There are 47 owner-reported visibility & wipers complaints for the 2012 Toyota RAV4in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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
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. Since a household toaster can be purchased for $25, it should not cost manufacturers more than $15 to add an electric heating element to the defroster. Thank you for considering this recommendation. I am embarrassed to admit to the times when I drove while peering through a small patch of clear windshield . . . reasonably safe for seeing directly forward but definitely not safe for seeing side traffic or crossing pedestrians.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA (9101 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617, (919) 890-3686) THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RESERVOIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOW WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
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-[XXX]-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).
I TURNED THE WIPERS ON THE OTHER DAY WHEN IT WAS RAINING, THEY CAME ON AND MADE ONE WIPE UP AND STOPPED ON THE DOWNWARD WIPE. I GOT OUT AND PULLED ON ONE SIDE AND THEY WIPED SEVERAL MORE TIMES THEN STOPPED AGAIN. I PULLED ON THEM AGAIN AND THEY MOVED BUT VERY SLOWLY THEN THEY STOPPED COMPLETELY. I TRIED TO PULL THEM DOWN AGAIN BUT THEY WOULDNT BUDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN .MY DRIVEWAY AT THIS TIME
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 OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD NOT REMAIN SECURED AND FELL DOWN, WHICH WAS A VISIBILITY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE KELLY TOYOTA (1 MARY JANE WOOD DR, UNION TOWN, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I RECIEVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER THAT SAID I WOULD GET SECOND NOTIFICATION BUT I NEVER GOT ONE. WHEN WILL I GET A LETTER TO FIX THIS RECALL ON MY CAR????
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000(VISIBILITY). WHEN SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO CITY WORLD TOYOTA (3333 BOSTON RD, THE BRONX, NY 10469, 888-258-4365) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER AND WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE LEAKING AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE AND DID NOT OPERATE. THE DEALER CALLED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICED; HOWEVER, ONCE SHE ARRIVED, SHE WAS INFORMED AGAIN THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN LATE 2015. PART NEEDED TO SATISFY RECALL AS OF AUG. 2016 IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AT LOCAL DEALER. WORRIED ABOUT POSSIBLE FAILURE OF WIPERS DURING TRAVEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000(VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
2012 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NO REMEDY AVAILABLE TO REPAIR WINDSHIELD MOTOR CORROSION RECALL NOTICE. *SMD RECALL # 15V577000. *JB
DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN ON THE INTERSTATE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST QUIT. VERY SCARY! SCARED MY 4 YEAR OLD TREMENDOUSLY. WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REPAIR. THEN FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALL. SAME ISSUE AS RECALL STATES. LINK BROKE FOR WIPERS AND MOTOR ARM. HAD TO REPLACE WIPER TRANSMISSION.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,251. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Showing 1–20 of 47 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026