2012 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 7%of 260 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,360miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 7% of the 260 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,360 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I took my vehicle in for service due to an engine knock. After 90 minutes to troubleshoot I was told that there was a major problem and that my vehicle was not safe to drive. Engine mount was broken, needed rear differential replaced. Mechanic had never seen anything like this.”
NHTSA complaint #11190078, filed 2019-03, 93,000 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“I got out of my car and forgot to put it in park. Because the car has keyless start, I was able to leave the car without taking a key out. The car started to roll back and because I live at the top of a hill, it began to pick up speed. My neighbor lives at the bottom of my driveway and the car was heading straight to their house. Lukily, the car hit a tree which stopped it from hitting their house and potentially killing someone. The adjuster just told me my car is totaled due to the speed at which it hit the tree. …”
NHTSA complaint #10824605, filed 2016-02, 65,000 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 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 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…
- 10092682May 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…
- 10152282Dec 3, 2015WPB: In certain 2006 to 2012 model year Rav4 4WD vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling…
- 10152281Dec 3, 2015DD: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear…
- 10152280Dec 3, 2015DL: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear…
- 10093766Dec 3, 2015Wpb: in certain 2006 to 2012 model year rav4 4wd vehicles, toyota has received some reports where the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling…
- 10093722Dec 3, 2015"dd: in our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, toyota is announcing a warranty enhancement program to extend the warranty coverage for rear…
- 10093717Dec 3, 2015"dl: in our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, toyota is announcing a warranty enhancement program to extend the warranty coverage for rear…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% |
| 2021 | 23 | 6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% |
| 2019 | 82 | 9% |
| 2018 | 26 | 8% |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 25 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 10% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 19 | 7% |
| 2011 | 25 | 9% |
| 2010 | 38 | 10% |
| 2009 | 28 | 9% |
| 2008 | 37 | 6% |
| 2007 | 53 | 5% |
| 2006 | 53 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 15% |
| 2003 | 209 | 66% |
| 2002 | 376 | 71% |
| 2001 | 190 | 61% |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 13% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% |
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 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 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