CarRecallWatchThe 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV has 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Power Train (3 reports).
2012 Toyota RAV4 EV recalls
Rear seat belts may be cut in a frontal crash
Certain Toyota RAV4 vehicles from model years 2006 to 2012, along with 2012 to 2014 RAV4 EVs, may have rear outboard seat belts that can be cut by the seat cushion frame during a frontal collision.
Wipers May Stop Working, Reducing Driver Visibility
Water can drip onto the joint connecting the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Electric motor can shift to neutral, losing drive power
Certain 2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV vehicles built between July 24, 2012 and August 29, 2014 have a software problem in a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly.
Most common 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV problems
Problem areas named in the 6 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 |
What owners report
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 EV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) AND 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
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 VEHICLE, AND I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION, BUT THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WOULD BE INSTALLED AND MIGHT CORRECT THE MATTER. IT HAS NOT, AND MY WIFE AND I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM RANDOMLY. ON MARCH 5, 2016 HOWEVER, THE CONDITION CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPOT ON THE
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 AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES.) THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. FINALLY I DEPRESSED THE IGNITION BUTTON FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS AND IT TURNED OFF. JUST 5 DAYS EARLIER, THE CAR HAD UNDERGONE A SAFETY RECALL REPAIR TO THE ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY. TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO A SOFTWARE DEFECT WHICH AFFECTED "COMPONENTS IN THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRACTIO
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 FORWARD TO A HIGH SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED OVER A MEDIAN, A CONCRETE BARRIER, AND INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR WHIPLASH, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAITED OVER THREE WEEKS FOR THE MANUFACTURER'S ENGINEER TO PROVIDE AN ANALYSIS ON HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE APPROXIMAT
I WAS DRIVING IN THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK AND THE YELLOW EXCLAMATION LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAYS "CHECK EV SYSTEM. HAVE YOU VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY." I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND THE CAR STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ECU. *TR
2012 Toyota RAV4 EV questions
Does the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV: Rear seat belts may be cut in a frontal crash; Wipers May Stop Working, Reducing Driver Visibility; Electric motor can shift to neutral, losing drive power. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (3), Fuel/Propulsion System (1), Engine (1).
How do I check if a recall on my 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.