2012 Toyota RAV4 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 260 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 2% of the 260 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,000 miles.
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.
“My rear suspension periodically thumps a few minutes after I start driving the vehicle and is most noticeable on a dirt roads. It sounds like a rock is hitting the underside of the car, but I know it is not a rock! It only does it once. It's like the suspension is binding and then releases after a certain distance down the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10472428, filed 2012-08, 500 miles“Sudden onset intermittent hard shaking vibration and metal-like loud rattling coming from driver back wheel/axel region begins at 35-40mph (when driving straight on residential roads, especially when road is rough). Feels like something under that corner of the car is going to crack apart/cave in. Is this same rear suspension issue that the 2006-2011 RAV4 was recalled for?”
NHTSA complaint #10872836, filed 2016-06, 36,000 miles“When making a left turn from a stand still the back end of the vehicle feels very loose and wobbly as if a wheel was about to come off. In addition the vehicle is producing a vibrating or thumping that appears to be coming from the back end of the vehicle. This seems to be a progressing issue. The vibration/thumping has been going on for a couple of years and our mechanic states that the bearing and wheel balance are good.”
NHTSA complaint #11089561, filed 2018-04, 156,000 miles“I took the Rav4 to the dealership for a oil change and wheel alignment 0n 6-6-23. On 6-9-23 I took it back because on the freeway sometime it would start wobbling. They check it out and said the tow arms have play and movement. I said you gave it a 4 wheel alignment and didn`t see that. He recommend to change both rear tow arms and wanted to charge me $1,000. I did not think that was right after 3 days.”
NHTSA complaint #11533220, filed 2023-07“Takata recall I have RAV4 2012 fwd base with 41000 miles, and have a regular maintenance. - when driving at low speed (30-40 mpg) in city, the driving is not comfortable because I feel all of the vibration in wheels. Also, small oscillation does not disappear and maintain in long time. - when driving in a highway, it is very dangerous because a little bumpy road makes my RAV4 oscillated very very severely so that I should be very carefully in order to control my car for driving in straight direction, and not to being turned over. - when my car is in stationary, I can shake my car with my hand. …”
NHTSA complaint #10991857, filed 2017-05Related service bulletins
- 10177782Jun 23, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0063-20.
- 10140566May 2, 2016TSB: Some 2006 - 2012 model year 4WD RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 6 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 10 | 2% |
| 2019 | 16 | 2% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 16 | 6% |
| 2010 | 101 | 25% |
| 2009 | 55 | 17% |
| 2008 | 81 | 14% |
| 2007 | 125 | 12% |
| 2006 | 73 | 10% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 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 complaintsFuel system
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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