10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,052 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Toyota RAV4 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2012 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #12

May 182021

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

LACK OF TIE POINTS: This is an issue with our RAV4, but it is an issue with about every vehicle manufactured recently. It is a requirement of drivers to -€œsecure their load-€ but when top carrying boats it is very difficult to find suitable tie points in the front and rear of the vehicle. Could vehicle manufacturers be required to provide tie points suitable for securing loads? It could be as simple as providing smooth- edged holes in the chassis under both bumpers.

- Saint Paul , MN, USA

problem #11

May 302020

RAV4

  • miles
Paint is peeling on multiple panels. This vehicle has never had body damage or been involved in an accident.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #10

Jan 012016

RAV4

  • 20,000 miles
Purchase new off lot. Vehicle barely used. 2012 only has slightly over 26,000 original miles. Kept covered when not in use. Paint is just popping on in several locations right down to the primer layer. Started near back window, then wheel well area, roof spots. We have put touch up paint on the back window thinking we could slow the process but it keeps getting bigger. No one seems to have an answer other than there are a lot of complaints for the same issue. All willing to give estimates for me to pay for it. Obviously it is a problem that Toyota should be paying for!!!!! this vehicle was to be my last one at my age. I need answers

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #9

Feb 012015

RAV4

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The white paint is peeling off of the car in many locations including the roof, hood, bumpers, and doors. There is no rust present nor was the car damaged in any way. The paint is simply bubbling and peeling off. The car has been garaged the majority of its life.

- Avon Lake, OH, USA

problem #8

Feb 192019

RAV4

  • miles
Rust under hood

- Mayfield Hts, OH, USA

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problem #7

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 #6

Aug 112017

RAV4

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Closed sunroof exploded while driving on highway.

- Pequannock, NJ, USA

problem #5

Feb 262017

RAV4

  • 131,000 miles
Driver side rear quarter panel started on fire. This occurred after an approximately 4 mile drive. I believe the fire started on the drive. I parked the vehicle in a parking lot with only one other vehicle. When I was walking into the store I smelled burning plastic but did not relate it to my car burning. I was in the store about 5 minutes. When I walked out I saw the fire. There was no outside influence to the fire and nothing inside the vehicle vehicle. The only thing in that area of the vehicle is wiring.

- Lowville, NY, USA

problem #4

Oct 012014

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 49,000 miles
I was pulling into a parking place at our church. When I turned into the parking place the car took off and it jumped an 8 inch curbing and ran into the parish center wall. It tried to climb the wall. I push the accelerator to turn into the parking space and the car took off! it was not driver error!

- Oakwood, IL, USA

problem #3

Jul 242013

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 3,181 miles
I drive a Toyota Rav4 V6 ltd, 2012 purchased on Jan 2, 2013. Prior to that we had a Toyota Camry 1999 with more 200K miles on it. On July 24th, 2013, I was driving at a speed of 10 mph inside the apartment complex and was turning right to park. I was almost parked when all of a sudden the car surged and zoomed over parking stopper, breaking overhead storage bin, zoomed ahead and banged into the building stairs. I kept pumping the brake all through, but the car didnt stop until it hit on to the stairs of apartment. The wheels were still rolling but it couldn't go ahead because of the heavy stairs and finally after continuously stepping on the brake it stopped. My right foot was all along on the brake as it always is when I'm parking. Body of the car was severely damaged with glass pieces all over me. Luckily my 3 year old was safer at back in her car seat. The airbags did not deploy on impact. I'm having more than 10 years of driving experience and it was the first time that I was involved in an accident. Since I'm a woman everyone was quick to conclude that, I had stepped on the gas pedal instead of brake. But I know my foot was all along on the brake, until the car finally stopped. This has caused a lot of damage, although I had insurance to cover the car, the value is zilch now. The car was not totaled and repairs was worth more than 20K. Driving the car now, doesn't feel the same as the collision center did a crappy repair job. Now the car makes sounds while driving, as though it will come apart. We are left with no options other than just to drive the same car because we can't afford another car. After notifying Toyota and after numerous calls they collected the edr and sent us a report stating that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. It was our fault that we didn't realize Toyota had issues related to unintended acceleration prior to buying the Rav4.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #2

Sep 032013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 8,400 miles
Brakes failed to work. Would not stop.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

problem #1

Dec 212012

RAV4

  • 27,000 miles
I was driving westbound on I-70 around mp 129. This is just before glenwood canyon. There was a flashing icy road sign at which time, I signaled my intention to move to the right lane which I did. I slowed down and put my car in 3rd. This was just before a curve to the right where the road and visibility narrow. The right lane was completely iced over as I realized when I got around the curve. In front of me, I saw a pileup, both lanes of traffic were blocked. I tapped my brakes to slow down but because of the ice, I did not stop or slow down. I went around one car stopped in my lane to avoid hitting it from behind. I went around on the shoulder. I continued to pump the brake. Immediately in front of me was a Sierra 4X 4 that was perpendicular to the lane of traffic and it was also blocking the shoulder. I plowed into it about the middle of the truck at a rate of anywhere of 25 - 30 mph. My airbags did not deploy. My dog and I were both restrained and we suffered no injuries. My car is in all likelihood totaled.

- Solana Beach, CA, USA

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