Home · 2012 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid · Complaints

What 266 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (266)Crash / fire / injury (46)Visibility & wipers (60)Speed control (50)Brakes (39)Electrical system (31)Seat belts (31)Engine (23)Airbags (22)Transmission & drivetrain (22)Body & structure (16)Steering (10)

31 of 266 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 1 of 2

May 7, 2024Electrical systemCrash1 injury

Over the last 4 years I have had 2 prior occurrence where I've lost power turning or stopping, causing the engine to stall. Both times the vehicle was taken to our mechanic and he replaced the connectors to the battery. On January 18th, 2024, while turning off of a rural highway onto the street we live on I again lost power and the engine stalled and smelled a faint electrical smell. I called my mechanic and he said he could get it in on January 22nd. We checked all connections to the battery, made sure the battery terminals were clean. The morning of January 22nd, while on my way to the mechanic the vehicle in front of me stopped quickly. I started to stop a little quicker than normal, causing the front of the vehicle to tip down. I immediately lost power and the engine died, causing me to rear end the vehicle in front of me. The collisions was at slow speed, but it also caused disproportionate damage to my vehicle. Over the weekend of January 20th, we became aware if a recall for 2013 to 2018 Rav4s regarding the tops of newer batteries being smaller and causing problems with the battery shifting causing loss of power and potential fires. We strongly believe this recall needs to be extended to the 2012s.

NHTSA ODI 11587409

Mar 3, 2022Electrical system

Check EV System - Have your vehicle checked by a dealership immediately Warning has come on several times in the past few days. RAV4 EV forum indicates this is a problem that can make the vehicle stop while driving - very dangerous. There was a recall issued for this problem in 2015, and your site indicates there are no outstanding recalls on this vehicle. Please help resolve this potentially severe problem. Thanks.

NHTSA ODI 11455086

Dec 29, 2021Electrical system

Inaudible turn signal prompt: Older drivers who drive for miles with their turn signal on is the subject of many a cartoon and common source of highway frustration. It is also a safety issue when a vehicle does not perform the turn that it is apparently signaling to make. I find myself being one of those older drivers who leaves their turn signal on. I have moderate hearing loss and do wear hearing aids, but not all the time. Perhaps my RAV4's audible prompt is quieter than others, but with road noise and the radio on I often do not hear it. A simple solution to this problem would be the ability to control the volume of the audible turn signal prompt so it could be "cranked up" to be easily heard. If dashboard lights have a dimmer control, why don't turn signal prompts have a volume control? It seems like a simple solution and with today's touch control panels one that could be added for very little cost. Thanks for considering my recommendation. It is a common safety problem that has a simple and low-cost solution.

NHTSA ODI 11445415

Oct 25, 2021Electrical systemFire

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

NHTSA ODI 11438012

Mar 1, 2021Electrical system

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

Aug 14, 2020Electrical system

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

Jul 7, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

2012 RAV4 - FOR NO APPARENT REASON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND 4X4 LIGHT HAVE BEEN COMING ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN OFF, THEN ON, ETC. WE GOT A CODE OF P0607, BUT THE CAR IS SHOWING NO SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT CODE ERROR. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING FINE. I HAVE CHECKED THE BATTERY CONNECTION AND THE GAS CAP. BASED ON A LARGE NUMBER OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS, I WOULD ASK THAT NHTSA SERIOUSLY LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND STRONGLY CONSIDER A RECALL THAT WILL ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM FOR OWNERS. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER WHO HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHTS BACK ON A FEW DAYS LATER. PLEASE HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11229921

May 21, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE, TRACTION STABILITY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL WENT ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. DRIVING IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PUT STRAIN ON ENGINE. PLUS THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SITUATION. $545 FOR SERVICE IS COST FOR COMMON TO THIS CAR ISSUE. SEE FORUM LINK: HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/AMP/S/WWW.RAV4WORLD.COM/FORUMS/96-4-3-GENERAL/196945-4WD-STUCK.HTML%3FAMP=1

NHTSA ODI 11208911

Dec 19, 2018Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

O2 SENSOR AND OTHER SENSORS KEEP LIGHTING UP

NHTSA ODI 11162404

Aug 24, 2018SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

I COULD NOT START MY VEHICLE ON 7/26/2018. I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND GOT A JUMP START FROM A POWER DEVICE. I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS TOYOTA SERVICE. SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED: NO POWER STIRRING, NOT EVEN ALARM SIGNAL WORKING. IF THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, MORE LIKELY, I WOULD NOT BE ALIVE TODAY. SAME DRIVER WHO WOULD HIT ME FROM BEHIND, BECAUSE DISABLED VEHICAL STOPED IN A MOMENT. I AM SURE, NOBODY MUST DRIVE TOYOTA RAV4 2012. IF BATTERY IS NOT FUNCTIONING, THERE MUST BE INDICATION ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE THE VEHICLE GET DISABLED, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING TO TELL ME THAT VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. FOR REFERENCE : A) BATTERY. TRUE STAR BATTERY. WARANTY 2 YEARS. DIED IN 10 MONTHS. B) THE INCIDENT FILED IN TOYOTA AS #1808151393. NO RESOLUTION. C) SERVICE. FRED HAAS TOYOTA. 22435 SH 249, HOUSTON, TX 77070. C) ATTACHED: TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL MALFANCTIONED BATTERY INDICATOR.

NHTSA ODI 11122046

Feb 20, 2018Electrical systemTraction Control SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITOL TOYOTA (783 AUTO GROUP AVE, NE, SALEM, OREGON 97301) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN TURNED OFF THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR AND PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,655.

NHTSA ODI 11073832

Jul 21, 2017Electrical system

THE CHECK ENGINE, TRAC OFF AND 4WD LIGHTS WILL ALL COME ON TOGETHER AND STAY ON FOR A DAY OR TWO AND THEN GO OFF AGAIN. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING

NHTSA ODI 11006703

Jun 16, 2017Electrical system

POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS IN ALL DOORS HAVE FAILED. THE DRIVERS DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED FIRST. THE ACTUATORS IN EACH REMAINING DOOR INCLUDING THE TAILGATE DOOR HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED AS WELL. (THE DATE USED IN THIS REPORT TO INDICATE WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED IS APPROXIMATE AND REFERS TO THE INITIAL PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S DOOR.) TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA SERVICE CENTERS HAVE DETERMINED THE ACTUATORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. ONE DEALER NOTED THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS ISSUE IN MANY OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH TURNS UP SEVERAL PAGES DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. A SEARCH OF THIS SITE ALSO REVEALED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER MODEL YEAR RAV4'S. EACH TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER ESTIMATED A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $400 FOR EACH ACTUATOR PLUS LABOR COSTS TO REPLACE THE PART. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHILE THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVERS-SIDE AND PASSENGER-SIDE DOORS HAVE MANUAL LATCHES INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE TAILGATE DOOR DOES NOT. THE LACK OF A MANUAL LATCH AND KEYED LOCK IN THE TAILGATE DOOR MEANS THAT THE TAILGATE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED AT ALL. THIS IS VERY PROBLEMATIC FOR BOTH CONVENIENCE AND SAFETY, PARTICULARLY IN THOSE RAV4'S WITH THE THIRD ROW SEAT. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR VEHICLE FIRE, PASSENGERS IN THE THIRD-ROW SEAT WOULD BE FORCED TO EITHER EXIT THROUGH ONE OF THE OTHER DOORS OR BREAK A WINDOW TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA REGARDING THIS ISSUE, I WAS TOLD INITIALLY TO HAVE MY LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER EVALUATE THE PROBLEM AND CALL BACK TO TOYOTA TO DISCUSS AND SEE IF TOYOTA WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP AT ALL. WHEN I CALLED BACK TO TOYOTA, I WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR AN INCONVENIENT AMOUNT OF TIME, THEN SIMPLY TOLD THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT HELP, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I HOPE THAT TOYOTA WILL WORK WITH THE NHTSA TO TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL AFFECTED TOYOTA VEHICLES AND OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI 10995457

May 30, 2017Electrical system

2013 TOYOTA RAV4 W/ 40K MILES HAD THIRD ACTUATOR POWER DOOR LATCH FAIL ON A THIRD DOOR IN 5 MONTHS. LOOKING AT OTHER RECENT COMPLAINTS, OF A SIMILAR NATURE, THIS MAY INDEED BE THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL. MOST RECENT FAILURE IS THE DOOR MY 2 YEAR OLD USES, I WOULD HATE TO THINK OF AN EMERGENCY WHERE I COULDN'T GET HER OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS LOCKED. WHEN THE FIRST DOOR, DRIVER, WENT OUT (DEC 2016), I HAD IT FIXED AT MY MECHANIC THINKING IT WAS A FLUKE. WHEN THE SECOND DOOR, PASSENGER, WENT OUT MAR 2017, I CONTACTED TOYOTA & WAS TOLD TO GET THE PROBLEM CONFIRMED BY THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH I DID. THEY OFFERED ME A GOODWILL PYMT FOR THE SECOND DOOR ONLY, NOT THE FIRST, DESPITE HOW RECENTLY THE FIRST DOOR FAILED. IN MAY 2017 THE THIRD DOOR, BACK DRIVER, IS NOW FAILING & THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REP SAID THEY "ARE DECLINING TO OFFER ME ANY ASSISTANCE IN FIXING THIS ACTUATOR OR ANY FUTURE ACTUATOR LOCKS BECAUSE THEY GO OUT LIKE LIGHTBULBS EVERY 4 YEARS." I CANNOT BELIEVE TOYOTA KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURES VEHICLES W/ A PART THAT IT 'EXPECTS' TO FAIL EVERY 4 YEARS, LEAVING THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH A $2500 BILL THAT FREQUENTLY. WE ESCALATED THIS FROM THE INITIAL "CUST SERVICE" REP, ALEX S., TO HIS SUPERVISOR, ASHLEY, AND THEY BOTH SAID THEY ARE CHOOSING NOT TO HELP US ANY FURTHER WITH THIS PROBLEM ON DOOR NUMBER 3 (OR 1) OR DOORS 4 AND 5 WHEN THEY INEVITABLY GO OUT AS WELL. MY HUSBAND ALSO OWNS A 2013 RAV4, SO WE ARE BEING TOLD TO EXPECT TO PAY $5000 EVERY 4 YEARS IF WE WANT OUR DOORS TO LOCK. WE HAVE PURCHASED TOYOTAS BASED ON THEIR REPUTATION OF QUALITY AND I AM BAFFLED TOYOTA IS KNOWINGLY STICKING THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH EXPENSIVE PARTS THAT FAIL WITH THIS FREQUENCY. IT IS ALSO WORTH NOTING, MY CAR ISN'T EVEN 4 YEARS OLD YET AND WAS JUST OVER 3 YEARS OLD WHEN THE I EXPERIENCED THE FIRST FAILURE DEC 2016.

NHTSA ODI 10992166

Apr 12, 2017Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE, TRAC OFF, AND 4WD WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 10972029

Apr 4, 2017Electrical systemBrakesVisibility & wipers

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI 10970580

Mar 3, 2017Electrical systemBody & structureFire

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.

NHTSA ODI 10958384

Apr 25, 2016Electrical systemSeat beltsEquipmentVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE TO ANY OF THE DEALERS. A RECALL NOTICE WAS ALSO RECEIVED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE ALSO NOT AVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A TIME FRAME IN WHICH THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 06/23/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10861287

Jan 8, 2016Electrical system

WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS NORMAL 2WD/4WD HAS BEEN CHEWED BY RODENTS LEAVING VEHICLE STUCK IN 4WD. VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON GARAGE APRON WHEN WIRES WERE CHEWED.

NHTSA ODI 10818982

Dec 22, 2015Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBody & structureCrash

ON OCTOBER 17 SHORTLY BEFORE 2 PM PST IN CLEAR WEATHER, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT ABOUT 2 TO 3 MPH. I TURNED THE VEHICLE INTO THE SPOT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR SURGED OVER THE CURB, HIT A TREE, WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED ONTO A PARKED CAR. (THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES.) THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. FINALLY I DEPRESSED THE IGNITION BUTTON FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS AND IT TURNED OFF. JUST 5 DAYS EARLIER, THE CAR HAD UNDERGONE A SAFETY RECALL REPAIR TO THE ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY. TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO A SOFTWARE DEFECT WHICH AFFECTED "COMPONENTS IN THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRACTION MOTOR ASSEMBLY." WE INFORMED TOYOTA THIS APPEARED TO BE AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENT. THEY PROMISED TO ASSIGN AN ENGINEER TO THOROUGHLY INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND DOWNLOAD INFORMATION FROM THE EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR). THE ENGINEER INSPECTED THE CAR AND PREPARED A 22 PAGE REPORT. HOWEVER HE WAS UNABLE TO DOWNLOAD THE EDR INFORMATION DUE TO A DATA COMMUNICATION ERROR. TOYOTA CLAIMED IT WAS DUE TO A LOW BATTERY. THE ENGINEER CONFIRMED TO ME THAT IT WAS A DATA COMMUNICATION ERROR AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HALF CHARGED WHEN HE DROVE IT. TOYOTA REFUSED TO SHARE THE ENGINEER'S REPORT. THEY STATED IN SIX SHORT SENTENCES THAT THE ACCELERATION AND BRAKE PEDALS BOTH WORKED. THEY DID NOT ADDRESS THE RECALL, THE INCIDENT WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, OR THE DATA COMMUNICATION ERROR, ALL OF WHICH SIGNAL POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRIC CIRCUITRY/SOFTWARE. WHEN WE WROTE THEM A DETAILED LETTER WITH ALL THE ATTACHMENTS TO DOCUMENT THE RECALL, THEY SIMPLY RESPONDED THAT THE ACCELERATION PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL WORKED.

NHTSA ODI 10811744

May 4, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AVS WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V054000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA ODI 10714519

Feb 1, 2015Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE RAV4 GEAR SHIFTER STICKING AND/OR DEFORMED. THE PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED FOR YEARS 2013-2015 IN TOYOTA TSB 0145-14; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM ALSO EXISTS IN THE 2012 MODEL. THE 2012 RAV4 CAN HAVE A STICKING OR DEFORMED GEAR SHIFTER. THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY COFFEE HAVING BEEN SPILLED INTO THE AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10680313

Dec 30, 2014Electrical systemSpeed controlBrakesCrash

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. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10669207

Sep 15, 2014Electrical systemEngine

WHILE FOOT WAS ONE THE BRAKE AND VEHICLE WAS STOPPED THE ENGINE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD I SLAPPED THE SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF.THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES SINCE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALER THE LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED 9/13/14 THEY PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND COULD NOT DETECT ANY FAULTS.I GOOGLED THIS CONDITION AND FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE.NOTE EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE ACCELERATION THE ANTI SKID LIGHT HAS COME ON AS I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10633327

Aug 20, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

SINCE JANUARY 13, I HAVE HAD MY BATTERY DIE ON ME 4 TIMES (INCLUDING THE FIRST TIME) - TWICE IN JANUARY AND THE OTHERS A FEW MONTHS IN BETWEEN. IT NEVER SAT FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS. BRAND NEW CAR END OF NOVEMBER 2012, SO IT WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD. I THINK THERE MAY BE SOME DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND WHERE YOU CAN PLUG IN YOUR IPOD FOR MUSIC... THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT WAS 'LEFT ON'/PLUGGED IN (I CHECKED EVERY TIME). THE TOYOTA GUY SAID THAT SHOULDN'T BE ISSUE, BUT NOTHING ELSE MAKES SENSE. I EVEN WENT TO A BATTERY SPECIALIST GUY AND HE SAID SOMETHING WAS JUST SLOWLY DRAINING AND A GOOD CHARGE OVERNIGHT WOULD DO THE TRICK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10626503

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Working with the data? Download all 266 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid verdict →