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3.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,083 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Toyota RAV4 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2012 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #6

Jun 092023

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I took the Rav4 to the dealership for a oil change and wheel alignment 0n 6-6-23. On 6-9-23 I took it back because on the freeway sometime it would start wobbling. They check it out and said the tow arms have play and movement. I said you gave it a 4 wheel alignment and didn`t see that. He recommend to change both rear tow arms and wanted to charge me $1,000. I did not think that was right after 3 days.

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #5

Mar 272023

RAV4

  • miles
The left rear toe arm bracket became detached from the rear subframe. This caused the vehicle to drive erratically. There is minimal to no rust on the vehicle. The failure happened without warning after hitting a small pothole.

- Montrose, CO, USA

problem #4

Apr 212018

RAV4

  • 156,000 miles
When making a left turn from a stand still the back end of the vehicle feels very loose and wobbly as if a wheel was about to come off. In addition the vehicle is producing a vibrating or thumping that appears to be coming from the back end of the vehicle. This seems to be a progressing issue. The vibration/thumping has been going on for a couple of years and our mechanic states that the bearing and wheel balance are good.

- Roxbury, VT, USA

problem #3

May 262017

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall I have Rav4 2012 fwd base with 41000 miles, and have a regular maintenance. - when driving at low speed (30-40 mpg) in city, the driving is not comfortable because I feel all of the vibration in wheels. Also, small oscillation does not disappear and maintain in long time. - when driving in a highway, it is very dangerous because a little bumpy road makes my Rav4 oscillated very very severely so that I should be very carefully in order to control my car for driving in straight direction, and not to being turned over. - when my car is in stationary, I can shake my car with my hand. I thought it was a characteristics of SUV because I had driven a sedan before Rav4. But, I asked to inspect my car in a Toyota service center, and a mechanic said that the rear struts and suspensions are worn out, and should be replaced. In addition, he said that the front shock absorbers would show a malfunctioning in a near future. The mechanic shook my car with his hand, and my car was shaken according to his hand. The mechanic said that cars should not be shaken by hands. It is very disappointed with Toyota auto. I should spend more than 2,000 dollars to fix the front and rear shock absorbers with after-market price. I heard that Toyota recalled for rear suspension problem 2006~2011 Rav4. But, I think this recall should be extended to 2012 Rav4.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #2

Jun 012016

RAV4

  • 36,000 miles
Sudden onset intermittent hard shaking vibration and metal-like loud rattling coming from driver back wheel/axel region begins at 35-40mph (when driving straight on residential roads, especially when road is rough). Feels like something under that corner of the car is going to crack apart/cave in. Is this same rear suspension issue that the 2006-2011 Rav4 was recalled for?

- Pearland, TX, USA

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problem #1

Jun 012012

RAV4

  • 500 miles
My rear suspension periodically thumps a few minutes after I start driving the vehicle and is most noticeable on a dirt roads. It sounds like a rock is hitting the underside of the car, but I know it is not a rock! it only does it once. It's like the suspension is binding and then releases after a certain distance down the road.

- Lyons, CO, USA

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