8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
13,300 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
2012 Toyota RAV4 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #5

Mar 072013

RAV4 Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

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

Rav4 accelerates while braking, many, many times over 3 different drives. Went to arbitration with Toyota and they deny their is a problem. First year or so I was told it was the floor mats. I removed the floor mats and it still happened. Next Toyota told me I was pressing the accelerator and the brake at the same. Lost the arbitration. Have owned other Toyotas but will never buy another again. This is dangerous. Will have to trade car in and buy another, at a huge loss to myself. Don't buy this car!

- Linda K., Norfolk, MA, US

problem #4

Apr 012015

RAV4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

One time it took off on it's own during light breaking. Foot then on brake pushing as hard as can be it started vibrating shaking the car. Was lucky to be able to have room to turn from other cars or I would have hit them or they me. After I stopped shaking from what just happened I drove on with no trouble.

Dealer spent 3 hours and found nothing wrong. Now, every so often the car revs up even with no foot on the gas or brake. That lasts only for 3 or 4 seconds and may not happen again for a month or more. Toyota says they find nothing wrong and Toyota Corporate that had called me back hung up on me when I asked to at least change the computer to see if that will fix the problem. It could be a bad solder connection in the computer and given that lives could be lost, I think they should swap parts and not wait to see if it happens again.

I spent 3 hours for them to find nothing wrong and now all they can offer is for me to spend another 3 or more hours and hear the same "we found nothing wrong". With a interment problem like this, the only way to find it is to change parts that could be causing it.

.

- John V., Oxford, NY, US

problem #3

May 222013

RAV4 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,973 miles

The car now resides in my garage until I get a true resolution to this uncontrollable acceleration. I was told that Toyota is aware of this problem however does not have a solution. The acceleration occurs when first starting from a stopped point. If braking happens after the shift point I have seen the tachometer go to 2000 RPM. The only way I drive this car currently is one hand on the gear shift lever. I hope that a solution is found shortly otherwise, I will be leaving the Toyota dealers permanently.

- Jack B., Lomita, CA, US

problem #2

Mar 182014

RAV4 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,212 miles

rough engine, car speed up without feet on pedal,slow breaking

I took the car into dealer the next day 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.the complaints were that the car shifted out of D drive to 3D on it's own while driving and also rough engine while accelarating higher than the speed limit, and while braking saw very little stoppage.also at 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 2010 in return for the 2012 Toyota Rav4 that I got in 2013.My maintence is up todate also.It is scary when you experience a problem like this, thank God for no accident.

Update from Mar 20, 2014: a rep michcal,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,and for me to could come pick the car up, I insist they do a more intensive look into this since I dropped it off yesterday, 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 experiening,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,and if it happens again to bring it in to be checked.after I pick it up and drive it again I will update.

- dre771s, Oakwood, GA, US

problem #1

Jul 022012

RAV4 Subn 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85 miles

This is a leased car. This date was the first episode of a recurring problem. Each time it took place on a local street. Each time as the driver ( my wife or myself ) was stepping on the brake to bring the car to a full stop the car suddenly started to accelerate. This first incident was noteworthy but was attributed to the newness of the vehicle. The three incidents that followed were considerably worse. We contacted te dealer from whom the car is leased and were told to bring the car in . We brought the car in on August 23 and picked it up on August 30. At that time we were told that the car had been tested and nothing was wrong with it. In other words, Toyota has no explanation of why these four incidents took place. This vehicle was purchased so that we could safely transport our grandchildren.The lack of resolution of the problem leaves us with an unsafe vehicle that we would never use for the original intended purpose.The August 29, 2012, Wall Street Journal column 'Me and My Car' has a letter describing a very similar problem on a Toyota Highlander that was brought to the dealer twice. Each time the letter writer was told what seems to be Toyota's stock answer, "nothing is wrong'. The WSJ columnist responds that ' Complaints about the electronic speed control systems on Toyota (and other brands )are frequent'. He goes on to suggest that figuring the cause will take several visits to Toyota. No additional visits were scheduled or even suggested by Toyota.

- jimbilljim, Hartsdale, NY, US

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