2012 Toyota RAV4 Visibility/wiper Problems
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about visibility/wiper problems on the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 33,251 miles. The words owners use most often: “seat belts visibility” (11% of reports).
- 53visibility/wiper complaints
- 33,251median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Seat belts visibility: mentioned in 6 of 53 complaints (11%)
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 6 of 53 complaints (11%)
- Wiper perform: mentioned in 5 of 53 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do visibility/wiper problems happen?
Based on 19 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 53 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Toyota RAV4 visibility/wiper complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility/wiper complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 RAV4 | 8 | 9% | — |
| 2024 RAV4 | 6 | 3% | — |
| 2023 RAV4 | 9 | 6% | — |
| 2022 RAV4 | 5 | 3% | — |
| 2021 RAV4 | 19 | 5% | 2,241 |
| 2020 RAV4 | 9 | 1% | 2,800 |
| 2019 RAV4 | 15 | 2% | 100 |
| 2018 RAV4 | 17 | 5% | 9,400 |
| 2017 RAV4 | 10 | 3% | 23,600 |
| 2016 RAV4 | 12 | 5% | 9,878 |
| 2015 RAV4 | 5 | 2% | 23,960 |
| 2014 RAV4 | 6 | 3% | 43,000 |
| 2013 RAV4 | 6 | 2% | 71,925 |
| 2012 RAV4 | 53 | 20% | 33,251 |
| 2011 RAV4 | 48 | 17% | 47,500 |
| 2010 RAV4 | 20 | 5% | 54,500 |
| 2009 RAV4 | 2 | 1% | 78,000 |
| 2008 RAV4 | 7 | 1% | 86,020 |
| 2007 RAV4 | 24 | 2% | 78,000 |
| 2006 RAV4 | 9 | 1% | 80,000 |
| 2005 RAV4 | 3 | 2% | 80,000 |
| 2004 RAV4 | 4 | 3% | 48,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Visibility/wiper
Problem: 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. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Risk: Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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
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…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 Toyota RAV4s have visibility/wiper problems?
No. NHTSA has 53 owner complaints about visibility/wiper for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 (20% of the 260 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Toyota RAV4 visibility/wiper?
Yes: 1 safety recall list visibility/wiper. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do visibility/wiper problems start?
The median reported mileage is 33,251 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about visibility/wiper problems on the 2012 Toyota RAV4?
The most frequent phrase is “seat belts visibility”, in 6 of 53 complaints, followed by “windshield wipers” (6).
See all 2012 Toyota RAV4 problems or visibility/wiper problems across all RAV4 years.