Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav4. While at a completed stop, the vehicle accelerated independently. The emergency brake was engaged to stop the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred on three occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
2012 Toyota RAV4 cruise control problems
severe 41 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
6crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 41 cruise control complaints filed for the 2012 Toyota RAV4, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 41 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
12/21/15 - my vehicle was stationary. I just finished refueling and started the car. I had my right foot on the brake, and switched from park to drive. My left foot stayed on the floor, to the left of the brake pedal. Without removing my right foot from the brake, the engine revved and the car lurched forward. I pressed extremely hard on the brake to keep the car from moving forward, and could…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav4. While stopped at a red light or stop sign, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The failure recurred randomly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav4. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to ball Toyota of charleston (1905 patrick st plaza, charleston, wv 25387, (304) 513-3777) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the rpms increased drastically. The contact decelerated and shifted into neutral. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The technician informed the contact that the vehicle was manufactured correctly and to place the vehicle in neutral whenever the failure…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota rav4 EV. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a manufacturer's recall remedy. Five days after the recall remedy was performed, the contact experienced unintended acceleration. While driving in a parking lot at 5 MPH, the vehicle surged forward to a high speed without warning. The vehicle crashed over a median, a concrete barrier, and…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2012 Toyota RAV4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2012 Toyota RAV4?
It's a meaningful issue. 41 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 7,000 and 50,000 miles, with the median around 16,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,000; a quarter make it past 50,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Toyota/RAV4.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.