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
704 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 7, 2011
2006 TOYOTA RAV-4. CONSUMER STATES BRAKE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER DURING SUDDEN BRAKE STOPS, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN HE ENGAGED THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PEDALS WERE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 6, 2011
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE ON A WELL MAINTAINED SUV. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 28, 2011
TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE, VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AT 78,000 MILES AND THEY FOUND A ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AT THE REAR OF ENGINE AND THEY CLAIM ENGINE MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. HAVE HAD NO INDICATIONS OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE, NO OVERHEATING, NOTHING. ESTIMATED COST OF ENGINE THAT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED IS $8,000 THAT DEALER CLAIMS TOYOTA WILL PAY HALF. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS SHOWING THAT I COMPLAINED OF A SMELL OF COOLANT AT 4,000 MILES AND THE DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS UNDERCOATING BURNING OFF. SAYS THAT THE COMPLAINT AT 4,000 MILES IS NO WAY RELATED TO MY CURRENT PROBLEM AND WILL NOT HONOR MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT AS ANYTHING RELATED TO NEW ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN THE AREA OF MY VEHICLE WHERE THE COOLANT IS LEAKING AND IT IS AT THE VERY SAME SPOT THAT OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ARE HAVING ISSUE WITH THE BOLTS CORRODING DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND LEAKING COOLANT. TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR SECOND OPINION AND HE SAYS VEHICLE IS IN MINT CONDITION AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AT ALL. WHY IS TOYOTA WILLING TO PAY 50% IF THERE IS NOT A LEGITIMATE PROBLEM? *TR
Steering, May 24, 2011
STEERING COLUMN ON TOYOTA 2006 RAV 4 SHOWING SIGNS OF BAD U-JOINT/THRUST COLLAR BEARING. CAR HAS 43,000 MILES AND MAKES LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING. TOYOTA HAS A TSB BUT SAYS IT IS NOT YET A SAFETY ISSUE SO NO REFUND AND NO PRICE CUT ON $500 REPAIR. IF STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT FAILS WHAT HAPPENS TO STEERING??? *TR
Steering, May 24, 2011
TOYOTA RAV4 STEERING NOISE. *TR
Power train, May 18, 2011
WHEN STARTING UP FROM A STOP, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS PROPERLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEARS HOWEVER WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, IT APPEARS TO MOMENTARILY GO IN TO NEUTRAL WHERE THE ENGINE WINES OUT BEFORE QUICKLY BANGING INTO THIRD GEAR. VERY HARSH SHIFTING. THIS APPEARS TO OCCUR ONLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION HEATS UP AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR LONGER. AFTER THIS OCCURS, IT WILL DO THIS EVERY TIME WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO THE DEALER FOR SOME TIME HOWEVER WAS ONLY RECENTLY ABLE TO PROVE IT TO THEM. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT $4000.00. *TR
Steering, May 5, 2011
LIKE MANY OTHER 2006 RAV4 OWNERS, I HAVE EXPERIENCE THE SO-CALLED "CLUNKING" NOISE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS APPEAR TO BE A KNOW PROBLEM (DESIGN FLAW) WITH THIS MODEL, YET TOYOTA FAIL TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND INITIATIVE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DO WE HAVE TO EXPERIENCE SUCH CATASTROPHIC EVENTS AS THE "ACCELERATION ISSUE", BEFORE TOYOTA DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2011
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC AND SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AT 71000 MILES. CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER EVERY FEW MINUTES, FEELING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. DEALER SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE UNLESS LIGHTS WERE BLINKING, WHICH THEY WERE NOT. TOOK IT TO ADVANCED AUTOCARE WHO TOLD ME 4 PISTONS WERE REGISTERING AS MISFIRING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO CHECKED IT OUT, STATING THAT THE ONLY THING WRONG WAS A COIL WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BARELY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WHILE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING! TOYOTA IS SAYING IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND IS NORMAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THIS IS THE LATEST OF ISSUES WITH THIS CAR! DOOR SEALS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND HAD TO REPLACE THE BACK DOOR SEAL AFTER STANDING WATER WAS FOUND IN THE BACK AFTER IT RAINED. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 31, 2011
ENGINE COIL FAILURE. MY RESEARCH TELLS ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE 3.5L V6 ENGINES. ERROR CODE P0352. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 22, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT AND BEHAVED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE REVED UPON APPLYING THE GAS. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THEN PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE AND THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY.
Visibility, Mar 14, 2011
THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND THIS CREATES A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING TO THE EXTENT WHERE IT IS A VISIBILITY HAZARD. APPARENTLY TOYOTA HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE SUN VISOR ON THIS YEAR MODEL BUT REFUSED TO DO A RECALL ON THE MATTER. WHEN I TRIED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER SUN VISOR FOR THE VEHICLE I FOUND THAT YOU CAN ONLY PURCHASE IT THROUGH A TOYOTA DEALER AND THE PRICE IS $250.00. APPARENTLY TOYOTA IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMERS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUN VISOR AND REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY ARE CHARGING A RIDICULOUS PRICE FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART BECAUSE THEY KNOW HOW MANY ARE BAD. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. I GUESS WHEN PEOPLE START GETTING KILLED BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD, THEN MAYBE SOMEONE WILL THEN DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP. *TR
Steering, Equipment, Mar 13, 2011
TOYOTA RAV4 MAKES POPPING AND CLUNKING NOISE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THIS IS DUE TO LOOSENESS IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SPLINES AND JOINTS (TOTAL COST:$468; PART NUMBERS 45221-42071 [STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT] AND 45260-42090 [STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY]). THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. IT IS A PRODUCT DEFECT IN STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AS EVIDENT BY THE TSB ISSUED BY TOYOTA. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2011
TOYOTA TSB-0308-08 FOR A STEERING CLUNK ON 2006 AND LATER TOYOTA RAV4'S SHOULD BE A RECALL, BEFORE STEERING GOES OUT IN THESE VEHICLES. THE TSB INDICATES THAT "BEEFED UP" STEERING SHAFTS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BUT MANY CARS ARE NOW "OUT OF WARRANTY" BECAUSE THE DEALERS CLAIMED NOT TO BE ABLE TO HEAR THE NOISE. NOW THAT MANY OF THESE CARS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY, THE COST TO FIX IS EXCESSIVE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY FROM IT. ANY TOYOTA FORUM ON THE INTERNET HAS SCORES OF COMPLAINTS FROM RAV4 OWNERS, AND STORIES OF INDIFFERENCE ON THE PART OF THE TOYOTA DEALERS. PROBLEM: STEERING AUDIBLE CLUNK AND THE FELL OF THE CLUNK, WHILE TURNING LEFT OF RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO ENTER A HIGHWAY WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND SWERVED INTO TRAFFIC AS ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HANDS AND ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,132.
Electrical system, Feb 24, 2011
2006 TOYOTA RAV4 FWD V6 ENGINE W/65,000 MILES IS SHOWING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT. ECM GENERATING P0606 FAULT CODE. DEALER REPLACED ECM UNDER WARRANTY, BUT 10 MINUTES LATER SAME LIGHTS AND FAULT CODES RECURRED. *TR
Air bags, Feb 22, 2011
2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS NOT WORKED FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS.*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A SPIRAL CABLE WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF $404.56 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB
Electrical system, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 20, 2011
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SENSOR FAILED ON MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 ON 1/19/11. THE PART WAS BACK ORDERED TO 2/24/11. I WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THAT WAS NOT THE CASE, HOWEVER, WHEN THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SENSOR FAILED ON 2/2/11, CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Feb 18, 2011
2006 RAV4 : SPEED CONTROL: SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN DECREASE IN ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY. STARTING IN NOVEMBER 2010 OUR TOYOTA RAV4 WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY,LUNGE FORWARD WHILE PARKING FOR NO REASON. IN DECEMBER 2010 ALL SENOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL CAME ON AND THE CAR ACTUALLY DECELERATED WHILE I WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. I QUICKLY TURNED ON MY FOUR WAYS AND MOVED TO THE FAR LEFT OF HIGHWAY FOR SAFETY . ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT OFF AND CAR RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING FUNCTIONS. ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES AND THE CAR DECELERATED AND APPEARED TO BE STALLING-OUT ALSO ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHEN ON:CHECK ENGINE ,ABS,VSH,AND 4WD. I AGAIN PUT MY FOUR WAYS ON AND MOVED TO SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING FUNCTIONS AND ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OFF. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND HE STATES IT APPEARS TO BE A MALFUCTION IN THE SENORY PANEL. HE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALER AND IS AWAITING A RESPONSE. MY CAR IN UNDRIVABLE AT THE PRESENT TIME DUE TO THE FACT IT COULD STOP RUNNING AT ANY TIME FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *LN
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 17, 2011
LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER ON A LONELY HIGHWAY WITH NO CELL SERVICE, MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 V6 LIMITED STARTED MAKING A NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED MY DASH AND NO LIGHTS WERE ON, PRESSURES OKAY. THE NOISE STOPPED AND I KEPT DRIVING. ABOUT TWELVE MILES FROM HOME THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN AND MY DAUGHTER NOTICED. I LOOKED DOWN AND MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND RIGHT BACK OFF. WE BARELY MADE IT TO OUR HOUSE. WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, OIL WAS EVERYWHERE. IT HAD RAN ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF THE CAR. WHEN I PULLED THE DIP STICK THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE STICK. MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT TODAY AND FOUND A HOLE IN A RUBBER HOSE. I WENT ON-LINE AND HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR STORIES. SUPPOSEDLY, TOYOTA WAS TO SEND OUT A LETTER IN OCTOBER 2009 TO ALL 2006 RAV OWNERS. WELL, I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER AND I'VE BEEN THE ONE AND ONLY OWNER AT THE SAME ADDRESS. SO, IT'S NOT LIKE I COULDN'T BE FOUND. NOW MY HUSBAND IS TRYING TO FIND THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE VVTI- OIL HOSE, THAT IS NOW CALLED A 'PIPE'. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS WASN'T CONSIDERED A RECALL ISSUE INSTEAD OF A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN? THAT OIL HAD SPEWED ALL OVER AND UNDER THE HOT ENGINE ONTO THE MANIFOLD. THERE WAS NOTHING KEEPING IT FROM CATCHING FIRE WHICH COULD HAVE TAKEN BOTH OUR LIVES. IF I HAD RECEIVED THE LETTER (A YEAR AND A HALF AGO) THE HOSE COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW, I'M LOOKING AT REPAIR COSTS THAT COULD INCLUDE A NEW ENGINE. AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH DAMAGE WAS DONE. MY CAR IS PAID FOR AND I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO BUY A NEW CAR OR HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. I WANT TO KNOW WITH ALL OF THE OTHER TOYOTA ISSUES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WHY THIS WASN'T ADDRESSED? MY HUSBAND JUST CALLED A LOCAL DEALER TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART. HE SAID THE WAREHOUSE HAS OVER 250 IN STOCK! WHICH TELLS THEM THAT THIS IS NO ISOLATED ISSUE. HE SAID THAT THE PART NUMBER HAS CHANGED ABOUT FOUR TIMES, WHICH MEANS TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Feb 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THE FAILURE BUT NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,106. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN UPDATED 01/05/2012 *LN *TR
Steering, Feb 14, 2011
CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END ANY TIME I DO A SLOW TURN. SOUNDS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IN THE STEERING MECHANICS IS SLIPPING OUT OF JOINT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 9, 2011
2 UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INSTANCES --- I HAVE HAD TWO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INSTANCES IN A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. IN BOTH CASES I WAS WEARING BOOTS AND THE BOOT HITTING THE BRAKE OVERLAPPED AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. NEITHER CASE RESULTED IN A COLLISION. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS HERE IS THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED POSITION IS WELL BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SO OVERLAP CAN APPLY THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 8, 2011
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I SENT THE BELOW LETTER DIRECTLY TO TOYOTA AND RECEIVED A NOTE BACK STATING MY ISSUE IS NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL. HOWEVER, I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE COVERING THE REPAIRS. I HAVE A 2006 RAV4 THAT ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE FEB 2010. I TOOK IT INTO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR AND HARNESS. SINCE THE ESTIMATE WAS A LITTLE OVER $1000.00, I WAS NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR, THE ABS, TRAC AND VSC LIGHTS WENT OFF AND STAYED OFF UNTIL DEC 2010. WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, I STARTED TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND CAME UP WITH A "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB)" EXPLAINING EXACTLY THE SYMPTOM I AM EXPERIENCING. THE TSB STATES THAT SOME 2006 MODEL YEAR RAV4 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ABS M.I.L. "ON"............ THE TSB GOES ON STATING THE REAR WHEEL SENSOR HAVE BEEN MODIFIED TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. MY VIN NUMBER ACCORDING TO THIS TSB SHOWS THAT MY RAV4 IS ONE OF THOSE VEHICLES THAT FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY OF A POSSIBLE FAILURE. THE WARRANTY INFORMATION STATED THE REPAIR IS COVERED UNDER THE TOYOTA COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY OF 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. THE WARRANTY APPLICATION DOES ALSO STATE THE REPAIR IS LIMITED TO CORRECTION BASED UPON A CUSTOMER'S SPECIFIC COMPLAINT. I DROVE TO A DEALER IN MY AREA AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE AND SHOWED THEM THE TSB. I ALSO CALLED YOUR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY COOPERATION CONCERNING MY ISSUE. MY RAV4 IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAD AROUND 48,000 MILES (THE FIRST TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURRED) - JUST OUT OF THE "COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY". I PURCHASED A TOYOTA FOR ITS RELIABILITY AND SAFETY. NOW, BOTH OF THOSE REASONS ARE HINDERED BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT IN 2006 THAT UNFORTUNATELY OCCURRED ON MY VEHICLE JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE THAT CAN MAKE A REASONABLE AND CONSCIOUS DECISION CONCERNING MY COMPLAINT. *TR
Wheels, Jan 29, 2011
I GOT A FLAT AND I WENT TO REMOVE MY TIRE AND THE BOLT BROKE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME. I HAD IT FIXED. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE MY BRAKES DONE AND WAS TOLD THAT A BOLT WAS GOING TO BRAKE IF THEY CONTINUED TO REMOVE THE TIRE. I WAS GIVEN THE OPTION TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR $178. THEN I WAS HAVING MY TIRES ROTATED AT THE SHOP AND ANOTHER BOLT BROKE. THAT MADE 3 BOLTS BROKEN ON THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE. I'VE OWNED 5 BRAND NEW CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. I'VE CHECKED THE TOYOTA WEBSITE TO SEE IF ANY 2006 RAV4 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NO RECALLS REPORTED. *LN
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2011
MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE CAUSING HESITATION AND LACK OF POWER. THIS PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO SAFETY ISSUES SINCE THE CAR LOOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY. MECHANIC SAYS ERROR CODE INDICATES ALL SIX IGNITION COILS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE PLUGS ARE TO BE CHANGED AT 120K MILES. THE COILS ONLY LASTED 66K ? COMMON ISSUE SEE HTTP://RAV4WORLD.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=24070 WENT TO AUTO PART STORE AND CONFIRMED DIAGNOSTICS: 6 PLUGS MISFIRING DUE TO BAD COILS. BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEED TO BE EXPLORED FOR SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS