesale." Insurance will not cover the damage as it was a mechanical malfunction. Toyota Corp. In California, consumer experiences department, will not give me any help as the car is 21,000 over the 36,000 mile warranty. How or where can I get a lawyer or consumer advocate to help me?

- East Chatham, NY, USA

problem #19

Feb 142015

RAV4

  • 10,600 miles
New Rav4 purchased 2/2013;bought extended platnum warranty. 5 separate incidents of sudden acceleration 2/14/2015-5/25/2015-had passenger in car each time.1st- traveling S I-79 warrendale pa 60 mph speed drops to 50 mph car in front hit brakes to slow I applied my brakes to slow Rav4 started to accelerate engine started to rev loudly passenger said shift to neutral then I hit brake again to slow. 2nd-local traffic 30 mph applied brake to slow instead car accelerated put into neutral to slow engine revving. 3rd-driving from oakland-North hills pa in traffic 30 mph hit brake to slow for traffic light instead rav accelerated engine revving loudly put in neutral to stop. 4th-traveling 20 mph at local park 3/7/15 approaching stop sign car in front applied brakes, hit my brakes & car accelerated put car into neutral engine revving loudly then applied brakes to stop-drove directly to Toyota dealership advisor checked floor mats stated were properly placed. I made appt at dealership on 3/10. Toyota's conclusion-nothing wrong stated "possible pedal misapplication", suggested I buy flat Toyota floor mats had weathertechs, I purchased new driver's mat & Toyota installed. 5th-5/25/15 leaving grocery store 10 mph went to stop before exiting lot rav would not stop engine loud threw into neutral finally stopped. 5/25/15 emailed CEO of Toyota N America received call back & made appt for 5/29/15 to have rav looked over again at dealership for sudden acceleration issues. Received call back on 5/29/15 from nicki @ Toyota executive office-stated that Toyota stands by their March 2015 assessment that there is nothing wrong with my rav & if I have it towed to dealership by aaa, I would be responsible for all costs to have my vehicle serviced at dealership, would not be covered under any warranties. I have been driving for 40+ year & possible pedal misapplication 5 X's is a bunch of bull.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #18

Dec 182014

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
On Thursday 18 December, my wife and I left springfield, Missouri to dallas, Texas to visit our family for the christmas holiday. We were driving our recently purchased 2012 Rav4 with approximately 33,000 miles which we purchased in late September 2014. We stopped several times during our trip to refuel and allow my wife, who is 6 month pregnant, a chance to stretch her legs. For much of the trip, I used cruise control when possible at varying speeds from 65 mph (in Missouri) to 75 mph (in parts of Oklahoma). At approximately 4:30 pm, while driving through tushka, Oklahoma we approached a stoplight where the speed limit dropped from 65 to 45 mph. The light was red, a semi was stopped at the light, and I attempted to apply the car's brakes. As I did so, the car felt as if it was fighting my attempts to stop it. I had to keep both hands on the wheel, and I do not know if the cruise control disengaged. As I approached the semi, I pressed harder on the brakes in order to stop my vehicle. Finally with less than a car length, my car came to a full stop. With my foot still pressed firmly on the brakes, both my wife and I heard the car begin to make a high-pitched noise. I immediately put the car into 'park, ' at which point the engine began to rev and I saw that the RPM gauge on the car rose to 7-8,000 RPM. At this point, I turned the car off at the ignition switch. My intent was to re-start the car and safely pull over after we proceeded through the intersection. However, at this point the light turned green and, as I restarted the car, we were hit from behind by another vehicle. On Friday, the 19th, I took my vehicle to Toyota of lewisville (tx) where they proved unable to diagnose the problem. I was contacted by a representative on 12/29/2014 who informed me that nothing would be done unless the event "replicated" or someone had been injured.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #17

Jan 102013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 200 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav 4. the contact stated that while traveling 40 mph, the contact attempted to engage the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result of the failure, the contact crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed. There were repairs completed on the vehicle that were not related to the brakes. The manufacture was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200 and the current mileage was 5,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 01/15/15

- Brighton, MA, USA

problem #16

Jun 032014

RAV4

  • 51,580 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that her brakes would not engage when attempting to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician was unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,580. The current mileage was 51,613.

- Kingsley, PA, USA

problem #15

Jun 292013

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 10,100 miles
Slowing down at a stop sign the brakes pedal became very soft and the engine started revving up and the vehicle moved forward while I was pressing on the brake. This has happened three times since January and it's very scary. I've made an appointment with Toyota for tomorrow 6/3.

- Oceanside, NY, USA

problem #14

Mar 182014

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 32,212 miles
Rough engine, car speed up without feet on pedal, slow braking I took the car into dealer the next day(3/19/2014) this am and they told me they have to duplicate what I had experienced. They stated they did not see anything on the computer data, but will test on next morning of 3/20/2014 to drive it.the complaints were that I was driving in a 70 mile zone and the car accelerated to 90 miles the car shifted out of D drive to 3D on it's own while driving and also rough engine while accelerating higher than the speed limit, and while braking, isaw very little stoppage.also same day near my home, I stopped at a stop sign, when taking off the car jerks forward to 22 miles.this was not the first time I had reported to them, was after I had the 2010 Toyota rava4 about similar problems, they offered to buy it back the 2010 model in return for the 2012 Toyota Rav4 that I got in 2012.my maintenance is up to date also.it is scary when you experience a problem like this, thank god for no accident.update as of last night no communication on findings or repairs, I received a call while reporting this information to you(safer car), a rep [xxx],stated they cannot find anything wrong with car, they checked all data drove the car could not fine anything, I asked about engine and transmission, he stated that they checked the levels, data could not find anything, for me to could come pick the car up, I insist they do a more intensive look into this, the guy became aggressive, and stated he has to check with his manager to check again later today.tony meyers manager of gainesville Toyota called stated could not duplicate what I was experiencing, stated he drove the car to the mall of Georgia, he found a down shift when going down a hill, car was safe, and that the shift was a normal thing, and there is nothing else they could do and for me to come and pick up the car. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Oakwood, GA, USA

problem #13

Jan 252014

RAV4

  • 23,300 miles
On January 25 2014 I was driving in S snowy and icy conditions. I was only driving about 20 miles an hour. When braking, turning corners, or generally driving on the bad roads, the electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and traction control features of my Rav4 did not work, causing the car to slide all over the road, almost causing me to hit another vehicle. This has continued throughout the winter; the light for stability control on the dashboard goes on, but the anti lock brakes, ESC, and traction control do not work and the Rav4 slides all over. Given the bad weather we are experiencing this winter, it has caused me to not drive the vehicle, which is a major inconvenience for our family. I took the Rav4 into the local Toyota dealer for this issue on January 31, 2014. They said they could not reproduce the problem in their shop so dismissed it with no action and no repair I read a couple of weeks other that Toyota has recalled Rav4's for exactly this issue; however, when I called the dealer about the recall, he still insists that there is nothing wrong with my Rav4. So far I have gotten nothing from Toyota about this recall, and I don't feel safe driving the Rav4 this winter, a major inconvenience in commuting to work. I feel my Rav4 is undrivable this winter.

- Aurora, OH, USA

Read the next 12 complaints »