41 complaints reported

2012 Toyota RAV4 VISIBILITY/WIPER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
41
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Sep 2025

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2025
Jun 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2023
Dec 2021

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2021
Aug 2019

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).

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2019
Aug 2019

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2019
Jun 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2016
Mar 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2018
Jun 2017

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2017
Jan 2017

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2016
Dec 2016

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????

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2016
Nov 2016

THIS RECALL WAS INITIALLY ISSUED ON SEPT.17, 2015. AS OF OCT. 11, 2016 NO FIX HAS BEEN ISSUED. A YEAR IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TIME FOR TOYOTA TO COME UP WITH A REPAIR METHOD AND IMPLEMENTATION. TO DATE, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2015
Sep 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2016
Sep 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2016
Aug 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2015
Aug 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2016
Jun 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2016
Jun 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE 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 ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2015
May 2016

2012 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NO REMEDY AVAILABLE TO REPAIR WINDSHIELD MOTOR CORROSION RECALL NOTICE. *SMD RECALL # 15V577000. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2016
May 2016

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING WATER DRIPPING ONTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR LINK. OVER TIME THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE CORROSION & WEAR @ THE WIPER MOTOR LINK JOINT RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINK FROM THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM. RECALL DATE WAS 9-17-15 (OVER A YEAR). I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID LOSS OF MY WIPER AND A CORROSION PROBLEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2015
May 2016

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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2015
Apr 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2016
Apr 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2015
Apr 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2015
Apr 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2016
Apr 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) AND 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS). THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2015

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 has 41 VISIBILITY/WIPER complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.