2012 Toyota RAV4

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• V6 water pump All years

  What to check: Look for coolant leaks and a low coolant level, and ask whether the water pump has been replaced.

  Four members across two BobIsTheOilGuy threads name the V6's water pump as a worry, and one says the job is costly. They disagree on whether the engine has to come out to change it.

  Sources ^7,8

• V6 VVT-i oil line All years

  What to check: Ask for proof that the VVT-i oil line repair was done.

  Three members across two BobIsTheOilGuy threads warn that a rubber VVT-i oil hose can burst, and one says that cuts oil to the top of the engine.

  Sources ^7,8

Recalls

• 14V054000 2012

  A part in the brake actuator can gain electrical resistance, lighting warning lamps and switching off stability control, ABS and traction control.⁹

• 15V577000 2009–2012

  Water dripping onto the wiper linkage joint can corrode it, and the wipers can stop working.^10,11,12,9

• 16V096000 2006–2012

  In a frontal crash, the rear seat cushion frame can cut the outboard rear seat belts.^{13,14,15,10,11,12,9}

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: 3.5L V6 All years

  Six members across two BobIsTheOilGuy threads favor the V6, for its speed and, two of them say, its reliability. One member there prefers the four, and two others are not fans of the V6.^8,7

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.