2012 Toyota RAV4 power train problems
19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2012 Toyota RAV4 — 7% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“While at the end of a car wash with the car in neutral, the car accelerated by itself. It reached 60 mph for over a half mile, and was unresponsive to steering and brakes. The left front wheel was severely damaged. Fortunately, there were no accidents.”
filed May 14, 2025
“No accident but dealer mechanic says I need a new transmission as torque converter is the problem. . Car has 107500 miles and has had routine maintenance. I have since learned that there were dealer service bulletins on this issue and some owners got repairs. My vehicle, a 2012 RAV4, was not…”
filed Oct 2, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other RAV4 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 RAV4 | 6 | 8% |
| 2024 RAV4 | 7 | 4% |
| 2023 RAV4 | 10 | 7% |
| 2022 RAV4 | 10 | 7% |
| 2021 RAV4 | 20 | 5% |
| 2020 RAV4 | 36 | 6% |
| 2019 RAV4 | 80 | 9% |
| 2018 RAV4 | 26 | 8% |
| 2017 RAV4 | 16 | 5% |
| 2016 RAV4 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 RAV4 | 25 | 8% |
| 2014 RAV4 | 20 | 10% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Toyota RAV4
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.