What 266 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota RAV4 Hv

The mechanism that controls the up/down position of the sun visors breaks after a few years of use. As a result, the sun visors will not stay in a 'closed' position (against vehicle roof) and constantly fall halfway down obstructing proper view of the road. The drivers side sun visor broke several years ago. When I took it to the Toyota dealer they stated the only way to fix this was to replace the visor (at my expense). The cost to replace one visor was >$200. The passenger side visor has now failed to hold in place as well. Toyota assumes no responsibility for this design defect (plastic part in the visor mechanism wears or breaks). This is a safety issue due to poor design on Toyota's part. Consumers should not have to pay $200 to have these replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11443333

My rav4 caught fire by its self not running in the battery compartment and burned completely to the metal

NHTSA ODI 11438012

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a delay for the vehicle to stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to put a lot of pressure while depressing the brake pedal for the vehicle to stop. An independent mechanic was made aware of the failure. The mechanic had repaired the brake master cylinder, front and rear brake-disc rotors, and caliper in 2019. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 139,435.

NHTSA ODI 11431349

Unknown. Vehicle is having problems with fuel system. Vehicle intermittently runs rough like engine is not getting enough gas.

NHTSA ODI 11430823

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 “secure 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.

NHTSA ODI 11426354

Driver's side sun visor falls down blocking view of road.

NHTSA ODI 11425253

I HAVE JUST BEGUN HAVING THE ISSUE THAT MANY OTHERS COMPLAIN ABOUT - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT + 4WD + TRAC LIGHTS ALL CAME ON (2012 TOYOTA RAV4, 100,000 MILES). WE TRIED SOME SIMPLE FIXES AT HOME, BASED ON THE MANY ONLINE POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE (CHECKED/REFASTENED HOSES, BATTERY CONNECTIONS, ETC.), AND THE LIGHTS CAME RIGHT BACK ON. TOOK TO OUR USUAL MECHANIC, AND THEY DIAGNOSED O2 SENSOR PROBLEMS, BOTH BANK 1 & BANK 2. PAID $750 FOR THEM TO REPLACE BOTH SENSORS. THE 3 DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AS I WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER PICKING UP MY CAR FROM THE SERVICE. THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED WITH GENUINE TOYOTA PARTS. THE CAR IS NOW BACK AT THE MECHANIC - THEY SAID THE SAME O2 SENSOR CODES ARE COMING UP WHEN THEY CHECK THE DIAGNOSTICS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA, AND REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND DEALT WITH. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH AN EARLIER TOYOTA SIENNA, AND SPENT MUCH TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO FIX THE ISSUE, WHICH WAS NEVER RESOLVED. THERE ARE MORE THAN 15 YEARS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE - PLEASE HELP US, THE CONSUMERS!

NHTSA ODI 11398486

BOTH FRONT DRIVE AXLES EXHIBITED SIGNS OF SEVERE CORROSION DAMAGE LEADING TO COMPLETE LOSS OF LUBRICANT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 34,056 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND NOT SUBJECT TO ANY UNUSUAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED SEVERE CRACKING AND POPPING NOISES ON TURNS.

NHTSA ODI 11385936

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR HAD TO BE REPLACED A COUPLE YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT STAY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION AND HUNG IN A LOOSE DROPPED POSITION.THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT CAN DROP UNEXPECTEDLY AND BLOCK THE DRIVERS VISUAL FIELD.

NHTSA ODI 11372603

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA (9101 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617, (919) 890-3686) THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RESERVOIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOW WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11366631

PAINT IS PEELING ON MULTIPLE PANELS. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD BODY DAMAGE OR BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11355343

MY 4WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT TRACTION LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CONE ON. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BUT I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND IT'S A SENSOR PROBLEM . THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 2007

NHTSA ODI 11349157

ON JUNE10TH. I HAD A MAJOIR ACCIDENT IN WHICH BOTH MY WIFE & MYSELF SUFFERED FRACTURED STERNUMS & FRACTURED RIBS. WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT I PULLED INTO A LOT IN PRINCETON, N.J. & AFTER STOPPING TO SET MY GPS, I JUST TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR & THE CAR SHOT FORWARD, AS IF SHOT OUT OF A CANNON. WHILE STOPPED I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE & THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS IN THE SAME MANNER, THEREBY STRIKING A WALL. NOW I WENT FORWARD LIKE A ROCKET, WITH NO TIME TO HIT THE BRAKE, THEREBY GOING HEADFIRST INTO A PARKED CONSTRUCTION TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI 11343888

2012 TOYOYA RAV4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE SOUND OF THE TURN SIGNAL BEING TOO LOW. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FOR THE VOLUME OF THE TURN SIGNAL TO BE ADJUSTABLE *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI 11337034

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331764

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.

NHTSA ODI 11301372

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.

NHTSA ODI 11298112

I NOTICED THAT THE 'PASS AIR BAG OFF' LIGHT WAS ON EVEN THOUGH A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT DIAGNOSED IT. THEY SAID THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAD GONE BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING. WHAT BOTHERS ME IS THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIDN'T COME ON TO INDICATE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG I HAVE DRIVEN WITH THIS MALFUNCTION SINCE THE LIGHT THAT INDICATES THE AIR BAG BEING ON OR OFF IS OFF TO THE SIDE AND IN YELLOW RATHER THAN RED TO SHOW THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CAR ONLY HAD 67K MILES, BEING 7 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ODI 11290666

TL* 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. *LN *TP 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. *PM

NHTSA ODI 11289594

3 WEEKS AFTER THE 50,000 MILE SERVICE, ON OCTOBER 22 2019, I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON SOQUEL AVENUE, WHEN THE CAR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, I LOST ALL POWER AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND "CHECK EV SYSTEM" CAME ONTO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A BUS STOP, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND HAD THE CAR TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE SYMPTOM AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE 12V BATTERY. THEY REPLACED IT AND ASSURED ME THE ISSUE WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. ON NOV 11, 2019, THE ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THIS TIME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IN AGAIN TO TOYOTA, WHO INFORMED ME THAT "SOME RAV4 EVS HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR MONTHS, UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED". I RESEARCHED THE SYMPTOM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT IT RELATED TO A 2015 RECALL THAT RELATED TO THE ELECTRIC TRACTION MOTOR. TOYOTA'S DESCRIPTION OF THE F01 RECALL: IN THE INVOLVED RAV4 EV'S, COMPONENTS IN THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRACTION MOTOR ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS PART OF THE PROPULSION SYSTEM, MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT TO 'NEUTRAL' DUE TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE. THIS CONDITION WILL ALSO TRIGGER A 'CHECK EV SYSTEM' WARNING MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TURN ON A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. IF THE VEHICLE SHIFTS TO 'NEUTRAL', THIS WILL RESULT IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF DRIVE POWER, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY SYMPTOMS MATCHED UP WITH RECALL EXACTLY, AND THEN WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS AS THIS RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON APRIL 18 2016 WHEN I HAD MY CAR IN. UPON FURTHER QUESTIONING, I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SOME OF THE RAV4 EVS HAD HAD THEIR MOTORS REPLACED AS PART OF THIS RECALL, IN ADDITION TO THE SOFTWARE CHANGE, BUT MINE HAD NOT. TOYOTA FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THIS FLAW NOT ONCE BUT TWICE AND I AM SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR FAILURE TO PROPERLY RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS A KNOWN ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11283129

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000(VISIBILITY). WHEN SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO CITY WORLD TOYOTA (3333 BOSTON RD, THE BRONX, NY 10469, 888-258-4365) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER AND WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE LEAKING AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE AND DID NOT OPERATE. THE DEALER CALLED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICED; HOWEVER, ONCE SHE ARRIVED, SHE WAS INFORMED AGAIN THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11253615

MY RAV4 ACCELERATES EXCESSIVELY OUT OF THE BLUE, IN A DANGEROUS MANNER FAR EXCEEDING ANY NEED TO MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED. SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. IN A DAY AND A HALF OF HIGHWAY DRIVING IT HAPPENED THREE SEPARATE AND RANDOM OCCURRENCES YESTERDAY, SEP 4TH AND TODAY SEP 5TH, 2019. FOR EXAMPLE I WAS DRIVING ON I-44 EASTBOUND AT CRUISE CONTROL OF 70 MPH. AND AS I WAS GOING ALONG IT HAD ACCELERATED TO 75 BEFORE I RECOGNIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENED AND SLAMMED AGGRESSIVELY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL OR IT WOULD HAVE SURPASSED 85 MPH EASILY. IT PUT ME IN DANGER OF HAVING AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH A SEMITRAILER IN JULY. I SOUGHT ANSWERS FROM A MECHANIC TODAY. HE SAID IT SOUNDED SIMILAR TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER TOYOTA MODELS. BECAUSE OF THIS SIMILARITY, I AM REPORTING MY EXPERIENCES TO THE NHTSA NOW. YOURS TRULY, [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11253528

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BLOCKS VISION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO VISOR SAGGING DOWN FROM IT'S NON-USE STATE. THE SPRING OR MECHANISM IN THE SUN VISOR WON'T KEEP THE VISOR IN THE NON USE POSITION. THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL / DEFECT BECAUSE THIS IS HAPPENING ON MY CURRENT 2012 RAV4 AND ALSO MY PREVIOUS RAV4 THAT WAS A 2007 MODEL YEAR. SUN VISOR IS DANGEROUS DUE TO BLOCKING VIEW AND OR WHEN BRAKING YOUR HEAD WILL HIT THE VISOR AS WELL. SEE MORE INFO IN THESE THREADS: HTTPS://WWW.RAV4WORLD.COM/THREADS/CAN-ANYONE-TELL-ME-HOW-TO-FIX-THIS-[XXX]-HANGING-VISOR.78000/ PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11245870

I TURNED THE WIPERS ON THE OTHER DAY WHEN IT WAS RAINING, THEY CAME ON AND MADE ONE WIPE UP AND STOPPED ON THE DOWNWARD WIPE. I GOT OUT AND PULLED ON ONE SIDE AND THEY WIPED SEVERAL MORE TIMES THEN STOPPED AGAIN. I PULLED ON THEM AGAIN AND THEY MOVED BUT VERY SLOWLY THEN THEY STOPPED COMPLETELY. I TRIED TO PULL THEM DOWN AGAIN BUT THEY WOULDNT BUDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN .MY DRIVEWAY AT THIS TIME

NHTSA ODI 11244309

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

NHTSA ODI 11230981