2012 Toyota RAV4 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 12%of 260 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 12% of the 260 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11229921, filed 2019-07, 85,000 miles“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 complaint #11349157, filed 2020-08, 86,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11398486, filed 2021-03, 100,000 miles“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 complaint #10958384, filed 2017-03, 131,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10626503, filed 2014-08, 10,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10153198Dec 5, 2018TSB: Some 2009 ? 2012 model year RAV4 and 2010 ? 2011 model year Camry vehicles equipped with 2AR-FE (non-PZEV) engines may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10111627Aug 23, 2016TSB: REVISION NOTICE August 23, 2016 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to include 2015 model year Prius and Prius PHV vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin…
- 10084301Aug 1, 2016Tsb: revision notice: introduction has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 18% |
| 2024 | 32 | 18% |
| 2023 | 43 | 26% |
| 2022 | 40 | 27% |
| 2021 | 47 | 12% |
| 2020 | 119 | 19% |
| 2019 | 103 | 12% |
| 2018 | 130 | 39% |
| 2017 | 108 | 35% |
| 2016 | 59 | 25% |
| 2015 | 85 | 28% |
| 2014 | 69 | 35% |
| 2013 | 75 | 29% |
| 2012 | 30 | 12% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 19 | 6% |
| 2008 | 27 | 5% |
| 2007 | 76 | 8% |
| 2006 | 42 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 6% |
| 2003 | 42 | 13% |
| 2002 | 92 | 17% |
| 2001 | 60 | 19% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota RAV4
59 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 complaintsBrakes
39 complaintsSeat belts
30 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology