2012 Toyota RAV4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV Base 2WD, 4dr SUV Base 4WD, 4dr SUV Base V-6 4WD, 4dr SUV Sport 4WD/Limited 4WD
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 179–269 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- EV, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
- EV range
- 103 mi · 6 h on 240 V
- Length
- 179.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,360–3,686 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 24 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2012 SUV - (20.9 MPG).
- Strong performanceUp to 269 hp, versus about 185 hp for similar 2012 models.
- Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Toyota RAV4 is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 179 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,360 lb (4dr SUV Base 2WD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 15% better than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $1,000 a year in fuel.
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 103 miles and takes about 6 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.
What changed for 2012
- New all-electric version
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 RAV4 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Woodstock, Ontario
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2012 RAV4 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV Base 2WD | 179.1 in | 71.7 in | 68.9 in | 104.7 in | 61.4 / 61 in | 3,360 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV Base 4WD | 179.1 in | 71.7 in | 68.9 in | 104.7 in | 61.4 / 61 in | 3,481 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV Base V-6 4WD | 179.1 in | 71.7 in | 68.9 in | 104.7 in | 61.4 / 61 in | 3,655 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV Sport 4WD/Limited 4WD | 179.1 in | 73.2 in | 68.9 in | 104.7 in | 61.4 / 61 in | 3,556 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV Sport V6 4WD/Limited V6 4WD | 179.1 in | 73.2 in | 68.9 in | 104.7 in | 61.4 / 61 in | 3,686 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 EV EV | 115 kW AC Induction | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 103 mi · 44 kWh/100mi | – | $1,000 | – |
| RAV4 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | +15% | $2,800 | 370 |
| RAV4 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | +21% | $2,900 | 386 |
| RAV4 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | +5% | $3,050 | 404 |
| RAV4 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | +16% | $3,050 | 404 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Toyota RAV4.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota RAV4 (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | 23 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2012 Toyota Highlander | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Kia Sportage | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
Recalls (6)
Seat Belts › Rear/Other · Feb 19, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V096000 · 1,123,752 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Visibility/Wiper · Sep 18, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V577000 · 423,456 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Hybrid Propulsion System · Mar 13, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V143000 · 2,497 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Feb 12, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V054000 · 261,114 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
- Risk
- If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Apr 9, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · 7,525 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Risk
- An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
- Fix
- Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Seats · Jan 16, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 3,235 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
- Risk
- If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
- Fix
- Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Not every 2012 Toyota RAV4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Toyota RAV4 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Visibility/Wiper — 50 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Seat Belts — 29 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 23 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 52,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 103 miles.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota RAV4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other RAV4 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RAV4 | 43 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 42 |
| 2025 RAV4 | 39 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 106 |
| 2024 RAV4 | 39 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 177 |
| 2023 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 171 |
| 2022 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 154 |
| 2021 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 411 |
| 2020 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 650 |
| 2019 RAV4 | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 905 |
| 2018 RAV4 | 32 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 348 |
| 2017 RAV4 | 32 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 321 |
| 2016 RAV4 | 32 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 257 |
| 2015 RAV4 | 26 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 304 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →