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 · Seat belts · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Aug 7, 2020AirbagsSeat beltsSpeed controlCrash2 injuries

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

Jan 9, 2020AirbagsSeat beltsBrakes

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

Jul 14, 2017Seat belts

WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND BEEN CALLING THE DEALER REPEATEDLY. THEY STATE AS OF TODAY THEY STILL CAN NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT AS THEY HAVE NO PARTS AND HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED. NOR WILL THEY SCHEDULE TO REPAIR INTO THE FUTURE. THIS RECALL EFFECTS THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT, WHICH IS WHERE MY CHILDREN SIT.

NHTSA ODI 11005251

Jul 5, 2017Seat beltsVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOHN BROTHERS TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 3800 LAPALCO BLVD HARVEY, LA, 70058) ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHO STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE WAIT TIME WAS LONG AND THE LINE DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11003094

May 15, 2017Seat belts1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER TIGHTENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE SEAT WAS REPLACED BY THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PERFORMED ACCORDING TO FEDERAL MOTOR SAFETY STANDARDS. THE CONTACT'S SUFFERED BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.

NHTSA ODI 10985688

May 4, 2017Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE FASTENING THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE BUCKLE FAILED TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LUBRICATED THE BUCKLE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.

NHTSA ODI 10983511

Apr 21, 2017Seat belts

I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL FOR MY CAR REAR SEATBELTS SINCE LAST FALL (2016). IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA UK COULD NOT WORK WITH THE VIN I SUPPLIED AND FINALLY REQUESTED A PHOTO IN FEB 2017; , I SENT THE PHOTO ORIGINALLY ON 14 FEB. I HAVE HAD TO RESEND THE PHOTO THIS MORNING, APPROX. (1 HOUR AGO 1018 GMT 21 APR) TO STEVEN EAGELL TOYOTA, CAMBRIDGE UK (WHO WERE JARDIN MOTORS GROUP WHEN I STARTED TRYING TO GET THIS SORTED OUT LAST FALL.. THE LARGEST SNAFU SEEMS. TO BE THAT TOYOTA UK MUST HAVE AUTHORIZATION FROM TOYOTA US TO GET THE PARTS AND PERFORM THE WARRANTEE WORK I AM HOPING THAT MY FILING THE COMPLAINT FROM THIS END MIGHT EXPEDITE TOYOTA US AUTHORIZING THE REPAIRS. SO THAT I CAN GET THE SEATBELT REPLACEMENT COMPLETED. THIS IS BECOMING URGENT ON MY END AS I NEED TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK COMPLETED BEFORE I CAN HAVE THE CAR SHIPPED BACK TO THE US. I CANNOT SHIP THE CAR UNTIL THE RECALL HAS BEEN PROCESSED. I PCS SHORTLY AND NEED TO SHIP THE CAR SO IT CAN BE USED UPON ARRIVAL.

NHTSA ODI 10979715

Apr 18, 2017Seat beltsVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 EV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) AND 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10978983

Apr 4, 2017Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10970589

Mar 24, 2017Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10968302

Oct 25, 2016Seat beltsVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) AND 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10918823

Oct 4, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10913768

Sep 21, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10908497

Aug 28, 2016Seat belts

REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELTS

NHTSA ODI 10902019

Jul 9, 2016Seat beltsVisibility & wipers

I OWN A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER), BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PART FROM THE DEALER FOR AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10883777

Jul 8, 2016Seat beltsVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER), BUT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PART FROM THE DEALER FOR AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10883511

Jul 6, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10883119

Jul 1, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10882044

Jun 10, 2016Seat belts

I WAS NOTIFIED AT THE END OF APRIL THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THE BACKSEAT SEATBELTS POSSIBLY SEPARATING IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH. I WAS PROVIDED WITH A COURTESY VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR OVER 2 MONTHS WHILE STILL PAYING FOR MY VEHICLE THAT SITS IN A DEALERSHIP LOT AWAITING A FIX. I CONTINUE TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOT YET A FIX FOR THIS RECALL. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE TO NOT HAVE IDENTIFIED A FIX OR MADE PARTS AVAILABLE TO RECTIFY THIS MATTER. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE AN ALTERNATIVE TO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 10873610

Jun 2, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10872255

May 11, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10864325

May 4, 2016Seat beltsVisibility & wipers

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 15V577000(VISIBILITY/WIPERS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10862981

May 4, 2016Seat belts

IT HAS BEEN MORE THEN ONE YEAR AND THE "REMEDY" IS NOT AVAILABLE. THEY STATE IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WHEN THE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE AND SO FAR I DIDN'T GET THIS SECOND LETTER. NHTSA RECALL 16V-096

NHTSA ODI 10863191

May 3, 2016Seat beltsVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10862890

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

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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 →