2012 Toyota RAV4: Wiring is coated with a soy-based covering
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 RAV4 report: wiring is coated with a soy-based covering. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 31,000 miles.
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints for the 2012 RAV4 in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11587409 (filed 05/07/2024): “Over the last 4 years i have had 2 prior occurrence where i've lost power turning or stopping, causing the engine to stall. both times the vehicle was taken to our mechanic and he replaced the connectors to the battery. on january 18th, 2024, while turning off…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11455086 (filed 03/03/2022): “Check ev system - have your vehicle checked by a dealership immediately warning has come on several times in the past few days. rav4 ev forum indicates this is a problem that can make the vehicle stop while driving - very dangerous. there was a recall issued f…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace wiring harness (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $6,000 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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