2006 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

MY STEERING HAS DEVELOPED A SERIOUS KNOCKING. INITIALLY IT WAS LIGHT BUT IS NOW RAPIDLY INCREASING SPECIFICALLY WHEN MAKING SHORT TURNS LIKE EXITING MY GARAGE AND/OR BACKING UP. THE CAR HAS 47000 MILES AND I DON'T THINK A DEFECT LIKE THIS SHOULD HAPPEN. IT CERTAINLY IS NOT PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE. CHECKING THE WEB I NOTICE THAT MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I WONDER WHY TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THE MODEL TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS- AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS - DEFECT.

WE PURCHASED OUR TOYOTA 2006 RAV 4 NEW AND HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, AS WELL AS SLUGGISH THROTTLE RESPONSE INTERMITTENTLY SINCE OUR PURCHASE. WE ARE CONCERNED OF THE POTENTIAL OF AN ACCIDENT. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ON FEB. 28, 2010 WHEN I WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE ON A FLAT SURFACE. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL OUR VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FOR THREE SECONDS THEN SURGED FORWARD FASTER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE. THESE CARS ARE UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED ALONG WITH THE OTHERS THAT TOYOTA CONTINUES TO DENY THERE ARE SAFETY ISSUES PENDING WITH THESE VEHICLES. *TR

MY WIFE AND I HAVE BOTH EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE OUR 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 WAS OPERATING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED OR WHILE RE-ENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL AFTER SLOWING FOR TRAFFIC. IN EACH CASE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WELL BEYOND THE CRUISE CONTROL SET POINT (TYPICALLY 55 MPH). THIS ACCELERATION OCCURRED ON FLAT ROADS, NO ICE OR WATER ON THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS FULLY WARMED UP,AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS AT PRESCRIBED INTERVALS BY OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAS OCCURRED 5 OR 6 TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS FEBRUARY 22, 2010 WHEN I RE-ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL FROM A SPEED OF 50 MPH TO THE PREVIOUS SET POINT OF 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH AND WAS STILL GAINING SPEED WHEN I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED TO TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, AND I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY OF THE CURRENT TOYOTA RECALLS, AND OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER DOES NOT TAKE OUR REPORTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION SERIOUSLY. THEREFORE, NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO CORRECT THE FAILURE(S) AND NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING BY 88 ST AND 94 AVE IN MIAMI, FLORIDA WENT THROUGH THE TRAIN TRACKS, AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE, LIKE AN EXPLOSION, AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND MOVE TO THE LEFT LANE, THANK GOD THERE WAS NO CARS COMING, SO I FINALLY CONTROL THE VEHICLE, I LOOK FOR A REASON OF THE EXPLOSION, AND THEN DRAG...LITERALLY TO A SHOPPING PLAZA, WHERE I NOTICED THE TIRE BEHIND ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS ALMOST SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. I CALLED MY SON, AND HE SEND A TOW TRUCK, LATER A MECHANIC WOULD TELL ME THAT THE INNER TIE ROD BROKE. I NOTICED MONTHS BEFORE THAT THE CAR MADE FUNNY NOISES FROM THE SUSPENSION. I CALLED THE DEALER SENT AN E-MAIL TO TOYOTA USA WARNING THEM, THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE DEALER. THEY DIDN'T CARE WHAT I SAID TO THEM, I WENT THREE TIMES TO THEM, TOYOTA USA INSISTED TO GO TO THE DEALER. THREE YEARS LATER TOYOTA USA SENT ME A WARNING BROCHURE ABOUT THE INNER-TIE ROD PROBLEM AND HOW TO DO THE ALIGNMENT ON THE RAV 4 BUT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT DOING THIS PROCEDURE. I DID THE ALIGNMENT FOR THE RAV 4 IN A PLACE THAT HAS ALL THE CERTIFICATIONS, IN MY OPINION THE RAV-4 HAS A DEFECT INVOLVING THE SUSPENSION ( AFTER SHOCKS) AND THE INNER-TIE RODS, I HOPE THIS HELPS FIND THE REASON OF THIS PROBLEM. AND HOW TO GET REIMBURSED FOR ALL THE EXPENSES THAT I WENT THROUGH THIS.. *TR

THIS IS AN UPDATE OF COMPLAINT 10243141. IN AUGUST 2006, I PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA RAV 4/L4 AT 4X2. IN AUGUST 2007 (MILEAGE: 9,540), I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CAR DEALER BECAUSE OF A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WHICH HAD TO BE ORDERED (PART # 45260-42090) AND INSTALLED. IN NOVEMBER 2007 (MILEAGE: 11,989), I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE SAME NOISE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IN DECEMBER 2007 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN (MILEAGE: 12,717) WITH STILL THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOISE. DEALER PERSONNEL DETERMINED A DAMAGED STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS ORDERED (PART # 45260-42090) AND INSTALLED FOR THE SECOND TIME. ON OCTOBER 13, 2008, (MILEAGE: 21,152) THE CAR WAS AGAIN MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE STEERING SHAFT WAS AGAIN REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT A DIFFERENT PART HAD TO BE REPLACED (PART # 45221-42070). ON JULY 2, 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE. I AGAIN REPORTED THE SAME NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TECHNICIAN DROVE THE VEHICLE AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON NOVEMBER 6, 2009, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT AUTO SHOP. THE MECHANIC DISASSEMBLED THE STEERING WHEEL AND IDENTIFIED THE NOISE. HE PERSONALLY TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO A TECHNICIAN. AT THAT DEALERSHIP, HE WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE IS A 'NORMAL CONDITION' AND THAT TOYOTA PERSONNEL ARE AWARE OF THE NOISE BUT THE COMPANY HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OR HOW TO FIX IT. ALSO, HE WAS TOLD OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM. WE ARE NOW IN FEBRUARY 2010. MY RAV 4 (MILEAGE: 35,983) HAS MAINTAINED THE NOISE AND HAS A FUNNY FEELING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FEELS LIKE IF THE WHEEL WILL COME OUT. SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, ACCEPTED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER AND CONFIRMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, I FEEL I SHOULD UPDATE THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSB. I WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING SOME FEEDBACK FROM NHTSB IN THIS REGARD. *TR

TOYOTA TSB ST001-08 - - OWNERS MAY HEAR A CLUNK, POP, OR KNOCK TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. THE TSB REPLACES 2 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS WITH "REDESIGNED" SHAFTS. THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE SHAFTS WILL ONLY BE COVERED BY STANDARD 36 MONTH/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS THIS NOISE, AND THERE IS ALSO A PULSE IN THE WHEEL WHEN IT OCCURS (SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK). WILL THIS EVER BECOME A POSSIBLE RECALL? IS THERE A HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS? *TR

MY VEHICLE IS MAKING CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHENEVER I MAKE TURNS. I AM AFRAID IT WILL GET WORSE SOONER OR LATER. MILEAGE: 27,699. *TR

I HAVE 2006 RAV4 WITH 62,800 MILES ON IT. THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND SOME TIMES THEY DO NOT HOLD THE BODY TIGHT ENOUGH WHEN IN LOCKED POSITION. I CALLED UP THE DEALER (NORTHWAY TOYOTA DEALER, LATHAM, NY) AND HE SAYS THERE WOULD BE CHARGES TO LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AT THE RATE OF $94 AN HOUR. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT SAFETY RELATED ITEMS LIKE SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE BY THE MANUFACTURER FREE OF COST. *TR

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES REGARDLESS OF MONTHS IN SERVICE, (INCIDENTALLY GARAGED THROUGHOUT THE WINTERS) DEVELOPED A STEERING COLUMN NOISE THAT WAS HEARD BY A FRIEND. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO TOLD ME OUTRIGHT THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT "HAS BEEN AROUND". THE REPAIRS WILL COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS AND FROM WHAT I'M READING ONLINE THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE OUT THERE. SO IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL, OR ISN'T THE STEERING OF A VEHICLE A DANGER TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. AFTER ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS TOYOTA HAS HAD WHY HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY NHTSA. *TR

TOYOTA RAV4 2006 LIMITED, 4CY, ON 2/2/2010, GAS STARTED DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A HEAVY FLOW. TAKEN TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDS TO REPLACED. IT IS GOING TO BE REPLACED ON 2/4/2010 AT THE COST OF $715.00. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT. TOYOTA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPAIR THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE PROBLEM THAT PLAGUES THIS VEHICLE. (PLEASE SEE T-SB-0318-08 OCTOBER 20, 2008). IF THE VEHICLE WERE UNDER WARRANTY, TOYOTA WOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES AT NO COST. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND HER CAR STARTED TO DEVELOP THIS PROBLEM AFTER 3 YEAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY PROGRESS TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE. THIS CONCERN IS NOT ONLY FOR MY WIFE, BUT ALSO FOR ALL AMERICAN'S WHO HAVE THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. IN LIFT OF THE RECENT TOYOTA RECALLS, I WOULD HOPE THE NHTSA WOULD RECALL THE EFFECTED VEHICLES AND FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 HAD THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAIL AROUND 33K MILES. TOYOTA REPLACED IT UNDER A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN WHILE IN WARRANTY. IT IS NOW AT 67K MILES AND THE SHAFT IS BAD AGAIN. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 12 MONTHS SINCE THEY REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SERVICE TECH COULD NOT TELL ME THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION WITHOUT THE CHANCE OF LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *TR

2006 TOYOTA REV 4 WITH 27,000 MILES WITH A STEERING SHAFT WEARING OFF. THIS COULD CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT BREAKS DOWN ON THE ROAD. A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *TR

THE ACCELERATOR IS VERY TWITCHY. ON ONE OCCASION, ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK IN OUR PARKING AREA. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND AVERTED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

RAV 4 YEAR 2006 HAS HAD A NUMBER OF JUMPING TO 500 RPM WHILE AT IDLE OR SLOWING DOWN. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOUR TIMES WITHOUT AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

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

I WISH TO REPORT AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 2006 RAV. IT SEEMS SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED FOR THE NEW PRIUS MODELS. WHEN BRAKING ON SLIPPERY OR BUMPY SURFACES, USUALLY AT FINAL BRAKING AT A STOP SIGN, THE SYSTEM SEEMS TO TAKE OVER AND I HAVE NO BRAKING CONTROL. (IT IS AS IF A PRE-SET BRAKING PROGRAM GOES INTO EFFECT.) IT HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS, JUST AS I BRAKE FOR THE STOP -- AND SHOULD HAVE STOPPED EASILY. I HAVE HAD MANY, MANY INCIDENTS WHERE THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO SLIDE THROUGH A STOP SIGN INTO AN INTERSECTION. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRENT PROBLEM THIS WINTER, AND IS A SERIOUS CONCERN FOR DRIVING IN MINNESOTA WINTERS. *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES I NOTICED WHEN I BACKED UP I HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN WHAT SEEMED TO BE THE REAR. AT APPROXIMATELY 62,000 MILES I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A "TRANSAXLE" PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE VISOR FREQUENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING ABRUPTLY DROPS TO A STRAIGHT-DOWN POSITION. IN THIS POSITION IT IMPAIRS FORWARD VISIBILITY, AND FOR TALL DRIVERS IT CAN BLOCK THE VIEW OF THE ROAD COMPLETELY, IF YOU HAVE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY IT CAN HIT YOU IN THE HEAD. *TR

2006 TOYOTA RAV4 STEERING SHAFT CLUNKING NOISE. IT WAS NOTICED BY THE DEALER AND FIXED UNDER WARRANTY LAST YEAR. BUT LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER THE NOISE IS BACK AND THE DEALER INDICATED IT COULD BE A DEFECTIVE PARTS; REPLACING IT WILL COST 800, NOW OUT OF WARRANTY THE OWNER NEED TO PAY FOR IT. IT'S CLEARLY A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE ORIGINAL PARTS THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. NOW I'M LIVING WITH THIS NOISE AND IT APPEARS IT'S GETTING WORSE. *TR

MY TOYOTA RAV4 (2006 MODEL) SEEMED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. A HARD SLAM ON THE BRAKES SLOWED IT DOWN, BUT WE ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. WE WERE DRIVING IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO. IT WAS A ONE TIME EVENT IN JAN/2010 . *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 SRS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPT EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE "SPIRAL CABLE "IN THE STEERING COLUMN. "DIAGNOSIS "AND REPAIR COST OVER $700.00. *TR

CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING TURNS. *TR

IN 2010, I COMPLAINED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER TWO YEARS THE NOISE BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE AND THE TOYOTA MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE LOWER INTERMITTENT STEERING SHAFT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY DUE TO WORN-OUT SPLINES. CORRECTION: REPLACE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ($359.--). I DECLINED REPAIR SINCE I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THE 2006 AND 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 MODEL AND A RECALL WOULD WARRANTED. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF STEERING. THE MECHANIC DID NOT THINK SO. *TR

BURNING ENGINE OIL, TURNS OUT NEED TO FILL ENGINE OIL VERY FREQUENTLY. SEARCH ONLINE, IT'S A RECALL. BUT IT'S EXPIRED FOR ME

HEAR CLUNK SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING. CHECK WITH TOYOTA SUNNYVALE DEALER, THEY SAID THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

VEHICLE: 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 PROBLEM: STUCK ACCELERATOR DATE OF INCIDENT: DECEMBER 24, 2009 MY WIFE WAS LEAVING WORK ON THE 24TH OF DECEMBER. OUR CAR WAS PARKED FACING UPHILL. AS SHE WAS LEAVING HER PARKING SPACE, SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR SLIGHTLY AND THE CAR "TOOK OFF" ON ITS OWN. SHE ENDED UP HITTING A CAR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEN GOING OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE, OVER A SIDEWALK, SNOW BANK AND THEN HITTING A BUILDING. I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO TOYOTA WHO WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND SENT A LETTER TO MY HOUSE STATING THAT FACT. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT DAY WERE SLOPPY SNOW. AS MENTIONED, THE CAR WAS FACING UPHILL SO THE SLIPPERY CONDITIONS ACTUALLY ACTED IN HER FAVOR. I WROTE UP A FULL REPORT WITH PHOTOS THAT I SENT TO BOTH TOYOTA AND STATE FARM. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO E-MAIL THIS REPORT TO YOU AS WELL. OUR RAV 4 HAD A LITTLE OVER 51,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. IT IS A 4 CYLINDER, AUTOMATIC. *TR

I HAVE A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS. THEY HAVE A BULLETIN ON THIS, BUT SAYS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON MY CAR, PROBLEMS LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T BE SHOWING UP THIS SOON. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN COULD FAIL AND I WOULD LOOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. WHY WOULD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS NOT BE COVERED BY SOME KIND OF SAFETY RECALL. SINCE THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM, THEN TOYOTA IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR

WE HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. ON DEC.18, MY WIFE, PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING FASTER THAN SHE WANTED TO GO. SHE PUSHED ON THE FOOT BRAKE BUT COULD NOT SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE LET UP ON THE BRAKE, IT SPED UP MORE, AND EVEN APPLYING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS SHE COULD, IT DID NOT STOP. SHE BUMPED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER SUV AND THEN A LITTLE FURTHER ON JUMPED THE CURB AND SMASHED INTO A CONCRETE FILLED STEEL POLE WHICH DID MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT. SHE THEN MANAGED TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND GOT IT STOPPED USING THE HAND BRAKE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY OPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. AT MY REQUEST, THE BODY SHOP TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHO CHECKED IT OUT MECHANICALLY AND ELECTRICALLY AND, OF COURSE, DECLARED ALL SYSTEMS WITHIN "FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS" IN THINKING BACK, MY WIFE CAN RECALL OTHER TIMES WHEN THE RAV 4 SEEMED TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN SHE EXPECTED, BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL IT. SHE HAS BEEN DRIVING OVER 50 YEARS AND IS A CAUTIOUS DRIVER. DURING THIS WILD RIDE SHE CONSCIENTIOUSLY CHECKED TO SEE THAT SHE WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT THE ACCELERATOR. THE FLOOR MAT IS SECURED BY LITTLE HOOKS SO IT CANNOT SLIDE UP UNDER THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDALS. (IN THE IDLE POSITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS ALMOST 2 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR). *TR

STEERING MECHANISM WAS NOT SMOOTH IN MOVEMENT AND MADE POPPING NOISE. IT APPEARS BY SEARCHING ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD SAME TROUBLE. FORTUNATELY, WE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. WE HAD REPAIR PERFORMED AT ADAMS TOYOTA LEE'S SUMMIT, MO. DEALERSHIP REPLACED DEFECTIVE LOWER STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. REPAIR WAS CORRECTIVE AND COST $262.85 BEFORE TAXES. THANK YOU. *TR

CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING SHAFT IN LOW SPEED TURNING AND BACKING. I WAS UNDER THE 36000 MILES (32,000) BUT THE 3 YEARS ON WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED.9 MONTHS AGO. TOYOTA AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE "INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT" AND ALL LABOR. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE SERVICE AND I HOPE THIS PERMANENTLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. *TR

"2006 TOYOTA RAV-4" REFERENCE---T-SB-0318-08---CLUNK/ POP/KNOCK WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. "TOYOTA" RECOMMENDED SOLUTION---REPLACE STEERING WHEEL "INTERMEDIATE SHAFT LINKAGE" WITH IMPROVED PARTS. ---"WARNING"--- DEFECTIVE "MECHANICAL LINKAGE" BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEEL MECHANISM IS A "SERIOUS DANGER" AND COULD, OR HAS BEEN THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATHS! SHOULD THIS PROBLEM BE INCLUDED AS ANOTHER "TOYOTA RECALL"? *TR

WE BOUGHT OUR 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 IN FEBRUARY 2006 AND IT BEGAN LEAKING WATER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AREA THIS PAST FALL WITH THE FIRST RAINS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE LEARNED THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (BO021-06 REVISED) NOVEMBER 1, 2006 SPECIFICALLY DEALING WITH THE WATER LEAKAGE PROBLEM, THEY TITLE; COWL PANEL WATER LEAK. HOWEVER, TOYOTA NEVER CONTACTED US AND WE ARE BEYOND THE 36,000 MILE OR 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD SO THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO MITIGATE THIS DESIGN FLAW. SINCE THEY DIDN'T CONTACT US WHEN THEY LEARNED OF THIS PROBLEM, WHEN WE COULDN'T HAVE IT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, IT APPEARS TOYOTA ONLY WANTS TO MAKE MONEY ON REPAIRS FOR THEIR KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. *TR

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 V6. I HAVE UNDER 21,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND MY MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY EXPIRED IN AUGUST. FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW I'VE BEEN HEARING A LOUD, CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER I MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TODAY AND WAS TOLD I HAD A STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM, WHICH WOULD COST OVER $400 TO FIX. I HAPPEN TO CHECK THIS OUT ON THE WEB AND REALIZED THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT'S GOING ON? DID TOYOTA ISSUE A RECALL? *TR

DRIVING ON I-495 ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL AT 70 MPH, ON CRUISE CONTROL, 2006 RAV4 STARTED MAKING NOISE, LOW OIL SORT OF NOISE, AND I STARTED TO PULL OVER. NO OIL LIGHT, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BEFORE I COULD EVEN PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE ENGINE BLEW. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE. COST OF NEW ENGINE AND LABOR WAS AROUND $9,000. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WATER PUMP FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND BLOW PISTON 3 THROUGH THE SIDE WALL, BUT AS A AMATEUR MECHANIC, I AM 100% POSITIVE THIS IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. THE VVT-I OIL LINE RUPTURED ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE ALL OIL AND BLOW, BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO AGREE AND FORCED US TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET, RATHER THAN COVERING IT BECAUSE TOYOTA KNEW THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, AS IT HAD BEEN THE CAUSE FOR MANY TSB'S, AS WELL AS MANY MANY DOLLARS SPENT BY CONSUMERS TRYING TO REPLACE ALL OF THESE DEFECTED PARTS. *TR

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT STAY UP AND IS A TRUE HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. IT BLOCKS MY VISION SUDDENLY BECAUSE IT DROOPS DOWN INTO MY EYE LINE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WANTS $285 TO REPLACE? *TR

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

REAR WINDOW JUST SHATTERS. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN A PERIOD OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE OTHER THAN A REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDOW. TOYOTA SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BUT I'VE SEEN SEVERAL FORUMS ON THE WEB WITH POSTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. *TR

WHEN I TURN, I CAN FEEL AND HEAR THE STEERING COLUMN "KNOCK." IT HAS BEEN GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE. I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ABOUT 1.5 YEARS AGO AND THE WALNUT CREEK, CA SERVICE CENTER HAD TO REPLACE SOME INTERMEDIATE LINK IN STEERING COLUMN. FOR THIS RECENT OCCURRENCE, THE SERVICE CENTER WAS GOING TO CHARGE $500 TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM THEY SHOULD HAVE FIXED ON A PERMANENT BASIS (AT LEAST MORE THAN 2 YEARS). I AM CONCERNED BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THIS MIGHT BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A SAFETY PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

2006 RAV4 UNSAFE TO DRIVE!!! LE BRUN TOYOTA, CANADAIGUA, NY, MADE ME PAY TO EXCHANGE LEMON WITH ONLY 150-200 MILES 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, THEY MADE ME PAY AN ADDITIONAL 7K TO TRADE FOR THE V-6 I HAVE NOW, BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION ACCELERATED DOWNHILL, ON BOTH 4CYL AND V-6, IT STILL DOES IT THOUGH NOT AS SEVERE, STILL SCARY AT TIMES. RECENTLY,MY STEERING WENT OUT ON THE EXIT RAMP LUCKILY AND LOCKED A FEW TIMES, IT NOW MAKES A THUMP AND CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT, NEXT TIME I WON'T BE SO LUCKY. REALLY LOUD NOISE FROM REAR ALSO. ANTIFREEZE SMELL INSIDE CAR TOO.H.E.L.P. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT TOYOTA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPAIR THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE PROBLEM THAT PLAGUES THIS VEHICLE. (T-SB-0318-08 OCTOBER 20, 2008). IF THE VEHICLE WERE UNDER WARRANTY, TOYOTA WOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES AT NO COST. OUR CAR STARTED TO SHOW THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS PROBLEM AFTER 3 YEAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY PROGRESS TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE. THIS CONCERN IS NOT ONLY FOR MY CAR'S OCCUPANTS, BUT ALSO FOR OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WHO I MAY RUN INTO DUE TO THIS STEERING PROBLEM. IN LIFT OF THE RECENT TOYOTA RECALLS, I WOULD HOPE THE NHTSA WOULD RECALL THE EFFECTED VEHICLES AND FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

2006 RAV4 HAS A FAULTY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT THAT TOYOTA HAS PUT OUT A TECH BULLETIN ON BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR FIX THE PROBLEM IF THE CAR IS PAST ITS 3YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. I THINK IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE OF TOYOTA TO BE AWARE OF A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT WANT TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DECELERATING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHILE BRAKING WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DOWN SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32000.

THIS PAST WEEKEND WE HAD JUST DRIVEN OUR 2006 RAV4 WITH A V6 ENGINE OVER 150 INTERSTATE MILES AND PULLED OVER FOR A REST STOP. WE SMELLED OIL ON EXITING THE VEHICLE AND WHEN WE OPENED THE HOOD WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS OIL SPRAYING ON THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE OF THE ENGINE. ON CHECKING THE DIPSTICK WE FOUND THAT IT SHOWED NO OIL. NO WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE ENGINE HAD NOT MADE ANY UNUSUAL SOUNDS. SINCE WE WERE CLOSE TO OUR DESTINATION WE ADDED 3 QUARTS OF OIL AND MADE IT ANOTHER 30 MILES TO THE END OF OUR TRIP. UPON ARRIVAL I CHECKED THE DIPSTICK AND FOUND AGAIN THAT IT SHOWED NO OIL. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE IT TOWED FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT AN OIL LINE SUPPLYING THE VALVE HEAD HAD BROKEN AND THAT HE HAD THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, THE SERVICE MANAGER (THIS IS A SMALL DEALERSHIP) SAID THAT HE STOCKED PARTS IF HE HAD 3 OR MORE INCIDENTS IN 12 MONTHS THAT REQUIRED SUCH A PART. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE DID NOT HAVE MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE OR HAVE A FIRE AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY ACCOMMODATING. THE TOWING AND REPAIRS COST US $500. IN DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH, BOTH ON THIS SITE AND IN OTHER LOCATIONS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM OCCURRING IN ANY OF THEIR LINES (AVALON, CAMRY , RAV 4, ETC).WITH THE V6 ENGINES AND THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT IT AND THAT THEY HAVE MODIFIED THE OIL LINE FOR NEWER MODELS. *TR

CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING - STARTED AT 30,000 MILES WITH SLIGHT SOUND CONTINUED TO WORSEN OVER TIME NOW "CLUNK" IS FELT WHEN TURNING. SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO BREAK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, MOMENTS LATER THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTERNAL COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE DRIVER STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, CHECK ENGINE AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THE WARNING PANEL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SPEED SENSOR FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 69,000. UPDATED 4/27/10 *CN UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 05/11/10. *JB

ON TUESDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER, 2009, I CAME HOME AND PARKED MY CAR IN THE > GARAGE. WHEN I GOT OUT, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL. I INVESTIGATED > AND FOUND OIL RUNNING OUT FROM UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY WIFE'S RAV4. THE > OIL WAS CONTINUING TO FLOW AND HAD COVERED MOST OF THE GARAGE FLOOR (I HAVE > PICTURES). I OPENED THE HOOD OF THE RAV AND FOUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT > COVERED IN SMOKING OIL. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WAS ALSO DRIPPING OIL FROM VARIOUS > LOCATIONS, WITH NO APPARENT DAMAGE BEING VISIBLE. I EXAMINED THE DIPSTICK, > BUT NO OIL WAS INDICATED. WHEN I OPENED THE OIL FILL CAP, SMOKE CAME OUT > WITH A STRONG SMELL OF BURNT OIL BEING PRESENT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED > AMERICAN TOYOTA AND REQUESTED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THIS WAS SCHEDULED FOR > THE NEXT MORNING. NEXT I CALLED AAA AND ARRANGED TO HAVE A FLATBED TAKE THE > RAV TO AMERICAN. WHEN THE TOW SERVICE ARRIVED, WE PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF THE > GARAGE AND POSITIONED IT TO BE WINCHED ONTO THE FLATBED. OIL WAS DEPOSITED > ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. > > I DROVE MY CAR TO AMERICAN AND MET WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR FOR > AMERICAN. I EXPLAINED THAT THE RAV HAD DEVELOPED A SERIOUS LEAK AND THAT > THE CAR WAS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR RELATED THAT THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE OIL SUPPLY LINE (TO THE HEAD) FOR THE RAV AND CAMRY > USING THE 3.5L V-6 ENGINE. HE EXPLAINED THE FAILURE MODE FOR THE LINE AND > STATED THAT THE PART SHOULD BE IN STOCK. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA REGARDING THIS SITUATION. MY ON-LINE RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR SHOWS THAT THE RAV'S FAILURE MODE WAS WELL KNOWN TO TOYOTA. THE RAV'S MAINTENANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PERFORMED AT AMERICAN, BUT NO ONE WAS PROACTIVE AND REPLACED THE OIL LINE OR EVEN ADVISED US THAT IT MIGHT BE A SUBJECT FOR CONCERN. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE RAV OUT IN REMOTE PART OF NM OR IT HAD BURNED MY HOUSE DOWN? TOYOTA IS NOT COOPERATING BY PROVIDING FAILURE OR REPAIR INFORMATION. *TR

ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY RAN OUT, I NOTICED A THUMP OR KNOCK WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL OF MY 2006 RAV4. IT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. I SEARCHED ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS. *TR

I'VE HAD THE KNOCK/POP WHEN TURN ON LOW SPEED DEALER SAID NEEDS REPLACE STEERING SHAFT. *TR