Model year guide

2012 Toyota RAV4

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Toyota RAV4 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 863 on record.

2012 Toyota RAV4 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Toyota RAV4 at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints266
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined23 mpg
Typical price$15,469

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Toyota RAV4 recalls 5

Seat Belts:rear/other NHTSA Campaign #16V096000 · 19/02/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module NHTSA Campaign #14V054000 · 12/02/2014

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including …

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Visibility/wiper NHTSA Campaign #15V577000 · 18/09/2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the …

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #13V014000 · 16/01/2013

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010…

Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #13V123000 · 09/04/2013

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Sc…

Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Toyota RAV4 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 266 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2012 Toyota RAV4 safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Toyota RAV4 SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Toyota RAV4 MPG & running costs

Combined23 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Toyota RAV4 worth?

Low
$12,900
Typical price
$15,469
High
$19,300

From 861 comparable 2012 Toyota RAV4 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Toyota RAV4 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,550
Total$21,050
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($15,469) with the same model 5 model-years older ($7,943), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Toyota RAV4 trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Limited · Sport · Standard · High · Sports · EV 2WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl 179 hp · 3.5L 6-cyl 269 hp

2012 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on record

Other Toyota RAV4 model years

2012 Toyota RAV4 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Toyota RAV4 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2012 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota RAV4?

Based on 266 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, power train, service brakes.

What is the 2012 Toyota RAV4 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Toyota RAV4 an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota RAV4 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Toyota RAV4 at about 23 mpg combined (20 city / 27 highway).

How much is a 2012 Toyota RAV4 worth?

Comparable 2012 Toyota RAV4 listings run roughly $12,900–$19,300, typically around $15,469 (from 861 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.