2012 Toyota RAV4 MPG
EPA ratings for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 run from 19–21 mpg in town to 26–28 on the highway, or 22–24 combined, depending on which of its 4 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 24 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive and is rated 22 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2011 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2WD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular · 370 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 4WD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular · 386 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 2WD | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 4WD | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
2012 Toyota RAV4 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2012 Toyota RAV4 costs about $2,720 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (24 mpg combined), or roughly 18 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (22 mpg combined) comes to about $2,970 a year, $250 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2012 Toyota RAV4 specs
2012 Toyota RAV4 buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.5 L 6-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.5 L | 6 | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2012 Toyota RAV4 problems
Owners have filed 260 complaints about the 2012 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Visibility/wiper is the most-reported area (15% of component mentions), followed by vehicle speed control (14%) and service brakes (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 17 complaints a year: about as many as the 2011 (18 a year) and the 2013 (18 a year).
That ranks 16th of 17 Toyota RAV4 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 260, 36 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 17 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 53 | 15% |
| Vehicle speed control | 49 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 34 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 30 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 30 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 26 | 7% |
| Air bags | 22 | 6% |
| Engine | 22 | 6% |
| Power train | 19 | 5% |
| Structure | 15 | 4% |
| Steering | 9 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 7 | 2% |
| Suspension | 6 | 2% |
| Visibility | 6 | 2% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 5 | 1% |
| Seats | 3 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment | 2 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | <1% |
| Tires | 2 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 2 | <1% |
| Wheels | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
I have a 2012 Toyota Rav-4 Limited . I have had the vehicle since 2020. Ever since I bought the vehicle it fogs up. …
Over the last several years, I have experienced a minimum of four, possibly one or two more, incidents of this vehicle accelerating at a high rate while I have had my foot on the brake. …
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. …
2012 Toyota RAV4 recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota RAV4.
The most recent, campaign 16V096000 from February 2016, concerns seat belts.
14V054000 · February 12, 2014 · Electronic stability control (esc), Hydraulic service brakes
Problem: In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | RAV4 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V096000 | February 19, 2016 | Seat belts | 2008–2012 |
| 15V577000 | September 18, 2015 | Visibility/wiper | 2009–2012 |
| 13V123000 | April 9, 2013 | Equipment | 2010–2012 |
| 13V014000 | January 16, 2013 | Seats, Air bags | 2009–2012 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 2 versions of the 2012 Toyota RAV4; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Toyota RAV4s can be compared fairly. Among other 2012 models in the EPA's sport utility vehicle class, the 2012 Subaru Outback (24 mpg), 2012 Ford Escape (25 mpg) and 2012 Ford Explorer (23 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 24 | 327 | 18 | 15 |
| 2010 | 24 | 400 | 23 | 14 |
| 2011 | 24 | 287 | 18 | 11 |
| 2012 | 24 | 260 | 17 | 5 |
| 2013 | 26 | 257 | 18 | 2 |
| 2014 | 26 | 197 | 15 | 4 |
| 2015 | 26 | 305 | 25 | 4 |
Every Toyota RAV4 model year compared →
Similar 2012 models
FAQ
Is the 2012 RAV4 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2012 Toyota RAV4 has 17 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (16th most of 17 model years), 5 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 24 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2012 RAV4 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are visibility/wiper (53), vehicle speed control (49) and service brakes (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2012 RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 RAV4 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 22–24 mpg combined (19–21 city, 26–28 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 RAV4 per year?
About $2,720 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,970 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).