2012 Toyota RAV4 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 3%of 260 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the fuel system of the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 3% of the 260 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This has happened about three times. When I am stopping the car with my foot on the brake the engine suddenly revs up and I have to really exert pressure on the brake to prevent the car from lurching ahead. After a few seconds of braking, the engine stops revving.”
NHTSA complaint #10764501, filed 2015-09, 19,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11283129, filed 2019-12, 53,000 miles“My 2012 RAV4 main evap canister went bad at only 77,113 miles. It almost costed me $1550 to get this part replaced, but thankfully was able to convince the dealership to get me a deal on the repair. There is no reason for this part to go bad so quickly. I do not top off my gas and I have had it in for routine maintenance at the dealership since it was purchased. To make the situation worse, when the check engine light comes on, the 4wd and traction control units turn off, making my car hard to control in the snow. …”
NHTSA complaint #11058280, filed 2018-01, 77,113 miles“On september 6, 2014 at 4:20pm while pulling forward into a parking space the car had an unintended acceleration. This is the third time with the exact same circumstances. I pulled forward into a parking space and stopped. I placed the car into reverse with my foot on the brake to re-adjust the position of the vehicle in the space. Backed out without applying foot to accelerator. I applied the braked when car was out of the space. With foot on brake then shifted into drive and the car immediately accelerated to 4,000 rpms. …”
NHTSA complaint #10632525, filed 2014-09, 18,500 miles“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 complaint #11301372, filed 2020-01, 88,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 10 | 7% |
| 2021 | 24 | 6% |
| 2020 | 90 | 14% |
| 2019 | 269 | 30% |
| 2018 | 13 | 4% |
| 2017 | 13 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% |
| 2015 | 13 | 4% |
| 2014 | 7 | 4% |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% |
| 2012 | 8 | 3% |
| 2011 | 13 | 5% |
| 2010 | 20 | 5% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 16 | 3% |
| 2007 | 22 | 2% |
| 2006 | 25 | 4% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota RAV4
59 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 complaintsBrakes
39 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsSeat belts
30 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsSteering
9 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 31, 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