VehicleVerdict

2012 Toyota Rav4 Ev problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2012 Toyota Rav4 Ev — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Rav4 Ev years?

Rav4 Ev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted14 complaints2012: 11 complaints2013: 9 complaints2014: 14 complaints
Rav4 Ev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rav4 Ev years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Toyota Rav4 Ev problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission327%
Engine19%
Fuel System19%
Seat Belts19%
Speed Control19%
Steering19%
Body & Structure19%
Electrical System19%
Visibility & Wipers19%

Does the 2012 Toyota Rav4 Ev have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V096000Seat BeltsFebruary 19, 2016 · 1,123,752 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.

Consequence

A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.

15V577000Visibility & WipersSeptember 18, 2015 · 423,456 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.

Consequence

Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.

15V143000Fuel SystemMarch 13, 2015 · 2,497 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Rav4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. Due to a software issue within a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly, the electric propulsion motor may shift to "neutral" resulting in a possible loss of drive power.

Consequence

A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software, free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY 2012 RAV4 EV HAS AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHERE THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ACTUALLY ENGAGE FROM R TO D, OR D TO R WHEN STATIONARY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENTATION INDICATES SO. THE VEHICLE INSTEAD MOVES INADVERTENTLY IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. IT HAS BEEN A CHRONIC ISSUE WITH THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 5, 2016 · crash

“ON OCTOBER 17 SHORTLY BEFORE 2 PM PST IN CLEAR WEATHER, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT ABOUT 2 TO 3 MPH. I TURNED THE VEHICLE INTO THE SPOT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR SURGED OVER THE CURB, HIT A TREE, WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED ONTO A PARKED CAR. (THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 17, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 EV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REMEDY. FIVE DAYS AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 2, 2015 · crash

“ON OCTOBER 17 SHORTLY BEFORE 2 PM PST IN CLEAR WEATHER, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT ABOUT 2 TO 3 MPH. I TURNED THE VEHICLE INTO THE SPOT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR SURGED OVER THE CURB, HIT A TREE, WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED ONTO A PARKED CAR. (THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 17, 2015 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 35 ON A LOCAL ROAD, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER TO THE PROPULSION SYSTEM. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WORKED AS I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COAST SAFELY TO A TURNOUT. THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHT SAYING "CHECK EV SYSTEM, HAVE DEALER CHECK IMMEDIATELY" WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INFORMATION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 22, 2014

2012 Toyota Rav4 Ev — common questions

Is the 2012 Toyota Rav4 Ev reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 Rav4 Ev problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (3 complaints), visibility & wipers (1 complaints), seat belts (1 complaints).

Does the 2012 Toyota Rav4 Ev have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Toyota Rav4 Ev. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Toyota Rav4 Ev under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.