2006 Toyota RAV4 complaints

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

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

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

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 SPORT. THERE IS A LOUD THUMP IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, OR TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY. THE PROBLEM STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO AND IS GETTING WORSE. THE CAR HAS 38K AND IS SEVERAL MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. *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

THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SITTING STILL OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS ITEM, BUT TOYOTA WILL ONLY REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. TOYOTA HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REDESIGNING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND IS AWARE THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IS ATTEMPTING TO NOT PAY BY DELAYING UNTIL OWNERS ARE OUTSIDE OF THEIR WARRANTY AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE FOR THE PART. *TR

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE. TOYOTA TSB REPORT NUMBER T-SB-0318-08. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL YOU FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE AND YOU HEAR AND FEEL A BANGING NOISE. FROM WHAT I READ MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE ON THERE RAV4 MODEL YEARS 2006-7. COULD THIS BE A SAFETY PROBLEM IF LEFT UNFIXED? *TR

CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CHIPPED PAINT ON THE HOOD, AND A JUMBLED RADIO SCREEN. RADIO FIXED, STEERING COLUMN ONGOING, PAINT STILL CHIPPING. *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

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

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

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

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

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 RAV4. THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR RECREATE THE FAILURE ON FOUR OCCASIONS. HE WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

SEPT. 2009 MY WIFE COMPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE THAT SHE COULD FEEL THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS. IT GOT LOUDER AND MORE PRONOUNCED OVER THE LAST 30 DAYS. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I THEN LOCATED TOYOTA'S TSB ST001-08 DATED 2/8/08 "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE" WHICH PERFECTLY DESCRIBES THE STEERING NOISE I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. WHILE I HAVE ONLY 21K MILES ON THE RAV4, MY 36 MONTHS RAN OUT 3 MONTHS AGO. THE NEARBY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE QUITE AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT BASICALLY, YET POLITELY SAID, "TOO BAD, OUT OF WARRANTY." CONSIDERING THIS COMPLAINT SEEMS TO BE A QUITE WIDESPREAD ISSUE, AND ONE THAT INVOLVES THE STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, I WOULD ARGUE THAT THIS RISES TO THE LEVEL OF A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD MERIT A SAFETY RECALL. TOYOTA CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS STEERING NOISE WILL NOT DETERIORATE INTO A "LOSS OF CONTROL" ISSUE. *TR

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

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 SITUAT

KLUNKING NOISE HEARD AND THUMP FELT IN STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING VEHICLE A SLOW SPEEDS. *TR

THE CAR WAS LIFTED UP TO REPLACE TIRES AND SOMEHOW THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS PUSHED UP AND GOT STUCK WITH THE EXIT INSIDE THE BUMPER LEADING TO A FIRE AND MELTING THE BUMPER. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE TIRES PLACE DIDN'T NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUSTED SYSTEM WAS STUCK UP.THE BUMPER WAS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR

THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 WENT OUT SUDDENLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS MONTH. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE MOTOR. WHEN THE CAR STARTED AGAIN THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING. THE TOYOTA DEALER HAD REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THIS CAR FROM TOYOTA. THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT SUDDENLY. TOYOTA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME THE COST OF FIXING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. IT COSTS ABOUT $1000. HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT. *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

THE STEERING COLUMN AND/OR STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNK, POP AND KNOCK TYPE NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED AND SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING. I AM FEARFUL THAT SOMETHING IN THE STEERING MECHANISM MIGHT BREAK WHILE DIVING LEAVING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE ON A COURSE NOT UNDER MY CONTROL. *TR

I NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING MY 2006 RAV4 FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE INDICATES THAT THIS CAN BECOME A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD IT GET WORSE. HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT I RETURN THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA AS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. TOYOTA TELLS ME THAT SINCE I PURCHASED THIS AS A "CERTIFIED USED" VEHICLE, DUE TO THE 50K MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT IS NOT COVERED. I CONSIDER THIS DEPLORABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. I SEE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE FOR THIS VEHICLE ON THIS SITE AND SINCE I ONLY KNOW OF THIS COMPLAINT FORUM AS I AM IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE UNKNOWN BY THE ODI. DUE TO THE SAFETY NATURE OF THIS ISSUE, I REQUEST THAT AN INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED AND A RECALL MANDATED. *TR

EMAIL TO TOYOTA I HAVE BEEN GENERALLY VERY HAPPY WITH MY 2006 RAV4 (6 CYL, 62K MILES) BUT THIS PAST THURSDAY I HAD A REAL SCARE. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A MEETING ABOUT 15 MILES AWAY VIA INTERSTATE. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR LEAVING THE MEETING, MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BLINKED ON THEN WENT OFF. ALTHOUGH IT WAS UNUSUAL, I DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT THINKING I WOULD CHECK MY OIL WHEN I GOT HOME. MIDWAY HOME, I BEGAN TO HEAR SOME STRANGE NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SINCE IT WAS FAIRLY HOT, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE FAN AND SHUT DOWN THE AC AND TURNED OFF THE RADIO TO LISTEN. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO MAKE STRANGE NOISES. AFTER STOPPING AT THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP NEAR HOME I ACCELERATED ONTO THE SIDE STREET AND THE NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD. I DROVE SLOWLY THE LAST 1/2 MILE HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME, I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS NO OIL READING ON THE DIPSTICK. NOTE THAT THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. I ADDED THE ONLY QUART OF OIL THAT I HAD AT HOME AND DROVE SLOWLY TO MY MECHANIC ABOUT A MILE AWAY. WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING, THEY SAID THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. A RUBBER HOSE THAT RAN FROM THE VALVE COVER TO THE OIL PUMP RESERVOIR HAD SPLIT AND PUMPED OUT ALL THE OIL. THEY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE HOSE HAD SOME METAL SHIELDING, THE HEAT HAD DETERIORATED THE RUBBER CAUSING THE SPLIT. THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLACE THE PART AND CLEAN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR $600. I JUST DROVE IT ABOUT 300 MILES TODA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VAPOR CANNISTER, WHICH WAS A PART OF THE EMISSION SYSTEM, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,300. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

2006 TOYOTA RAV4 V-6 ENGINE. SUDDEN AND MASSIVE LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL. DEALER IS AWARE THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE OIL HOSE. NO RECALL ISSUED YET. DEALER STATES "WE'RE JUST FIXING THEM AS THEY COME IN". I WAS FORTUNATE I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. ENGINE WAS BONE DRY OF OIL IN LESS THAN 3 MILES. SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED FURTHER AWAY; 1. ENGINE WOULD HAVE SEIZED. 2. POTENTIAL FIRE - THE UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE WAS COVERED IN OIL AND COULD HAVE EASILY IGNITED. TOYOTA NEEDED TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART. NOT "JUST REPAIR AS THEY COME IN." *TR

NOTICED A "CLUNKING" NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THAT THEY LOOK INTO THIS NOISE. MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO THE DANGER THAT THE CAR WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER IF THE PROBLEM WERE TO GET ANY WORSE, A SAFETY DANGER. SINCE THE SERVICE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY, I TOOK IT TO MY PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. HE AGREED THAT THE TWO PARTS SHOULD BE CHANGED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE ON 7/24/09. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN GROUP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PATCH OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE CHECKED THE OIL AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY LOW. HE PLACED FIVE QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN 30 MINUTES, ALL FIVE QUARTS HAD LEAKED OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD JUST REPAIRED THIS ISSUE ON ANOTHER TOYOTA RAV4 AND THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A TSB FOR THE TOYOTA AVALON (SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 06405, NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10018855, COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SUMMARY: ENGINE OIL DRIP: BANK 1 VVTI OIL LINE). BOTH THE AVALON AND THE RAV4 HAVE THE SAME ENGINE. THE TSB STATED THAT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SMALL/SLOW OIL DRIP FROM THE BANK 1 VVTI OIL SUPPLY LINE ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCE REPAIRING VEHICLES AND STATED THAT THE OIL SUPPLY LINE ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BURST, WHICH CAUSED OIL TO SPLATTER ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE OIL WAS LOW IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD VALVE CHATTER COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. UPDATED 8/24/09 *CN A RUBBER HOSE IN THE OIL DELIVERY SYSTEM FAILED WHICH CAUSED DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. UPDATED 08/26/09. *JB

FAILURE OF OIL LINE ON 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 V6 CAUSES ENGNE TO LOOSE OIL AT RAPID RATE POTENTIALLY CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE OR FIRE. *TR

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 RUBBER OIL HOSE (PART NO. 15707-31010) RUPTURE SPEWED OIL ALL OVER ENGINE AND ROAD. VEHICLE HAS 61000 MILES. THE 2008 AND LATER MODEL RAV 4'S NOW USE A DIFFERENT METAL PART (PART NO. 15772-31030). LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN AFTER NOTICING ENGINE SMOKING FROM EXCESS OIL. THE DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY INSTALL ORIGINAL PART NUMBER FOR THE 2006 AND 2007 RAV 4 MODELS, EVEN THOUGH APPARENTLY THE 2008 METAL PART IS SUPERIOR. *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

TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR LOOSE FEELING IN STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV. THE FRONT STEERING SHAFTS ARE BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. TOYOTA ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN. NO ONE CONTACTED ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I TOOK VEH TO SHOP. I HAVE TO PAY THE ENTIRE COST ($700) WHEN WILL THIS BECOME A RECALL, WHEN PEOPLE START DYING TO STEERING FAILURE. I THINK YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL AND MAKE TOYOTA PAY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN, NOT THE CONSUMER. *TR

MY CAR WAS DISPLAYING ERROR WARNINGS AND REQUIRED ME TO GO TO TOYOTA TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC OF THE CAR, THEY STATED I NEED A NEW CHARCOAL CANNISTER. THIS OCCURRED JUST OUTSIDE MY 3 YEAR/36000 MILES WARRANTY. THE TECH EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND I WASN'T THE FIRST HE SEEN OF THIS. HE STATED THAT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IF IT OCCURRED IN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE ORIGINAL PIECE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROTECTED BY A SHIELD WHICH 2007 AND LATER ARE. IT WAS ONLY A MATTER TIME BEFORE OTHER 2006 MODELS WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM. COST OF REPAIR WAS $2,000. I FIND THIS OUTRAGES THAT TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT BE PROACTIVE ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

STEERING SHAFT GOES BAD ON 2006 TOYOTA RAV4'S AND SOME CAMRY'S AND TOYOTA WON'T RECALL IT. I FEEL A CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER I MAKE A TURN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S WORN OUT. AFTER 3 YRS OF PURCHASING A BRAND NEW CAR? AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WITH THE SAME MODELS. AND I WAS TOLD EVENTUALLY, IF IT GOES UNATTENDED THAT I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE! AND THAT TOO BAD I DIDN'T BRING IT IN WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY! WHO WOULD THINK THAT A BRAD NEW CAR WOULD DO THIS? AND NOW THEY WANT US TO PAY ARM AND LEG TO FIX?! *TR

SLUGGISH THROTTLE RESPONSE IN 2006 4 CYL RAV4. SINCE WE OWNED OUR NEW 2006 RAV4 WE HAVE NOTICE A VERY SLUGGISH THROTTLE RESPONSE WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE EITHER FROM A STOP OR WHEN WE TRY TO INCREASE SPEEDS. THE DELAY CAN BE UP TO A COUPLE SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE REVS UP AND ACCELERATES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DANGEROUS ISSUE WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND MAY CAUSE US GETTING HIT BECAUSE THE CAR CANNOT GET OUT OF ITS OWN WAY. I HAD THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A CARBURETOR THING OR CLOGGED FILTER ' BUT THERE ARE MANY MESSAGE BOARDS ONLINE WHERE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ARE BEING EXPRESSED. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE EITHER WITH THIS ENGINE AND/OR THIS MODEL. I HOPE YOUR AGENCY WOULD LOOK INTO IT. *TR

AT AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED KNOCKING WHEN TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SEEMED TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY TIGHTENING SOMETHING DOWN IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY, BUT LATER THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND THE ISSUE IS ADDRESSED IN TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN# ST001-08. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO ANOTHER DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT TODAY (5/22/09), AND THEY INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS A DEFECTIVE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS STANDARD WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGE, WHICH THEY SAID WAS AROUND $800 PARTS & LABOR. WHEN I ASKED IF IT WAS POSSIBLE IF THE SHAFT COULD FAIL COMPLETELY AT A LATER TIME, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW. AS THE NOISES SEEM TO BE GETTING LOUDER AS TIME GOES ON, IT INDICATES TO ME THAT THE SHAFT INTERLOCKS ARE WEARING OUT AND THERE IS A REAL POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE DOWN THE LINE. WITH THAT SAID, I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *TR

HUGE OIL LEAK! STARTED SMALL, NOTICED A LITTLE ON THE TURN AROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY - DIDN'T EVEN THINK IT WAS MY CAR SINCE THERE WAS NO OIL WHEN I PARKED. ABOUT ONE WEEK LATER CAME HOME AFTER A SHORT TRIP AND NOTICED THE CAR SMELLED HOT. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND THE OIL WAS JUST RUNNING OUT - THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WAS COVERED WITH SPLATTERED OIL AND IN ABOUT 15MINUTES - NO OIL LEFT! I HAVEN'T TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER YET - I'M AFRAID OF THE $$ AND WITH ALL OF THE DEALERSHIPS CLOSING, THE TOWING FEE ALONE WILL PROBABLY BE ONE I CAN'T AFFORD. I HAVE CHECK THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMMENTS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHERE IS THE RECALL???

CLANKING WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS. BEGAN TO OCCUR AT APPROX 45,000 MILES. STEERING COLUMN FEELS LOOSE WHEN SOUNDS APPEAR. IS THIS DANGEROUS?!?!? DEALER LOOKING FOR SERVICE BULLETIN. NEED RECALL. *TR

THIS IS THE THIRD COMPLAINT I HAVE HAD ON MY 2006 RAV4 V6 2WD EMISSION SYSTEM CAUSING MY VEHICLE STABILITY, TRACTION CONTROL, AND SPEED CONTROL SYSTEMS TO FAIL. THE FIRST EVENT IS ODI NUMBER 10268422. THE SECOND EVENT WAS SUBMITTED ALSO, BUT I DID NOT GET AN EMAIL- HOPEFULLY IS SUBMITTED. THIS THIRD EVENT WAS DUE TO A MILE OF DRIVING SLOWLY IN LIGHT SNOW CAUSING A FUEL EVAPORATION FILTER TO BREAK A TUBE FITTING OFF (SECOND EVENT). WATER ENTERED THE BROKEN TUBE AND FAILED THE FUEL EVAP CHARCOAL CANISTER WHICH IN TURN FAILED THE OTHER SYSTEMS LISTED IN THIS THIRD EVENT. AFTER SOME WRANGLING, THE DEALER AGREED TO SUBMIT IT TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT WAS COVERED IN FULL. *TR

2/25/08 INSTANCE #1: I HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES OF EMISSIONS COMPONENTS ON MY 2006 2WD RAV4 V6 BEING DAMAGED IN THE 65000 MILES I HAVE DRIVEN IT. THE FIRST INSTANCE MANIFESTED ITSELF WHEN THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS SHUT-OFF AND LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAME ON. A DAMAGED "CHARCOAL CANISTER" WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 2/25/08. (THIS OCCURRED A SECOND TIME ON 3/19/09 AFTER AN EVAPORATION FILTER WAS DAMAGED ON 3/3/09 AFTER DRIVING A MILE IN LESS THAN AN INCH OF WET SNOW. EACH EVENT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND THE ASSOCIATED SYSTEM LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAME ON. THE DEALER FELT THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO MY OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND AT FIRST DENIED SUBMITTING IT TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I INSISTED THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE TO FAIL IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEY EVENTUALLY COVERED ALL REPAIRS.) *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE HAD ON MY 2006 RAV4 V6 2WD EMISSION SYSTEM CAUSING MY VEHICLE STABILITY, TRACTION CONTROL, AND SPEED CONTROL SYSTEMS TO FAIL. THE FIRST EVENT IS ODI NUMBER 10268422. THE SECOND EVENT WAS DUE TO A MILE OF DRIVING SLOWLY IN LIGHT SNOW CAUSING A FUEL EVAPORATION FILTER TO BREAK A TUBE FITTING OFF. WATER ENTERED THE BROKEN TUBE AND FAILED THE FUEL EVAP CHARCOAL CANISTER WHICH IN TURN FAILED THE VEHICLE STABILITY, TRACTION CONTROL, AND SPEED CONTROL SYSTEMS (ODI NUMBER 10268424). I SEE NO REASON TO TIE EMISSIONS INTO SAFETY SYSTEMS SUCH AS THESE UNLESS IT IS TO "ENCOURAGE" OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR EMISSIONS SERVICE. AFTER SOME WRANGLING, THE DEALER AGREED TO SUBMIT IT TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT WAS COVERED IN FULL. I WAS TOLD THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER WOULD HAVE COST ME $700. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER, AND MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I STARTED THE ENGINE AND HEARD THE SAME LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL, AND SAW THAT IT WAS NON-EXISTENT. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT THE OIL LINE IS CONTINUING TO FAIL ON THE NEWER V-6 ENGINES. I WILL BE CALLING TOYOTA TOMORROW. THE CAR IS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 SPORT 4WD V-6. IT HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. TOYOTA PERFORMS REGULAR OIL CHANGES. *TR

MY 2006 RAV4 WITH 21K MILES DEVELOPED STEERING CLUNKING SENSATION AT SLOW SPEEDS IN AUGUST 2008. BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IN MARCH 2009 WITH 25K MILES IT'S SLOWLY STARTING TO DEVELOPED SAME CONDITION. IT'S SCHEDULED FOR DEALER SERVICE SHORTLY BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION MUST BE APPLIED BY TOYOTA, HOPEFULLY THE DEALER WILL DO THAT. *TR

PURCHASED SPECTOR ADVANTA SUV TIRES ON 06/05/08. 235/65/17. COMPLAINED TO DEALER, ASHLAND TIRE AND AUTO CARE, ASHLAND, KY. DEALER RE-BALANCED TIRES WITHOUT POSITIVE RESULTS. IN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS TIRES VIBRATED ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE WITH TRACTION CONTROL AND VSC AS WELL. DEALER SAID BUY NEW TIRES. TIRES CURRENTLY HAVE 25,000 MILES. I REPLACED THE TIRES TODAY AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS RESOLVED. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE ENGINE TRIES TO DECELERATE WITH THIS COMBINATION OF DASHBOARD LIGHTS. I AM STORING THE TIRES PENDING RESULTS FROM THIS WEBSITE. *TR

ON FREEWAY, OTHER MOTORIST NOTIFIED ME MY CAR WAS "ON FIRE!" I SAW EXCESSIVE SMOKE IN REARVIEW MIRROR. I TOOK THE NEXT EXIT WHICH WAS DIXON, CA OFF INTERSTATE 80 WEST IN CALIFORNIA. THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY THERE IS GRASSY, DID NOT THINK IT WAS SAFE TO STOP...I STOPPED THE CAR AND SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE, COMING UP THROUGH THE HOOD & UNDER THE CAR. THIS WAS TUES, 2/3/09. I HAS THE CAR SERVICED THE FRI BEFORE, 1/30/09 AT TOYOTA VALLEJO IN VALLEJO, CA. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AFTER CALLING AAA FOR A TOW. THE SERVICE ADVISOR, RYAN SAID "IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN FROM ANYTHING THEY HAD DONE. BUT THERE IS AN 'OIL HOSE' THAT HAD BEEN COMING OFF ALOT OF THE RAV4'S." I WAS ALREADY UPSET & THAT MADE ME LIVID!! IF IT WERE A KNOWN PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE CHECKED DURING THE SCHEDULED MAINT. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO LITHIA TOYOTA OF VACAVILLE #47 AT 500 ORANGE DRIVE, VACAVILLE, CA. WORK ORDER 394212. AS OF YESTERDAY, 2/12/09, THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER, MEGAN, TOLD ME THERE WAS NO TSB SHE WAS AWARE OF, YET THE PART THAT CAME OFF (VVTI OIL PIPE) WAS NOT FOUND AT ANY OTHER DEALERSHIP OR SUPPLIER IN THE UNITED STATES, AND WAS ON ORDER FROM TOYOTA IN JAPAN. I AM FURIOUS THAT IT APPEARS TOYOTA WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS FAILED TO INITIATE ANY STEPS TO PREVENT RISK TO ITS CONSUMERS. I AM ASKING FOR A FULL INVESTIGATION WHICH HOPEFULLY WILL LEAD TO A RECALL OF THE 2006 RAV4'S AND ANY OTHER YEAR THIS AFFECTS. MEGAN, THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AT LITHIA TOYOTA CONFIRMED WITH MY INS

2006 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS A GRINDING/BINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER FEEL THAT THIS IS PERHAPS A DEFECT. *NJ THE DEALER DETERMINED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS WERE FAULTY. *JB

TOYOTA, 2006 RAV4 ... LOOSE STEERING ARMS. CAUSING CLUNKING NOISES WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEED. DON'T KNOW IF THIS GETS BAD ENOUGH TO FALL APART WHILE DRIVING? TOYOTA HAS A TSB OUT ON THIS. MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS TOPIC ONLINE. TOYOTA WANTS $800. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THESE CARS. ALSO VEHICLE HAS A 2 TO 3 SECOND HESITATION IF TRYING TO ACCELERATE DURING A LANE CHANGE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY CAR DOES THIS ALSO .. AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINS WITH THIS ISSUE ON LINE. SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. TOYOTA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS. *TR