2006 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

MY 2006 TOYTOA RAV4 HAS DISPLAYED NON RESPONSIVE THROTTLE ON MANY OCCASIONS WHERE YOU GIVE IT GAS AND IT DOES NOTHING, THEN IT TAKES OFF LIKE A ROCKET. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I PULL OUT FROM A STOP AND THE THROTTLE IS UNRESPONSIVE WHILE TRAFFIC IS BEARING DOWN ON ME. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING INTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY PARK BRAKE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MODERATE DAMAGE TO EACH OF THE VEHICLES. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP TO AWAIT INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NEW 2006 RAV 4 WAS PURCHASED AT GRAPPONE TOYOTA, CONCORD NH, ON 7-28-06. DURING HE FIRST 600 MILES OF OPERATION PER THE MANUFACTURER. BREAK IN RECOMMENDATIONS IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION REGARDING NORMAL ACCELERATION AND THROTTLE USE. THIS CONDITION LEADS IN AN INTERMITTENT FASHION TO FAILURE TO ACCELERATE WHEN MERGING ON THE HIGHWAY, FAILURE TO RESUME STEADY THROTTLE SETTING AFTER ROUNDING A CORNER, SUDDEN AND SERIOUS HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND SUDDEN AND SERIOUS LOSSES OF POWER ON THE ROAD. THESE SYMPTOM ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A FULL TIME THROTTLE LAG, WHICH PREVENTS NORMAL USE OF THE THROTTLE AND OFTEN, AFTER A VARIED PERIOD OF DELAY, IS FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT AND RUSH OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ON 8-22-06 AND WAS DEFERRED UNTIL 8-25-06 AT WHICH TIME THE DEALER CHECKED THE ENGINE COMPUTER AND TOLD ME THAT THE DEGREE OF MALFUNCTIONING IS "NORMAL" AND COULD NOT BE ADDRESSED. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND THAT SINCE THIS UNCERTAIN AND ERRATIC PERFORMANCE COMPROMISED THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND MYSELF WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL USE OF THE CAR UNTIL THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER CHOSE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. AFTER 43 YEARS OF SAFE DRIVING, I'M NOT ABOUT TO DRIVE AN UNCONTROLLABLE CAR IN TRAFFIC ON PUBLIC ROADS WHEN IT MAY SUDDENLY FAIL TO ACCELERATE OR FAIL TO RESUME NORMAL SPEED AFTER BRAKING. ANY SUDDEN ERRATIC MOVES CAN BE DANGEROUS TO OURSELVES AND TO SURROUNDING TRAFFIC AND I FIND IT DEEPLY DISTURBING THAT NEITHER TOYOTA NOR GRAPPONE TOYOTA WILL BOTHER TO RETURN MY CALLS NOR ADDRESS THIS MATTER. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALLS, FACILITATED A REPAIR OR EVEN BOTHERED TO TRY TO FIX THE CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION WHICH I NOW BELIEVE IS COMMON TO ABOUT 10% OF RAV 4S BEFORE IT COSTS SOMEONE THEIR LIFE. THANK YOU. *NM

I PURCHASED A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 IN APRIL AND THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE AN ISSUE NO ONE WANTS TO ADDRESS, WE ON THE FORUMS CALL IT ERRATIC ACCELERATION. THE CAR USES SOME TYPE OF ELECTRONIC SENSORS TO DETERMINE THE CHANGE IN GEARS WHEN ACCELERATING AND IT IS VERY ERRATIC. ONE TIME IT GOES SMOOTHLY AND ANOTHER IT TAKES OFF, VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSTABLE. TOYOTA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE BUT 90% OF THE OWNERS WILL TESTIFY TO IT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A FIX BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. * NM

I HAVE THE 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 BASE MODEL WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY SLUGGISH TO RESPOND TO BRAKING, SUCH THAT THE ENGINE SOMETIMES CONTINUES TO REV FORWARD FOR A SECOND OR TWO EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THIS LEADS TO EXCESSIVE BRAKING DISTANCES. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS THE CAUSE OF AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT THAT WE SUFFERED ON 8/5/06. IN DENSE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I WAS ABOUT 20 FEET BEHIND AN OLDER TOYOTA PATHFINDER AND HAD JUST ACCELERATED FROM ABOUT 15 MPH TO ABOUT 25 MPH, AS THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE VEHICLES WAS GROWING. THEN THE PATHFINDER IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON HIS/HER BRAKES BECAUSE ANOTHER VEHICLE SWERVED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES TOO, BUT THE RAV4 DID NOT IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO SLOW. INSTEAD, I COULD FEEL THE ENGINE STILL PUSHING THE CAR FORWARD. THE RAV4 FINALLY DID BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN RIGHT ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE PATHFINDER CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AS A RESULT, WE HIT THE NOW-STATIONARY PATHFINDER IN FRONT OF US AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 5 MPH. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THE FRONT END OF THE RAV4 WAS MASHED IN. I HAVE DRIVEN DOZENS OF DIFFERENT VEHICLES OVER NEARLY 20 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE, AND I THINK EVERY OTHER ONE WOULD HAVE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WELL BEFORE THE POINT OF IMPACT (AS DID THE PATHFINDER IN FRONT OF ME, DESPITE A VEHICLE CUTTING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT). THIS LEADS ME TO SUSPECT THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE RAV4 TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGE FROM DRIVE WHENEVER THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS TIME LAG. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED, THEY ROAD-TESTED AND EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY CLAIMED WHAT I EXPERIENCED WAS THE VEHICLE DOWN-SHIFTING, WHICH RESULTS IN HIGHER RPMS BUT LESS FORWARD MOTION. I DON'T BUY IT. I HAVE TRIED JAMMING ON THE BRAKES TO CAUSE SUCH DOWNSHIFTING AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. *JB

2006 RAV4 SPORTS V6 269 HP PLASTIC FUME CANISTER LOCATED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE ON DRIVERS SIDE IS EASILY DAMAGED. THE PLASTIC CANISTER IS EXPOSED TO ROAD DEBRIS INCLUDING RAIN PUDDLES THAT WILL DISPLACE AND KNOCK THE CANISTER OFF THE VEHICLE. THE RESULTING DAMAGE INCLUDES UNPLUGGED AND EXPOSED GAS FUME HOSES AND EMISSION CONTROL HOSES THAT CREATE A FIRE AND EXPLOSIVE HAZARD. THE PART IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE FROM TOYOTA AND DRIVERS MAY BE TEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH OUT THE PROPER REPAIRS. CONTINUED OPERATIONS WITHOUT THE CANISTER MAY ALSO RESULT IN FURTHER ENGINE DAMAGE AND RELEASE OF POLLUTANTS INTO THE AIR. *JB

I COMPLAINED ABOUT A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DURING LOW SPEED TURNS. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE IT AND APPLIED GREASE TO THE STEERING COLUMN STOPS, DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. OF COURSE THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM ALMOST FROM DATE OF NEW PURCHASE. THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE STILL IS NO FIX FOR THESE CLUNKING NOISES. I BELIEVE IT IS A POORLY DESIGNED STEERING COLUMN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA 2006 RAV4 SPORT 6CYL. AWD 41,500 MI. *TR

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS STEERING PROBLEMS. THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE AND TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX IT.$1700 TO FIX IT, DON,T HAVE MONEY. COULD COME APART? THERE HAS BEEN LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RAV 4,THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL. *TR

BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR. WHENEVER IT RAINS, WATER COMES DOWN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND MAKES A PUDDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOT WELL. *JB

ACCELERATION STUMBLES & BOGS DOWN WHEN GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED. THIS SCENARIO OCCURS ALL THE TIME WHEN AFTER A NORMAL ACCELERATION IS PERFORMED AND A NEED ARISES TO ACCELERATE OCCURS. IF YOU DEPRESS ACCELERATOR IMMEDIATELY UPON TAKING OFF THIS DOES NOT OCCUR BUT, IT CAUSES YOU TO OVER CORRECT STUMBLING BY SPEEDING QUICKLY. IF YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESPOND TO A NORMAL DEPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. YOU NEED TO DEPRESS IT QUICKLY TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO GO INTO PASSING GEAR ETC. MY "AUTO WISE" SON HAS SUGGESTED THAT THE GAS PEDAL DRIVE BY WIRE SENSORS COULD BE FAILING OR BE BAD ETC. *NM

2006 TOYOTA RAV4 4WD, BLACK GAS FUME HOSE DISLODGED FROM UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND THEN FELL OUT IN DRIVEWAY AS RESULT OF DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLE ON HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAINS COMING HOME FROM WORK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THE FOLLOWING DAY, SERVICE TECH SAID THAT FUME CANISTER BREATHER ASSEMBLY ATTACHED TO FUME HOSE WAS MISSING AND PROBABLY FELL OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLE. SERVICE TECH REPLACED PARTS A COUPLE DAYS LATER AFTER ORDERING IT. SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT PART WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS DUE TO DAMAGE AND NOT DEFECT - COST TO OWNER $132 PARTS $50 LABOR. WENT OUT OF TOWN FOR 5 DAYS & DID NOT DRIVE VEHICLE. ON 8/9/06 AFTER HAVING DRIVEN ABOUT 30 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INCLUDING THE VSC AND 4WD INDICATOR LIGHTS, NO PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION NOTICED. ON 8/12/06 BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO DEALER AGAIN TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SERVICE TECH STATES THAT CHARCOAL CANISTER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VALVE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE ADDED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT WOULD BE POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT. PART IS ON ORDER AND WILL ARRIVE NEXT WEEK. *NM

WHEN USING THE DRYER IN A CAR WASH THE HARD SPARE TIRE COVER WAS BLOWN OFF THE SPARE TIRE AND BASHED AGAINST THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE GROUND SEVERELY SCRATCHING IT AND CRACKING IT. HAD IT NO COMPLETELY COME OFF AT THAT POINT IT IS PROBABLE THAT IT WOULD HAVE FLOWN OFF INTO THE FROM OF ANY FOLLOWING VEHICLE HAD I BEEN TRAVELING DOWN A BUSY ROAD POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THESE ITEMS SHOULD "NEVER" COME OF UNDER NORMAL USE CONDITIONS. THIS IS A SERIOUS POTENTIAL ACCIDENT SOURCE AS WELL AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF A LAW SUIT AGAINST THE OWNER OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION IT IS HARD AND CAN CAUSE WINDSHIELD DAMAGE TO ANY FOLLOWING VEHICLES AND SHOULD NEVER COME OFF WHEN PROPERLY ATTACHED. *NM

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

AN ACCOUNT OF INCIDENT INVOLVING EXPLOSION OF SUNROOF ON 2006 RAV4/TOYOTA RENTAL VEHICLE RENTED FROM BEAVER TOYOTA, 1500 ST. MICHAEL DR. SANTA FE, NM 87505 IS GIVEN BELOW. VEHICLE INF. IS AS FOLLOWINGS: VEHICLE LINE: 2006 RAV4/SPORT, [XXX], [XXX], [XXX]. INCIDENT: VEHICLE WAS RENTED FOR 1 WEEK STARTING 11JUL06 WITH EXPECTED RETURN DATE ON 18JUL06. A VACATION TRIP WAS PLANNED FOR 2 NIGHTS IN KEYSTONE, CO, AND 2 NIGHTS IN TAOS, NM. ON ROUTE TO TAOS, NM FROM KEYSTONE, CO ON THE MORNING OF THE 14TH OF JULY 2006, WE WERE DRIVING DOWN US HIGHWAY 285 SOUTH OF FAIRPLAY, CO TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MILES/HR. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE OF US. THE SUNROOF WAS OPENED BRIEFLY, PERHAPS FOR 2-3 MINUTES, BUT THEN CLOSED. SHORTLY AFTER CLOSING THE SUNROOF, WITH THE SUN BLIND OPEN, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED SENDING MOST OF THE SHATTERED GLASS EXTERIORLY. THE HOLE IN THE SUNROOF WAS CENTRALLY LOCATED AND MEASURED APPROXIMATELY 12 IN. (TRANSVERSE LENGTH) X 6 IN. (LONGITUDINAL LENGTH). WE WERE UNAWARE OF AN IMPACT OF ANY OBJECTS HITTING THIS VEHICLE. ON 17JUL06, WE SPOKE TO MR. GUERRERO AT BEAVER TOYOTA REGARDING WARRANTY, POSSIBLE DEFECT OF THE SUNROOF, AND WERE INFORMED THAT HE CONTACTED TOYOTA. WE WERE TOLD US THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE SUNROOFS. I INFORMED MR. GUERRERO THAT I INTENDED ON REPORTING THIS INCIDENT TO BOTH TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY, AND TO THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE IT WAS MOST LIKELY, CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCE THAT THE SUNROOF EXPLODED DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SAT, JULY 1, 2006 THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 SIMPLY BLEWOUT SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC, PRECIPITATION OR WIND AND TEMP HOVERED 75-80 DEGREES. MOST OF GLASS REMAINED LOOSELY INTACT BUT WAS ALL SHATTERED WITH A MEDIUM SIZE HOLE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR WINDOW, WITH SMALL FRAGMENTS FOUND OUTSIDE OF WINDOW. SMALL PIECES OF GLASS CONTINUED TO FALL OUT. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING COLD (NOT RUNNING) SINCE THE EVENING PRIOR (6:30PM) AND WAS IN PARTLY SHADED AREA. BOTH REAR DRIVER/ PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS LOWERED ABOUT 2 INCHES TO CIRCULATE AIR. NOTHING WAS IN CAR TO CONTRIBUTE TO INTERNAL PRESSURE AND NOTHING HIT THE CAR AS I WAS WITNESS TO THIS EVENT AS IT OCCURRED. DRIVEWAY IS ON A HILL; CAR FACED FORWARD AND ANGLED DOWN THE HILL TOWARD GARAGE (CAR REAR END HIGHEST). LARGE GLASS PIECES FOUND MOSTLY OUTSIDE OF CAR JUST BELOW WINDOW WITH SOME LARGER PIECES LAYING ON OUTSIDE OF REAR DOOR WITH SMALLER FRAGMENTS ON THE GROUND BELOW. SMALL GLASS FRAGMENTS FOUND INSIDE CAR BELOW WINDOW. PICTURES TAKEN. TOYOTA CONTACTED AND QUESTIONED AS TO NEXT STEP. TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE OFFERED NOTHING AS THIS WAS HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND NOTHING WAS AVAILABLE,ACCORDING TO TOYOTA. AUTO GLASS REPAIR COMPANIES CALLED AND NO ONE AVAILABLE DUE TO HOLIDAY. INSURANCE COMPANY CALLED, GIVEN SAME STORY AGAIN! TOYOTA CALLED AGAIN. CAN'T LEAVE CAR SIT WITH BROKEN REAR WINDOW AND WE EXPECT RAIN. ASKED ABOUT KNOCKING REST OF GLASS OUT AS THE GLASS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED UP AND OPENING NEEDED TO BE SECURED. I EXPLAINED I COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR, IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE & TOWING WAS NOT AN OPTION AS NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER DIDN'T HAVE TOWING CAPACITY...AND CLOSED IN AN HOUR. KNOCKED REST OF GLASS OUT AND TAPED UP REAR WINDOW OPENING. DROVE TO DEALER MON MORNING TO LEAVE RAV FOR REPAIR AND SECURED RENTAL CAR. TOLD MY CAR WOULD NOT BE LOOKED AT UNTIL WED. THUR MY CAR LOOKED AT AND NEW WINDOW ORDERED AND HOPED TO BE HERE IN A WEEK OR SO. BROKEN GLASS DISPOSED OF. *NM

I BROUGHT MY 2006 RAV4 TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR TWO DIFFERENT RECALL NOTICES INCLUDING THE SUSPENSION AND AIRBAG. UPON INSPECTION, THEY NOTIFIED ME THE WATER PUMP NEEDED REPLACING AND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKETS WERE LOOSE. THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND TRIED TO TELL ME THAT IT IS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR & TEAR. MY LAST VEHICLE I HAD FOR OVER 190,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. UPON RESEARCHING, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY AS FAILURE TO FIX IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. PREVIOUSLY I HAVE BROUGHT THE LOUD POPPING NOISE TO VARIOUS TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN TOLD OF THIS ISSUE IN 9 YEARS. THIS ISSUE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IF IS WASN'T FOR THE RECALL ON THE AIRBAG. ANYTHING THAT APPEARS TO BE A "COMMON" ISSUE IN A VEHICLE THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY TOYOTA AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE COST IS ESTIMATED AT $600+ TO REPAIR. *TR

SERIOUS HESITATION PROBLEM IN MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. I'VE REPORTED TO TOYOTA, BUT THEY INDICATE IT'S NORMAL. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SERIOUSLY 3-4 TIMES. WHEN SLOWING TO A NEAR STOP OR FROM A STOP, ACCELERATING, I GET NOTHING WHEN I PUSH ON ACCELERATOR. THIS IS BEYOND HESITATION. THE FIRST 2 TIMES I PANICKED SINCE I WAS MERGING IN TRAFFIC, FLOORED THE PEDAL AND AFTER PERHAPS 1/2 TO 1 SECOND (MIGHT NOT SOUND LONG, BUT IMAGINE NO RESPONSE TO PUSHING YOU PEDAL WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC DOING 60-70)....IT KICKED IN/DOWNSHIFTED OR WHATEVER. REALLY SCARY. AGAIN, I NOTED THIS TO TOYOTA. I NOTED A POST ON EDMUNDS SITE TODAY WITH A 2005 ARTICLE ON PAST HESITATION PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTA/LEXUS. AND OTHER COMPLAINTS AS WELL ON THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I'VE POSTED A DATE OF JUNE 30 FOR INCIDENT, BUT ACTUALLY 3-4 SEPARATE TIMES IN PAST 4 MONTHS. *JB

HESITATION PROBLEM - '06 RAV4 I4 SPORT MODEL WHEN TRYING TO OVERTAKE, WHEN PRESSING THE PEDAL HARDER, ENGINE DIDN'T RESPOND RIGHT AWAY. *JB

WINDSHIELD FOR THE TOYOTA RAV 4 ARE CRACKING VERY EASY. MINE HAS LESS THAN 3000 AND I HAVE ALREADY REPAIRED IT ONCE AND TODAY IT CRACKED AGAIN. THE DOT RATING IS NOT RIGHT DOT 20 . MY PONTIAC IS 147 AND HAS TAKEN MUCH BIGGER HITS AN NO DAMAGE. *NM

2006 TOYOTA RAV4, SPORT, 4X4. SOMETIMES WHILE PUSHING DOWN THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WILL HESITATE FOR ABOUT 1 OR 2 SECONDS BEFORE SPEEDING FORWARD. THIS IS USUALLY WHEN AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, LESS THAN 15 MILES/HR. IT HAS BEEN MOST NOTICEABLE MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT HAND TURNS NOT FROM A FULL STOP. THE FORWARD ACCELERATION AFTER THE HESITATION IS VERY EXTREME, EVEN WHEN I AM NOT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL HEAVILY. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE NOT NOTICED A TREND OF WHEN IT DOES OR DOES NOT HAPPEN (E.G., WEATHER, TEMPERATURE OF CAR OR AIR). *NM

I HAVE A NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND, IN THE FIRST 2000 MILES, IT HAS FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THIS HAS CREATED DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN MERGING IN TRAFFIC. SPECIFICALLY, WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE RPMS SHOOT ABOVE 4-5K BUT THERE IS NO ACCOMPANIED INCREASE IN SPEED. GIVEN THE REPEATED POSTINGS ON EDMUNDS.COM ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS, IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ISOLATED CASE WITH MY VEHICLE. *JB

AS I STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING AND I ALMOST WAS FORCED INTO THE INTERSECTION INTO TRAFFIC. I HAD TO PUSH AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT HAS HAPPENED AND I AM VERY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 SPORT.

ERRATIC ACCELERATION WHICH CREATES HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS. SOMETIMES VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, CAUSING UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOR WHICH LEADS TO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. SOMETIMES VEHICLE ACCELERATES VERY RAPIDLY WITH VERY LITTLE PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH IS HARD TO CONTROL IN A STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I ALMOST HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SEVERAL TIMES. SOMETIMES PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS NO REACTION FOR 1 TO 3 SECONDS, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO PREDICT VEHICLE BEHAVIOR WHEN MERGING TO FASTER TRAFFIC. *JB

A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 V6 LIMITED 4X2. PROBLEM: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEFECT? SOMETIMES WHEN I STEP ON ACCELERATOR THERE'S LAG TIME BEFORE CAR SHIFTS AND GETS GOING. ALSO THERE'S AN ONGOING (MONTH OR SO) DRONING NOISE. I TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER 6/15/06. SERVICE WRITER AND 2 TECHS HEARD DRONING NOISE WHILE I WAS THERE. WITH THE CAR. I ASKED TO BRING THE CAR IN THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY AS I WORK DURING THE WEEK, BUT THEY SAID SATURDAYS NOT GOOD SO I MADE APPOINTMENT FOR 6/26/06. THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR. I TOOK CAR IN 6/26/06 & RODE WITH MASTER TECH WHO WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE DRONING NOISE. HE DROVE CAR, ALSO SAT IN PARKING LOT WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND SHIFTED INTO PARK AND INTO REVERSE ETC. WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND NOISE CHANGED IN INTENSITY IN DIFFERENT GEARS. HE TOOK CAR BACK TO SERVICE CENTER AND CHECKED IT OUT. THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THE TECH NOT ABLE TO PINPOINT PROBLEM, BUT TECH WOULD CALL TOYOTA ENGINEERING THE NEXT MORNING BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO TRY A FIX WHEN HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY GAVE ME MY CAR BACK, SAID THEY'D CALL ME AFTER TALKING TO TOYOTA ENGINEERING. THEY CALLED ME 6/27/06, SAID MASTER TECH HAD TALKED TO TOYOTA ENGINEERING AND THEY'VE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS RE SAME DRONING NOISE, ARE WORKING TO FIND CAUSE SO THEY CAN CREATE A TSB AND EITHER REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE NOISE. SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME T THERE IS NO TIMELINE FOR A FIX AND TO JUST "SIT TIGHT" AND WAIT UNTIL THEY CALL. THEY AGREE THE NOISE SHOULD NOT BE THERE. I'M WORRIED THAT ONGOING NOISE INDICATES THAT SOME PART IS OVERWORKING AND MAY WEAR OUT AND SINCE THE NOISE CHANGES IN INTENSITY SOMETIMES DEPENDING WHAT GEAR THE CAR IS IN I WORRY THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT A FAILURE MAY RESULT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN TELL ME THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN THEY CLAIM THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT IS VERY UNSETTLING TO HAVE TO JUST WAIT FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG FOR THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS TWICE EXPERIENCED LONG TERM ACCELERATION . BOTH TIMES IT EXPERIENCED HIGH SPEED ACCELERATION WHICH CONTINUED AFTER COMING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES OCCURRED. IN BOTH CASES, THE RAV 4 WAS RETURNED TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR SERVICE. AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE , THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR 4 DAYS FOR DRIVING AND ANALYSIS. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPEATED WHILE IN THEIR SERVICE FACILITY. THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW AND MALFUNCTIONS. THE DEALER SUSPECTED A "FLOOR MAT" PROBLEM AND INSTALLED 2 RETAINING CLIPS. *TR

PURCHASED RAV4 IN MAY 2006. NOTICED SOON AFTER THAT CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WANT TO SLOW DOWN AND LET YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO COAST. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN FIND NOTHING. IT MAKES FOR A VERY ROUGH RIDE, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY IF CONCERNS ME THAT I WILL CRASH INTO SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY. I EVEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND LEFT IT FOR A WEEK WHILE I WENT ON VACATION. NOTHING FOUND. *TR

ANOTHER DRIVER WAS DOING ABOUT 60 WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN THE POURING RAIN AND HIT A LOW SPOT ON THE FREEWAY THAT HAD ABOUT 3" OF WATER IN IT. HE DIDN'T SEE IT SOON ENOUGH TO AVOID IT SO HE JUST HUNG ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND PRAYED. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN QUITE A BIT BUT KEPT GOING STRAIGHT SPRAYING WATER EVERYWHERE. THE NOISE FROM THE WATER HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WAS DEAFENING. THE NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT AND 4X4 LIGHT, CAME ON. HE STOPPED BY THE DEALER ON HIS WAY HOME TO HAVE IT CHECKED. HE WAS IN THE WAITING ROOM A FEW MINUTES WHEN THE SERVICE MGR. CAME AND GOT HIM SAYING HE WANTED TO SHOW HIM SOMETHING. THEY WENT OUT SIDE AND HE POINTED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE TWO HOSES HANGING FROM THE CAR BELOW THE DRIVERS SEAT. IT SEEMS THERE WAS A PLASTIC CANISTER BEHIND THE CHARCOAL FILTER THAT RECIRCS TANK FUMES BACK TO THE ENGINE. IT GOT RIPPED OFF WHEN HE HIT THAT PUDDLE. HE EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND HE TOLD HIM THAT WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER THE DAMAGE (~$150.00). HE TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD NEVER LOST CAR PARTS BY DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE IN ALL HIS YEARS OF DRIVING. HE WAS UNSYMPATHETIC TO SAY THE LEAST. THE WORST PART ABOUT THIS IS THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER FROM TOYOTA AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY'LL HAVE THEM. UNTIL THEN, THE LIGHTS WERE ON ON THE DASH. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE THE BRAKES HAD EXCESSIVE TRAVEL AND SPONGINESS. THIS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL BRAKING ON NORMAL ROADS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 06/27/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER BEING PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IT WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED AT AN EXCEPTIONAL SPEED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE MOMENTUM OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 100 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE KEY WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS LATER DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.

I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 V6 SPORT 4WD AND WITHIN 4 DAYS OF COLLECTION, THE REAR LEFT WHEEL WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FALLING OFF. WHILE THIS PROBABLY SOUNDS DRAMATIC AND AN EXAGGERATION, IT IS NOT. WITH 144 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SOURCE OF A SQUEALING SOUND LOOKED AT. THE SOUND BEGAN AROUND 50 MILES AS A VERY FAINT, BRIEF NOISE AND GRADUALLY GOT WORSE UNTIL AT 144 MILES I WAS AT THE DEALER. ON THE SHOP LIFT, IT WAS APPARENT THE NOISE WAS THE WHEEL BEARING/HUB ASSEMBLY COMING APART. THE LUG NUTS WERE TIGHT AND THE WHEEL WAS LOOSE - VERY LOOSE. I AM THANKFUL I DID NO HIGHWAY DRIVING IN THOSE 144 MILES. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF. TOYOTA HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY BUT I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THEM AND HOW THEY DEALT WITH THE WHOLE POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE LOOSE WHEEL IN THE SHOP THAT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THE HE OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE AT 5 MPH AND HE WAS TRIED TO COME TO A STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DID RUN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NO ERRORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR A WHILE AND ON 12/29/06 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TRIED TO MAKE A TURN AND TO STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN. HE STATED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES THAT DAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A STOP AND RAN INTO STAIRS WHICH DAMAGED THE GUARD THAT PROTECTS THE BUMPER. THE CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA'S REGIONAL OFFICE IN CHICAGO. THE CONTACT MET AN INVESTIGATOR AT A DEALERSHIP TO RUN MORE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INVESTIGATOR FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT IS WAITING FOR THE OFFICIAL TEST RESULTS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE THIRD TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, HE RAN INTO A DECK AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 03/07/07*JB

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4, WITH V6 ENGINE, AND DBW (DRIVE BY WIRE) ACCELERATOR. ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS, THE CAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT LAG WHEN YOU PUNCH THE GAS. THIS IS DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET OUT OF ANOTHER CAR'S WAY. *NM

I AM HEARING A CLUNK/NOISE WHEN ROTATING MY STEERING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BASED ON MY RESEARCH IN THE INTERNET IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL OF RAV4'S. *TR

WHEN FIRST DRIVING MY NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV4, I NOTICED AT SLOW SPEEDS IT WOULD SOMETIMES ACCELERATE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE. I ATTRIBUTED THIS TO BIG FEET AND A NEW CAR WHERE I DID NOT YET MASTER THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PEDALS. I STARTED DRIVING WITH TWO FEET, JUST AS I WAS TAUGHT AS A TEENAGER IN DRIVERS ED. OCCASIONALLY, THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE ENSUING 3 YEARS. UNTIL THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM CAME TO LIGHT IN 2010, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST "OPERATOR ERROR." NOW, I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THERE IS SOME DEFECT - MAYBE IT'S HARDWARE LINKAGES, BUT I SUSPECT THERE IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER OF THE CAR. I ALSO HAD THE STEERING MID-SHAFT PROBLEM AFTER WARRANTY AND SCREAMED UNTIL THEY FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY FOR $50. THERE WAS ALSO A "RUNAWAY" FUEL PUMP SERVICE BULLETIN I MADE THEM COVER AS WELL. I HAVE WORKED WITH TOYOTA QUALITY ENGINEERS SINCE THE 1980S AND AM DISGUSTED BY THEIR RESPONSES REPORTED IN THIS ODI SITE. TOYOTA'S CLAIM TO FAME WAS THERE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER FOCUS. LOOKS LIKE THE CURRENT GENERATION OF TOYOTA PEOPLE HAVE LOST THIS, AND THAT POINTS DIRECTLY TO TOP MANAGEMENT THERE. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME. AS THEY SAY IN JAPANESE, THEY ARE "ON SHIRAZU" (DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATION TO THEIR CUSTOMERS). *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: THE RAV4 HAS SOME SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES, IT DOES NOT DOWN-SHIFT PROPERLY. THEN, SUDDENLY IT DOWN SHIFTS AND ACCELERATES EXTREMELY. THERE IS NO CERTAIN WAY OF CONTROLLING THE SHIFT. IT MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS ESPECIALLY MERGING TO THE TRAFFIC. *NM

FRONT CUP HOLDERS FOR THE 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 ARE INADEQUATE FOR HOLDING MOST CUP SIZES WITHOUT FEAR OF THE CUP TIPPING OVER. THE LOCKING MECHANISM TO SECURE A CUP DOES NOT ACCOMMODATE LARGE OR MEDIUM DIAMETER SIZED CUPS (ONLY SMALL DIAMETER CUPS CAN BE SECURED IN THE HOLDER). I ALMOST SCALDED MYSELF ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DUE TO THE CUP TIPPING OVER UPON MAKING A TURN. TOYOTA IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE IT ISSUED A RETROFIT FOR THE 2006 AND 2007 VEHICLES. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 RAV4. THE 2ND SEAT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THIS SEAT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER ON 4/2006. SINCE 12/09/06 THE FAILURE HAS REOCCURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRACK WAS GRINDING AWAY AND THE HINGE BROKEN AGAIN. THE DEALER CALLED WEEKLY TO INFORM HER THAT THE PART WASN'T AVAILABLE. *AK

THE HEAD RESTS IN CAR PUSH HEAD TOO FAR FORWARD, AND ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE. I HAD TO TURN THE HEAD REST AROUND BACKWARDS, WHICH IS UNSAFE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. I TOLD TOYOTA ABOUT THIS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. *NM

!. FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT ACTIVATED WHEN AN ADULT (MY WIFE) WEIGHING 90 POUNDS IS SEATED IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. 2. NO INSIDE RELEASE FOR REAR HATCH. *NM

DT*: THE VEHICLE HAD AN ACCELERATION LAG ISSUE CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO NOT SWITCH GEARS IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

I PURCHASED A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED 4 CYL IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY OF 2006. I NOTICED A PROBLEM IN ACCELERATION/HESITATION AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATION PROBLEMS ON A DAILY BASIS. STEADY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR YIELDS NO RESPONSE, OR A STUTTER AS THOUGH THE CAR IS ABOUT TO STALL. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR MOVING IS TO PUSH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE RACES AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP. THIS HESITATION HAPPENS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED I WAS PULLING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE STREET AND WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED BECAUSE THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT GO (UNTIL I SLAMMED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR). THIS IS VERY UNSAFE FOR EVERYDAY DRIVING. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHO STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS 'NORMAL' FOR TOYOTAS AND SOMETHING I NEEDED TO GET USED TO. THEY DID CHECKOUT THE CAR AND SAID NO ERROR CODES WERE GENERATED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

WHEN IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE LEVER TO ADJUST THE ANGLE OF THE SEAT BACK IS LIFTED, THE SEAT BACK MOVES AWAY FROM THE DRIVER'S BACK AND DOES NOT RETURN. IF NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT SOMETIMES THE SEAT BACK WHEN PUSHED BACK WILL RETURN FORWARD BUT SLOWLY AND WEAKLY. DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE SEAT REQUIRES THE VEHICLE BE STEERED, THE SEAT LEVER KEPT LIFTED AND REACHING BACK TO PULL THE SEAT FORWARD. THIS UNNERVING AND UNSAFE. *JB

AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING DISPLAY ON RAV-4 LIMITED MODELS WITH ELECTRONIC HVAC CONTROL IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE DURING DAYTIME/SUNLIGHT CONDITIONS, MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO TRY TO READ THE DISPLAY AND DRIVE. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AND LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

WHILE MAKING A TURN OF A HIGHWAY EXIT, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, ON THE 4TH DAY OF OWNING MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE. NOT ONLY WAS I TALKED DOWN TO AND TREATED RUDELY BY TOYOTA STAFF, I WAS DISMISSED, AS IF THIS WAS NOT A SERIOUS CONCERN. TOYOTA DID FIX THE VEHICLE, AND ASSURED ME THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. ONLY A FEW MONTHS LATER, MY CAR WAS BACK AT TOYOTA, WILL ROTTEN STRUTS, ON A 6 MONTH OLD VEHICLE. AGAIN THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THERE WAS NO HELP FROM TOYOTA WILL ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS CLEARLY FAULTY AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. 2 YEARS TO THE MONTH OF PURCHASE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON ME AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, THIS TIME TOYOTA REPLACED THE COMPUTER, BEING SURE TO STATE A DIFFERENT REASON FOR THE SAME ISSUE, TO INSURE THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LEMON LAW. NOW, LESS THAT 2 YEARS AFTER THE 2ND INSTANCE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED FOR A 3RD TIME WHILE DRIVING. I AM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, AND THAT IN ALL 3 INSTANCES THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ME, AND I WAS ON AN OPEN ROAD, WHERE I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP BEFORE SERIOUSLY INJURING MYSELF OR OTHERS. AFTER THIS MANY REPEAT SERIOUS ISSUES, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW NO ONE AT TOYOTA CARES TO FURTHER LOOK INTO THE RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE OR REPLACEMENT OF. IF I HAD ACTUALLY CRASHED OR GOD FOR BID BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED, I'M SURE THAT MY CLAIMS WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY. WHY DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE, BEFORE TOYOTA CAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFAULTED VEHICLE? *TR

FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN MY WIFE IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SHE WEIGHS ABOUT 90 POUNDS. TOYOTA 2006 RAV4 WITH SIDE AND CURTAIN BAGS. *NM

THE VEHICLE HAS FREQUENT PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION - ESPECIALLY FROM STANDING STILL. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS WHEN TRYING TO ENTER TRAFFIC FROM MY DRIVEWAY, OR FROM OTHER PLACES. I WILL STEP ON THE GAS, BEGIN MOVING, THEN THE ENGINE WILL BOG DOWN AND I WILL HAVE NO ACCELERATION AT ALL. HAVING CHILDREN, I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BASED IN LARGE PART TO ITS SAFETY FEATURES. THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, PRACTICALLY NEGATES ALL OF THAT. IF I STEP ON THE GAS I SHOULD EXPECT RELIABLE ACCELERATION SO I CAN SAFELY MERGE WITH TRAFFIC. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO MY DEALER, AND THEIR EXPLANATION HAS BEEN THAT THIS IS AN INTENTIONAL THING, TO BE SURE THE LUBRICANT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN IS OF SUFFICIENT TEMPERATURE BEFORE ALLOWING HARD ACCELERATION, THUS REDUCING WEAR ON COMPONENTS. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME, EVEN AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE - I DO NOT ACCEPT THIS REASON, NOR DO I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE WAY TO DEAL WITH COMPONENT WEAR. I SHOULD HAVE ACCELERATION AT ALL TIMES. IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO DRIVE INTELLIGENTLY AND NOT GUN THE ENGINE WHEN IT IS COLD, POSSIBLY DAMAGING THE ENGINE. BUT IT IS TOYOTA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE ME WITH A VEHICLE THAT WILL RESPOND TO MY DEMANDS AT ANY TIME. MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY'S DEPENDS ON THIS. *NM

TOYOTA RAV4, 2006 FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THAT POSITION. SHE WEIGHS ABOUT 85 POUNDS. IN TESTING OTHER VEHICLE MAKES, WE FOUND IN ABOUT TEN OF 12 OTHER MAKES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM TURNS ON. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DEALER HAS BEEN VARIED AND WITHOUT DETAIL. NO DISCLAIMER IS PROVIDED TO THE BUYER ABOUT THIS SITUATION,SIMILAR TO THAT ABOUT CHILD SEATS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CONSUMER IS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE SITUATION SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE PASSENGER WOULD ENJOY THE ADDED PROTECTION OF ALL THE INCLUDED AIR BAGS. IS IT UP TO THE CONSUMER TO GO TO THE TROUBLE OF SEARCHING OUT (AS WE DID) THE VEHICLE WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE PROTECTION ADVERTISED? WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS WITH THIS SYSTEM? *TR

MY RAV4 "LAGS" OR "HESITATES" WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO GET UP TO SPEED-ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM TRYING TO MERGE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TECHNICIANS THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THERE IS NO "FIX" FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM

PURCHASED RAV IN 1/2006 AND HAVE HAD MANY ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. FROM A SLOW/START OR STOP/START, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CAR HESITATE ON ACCELERATION. THIS OCCURRENCE IS ALL THE TIME, CREATING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A SAFETY MECHANISM TO PREVENT "HARD" SHIFTING IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS SITUATION STILL OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES DAILY. *TR INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).