Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 upon activating the windshield wipers, the wipers responded erratically. The contact stated that the wipers moved significantly slowly, changed direction, and paused in the center of the windshield. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V577000 (Visibility/Wiper) however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Poor winter visibility: This is an issue with this vehicle but also with almost all other vehicles with internal combustion engines. During cold weather the defroster is ineffective until the engine warms up and provides heat. This results in two unsafe conditions 1) warming the engine up while parked, which exposes the vehicle and driver to theft ("carjacking" is an increasing crime in our area) and increases carbon emissions, or, 2) driving the vehicle while the engine is cold and having poor forward visibility. If defrosters were equipped with electric heating elements, defroster heat would be provided almost immediately. I was told that VW provided this feature for several years and it was very effective. The electric heating element could be thermostatically controlled so it would turn off once the engine starts providing heat. …
I have a 2012 Toyota Rav-4 Limited . I have had the vehicle since 2020. Ever since I bought the vehicle it fogs up. All the windows fog up and it does not matter what setting I have it on, de-foggers, fan, fresh air, AC, etc. nothing resolves the problem.It is very dangerous as I cannot see where I am going. I cannot use the front de-foggers in bad weather because it makes the afore mentioned problem worse.I have to put the windows down to see and this remedy is not feasible. I have researched and a lot of other people are experiencing this same safety issue in this model vehicle. I love the vehicle but dread bad weather as it is a struggle to see . Please help.
The windshield pump is not working front and back The wipers turn but no liquid comes out though the tank is full It does not make the sound it normally does when it pumps the windshield liquid Dealer wants almost $200 just to look at it and verify the problem
My 2012 Toyota RAV4 driver side visor started falling down about 6 months ago, later would fall down and wouldn't go back up and stay. Then is was very loose. I would move it to the side because I couldn't see to drive. This last time I tried to move it to the side it completely fell off. My passenger side is doing it as well and making it hard for the passengers to see and even myself because it's constantly blocking my view of that side. I'm very aggravated because I called customer care and they will not do anything about it. This is a very dangerous safety hazard. I'm very disappointed in Toyota! My vehicle wasn't cheap but apparently the parts they put in them are. I am including the first picture of me at a 4way red light to show my view driving and at a red light, I can't see and have to bend down to do so. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the air conditioning unit failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was discovered that the parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact was advised by the dealer that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V577000 (visibility). The dealer stated that the parts were not yet available to any of the dealers. A recall notice was also received for NHTSA campaign number: 16V096000 (seat belts). The contact called the dealer and was advised that the parts for the recall were also not available and could not provide a time frame in which the parts would become available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,000. Updated 06/23/16
The drivers side sunvisor started to drop down and will not stay in the up position. We (hunband and sons) have all hit our heads on the on this dangling sunvisor several times. The frame of this sunvisor is very hard and it almost gave me a headache. My a the drives head is hit hard enough during a sudden stop this thing could knock the drive out cold. My husband and two sons who are a little taller than I, they have a difficult time seeing out of the front windshield because the visor will not stay up or back againt the windshield. The broken brackett in the sunvisor could cause a serious accident. I have researched sunvisors on the Toyota vehicles and found there has been several unanswered complaints about the sunvisors.
Driver side sun visor blocks vision while driving due to visor sagging down from it's non-use state. The spring or mechanism in the sun visor won't keep the visor in the non use position. This has to be a recall / defect because this is happening on my current 2012 RAV4 and also my previous RAV4 that was a 2007 model year. Sun visor is dangerous due to blocking view and or when braking your head will hit the visor as well. See more info in these threads: https://www.rav4world.com/threads/can-anyone-tell-me-how-to-fix-this-[redacted]-hanging-visor.78000/ parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota RAV4. While driving approximately 45 MPH, a distortion was noticed straight across the front windshield. The distortion was approximately five inches from where the dashboard met the windshield. The distortion on the windshield was noticeable from the day the vehicle was purchased used two years ago. The contact commented that it May have been more noticeable to her because she was short in stature. The dealer (oxmoor Toyota, 8003 shelbyville road, louisville, kentucky 40222) was notified of the failure and offered to replace the windshield. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota RAV4. While driving approximately 35 MPH in the rain, the windshield became so foggy that the driver could not see the road until the rain stopped. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and the contact was referred to the manufacturer for diagnostic testing. It was diagnosed that the windshield wiper motor needed replacement. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15V577000 (visibility/wiper). The remedy was not yet available. The contact also stated that the failure occurred every time it rained at night. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
Related recalls
Visibility/wiper
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.
Remedy: 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.
Window & Wiper complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2012 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 23% of the model year's 260 complaints. The component named most often is glass, side/rear (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Toyota RAV4 window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-577 (visibility/wiper, Sep 18, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Toyota RAV4 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.