2006 Toyota RAV4 complaints

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

STEERING WHEEL "CLUNKS" AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS - CLUNKING INCREASES OVER TIME. CONCERN IS IF STEERING FAILS AS A RESULT. TOYOTA'S FIX IS TO REPLACE INTERMEDIATE DRIVESHAFT AND AN ALIGNMENT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM ON A NUMBER OF RAV4 MODEL YEARS (BASED ON HUNDREDS OF POSTINGS ON INTERNET DISCUSSION SITES, AT LEAST ONE OF WHICH CLAIMS FAILED STEERING RESULTING IN MULTICAR CRASH). PER THESE ONLINE DISCUSSIONS, SOME TOYOTA DEALERS HAVE STATED IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, SOME HAVE NOT. GIVEN THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS (TOYOTA HAS TWO SERVICE MEMOS ISSUED ON THE PROBLEM AND EVEN DEVELOPED NEW REPLACEMENT PARTS), IF THE NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED THIS ISSUE AND DETERMINED THERE IS NO CONSUMER SAFETY ISSUES, IS THAT CONCLUSION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC? WOULD APPEAR THIS WOULD BE PROPER TO DISCLOSE, AS CONSUMERS GET VERY CONCERNED WITH A POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING AND ITS POTENTIAL CRASH RAMIFICATIONS. *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 TH

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

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

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

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

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH FRONT STEERING, SUSPENSION AND DRIVE TRAIN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS STARTED WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND CONTINUED WITH OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING, FRONT SUSPENSION AND DRIVE TRAIN. VARIOUS FRONT END COMPONENTS HAD BEEN REPLACED 10 TIMES. AFTER THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AUGUST OF 2011, THE VEHICLE IS NOW PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. *JB

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

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

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

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

MY RAV4 BEGAN MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED AS A STEERING COLUMN ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB ABOUT IT, BUT DOES NOT COVER THE REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A DESIGN FLAW (AND SAFETY ISSUE) ON THEIR PART. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL. SEE TOYOTA TSB ST001-08. *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

I HAVE 2006 RAV4 WITH STEERING CLUNKING NOISE. I SPOKE WITH MY LOCAL DEALER IN ATLANTIC CITY NJ AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NOT RECALL. I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR SOMETHING WHAT IS FACTORY PROBLEM. I THINK TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD ALSO INITIATE A RECALL FOR THE STEERING 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

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

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

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

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 04/27/12*LJ

INTERMEDIATE STEERING LINKAGE MAKES A POPPING NOISE. CONDITION HAS BEEN ADDRESSED UNDER TSB ST 001-08: HOWEVER THIS CONDITION HAS GROWN STEADILY WORSE AND WE FEAR MAY LEAD TO STEERING FAILURE. TOYOTA DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY AS 36 MONTHS HAVE ELAPSED SINCE OUR PURCHASE OF THIS NEW CAR. PLEASE ADD OUR COMPLAINT TO YOUR DATA BASE WITH THE HOPE THAT TOYOTA CAN BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS FACTORY STEERING DEFECT. *TR

CLUNKING SOUND ( AND FEEL) COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, PARTICULARLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS. CLUNKING IS WORSE IN COLDER WEATHER, BUT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AS TIME PASSES. NO LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY - YET. WHY IS THIS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA? A SIMPLY INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES IT IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE AND YET TOYOTA WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT INTERESTED IN SPEAKING TO ME ABOUT THIS AS THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, OTHER THAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT MY COST. MUST WE EXPERIENCE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO GET TOYOTA'S ATTENTION? *TR

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

AFTER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS FAULTY IGNITION COIL. THIS ALL STARTED WHEN I NEGLECTED CLOSE THE GAS CAP ALL THE WAY ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE. AT THAT TIME I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID TO TIGHTEN IT AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. IT DID FOR AWHILE BUT SOON STARTED A SERIES OF EVENTS THAT ENDED UP WITH THE COIL "D" HAVING TO BE REPLACED. *TT

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.

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 WHEEL WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS EXTREMELY SOAKED WITH WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE PLASTIC COWL COVER AND SEAL PLATE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS AND THE FLOORBOARD BECAME MOLDED IN ADDITION TO CONDENSATION BUILDING ON THE WINDOWS FROM THE MOISTURE IN THE VEHICLE. THE WATER BEGAN TO FREEZE DUE TO THE COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,825.

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 EVER

I OWN A 2006 RAV4 V6. AT ROUGHLY 60,000 MILES THE ENGINE, VSC AND 4WD LIGHT WOULD START GOING ON AND THEN OFF AFTER SHUTTING DOWN. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE GAS CAP AFTER FILLING UP NOT BEING TIGHT. AT 64,000 MILES THE LIGHTS WENT ON AND STAYED ON. BECAUSE MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IS WORTHLESS, I WENT TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC. THE CODES SHOWED A BAD COIL IN THE #2 CYLINDER SO I REPLACED IT. THEY SUGGESTED THAT THESE COILS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE BAD AND THAT I SHOULD REPLACE ALL OF THEM. I DIDN'T WANT TO DROP $1300 AT THE TIME AND NOW AT 70,000 THE LIGHTS ARE ON AGAIN AND THE CODES ARE SHOWING ALL 6 COILS ARE BAD AGAIN. HOW IS IT THAT A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO GO 100,000 MILES BEFORE YOU EVEN NEED TO CHANGE THE PLUGS HAS ALL THE COILS GO BAD AT THE SAME TIME. THERE ARE WEB SITES FOR RAV4 OWNERS ALL OVER THE INTERNET COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING AND TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING. *TR

STEERING MAKES A "BUMPING" SOUND WHEN IT IS TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION. MY SON COMMENTED THAT HE NOTICED IT IN 2010. LAST WEEK MY MECHANIC MENTIONED IT AND SAID THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED. ANOTHER MECHANIC AT THE SAME SHOP ALSO MENTIONED IT TO ME AFTER HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. *TR

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

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

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS A CLUNK NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT SLOW OR NO SPEED. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE VERY HIGH I WAS TOLD BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT WOULD COST CLOSE TO $800 TO REPAIR. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. I WORK FOR VW AND KNOW THAT WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THIS MANY VEHICLES AND A STEERING CONCERN THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE ALREADY. IS IT REALLY GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER " GAS PEDAL " INCIDENT TO MAKE THEM TAKE CARE OF IT? *TR

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 SPORT HAS CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. LOW SPEED TURNING PRODUCES A CLUNKING SOUND AND UNSTABLE SENSATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *KB

HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL. ARRANGED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER. DEALER SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE COMPLETE STEERING RACK AND STEERING SHAFT WITH "AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT". $2.563.64. I WAS NOT ADVISED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF NOT REPLACED. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD IT WAS TOO BAD THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I UNDERSTAND OTHERS WITH 2006 & 2007 RAV4S HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE. SAFETY ISSUE? NO RECALL! *KB

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

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES IGNITION COIL AND PLUG FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, VARIOUS DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIMMIED AND THE ENGINE MISFIRED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED. AN INSPECTION BY THE DEALER REVEALED A MISFIRE CODE AND THAT A NUMBER TWO COIL AND PLUG HAD TO BE REPLACED. A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ANOTHER IGNITION COIL HAD FAILED AND THE SUV WAS OPERATING IN FOUR CYLINDER MODE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS MODEL VEHICLE HAD A DESIGN/ENGINEERING PROBLEM WHICH WAS IDENTIFIED AND DOES NOT OCCUR ON SUBSEQUENT YEAR RAV 4 MODELS. *JB

I TOOK MY 2006 RAV4 INTO THE LEITH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RALEIGH, NC FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RECALL. SERVICE MANAGER CALLS ME AND SAID THAT THERE IS A BANGING VIBRATION AND NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. (THIS DID NOT EXIST BEFORE.) THE MANAGER SAID THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND THAT FAILURE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS REPAIR IS NEARLY $400 AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL NOR MY NOW EXPIRED WARRANTY. WHEN I NEXT DROVE THE RAV4 THE BANGING WAS SO STRONG THAT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COULD FEEL IT. I CALL TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM, WHO CONFIRMED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BUT SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ABOUT THEM PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED AND THAT TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE WOULD CONTACT ME AS TO WHAT FURTHER WOULD BE DONE. AFTER WAITING MORE THAN 60 DAYS FOR TOYOTA TO CALL ME, I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AGAIN ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT NOTHING MORE WOULD BE DONE. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR, BUT NONE WAS AVAILABLE. I WAS TOLD THAT A SUPERVISOR WOULD CALL ME BACK WITHIN 24 HOURS. 30 HOURS LATER TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE LEFT A PHONE MESSAGE FOR ME TO CALL THEM BACK. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE CAUSED THIS RAV4 TO LOOSE POWER AND STOP WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE BATTERY GOES DEAD ABOUT EVERY TWO MONTHS. *TR

THERE IS A VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER AND FEELS LIKE STEERING IS BEING AFFECTED. *TR

A WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. I CALLED TOYOTA SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE CAR REQUIRED A REPAIR, AND THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT ALL UNTIL THIS REPAIR WAS DONE. TODAY THE TOYOTA TECH TOLD US A "SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY HAD GONE BAD." HE SAID IT WILL COST $514.00 TO MAKE THIS REPAIR, AND AGAIN, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK UNLESS IT IS DONE. I ASKED IF THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE WITH TOYOTA AND THE SERVICE MANAGER REPLIED, "I HAVE NO IDEA." I ASKED IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND HE REPLIED, "WE SEE IT ALL THE TIME IN RAV3'S AND TUNDRA'S." I INDICATED THE CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH JUST OVER 60K MILES, AND THAT I HAVE NEVER (EVER) HAD AN AIRBAG FAILURE IN ANY VEHICLE UNTIL NOW. HE AGAIN SAID, "WELL, WE SEE IT ALL THE TIME WITH THIS MODEL." THIS SURELY APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT IS VERY COSTLY TO AN AVERAGE CONSUMER. CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS? PLEASE HELP! (THANKS MUCH-)

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 - STEERING - I HAVE PRESENTED MY VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION AT A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE COMPANY LAST WEEK ON TUESDAY, JULY 5TH, 2011 FOR A NOTICEABLE "CLUNKING" SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND FRONT END. THE SERVICE MANAGER SCHEDULED A 2ND VISIT FOR MY VEHICLE ON JULY 7TH, IN ORDER FOR A SERVICE MECHANIC TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR. HE FIRST TOLD ME THAT THE UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE "OPENED" AND RE-PACKED WITH GREASE TO MAKE THE NOISE GO AWAY (WITHOUT BATTING AN EYE). ON THE SECOND SERVICE VISIT JULY 7TH, THE MECHANIC SAID THE UNIT WOULD REQUIRE A REBUILDING WITH AT LEAST $ 400.00 OF PARTS. THIS IS THE CASE AFTER I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN WITH 43K ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. AFTER I HAD A THIRD PARTY LOOK AT THE SAME ISSUE, THEY SAID THAT IT DID NOT PRESENT A DANGER, HOWEVER, NEW TIRES AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WERE SUGGESTED TO SEE WHETHER ANY IMPROVEMENT WOULD BE NOTICEABLE.. AFTERWARDS, I STARTED MY INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER, WHEREBY, I NOW KNOW THAT HUNDREDS OF CASES HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED, AND, THE MANUFACTURER, TOYOTA, HAS "PASSED THE BUCK" ON THE BLAME AND REPAIR, CHARGING AS MUCH AS $ 1,200 FOR THE STEERING ON THE 2006 RAV 4 MODEL TO BE REPAIRED. SOUNDS LIKE A "SCAM" TO ME. JUST BECAUSE NO ONE HAS GOTTEN HURT YET, DOESN'T MEAN THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM HERE. CARS ARE CONTROLLED THROUGH THE ABILITY TO "STEER" THE VEHICLE. IN OCTOBER 1976, I SURVIVED AN ACCIDENT IN MY BRAND NEW FORD GRANADA, WHEN THE "SUSPENSION ARM" NUT WAS SHEERED OFF WHEN TAKING A

ENGINE COIL FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING ALL OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN IGNITION COIL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,056. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 09/14/11

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 WITH STEERING SHAFT ISSUES. THE SHAFT MAKES GRINDING/KNOCKING NOISES WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME OF THIS ISSUE AND STATED THAT I SHOULD REPLACE THE SHAFT. I ARGUED THAT TOYOTA SHOULD COVER THE COSTS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT CONCUR. I STARTED RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE AND DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. THEY HAVE EVEN ALREADY DEVELOPED A NEW INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THEY RECOGNIZE THIS AS A DESIGN/ENGINEERING ISSUE. FURTHERMORE, THIS DEFECT COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IN MY OPINION, MERITS A RECALL. *TR