2006 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

WHEN BACKING THE CAR OUT AND TURNING THE STEERING, THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE THAT OCCURS. IT MOSTLY OCCURS FROM A COLD START. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A POPPING SOUND. IT WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THAT CAR AND MADE THE EXHAUST SOUND REALLY LOUD. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CAR SEEMS TO BE DRIVING VERY CLUNKY AND DOES NOT DRIVE AS WELL AS USUAL. THE CAR VIBRATES AND DRIVES VERY SLOWLY. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DROPPED A CYLINDER. THE ENGINE SOUNDS VERY CLUNKY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

WHEN BACKING THE CAR OUT AND TURNING THE STEERING, THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE THAT OCCURS. IT MOSTLY OCCURS FROM A COLD START. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS, BUT THE DEALER WON'T COVER IT. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A POPPING SOUND. IT WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THAT CAR AND MADE THE EXHAUST SOUND REALLY LOUD. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE CENTERPIPE THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MATERIAL OF THE CENTERPIPE AND CATALYTIC WAS RUSTED AND THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED IT ON ME AND THAT I DROVE THE CAR OFF ROADING. I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR HAS NEVER GONE OFF ROADING, GARAGED, AND WELL MAINTAINED. OTHER 2006 RAV4 OWNERS HAVE CITED THE SAME ISSUE STATING THAT THE MATERIAL AND CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE CENTERPIPE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE OF POOR QUALITY. THE SEAMS OF THE CENTERPIPE JUST COMPLETELY CAME UNDONE. WHEN SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY. WHEN TALKING TO THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY FOR EMISSIONS, THEY SAID THAT TOYOTA SHOULD COVER IT. THIS CENTERPIPE ISSUE BECAME A LARGER ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND THE VSC, CHECK ENGINE, AND 4WD LIGHTS ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DISCUSS WHAT THE ISSUE MAY BE. OTHER OWNERS STATED THAT THE IGNITION COILS WERE OF POOR QUALITY AND TOYOTA HAS ISSUED REPLACEMENTS. TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CAR SEEMS TO BE DRIVING VERY CLUNKY AND DOES NOT DRIVE AS WELL AS USUAL. THE CAR VIBRATES AND DRIVES VERY SLOWLY. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DROPPED A CYLINDER. THE ENGINE SOUNDS VERY CLUNKY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC, AND 4WD LIGHTS TURN ON SOLID EACH OF THESE INSTANCES. SINCE THEN THE TIRE PRESSURE HAS TURNED ON AND GONE BAD. HAD TO GET THAT REPLACED. NOW ALL 3 LIGHTS ARE BACK ON AND WILL NEED TO FIND OUT WHY. *TR

STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND RATTLES OVER BUMPS. TOYOTA SAID NO CREDIT FOR OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. COST TO REPAIR WITH REDESIGNED PARTS IS $1,900. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY MAINTAINED AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY STEERING PROBLEMS. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS. TOYOTA SAID THIS IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM BUT THE LOOSE STEERING FEELING DOES NOT INSPIRE CONFIDENCE. TOYOTA SAID I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING WITH THE PROBLEMS AND THAT IT WOULD ONLY BE AN ANNOYANCE. THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT. TOYOTA HAS REDESIGNED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THIS IS EVIDENCE THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR MECHANISM HAS BROKEN AND THE VISOR HANGS DOWN, IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE VISOR IS RARELY USED AND HAS VERY LITTLE WEAR. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY SUCH LITTLE USE. SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY PART. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING HUNG FROM THE VISOR THAT COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT TO THE VISOR MECHANISM. *TR

PERFORMING A THREE-POINT TURN ON AN UNEVEN, ROCKY SURFACE. HEARD A LOUD CLANG/POP FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. THOUGHT A ROCK WAS KICKED UP OR IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SUSPENSION RELATED. WAS INFORMED BY DEALER AT PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE THAT I WAS IN NEED OF REPLACING PASSENGER REAR SHOCK ABSORBER AS IT WAS LEAKING BADLY. I HAD FIGURED THAT THE FAILED SHOCK ABSORBER HAD FINALLY GIVEN IN AND HAD CREATED THE NOISE. I WENT AHEAD AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE THAT SAME WEEK AND HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE AND HAD BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS REPLACED. PEEKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHEN I GOT HOME TO SEE NEW THE NEW SHINY (NOT OILY) SHOCKS AND NOTICED THAT THE BOLT CONNECTING THE ANTI SWAY OR STABILIZER BAR TO THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM HAD SHEARED OFF ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE BOLT, THE BUSHING, WASHER AND NUT WERE MISSING. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETE AND INTACT. THE FAILURE OF THIS CRITICAL PIECE OF SUSPENSION HAD OBVIOUSLY CREATED THE NOISE I HEARD. *TR

CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED FOUR BRIDGESTONE TIRES FOR 648.66 ON OCTOBER 26, 2010. ON MARCH 29, 2012 THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED. ON AUGUST 30, 2012, THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER WALMART TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED HIM, THE TIRES WERE TOO BALD ON THE INSIDE TO BE ROTATED. THE CONSUMER STATED NO ONE MENTIONED TO HIM BACK IN MAY THAT TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES WERE WEARING ABNORMALLY.

AT FIRST, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, A HISSING SOUND APPEARED TO COME FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STILL BRAKED NORMALLY, REQUIRING THE USUAL DISTANCE TO STOP. HOWEVER, AFTER SOME TIME, THE "BRAKE" LIGHT CAME ON, AND BRAKING FEEL COMPLETED CHANGED, REQUIRING THE PEDAL TO COMPLETELY BE DEPRESSED JUST TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO A STOP. THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS AT THE PROPER (MAXIMUM) LEVEL AND NO LEAKS APPEARED AROUND THE BRAKE CALIPERS / PISTONS AND GROUND. IT SEEMED SEVERAL OWNERS OF THIS GENERATION OF RAV4 (3RD GENERATION) HAD EXHIBITED SIMILAR SYMPTOMS POINTING TO A "BRAKE BOOSTER" FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT, RELIABLE SHOP AND THE "BRAKE BOOSTER" WAS VERIFIED TO BE THE PROBLEM. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC SAYS THE CLOCKSPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600. FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING IN 2005-2009 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUPS IS THE SUBJECT OF AN EXISTING RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V092000); BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON SUDDENLY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE EXTENT, IT COULDN'T PICK UP A SPEED ABOVE 20-25 MPH. THIS COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED BY OTHER CARS. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP OF THE MANUFACTURER FOR SERVICING BUT THEY COULDN'T PROVIDE ANY SERVICE FACILITY AS THEY HAD A BUSY SCHEDULE AND GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT FOR MONDAY (8/13/2012). THEN I CALLED AAA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY TOWED IT TO THEIR NEAREST CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER, WHO DETECTED THAT THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH IS AN ELECTRONIC PART FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR. REQUEST YOUR HELP TO GET MY CAR THOROUGHLY INSPECTED AND GET IT REPAIRED / REPLACED / MONEY REFUND BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

AFTER BUYING THE CAR IN 2006, A COUPLE YEARS LATER I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH A CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. TOYOTA SAID IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PROBLEM. THEY REPLACES THE PART 3 TIMES AND THE NOISE CAME AGAIN AFTER SOME MONTHS. I CALLED TOYOTA THEY DID NOT HELP, THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND IN BETWEEN ONE THING AND THE OTHER ONE ALMOST A YEARS PASSED AND THEY DID NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND THE ARE THOUSAND OF PEOPLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVED THAT THIS MAY BE A HAZARDOUS DEFECT THAT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE GEAR CAR BOLTS OR JUMPS. LOUD NOISE. EITHER REVERSE GEAR OR TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE YEARS.

STEERING HAS CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEED AND CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FORUMS ARE FULL OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE WHICH POINT TO "INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT". ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN NO FATALITIES CONNECTED TO THIS-IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ON THE LARGE SCALE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA. WHAT HAPPENED TO TOYOTAS CULTURE OF HONOR? *TR

WE JUST HAD OUR 2006 RAV4 STATE INSPECTION TODAY AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE FRONT INNER TIE ROD REPLACED SINCE IT HAS BECOME UNSTABLE. THEY SAID THIS CANNOT BE REPLACED BY ITSELF SINCE IT IS ATTACHED TO THE STEERING RACK, SO WE WILL NEED ENTIRE RACK REPLACED, RESULTING IN $2400 IN REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SAID THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR SAFETY REASONS, SINCE IT CAN GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT AT ANY TIME. WE'VE ALSO HEARD KNOCKING WHEN WE TURN THE CAR FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND HAVE ASKED ABOUT IT, BUT NEVER BEEN GIVEN AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. THE DEALERSHIP NOW SAYS THIS COULD BE THE CAUSE. IF THIS IS A PROBLEM OF INTEGRITY WITH THE PART AND NOT A WEAR & TEAR ISSUE THEN I THINK THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL SINCE IT IS A FAULT OF THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING MORE NOISE THAN USUAL. THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ALWAYS REVVING UP, EVEN IN A PARKED POSITION. I TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY OPENED UP THE ENGINE AND SAID THAT THERE WAS METAL ON METAL AND METAL IN THE PAN (I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THESE TERMS). OVERALL, IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE!!!!! HOW CAN A 6 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 94,000 MILES NEED A NEW ENGINE! IT IS WORTH NOTHING IT I DON'T PUT A NEW ENGINE IN IT! SEEMS LIKE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT SURE HOW TO GET HELP. *TR

2006 TOYOTA RAV4, CONSUMER STATED WITHIN 3 1/2 MONTHS AFTER OIL, TOTAL OIL LEAKAGE OCCURRED. THE PISTONS, RINGS AND GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON FEB 2, 2012 THE CONSUMER HAD AN OIL CHANGED. ON JUNE 1, 2012 THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DIPSTICK WAS COMPLETELY DRY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE OIL LEAK WAS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND NOT JUST SUDDENLY WITHIN 3 1/2 MONTHS. THE TECHNICIANS WHO PERFORMED THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3-4 MONTHS SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THE SHORTAGE OF OIL, ESPECIALLY ON FEB 2, 2012. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *JB

AT APPROXIMATELY 81000 MILES, RAV-4 STARTED TO BURN OIL AT A RATE OF TWO QUARTS PER EVERY 3000 MILES. NOW AT 120,000 MILES, IT BURNS ONE QUART EVERY 1000 MILES. BY COMPARISON, MY 1987 TOYOTA CAMRY DOES NOT BURN A DROP. *TR

DRIVER SIDE VISOR STARTED DROPPING DOWN IN FRONT OF MY FACE. WON'T STAY UP. BLOCKS DRIVERS VIEW AHEAD OF CAR. VERY DANGEROUS. STARTED @ 60,000 MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

PASSENGER SUNVISOR WILL NOT STAY IN UP LOCKED POSITION. FALLS DOWN AND MY WIFE HAS HIT HER HEAD GETTING IN RAV. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY TOYOTA AS MANY ARE HAVING THIS DEFECTIVE PROBLEM. *TR

EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF OIL. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED APPROXIMATELY 3+ YEARS AGO IT WAS NOTICED WHEN CAR OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS ALMOST TOTALLY OUT OF OIL. AT APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, IT IS NECESSARY TO ADD 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING AFTER EVERY OIL CHANGE. TOYOTA RECENTLY TESTED AND AFTER 1,664 MILES FROM THE LAST OIL CHANGE, 3 QUARTS OF OIL WAS NEEDED TO TOP IT OFF. IT DID FAIL THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. I WANT TO KNOW WHY TOYOTA IS NOT EXTENDING CAR WARRANTY AS IS HONDA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT 5 MPH OR BELOW, OR WHEN IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD EXHIBIT LOUD CLUNKING NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/1/12 *CN UPDATED 11/1/2012 *JS

HEARD ABNORMAL MECHANICAL RATTLE FROM THE FRONT END GOING OVER ROUGH STREETS IN SAN FRANCISCO. TOOK VEHICLE IN SUSPECTING SUSPENSION ISSUE TO CAPITOL TOYOTA OF SAN JOSE. DIAGNOSIS WAS STEERING RACK HAS A KNOWN PART ISSUE, INTERNAL TO ITS DESIGN, NOTHING THE DEALER COULD DO, AS FACTORY DID NOT ALLOW THEM TO OPEN THE PART UP, ONLY REPLACE IT. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO TELL ME IF THE CAR WAS SAFE OR NOT TO DRIVE. SAID ONLY THING THEY COULD SO WAS REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING RACK AT $2000 +, WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. THEY SAID IF I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY WOULD SWAP IT OUT, AND THIS IS DONE ALL THE TIME FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR! THIS CAR IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND NOT DRIVEN OFF-ROAD. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD POSE A THREAT IF THE STEERING WERE TO LOCK UP/FAIL WHILE DRIVING, YET TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND SAYS ITS WEAR AND TEAR. AT 70K MILES? THIS PART SHOULD LAST 200K. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ONLINE OF ISSUES WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. ONE SUCH REPORT: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/TSB/2006/TOYOTA/RAV4/STEERING TSB NUMBER: 00506NHTSA NUMBER: 10020124TSB DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2007DATE ADDED TO FILE: JULY 24, 2006 FAILING COMPONENT: STEERING SUMMARY: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING: MIL ON DTC U0105 & U0121. *TR

THERE WAS A RUMBLE IN THE REAR @ 40 MPH. I HAD MAPLEWOOD TOYOTA CHECK IT 2-3 TIMES, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HEAR IT, CAR WAS FINE; THEY CHECKED THE TRANS OIL ONCE AND SAID IT WAS FINE. IT'S A CLOSED SYSTEM-YOU NEVER NEED TO CHANGE ITS OIL. (I HAD ASKED THIS QUESTION SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND THEY ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT I NEVER NEEDED TO CHANGE THE TRANS OIL & THE MANUAL DOES NOT LIST IT EITHER). THEY TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND CHECKED IT GOOD-SAID THAT 1ST GEAR WAS GOING, BUT IT WAS FINE TO DRIVE-COME BACK WHEN I COULDN'T STAND THE NOISE AND THEY'D PUT IN A NEW TRANS FOR $4,500. I WAS GOING OUT OF TOWN, THEY SAID OK, CAR WILL BE FINE. SINCE THE RUMBLE WAS SO LOUD, 3 DAYS LATER I GOT A SECOND OPINION AT A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST'S SHOP RECOMMENDED TO ME BY SEVERAL FRIENDS. THEY PUT IT UP ON A RACK AND TESTED IT WITH A STETHOSCOPE TYPE DEVICE. THEY SAID THAT THE BEARING WAS VERY BAD AND THAT I SHOULD NOT TAKE THE CAR OUT OF TOWN OR DRIVE IT AS IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD STOP AT ANY TIME. THEY REPLACED M,W/S, U240/24E 00-UP (CORK); FILTER; BUSHING, A40 SERIES PUMP; TC, RAV4, MED STALL, INK 14; CENTER GEAR BEARING, ETC. WHEN THE TOYOTA TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE TRANS OIL, I REALIZED THAT IT WAS NOT "A CLOSED SYSTEM"! ALSO, THE OIL WAS BLACK AND I NOW KNOW THAT IT SHOULD BE RED. I THINK I SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGING THE TRANS OIL ALL ALONG AND MY TRANSMISSION PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. I THINK THEY SHOULD ORDER A RECALL ON ALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS - AND PAY FOR THE WORK THAT I HAD TO HAVE DONE BEFORE MY CAR FAILED ON A FREEWAY SOMEWHERE. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST FOREVER, ESPECIALLY SINCE HALF OF THE MILES HAVE BEEN FREEWAY MILES AND I DRIVE MY CAR VERY GENTLY. I JUST PUT IN NEW BRAKE PADS FOR THE FIRST TIME RECENTLY AND THERE WAS STILL 20-30% LEFT ON THEM. PREVIOUSLY I HAD TO PAY TOYOTA $400 TO REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN-ANOTHER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING SHAFT THAT RESULTS IN AN AUDIBLE THUMP THAT IS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING 90 DEGREE CORNERS AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT RATHER PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES, TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS, ETC. MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER LUBED THE STEERING SHAFT AT 87,169 MI, AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN IN 11K MILES. I KNOW THAT TOYOTA HAS RECALLED SEVERAL VEHICLES IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO FOR STEERING-RELATED PROBLEMS, AND I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2006 RAV4 SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR UPDATED 06/25/2012 *JS

THE RAV4 HAS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR IN WHICH IT 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. THERE IS ALSO A WIDELY-REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING (THERE ARE 166 REPORTS ON THIS SITE AT THE TIME OF MY FILING) WHICH IS NOTICED IN THE FORM OF A KNOCKING OR CLUNKING NOISE WHICH CAN ALSO BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MANY OWNERS, INCLUDING ME, ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD BE A PRECURSOR TO A STEERING COMPONENT FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION AND WHEN MAKING TURNS, THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 W/40,000MI. AND ALL 4 ALLOY WHEELS ARE CORRODED. THEY HAVE BEEN CORRODING FOR 1 1/2 TO 2 YEARS. THE CORROSION NOW HAS GONE TO THE TPMS AND ALL 4 VALVES NEED TO BE REPLACED. I REPLACED THE TIRES AT 36,000 MI. AND BROUGHT THE CAR BACK 9 MONTHS LATER BECAUSE THE TIRES KEPT LOSING AIR. THEY TOLD ME ALL THE VALVES WERE ROTTING AT THE STEM AND BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE TPMS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THESE ARE VERY COSTLY REPAIRS ON A CAR THAT HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED AND IT JUST SEEMS INFERIOR PRODUCTS WERE USED AND I FEEL LIKE MY SAFETY IS IN JEOPARDY IF I TAKE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS FOR CORROSIVE ALLOY WHEELS AND TPMS PROBLEMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS CORRODED AND THE CORROSION SPREAD TO THE VALVES. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE AIR RAPIDLY. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,680 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN HE POINTED OUT THE RUST TO A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AIR WAS NOT LEAKING FROM THE TIRE. HE WAS ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE VALVE LEADING TO A BLOWOUT OF THE TIRE. UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS

INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FAULTY AFTER FIRST COUPLE YEARS OF OWNING VEHICLE. CLUNKING NOISE AND CLICKING FEEL WHEN TURNING VEHICLE. TOYOTA DID NOT WANT TO COVER REPAIR. OWNERS HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED WHICH WASN'T CHEAP. NOW, AFTER 6 YRS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, I FEEL IT STARTING AGAIN. THEY SAID THIS WAS DANGEROUS IF LEFT UNFIXED. IT COULD LEAD TO STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA SINCE IT'S A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR FOR THE VEHICLE OWNERS TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS WHEN ALL WE WANTED WAS A SAFE AND RELIABLE VEHICLE. *JS

VISOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE FALLS DOWN AND BLOCKS VIEW OF THE ROAD. WILL NOT RETRACT TO IT'S STOWED AWAY POSITION. *JS

OIL LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING LOW OIL ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AT A LOCAL SHOP WITHIN IN THE LAST MONTH. IT THEN BECAME A PROBLEM WITH CONTINUALLY HAVING TO STOP THERE AND "TOPPING OFF" ALTHOUGH I WAS GOING THERE WHEN THE "MAINTENANCE" LIGHT CAME ON. IT WOULD NEED 1 TO 2 QUARTS EACH TIME. HAVE TO CARRY OIL ALL THE TIME IN MY CAR AS EVEN THOUGH WE CHECK IT FAIRLY OFTEN, EVERY 1 TO 2 WEEKS. IT ALWAYS NEEDS OIL. THE SHOP WANTED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM FOR ME, BUT NOW I CAN SEE IT IS A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WHICH I FEEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED YEARS AGO. *JS

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM. WHEN ON SLOW SPEED. THE STEERING MAKES CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING BOTH DIRECTION. SOMETIME IT MAKES YOU FEEL IT IS SO LOOSE THAT THE WHEEL NOT TURNING AT ALL. WHAT HAPPEN IF I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND THE WHEEL WON'T BE ABLE TO TURN. MANY MANY HAVE COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NOT A SINGLE SOLUTION. IT MUST BE THE PROBLEM OF THE DESIGN OR DEFECTIVE MATERIALS!! *TR

THE VEHICLE LOSES 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL OVER 30-60 DAY PERIOD OR 1500-2000 MILES. NO SIGNS OF LEAKS, DRIPPING OR OTHER SOURCES OF LOSS ARE VISIBLE. IN CHECKING TOYOTA RAV4 OWNER FORUMS, IT SEEMS THIS CONDITION IS PREVALENT AMONG MANY AND SPANS SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. THE CONDITION HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST US AND SEEMED TO BE A SLOWER LOSS. NOW THE LOSS IS MUCH FASTER. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF PEOPLE WAIT TO CHECK OIL UNTIL NEXT OIL CHANGE, THEY MAY DAMAGE THEIR ENGINES. *TR

OUR 2006 RAV4 CREATES A GROWLING SOUND FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AREA WHEN DRIVING AT 35 TO 40 MPH. THE SOUND GOES AWAY WHEN ACCELERATING ABOVE 40 MPH. THE NOISE IS BECOMING MORE PRONOUNCED WITH TIME. TWICE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. RESEARCH ONLINE LOCATED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-0080-13 WHICH DISCUSSES SYMPTOMS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT OUR RAV IS EXPERIENCING. A CALL TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP RESULTED IN BEING INFORMED THAT DETERIORATION OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING DUE TO CONTAMINATED BEARING COULD BE THE PROBLEM, AND THAT ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR COST IS $1,925. I ASKED IF FAILURE OF THE COUPLING COULD BE CATASTROPHIC, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE ANSWER WAS NOT LIKELY UNLESS DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES. THIS VEHICLE IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED, AND HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AN IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE DRIVETRAIN. IS THIS A FLAW IN THE ENGINEERING/DESIGN THAT WENT INTO THIS VEHICLE? WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE BEYOND INFORMING OTHERS IN THE INTEREST OF THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE ONTO A DIRT ROAD. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AS THE VEHICLE TURNED AROUND SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD NOISE WHENEVER THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. ..UPDATED 03/18/13 *BF

WE WERE ON THE ROAD (ON A FAMILY VACATION). THE DAY THAT WE WERE COMING BACK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE VSC LIGHT AND THE SLIP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS WE WERE PULLING OUT OF THE HOTEL PARKING LOT. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, I ALSO FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS MISFIRING. THE DEALER FOUND "MULTIPLE CODES P0304, P0305, P0306, P0356, P1578, C1201. #6 COIL MALFUNCTIONING. RECOMMEND REPLACE #6 COIL PACK AND RECHECK. POSSIBLE THAT OTHER COIL MAY FAIL FROM THE RESULT OF #6 COIL FAILING." #6 COIL PACK WAS REPLACED AND THE RAV4 HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE SINCE. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THAT "TYPICALLY AFTER ONE COIL GOES THE OTHERS FOLLOW SHORTLY AFTER", SO I WILL KEEP AN EYE OPEN FOR THAT. IT IS STRANGE SINCE IGNITION COILS HAVE A LONG LIFE EXPECTANCY. I CHECKED ON-LINE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A HIGH FAILURE RATE WITH COIL PACK PART # 90919-02251, WHICH IS THE ORIGINAL PART THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. I MADE SURE THE PART WAS REPLACED WITH THE LATEST REVISION (90919-A2007) OF THE NEW PART NUMBERS (90919-A2002, 90919-A2004 OR 90919-A2007) THAT TOYOTA CHANGED TO. IT IS ALSO INTERESTING THAT MOST OF THE FAILURES HAPPEN WITH #6, #4 AND #5 COILS (IN THAT ORDER). THE FAILURES SEEM TO CONCENTRATE AROUND THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER, WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE RADIATOR (HOT FLUID) EXIT. MAYBE THAT IS WHY THE LATER REVISION PART # COIL PACKS HAVE A DOUBLE METALLIC SCREEN OUTSIDE THE PLASTIC HOUSING, TO PROTECT THE ASSEMBLY. *TR

I OWN 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH 48,000 MILES. MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR IN APRIL I RECEIVED RECALL LETTER SAYING I SHOULD REPLACE THE OIL RUBBER HOSE. 18 MONTHS LATER I NOTICE A LOT OF OIL UNDER MY CAR, THERE WAS NONE LEFT IN THE ENGINE. I HAD TO CALL TOWING COMPANY TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THE HOSE IS BROKEN, THE ONE THAT SUPPOSED TO BE UPGRADED LASTED ONLY 18,000 MILES. THEY CHARGE US $700 BECAUSE OUR WARRANTY FINISHED IN JULY 2011 AND THE WARRANTY FOR THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR 1 YEAR. I TRIED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM BUT NOBODY EVEN LISTENED. WE LEFT THE DEALER WITH NOTHING, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR, HE PULLED TO THE PARKING LOT AND HEARD THIS BIG NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT WAS 15 MINUTES AFTER WE LEFT THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID THAT THEY TESTED THIS CAR AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE BUT IF WE WANT WE CAN BRING THE CAR BACK. WE HAD TO CALL FOR TOWING COMPANY AGAIN. THE CAR CAME BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY ADMITTED THERE IS A NOISE BUT FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE ENGINE THEY HAVE TO CHARGE US $1200. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SENDING ME BACK TO THE DEALER TO TALK TO THEIR CUSTOMER RELATION MANAGER. THE MANAGER SAID HE DID SOME INVESTIGATION AND MY PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH THE REPAIR THEY DID. I TALK TO MANY DIFFERENT MECHANICS OUTSIDE OF TOYOTA AND THE SAID IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ENGINE TO JUST DIE. BESIDES EVERY MECHANIC SAYS THE HOSE SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 18 MONTHS AND THEY BELIEVE THAT IT WAS NOT INSTALLED THE RIGHT WAY. TOYOTA MAIN OFFICE SAYS THE SUPPORT THE DEALER DECISION AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY DON'T FEEL ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SITUATION. YOU HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE WITH THAT, MAYBE YOU CAN GIVE ME SOME ADVICE. THANK YOU. *KB

THERE'S A WEIRD CLICKING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM MY STEERING WHEN TURNING. I WAS MAKING A U-TURN (NOT EVEN 5MPH) WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT AND HAS HEARD IT ALMOST EVERYDAY SINCE. ITS TERRIFYING WHILE DRIVING TO THINK THAT MY STEERING CAN FAIL. MY MECHANIC WILL LET ME KNOW IF IT CAN BE FIXED AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST. I HAVE TO SAY... I'M CONSIDERING TRADING THAT SUCKER IN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY SLUGGISH AND THE STEERING MADE A CRACKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

MUFFLER & TAILPIPE AND HOUSING ON MY RAV4 ARE RUSTING EXTENSIVELY. HAD DEALER CHECK IT OUT. RECOMMENDS I REPLACE MY EXHAUST SYSTEM. THERE WERE HOLES IN MY EXHAUST SYSTEMS DUE TO RUST. CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ONLY OFFER A 3 YR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. CASE REF #1203230216. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YRS OLD!!! MY EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN FALL OFF MY RAV4 ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WHO IS TO BLAME IN SUCH A SENARIO? TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY FOR MAKING INFERIOR EXHAUST SYSTEMS? THERE IS RUST ON GARAGE FLOOR WHERE I PARK MY RAV4!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER SOME TIME, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE WIRING IN THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN, WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDED THE 2006 MODEL VEHICLES, ONLY THE 2007-2008 MODELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 11/14/12*LJ UPDATED 11/15/12*JB

PURCHASED A 2006 RAV4 SPORT 4WD V6 BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2006 AND THE CAR WAS DOING GREAT UP UNTIL LAST YEAR (2011) WHEN I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL STARTING MAKING THIS STRANGE CLICKING NOISE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2011 AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION MAKING THE NOISE AND THAT OVER TIME I COULD POSSIBLY LOSE STEERING. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST OVER $2,000 TO FIX. I ASKED IF I COULD JUST DRIVE IT UNTIL THE PROBLEM WORSENED AND THEY SEEMED TO SAY THAT WAS PROBABLY OK THAT IT WOULD COST THE SAME TO FIX SO I LET IT GO. FAST FORWARD ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS (APRIL 2012) AND NOW MY CAR IS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I TURN RIGHT (AS DESCRIBED BY ALMOST EVERYONE ELSE ON THE WEB WITH THIS PROBLEM). I BROUGHT IT BACK IN AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AND THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN PUT OUT FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD STILL COST THE SAME PRICE TO FIX AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS INSANE HOW TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH SO MANY OTHERS AND REFUSE TO FIX IT. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A FAULTY PART ON ALL RAV4'S AROUND 2006-2007 (MAYBE MORE?). MOST COMPANIES WILL REALIZE THEY USED A FAULTY PART TO MAKE A PRODUCT AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE TO KEEP THE CUSTOMER HAPPY. THAT IS NOT THE CASE HERE. I CALLED TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE LINE AND SPOKE TO A NASTY PERSON WHO SPOKE VERY CONDESCENDINGLY TO ME. HE KEPT TRYING TO AVOID THE ISSUE AT HAND AND EVENTUALLY JUST SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO BECAUSE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HE FILED THE COMPLAINT WITH THE REST OF EVERYONE ELSE AND WENT ON HIS WAY. I AM PRETTY SADDENED BY THIS SINCE THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY JUST WENT THROUGH A PAINFUL TIME HOW CAN THEY TURN AROUND AND ACT LIKE THIS TO LOYAL CUSTOMERS? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN, BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

LETTER ON BEHALF OF RE TOYOTA CHARGING HER FOR A REPAIR ON HER 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT SHE FEELS SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT WHEN THE TECHNICAL SERVICE REPORT CAME OUT IN 2006 RE A COWL PANEL WATER LEAK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM, WATER BEGAN LEAKING ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP. SHE WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.

CLINKING AND GRINDING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US IT WAS THE STEERING SHAFT IS WORN AND WOULD COST BETWEEN $800- $1000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS NOT COVERED SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK CAR TO MY DEALER (FOR REPAIR OF ANOTHER PROBLEM) ON 9/22/11. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE CONTROLLING THE DRIVER AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT $500 OR MORE TO REPAIR. I TOLD THEN THAT I FELT THAT IT SHOULD BE TOYOTA'S PROBLEM TO REPAIR SINCE IT WAS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD I BECOME INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA'S, ESPECIALLY RAV 4'S. THIS SHOULD REALLY BE A RECALL PRIORITY. *TR

DRIVING BACK FROM GAS STATION ALL THREE LIGHTS CAME ON IN DASH -- VSC, CHECK ENGINE & 4WD. RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT GAS CAP NOT SEALING COLD CAUSE PROBLEM, REMOVED / RETIGHTENED GAS CAP NUMEROUS TIMES. LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF. I HAD CAR TESTED WITH OBD READER ATTACHED AND CODES (PO300, PO303, PO305 & PO356 SAYS IT'S IGNITION COIL F--PRIMARY/SECONDARY CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. CAR ONLY HAS 43000 MILES AND CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF TOYOTA IGNITION FAILURES BETWEEN 40000 & 55000 MILES. *TR