Problems · by component
2012 Toyota RAV4 service brakes problems
34 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota RAV4 cite service brakes, 13% of all 266 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
34
13% of all complaints
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
What owners say about the service brakes
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
“Constant brake issues Sun visors won't stay in place (breaks) Massive oil consumption (not leaking) Oil on dipstick appears black & burnt quickly after adding or replacing oil”
“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. *TR”
“IN A PAVED PARKING LOT I ATTEMPTED TO PARK BY APPLYING THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. IT ONLY STOPPED BY GOING OVER A CURB AND HITTING A TREE AT THE PERIMETER OF THE PARKING SPACE.”
“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, (304) 513-3777) 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. *LN *TP 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. *PM”
“9/21/15 TN ACCIDENT REPORTED CASE #WC1523557 VECHILE TOWED, 04/05/216, AUTO AUCTION AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS TRUE MILEAGE UNKNOWN 901-480-4250 JUNE 7, 2018, PURCHASED FROM CARLOCK TOYOTA TUPELO, MS. AUTO CHECK REPORTED MULTIPLE OWNERS, , SCORE 68. DEALESHIP DID NOT REVEAL ANY OF THIS WHEN PURCHASED--ONLY FOUND OUT WHEN DIRECT GENERAL CANCELED POLICY BECAUSE OF AUTO CONDITION---DEALERSHIP ONLY USES CARFAX--FRONT BUMPER LOOSE AND CRINKLED, HOOD CRINKLED, BRAKES WERE NOT NEW AS WAS TOLD-A COVER UNDER HOOD MISSING WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE.”
Showing 6 of 34 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.