2006 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 704 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 26 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 10 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, rearAug 12, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0V for Toyota vehicles and GLK for Lexus vehicles. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-383, in which some vehicles were only inspected, sealed, and did not have both arms replaced. The affected vehicles were previously recalled under 13V-383, but did not have both rear suspension arms replaced at that time. Those vehicles need to have both arms replaced as part of this recall remedy.
Campaign 16V596000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherFeb 19, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
Campaign 16V096000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, power window devices and controlsOct 22, 2015
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Campaign 15V689000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleApr 9, 2014
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
Campaign 14V168000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearAug 28, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tie rods and replace any that have rust or corrosion on the alignment adjustment threads. All of the rear tie rods will then be encased in an epoxy to prevent future environmental damage. Due to limitations in parts, the recall remedy will be launched in phases from September 2013 through mid-April 2014. All owners will receive notification of the recall, with most receiving second notifications when parts are available in their area. IMPORTANT: This recall supersedes Toyota and Lexus recall 12V-373. All vehicles that have been inspected and remedied under the previous recall need to be re-inspected and have the appropriate remedy applied.
Campaign 13V383000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearAug 2, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to prevent improper servicing in the future. The recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 12V373000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalFeb 24, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 11V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Campaign 09V223000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
230 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Dec 26, 2007
I HAVE A 2006 RAV4 6 CYLINDER. WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE THE KNOCKING/CREAKING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AT SLOW SPEEDS. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO LOOK AT IT WHEN IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE BUT OF COURSE THEY COULD NOT HEAR THE PROBLEM. HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS DREADED "KNOCKING" NOISE WHEN TURNING AND ACCORDING TO THOSE PEOPLE, THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Sep 25, 2007
I HAVE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF MY RAV4 WHEN I MAKE LOW-TURN SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AMONG RAV4 CAR OWNERS THIS PROBLEM IS VERY WELL IDENTIFIED, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS URL: HTTP://RAV4WORLD.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=5820&POSTDAYS=0&POSTORDER=ASC&START=0 THAT DISCUSSION THREAD ALONE HAS ALMOST 150 MESSAGES ON THIS TOPIC, BUT MOST TOYOTA DEALERS CAN'T FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS LIKE A REAL PROBLEM, AND TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE A TSB OUT ON THIS, BUT IF THEY DO, I CAN'T FIND ONE. BECAUSE IT MAKES A LOT OF NOISE IT SEEMS DANGEROUS, BUT THE DEALER I'VE TAKEN IT TO HAS SAID "DON'T WORRY, IT WON'T GET YOU IN AN ACCIDENT OR LEAVE YOU STRANDED." IF THEY CAN'T IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN MAKE THAT STATEMENT. THANK YOU. *JB
Steering, Aug 16, 2007
CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS MOSTLY. SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING LEFT. CLUNKS 2 OR 3 TIMES ON THE TURN ,WHILE MAKING THE RIGHT TURN MOSTLY..IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME NOW .I TOOK MY CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND HAD A MECHANIC RIDE WITH ME .. I COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM MORE THEN A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT THE MECHANIC COULDN'T HEAR IT. HE SAID TO BRING IT BACK IF IT CONTINUES. TOYOTA HAS NO BULLETINS ON THIS PROBLEM FOR THE RAV4, HOWEVER THEY HAVE SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE PRIUS AND THE HIGHLANDER MODELS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM.. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, HE SAID THEY WEREN'T RELATED?? THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. *JB
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2007, crash
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 ACCELERATED WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. ON 12/27/06 THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND HE WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 94000. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT END DAMAGE WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THEY CAN DIAGNOSE ERRORS IN THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT HAS A POLICE REPORT AND A REPAIR INVOICE FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT. *NM WHEN MAKING TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT HARD. THE DEALER ORDERED A POWER STEERING COMPUTER. *NM UPDATED 02/16/07.*JB
Steering, Jan 12, 2007
IN JUNE 2006, I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 SPORT. GREAT VEHICLE. I DRIVE 100 MILES A DAY ROUND TRIP TO WORK. AS OF 1/12/07, THERE ARE 15,725 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. AROUND 12,500 MILES, I NOTICED A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEN MAKING A HARD RIGHT OR LEFT TURN (TURNING INTO A PARKING PLACE OR MY DRIVEWAY). I TALKED WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THE FIRST ATTEMPT WAS TO HEAVILY LUBRICATE THE STEERING AS I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS DRY. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED FOR AN OIL AND LUBE EVERY 4,000 MILES. THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT. THE DEALER FORGOT TO ORDER THE PART. AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF, I CALLED TO FIND OUT THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AS THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. WHEN I ASKED IF I WAS SAFE DRIVING 100 MILES A DAY, AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT A SAFE SPEED OF 40 MPH. (I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT I WOULD BE KILLED ON THE FLORIDA ROADS IF I DROVE THAT SLOW. - THEY AGREED.) AGAIN, I ASKED IF I WAS SAFE. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER, THAT THEY WOULD SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO. I WAS CALLED WITHIN AN HOUR AND TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD BE IN WITHIN A WEEK. THE NEW RACK AND PINION UNIT AND GEARS WERE INSTALLED YESTERDAY. ADDITIONALLY, A RECOMMENDED WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS DONE, AND IT FEELS AS IF THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE FEELS GOOD, BUT THE CRUNCHING NOISE IS STILL THERE. DOES TOYOTA HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ON THESE VEHICLES? IF SO, I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED. I TRADED MY CHRYSLER FOR THE TOYOTA SO THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ALL OF THE TIME. THE REAL QUESTION IS: AM I SAFE????? *NM