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 that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone, where it was scanned with an OBD2 scanner and DTC: P0607, P1603, and P1604 were retrieved. The vehicle was taken to another local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an unknown electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, traction control, and 4WD drive warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for approximately two months. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
On Friday, 1/20, I got in my vehicle, turned it on and the engine maintenance light came on. First and only time in the few months I have owned it. While driving home in heavy traffic from work in Lutz, my RAV4 uncontrollably accelerated at a full stop lurching forward towards the vehicle in front of me. It did this 4 times on my drive home to Spring Hill nearly causing multiple potentially catastrophic accidents. I stayed in the far-right lane for the duration of my drive home with the exception of two left hand turns I had to make. Each time I came to a stop I kept further distance from the vehicle in front of me. I put it in neutral, pressed firmly on the brake, once at a full stop the engine was still revving up to 4-5,000 rpms. I steered the wheels to the right to avoid the vehicle in front of me in preparation that it would not stop accelerating. …
While in transit I observed my rav4 engine light 4wd light and traction control light all come on and truck kinda felt like gear slip weather was clear. I continued and went across a railroad track and all of sudden truck completely shuts down and started smoking. I i coasted to side of road had it towed to my designated location Thought was on fire. After inspection following day it showed top radiator hose coupling broke causing antifreeze to spew from radiator ... I replaced the hose thinking all would be repaired. Antifreeze and water was replaced And tried to crank it sputtered and wouldn't start . Now it still won't start. It has only 135k miles on it and I know it should be more
The small pipe that's part of the Upper Radiator Coolant Hose Connector Adapter broke off and drained coolant from the vehicle. This small pipe had deteriorated and become brittle leading to the failure.
On feb 26, 2015 I turned left into my bank going maybe 5 MPH. Then I turn left again into a parking spot. I put on my brake to stop and the engine started roaring and pushing the brake with both feet the car would not stop. Going about 7 to 10 feet up curb and bumping into a flower barrel planter. As soon as it hit something the car disengaged and I was able to stop car and put in reverse. Lower front end damage occurred. It happen one other time last August 2014. I was pulling into a gas station and the same thing. Engine roaring and wouldn't stop with both feet pushing hard on the brake. The car stopped when it bumped into the step up that the gas pumps were on allowing me to back up and drive again. No damage occurred.
I was waiting at a stop light on norristown road to cross bethlehem pike in springhouse, pa at approximately 5 pm on 5/22/15. I was first in line to cross the intersection in the direction of picking up 309 south in about 1/2 mile. I had been waiting at the light for a minute or two when my car surged forward. I put both feet on the brake but I was moving into the intersection nonetheless. There was sparse traffic and it was safe for me to turn right onto bethlethem pike. Almost as soon as I made the turn onto bethlehem pike the surge dissipated and the engine performance returned to normal. The whole incident took about 30 seconds to a minute. It was probably ill-advised, but I continued to drive to my destination, home. Upon reaching home and thinking about what had happenned I had the car towed the next morning (yesterday) to a dealership for repair. …
My 2012 RAV4 main EVAP canister went bad at only 77,113 miles. It almost costed me $1550 to get this part replaced, but thankfully was able to convince the dealership to get me a deal on the repair. There is no reason for this part to go bad so quickly. I do not top off my gas and I have had it in for routine maintenance at the dealership since it was purchased. To make the situation worse, when the check engine light comes on, the 4wd and traction control units turn off, making my car hard to control in the snow. I was told by tuffy this is a common thing and that was a previous recall for older vehicles. The code was on for a few weeks, didn't clear. I had it diagnosed at tuffy and the dealership, same diagnosis. I have also had a problem with the transmission jerking when I put the car into drive, even in warm weather, when it's the first drive of the day. …
As I was driving on a highway going straight with a speed of approx. 60 MPH, I heard a strange engine noise. I saw the oil pressure light flickering and then I exited the highway, parking on a nearby street. I checked the oil and the dip stick was dry. My car was towed to a auto shop. The first shop ( not Toyota) determined the oil leak was from the oil filter cap o-ring which part of it flatten and extended out causing a large amount of oil to leak out. The second shop( not Toyota) who did the last oil change ( unknown brand of filter kit used) replaced the original plastic oil filter cap with an after market metal one and refilled approx. 3 quarts of oil. I was never told what caused this problem with the oil filter cap o-ring. Since then the car has been running fine but I'm concerned this might happen again.
2012 RAV4 - for no apparent reason my check engine light, trac off light and 4x4 light have been coming on for a few days, then off, then on, etc. We got a code of p0607, but the car is showing no symptoms associated with that code error. The vehicle is driving fine. I have checked the battery connection and the gas cap. Based on a large number of online complaints, I would ask that NHTSA seriously look into this issue and strongly consider a recall that will actually fix the problem for owners. There have been a number who have taken the vehicle in for repair, only to have the lights back on a few days later. Please hold Toyota accountable for this.
Engine complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 9% of the model year's 260 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Toyota RAV4 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.