2012 Toyota RAV4 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 6%of 260 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,049miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the 260 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,049 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was pulling into a parking place at our church. When I turned into the parking place the car took off and it jumped an 8 inch curbing and ran into the parish center wall. It tried to climb the wall. I push the accelerator to turn into the parking space and the car took off! It was not driver error!”
NHTSA complaint #10650934, filed 2014-10, 49,000 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“Purchase new off lot. Vehicle barely used. 2012 only has slightly over 26,000 original miles. Kept covered when not in use. Paint is just popping on in several locations right down to the primer layer. Started near back window, then wheel well area, roof spots. We have put touch up paint on the back window thinking we could slow the process but it keeps getting bigger. No one seems to have an answer other than there are a lot of complaints for the same issue. All willing to give estimates for me to pay for it. Obviously it is a problem that Toyota should be paying for!!!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #11230981, filed 2019-07, 20,000 miles“I drive a Toyota RAV4 v6 ltd, 2012 purchased on jan 2, 2013. Prior to that we had a Toyota camry 1999 with more 200k miles on it. On july 24th, 2013, I was driving at a speed of 10 MPH inside the apartment complex and was turning right to park. I was almost parked when all of a sudden the car surged and zoomed over parking stopper, breaking overhead storage bin, zoomed ahead and banged into the building stairs. I kept pumping the brake all through, but the car didnt stop until it hit on to the stairs of apartment. …”
NHTSA complaint #10574209, filed 2014-03, 3,181 miles“I was driving westbound on I-70 around mp 129. This is just before glenwood canyon. There was a flashing icy road sign at which time, I signaled my intention to move to the right lane which I did. I slowed down and put my car in 3rd. This was just before a curve to the right where the road and visibility narrow. The right lane was completely iced over as I realized when I got around the curve. In front of me, I saw a pileup, both lanes of traffic were blocked. I tapped my brakes to slow down but because of the ice, I did not stop or slow down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10490026, filed 2012-12, 27,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007455Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11006161Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 9% |
| 2024 | 16 | 9% |
| 2023 | 10 | 6% |
| 2022 | 19 | 13% |
| 2021 | 21 | 5% |
| 2020 | 62 | 10% |
| 2019 | 89 | 10% |
| 2018 | 14 | 4% |
| 2017 | 19 | 6% |
| 2016 | 15 | 6% |
| 2015 | 31 | 10% |
| 2014 | 18 | 9% |
| 2013 | 28 | 11% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 16 | 6% |
| 2010 | 13 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 5% |
| 2008 | 19 | 3% |
| 2007 | 24 | 2% |
| 2006 | 23 | 3% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 11% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
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 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 27, 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