2012 Toyota RAV4 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 59about this part
- Share
- 23%of 260 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,626miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the visibility of the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 23% of the 260 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,626 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I turned the wipers on the other day when it was raining, they came on and made one wipe up and stopped on the downward wipe. I got out and pulled on one side and they wiped several more times then stopped again. I pulled on them again and they moved but very slowly then they stopped completely. I tried to pull them down again but they wouldnt budge. The vehicle was sitting in .my driveway at this time”
NHTSA complaint #11244309, filed 2019-08, 78,000 miles“Received NHTSA recall from Toyota in sept. 2015. Recall involves windshield wipers which may become inoperative. Have called dealer numerous times up to this date. I am told they have not received replacement parts to complete repair. I feel they have been given plenty of time to remedy a situation which could endanger driving safety.”
NHTSA complaint #10846504, filed 2016-03, 12,000 miles“I opened the vehicle trunk to place a small box inside. When I shut the trunk door, the glass on the passenger-side, rear quarter panel shattered. The location was particularly troubling because the window was located directly behind my infant's car seat. There were no prior scratches or cracks on the pane. Also, there was nothing on or near the glass that would have contributed to the incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10473831, filed 2012-09, 1,500 miles“My 2012 Toyota RAV4 driver side visor started falling down about 6 months ago, later would fall down and wouldn't go back up and stay. Then is was very loose. I would move it to the side because I couldn't see to drive. This last time I tried to move it to the side it completely fell off. My passenger side is doing it as well and making it hard for the passengers to see and even myself because it's constantly blocking my view of that side. I'm very aggravated because I called customer care and they will not do anything about it. This is a very dangerous safety hazard. …”
NHTSA complaint #11229175, filed 2019-07, 85,000 miles“2012 Toyota RAV4 rear cargo door window shattered, and glass fell inside vehicle and outside vehicle. This occured while car was parked, and the drivers door was being closed. Vehicle had been in garage, no visible damage to rear window had been noted. I feel it is a defect in the glass, as several others have been reported; however Toyota feels differently, as I can't prove there was a defect in the glass, since the glass is in a million pieces inside my vehicle and on the garage floor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10522628, filed 2013-07, 5,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V577000Sep 18, 2015Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2009–2012, RAV4 EV 2012–2014
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 13% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 14 | 9% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 31 | 8% |
| 2020 | 17 | 3% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 21 | 6% |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 7% |
| 2015 | 8 | 3% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 13 | 5% |
| 2012 | 59 | 23% |
| 2011 | 50 | 17% |
| 2010 | 24 | 6% |
| 2009 | 7 | 2% |
| 2008 | 18 | 3% |
| 2007 | 50 | 5% |
| 2006 | 30 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 11 | 7% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 8 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 10% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota RAV4
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 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 29, 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