2012 Toyota RAV4 Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I want to start out by saying that if I had been in any other car I wouldn't be writing this review. It was my daughter's new car, 30 days old, and she hadn't even made the first payment. We were hit head on by a drunk driver who was doing 70 mph in a Ford F-150. The impact broke nearly every bone in my body, but I somehow managed to survive. I had just changed places with my daughter and was driving, instead of her. She had bought this vehicle on the merits of it's safety rating, and we couldn't have asked for anything more. We have been told numerous times that it's nearly impossible to survive an accident such as this one. I can't say it enough, or loud enough.....This is one GREAT vehicle.
VS
Critical Review
I have a Limited V6 4wd with 23K miles and let me tell you this thing has been an absolute nightmare. At 6K miles, the vehicle began developing a sporadic knocking noise in the steering. I took it to the Toyota dealer, who claimed that they couldn't recreate the problem. At 10K miles, the knocking got worse and the radio went haywire. I took it back to the dealer, only to have the same excuse come back my way. After moving to MD and at 20K miles, a loud obnoxious hum erupted from the rear of the car and the knocking noise got even worse. I finally took it to a dealer in MD, who then told me that the "ghosts" in the stereo system was nothing surprising, while the lower steering shafted and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Meanwhile, to put the icing on the cake, during speeds of over 70mph with the moonroof open, the ceiling of the car began falling down and fluttering in the wind. To make matters worse, the toyota service has been absolutely deplorable and none of this is Toyota quality. I refuse to recommend this vehicle to anyone.
2012 RAV4 Reviews
Showing 8 of 803 reviews.
RAV4 in v. good condition with no dents or scrapes and 65K miles on it. Bought new in 2011. Well cared for. One owner.
Pro
Bought a 2012 Toyota Rav4 with 71,000 one owner original miles. Excellant maintenance records excellant carfax exterior and interior in excellant like new condition. I bought it from a neighbor for $7000.00 cash that's all they wanted. Both parties very happy. New tires new brakes oil and filter changed and transmission fluid changed. Runs and looks brand new.
I have had my Rav since 2008 and have not had any issues with it. The issues are that the Rav started losing oil back in 2024 now its burn oil and there were no leaks. Toyota is not willing to put a recall or give a warranty to fix the issue.
Reliable
I'm on my 3rd radio/receiver
I've had this SUV for 17 years. I have always taken it for the recommended maintenance and haven't had any problems other than what can be expected over the life of an SUV. I'm only disappointed that I am on my 3rd receiver/radio. Before my recent retirement in healthcare in Connecticut 'hospitals never close'. Other than a massive blizzard several years ago,36 inches of snow where my entire neighborhood and most of my town roads were closed. It reliably started and allowed me to get to work through the harsh winter weather. I would have given it 5 stars except for the receiver/radio problems.
Small but solid tank, 200,000 miles and still going strong. Change the oil every 3k for the win! 4 cylinder, good on gas too. 4x4. Toyota made a good one. Paint looks new still, engine has a nice tone to it.
We’d always heard that Toyota’s run forever. Well this one didn’t. In the 8 years or so we owned it it burned oil like no other, the catalytic converter went out, and then the transmission blew up.
I like the Autotrader process, vetting etc. but I ended up find a vehicle outside of the Autotrader service
I have a 2012 Rav 4 full package 4wd, I used it to tow 2 seadoos for a couple years and it hardly noticed. This car has been high performance, I have kept it well maintained. 3 of my friends bought Rav 4's because they liked mine so much. I am at 107,500 and have never had a problem with this car except with the white paint recall issue. I have had 2 Highlanders one was totalled by a texting driver hitting me from behind and that vehicle saved my life. Also had a Solara convertible that was super fun. I have had all other makes of cars some spent a lot of time in the shop but no problems with my Toyotas. I will probable keep driving Rav 4's I like the visual ability, ample cargo space, good gas mileage without having to be in a large suv.
