Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a delay for the vehicle to stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to put a lot of pressure while depressing the brake pedal for the vehicle to stop. An independent mechanic was made aware of the failure. The mechanic had repaired the brake master cylinder, front and rear brake-disc rotors, and caliper in 2019. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 139,435.
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.
Without cause or reason, the "brake actuator" circuit malfunctioned causing the car to lose cruise control, ABS, anti-skid and sporadic tail light problems (lights will stay on or come on when the car is parked). I brought it to my Toyota dealer and they were unable to identify the problem. The next day, the roads were snow covered and the brakes locked up approaching an intersection causing the car to skid into another vehicle. When I brought the car back to the dealer, after the body was repaired, they located the problem and said it would cost $2900 to replace. Before I was able to have the vehicle repaired, the wiring caught fire, probably because the taillights came on by themselves during the night, as they occasionally did (without a key in the ignition). The car was towed to the Toyota dealer who estimates upwards of $10,000 for repairs to the computer and wiring system. …
When pulling my 2012 Toyota RAV4 into a parking space at very low rate of speed, I tapped the brake pedal and the engine immediately started roaring and accelerating out of control. The car jumped the curb that was directly in front of the parking spot, crossed the road, jumped another curb, and landed in a muddy ravine. The car was towed to the Toyota dealership to be repaired and the tech couldn't find anything wrong with the brakes. I reported the incident to Toyota. They sent an investigator. They claim the edr detected no defects in the vehicle and blamed it on either me mistaking the accelerator for the brakes or my custom fitted, lock-in weathertech floor mat which has been in place since day one of owning this vehicle since 2012. I had never had any problems with the vehicle before this and I have always loved my car but am now terrified that it will accelerate on it's own again.
I was driving westbound on I-70 around mp 129. This is just before glenwood canyon. There was a flashing icy road sign at which time, I signaled my intention to move to the right lane which I did. I slowed down and put my car in 3rd. This was just before a curve to the right where the road and visibility narrow. The right lane was completely iced over as I realized when I got around the curve. In front of me, I saw a pileup, both lanes of traffic were blocked. I tapped my brakes to slow down but because of the ice, I did not stop or slow down. I went around one car stopped in my lane to avoid hitting it from behind. I went around on the shoulder. I continued to pump the brake. Immediately in front of me was a sierra 4x 4 that was perpendicular to the lane of traffic and it was also blocking the shoulder. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav-4. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the vehicle would make a clicking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The technician stated that it was normal for a new vehicle to make noises but proceeded to replace the brakes pad and shim kit. Additionally, all of the brake components were lubricated however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, she attempted to apply the brakes and they failed to respond. As a result, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact sustained whiplash and minor burns caused by the seat belt and deployment of the air bag. A police report was filed. The driver of the second vehicle was also injured and transported to hospital. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was not repaired or inspected. …
While attempting to roll the vehicle forward to clear a doorway, the vehicle jumped forward about 6 feet. At that time I pulled my foot off the gas and pushed the brake pedal to the floor. The vehicle stopped momentarily, then began to accelerate picking up speed rapidly as evidenced by the revving of the engine. I continued to pump the brake since holding it to the floor was doing nothing. By this time I had gone through a chain link fence, through a ditch over a curb and continued to pick up speed to pass through a concrete block wall and into the back of a parked r.,the vehicle impaling itself on the steel pipes of a motorcycle carrier attached to the back of the r.v. The vehicle could not move any further but the engine was still revving. Needless to say the RAV4 was totaled and amazingly I suffered only minor bumps and bruises. At no time did any of the air bags deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota RAV4. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to ball Toyota of charleston (1905 patrick st plaza, charleston, wv 25387, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact stated that Toyota corporation sent an engineer to retrieve data from the vehicle data recorder, but was unsuccessful. The approximate failure mileage was 33,450. The consumer stated inspection was performed in sept 2019 and no defect was found in vehicle. And last incident was on December 16th and brakes/tires were replace a month prior.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota RAV4. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder and the actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 14V054000 (electronic stability control, service brakes hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailable. ..updated 06/21/17 invalid VIN consumer stated dealer repaired the problem. Updated 6/26/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav 4. The contact stated that while traveling 40 MPH, the contact attempted to engage the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result of the failure, the contact crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed. There were repairs completed on the vehicle that were not related to the brakes. The manufacture was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200 and the current mileage was 5,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 01/15/15
Brake complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2012 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 15% of the model year's 260 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Toyota RAV4 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2012 Toyota RAV4, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Toyota RAV4 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 55% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.