RoadVitals

2006 Toyota RAV4 Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
81
Latest Mar 1, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 704 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
13
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Toyota RAV4 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 81 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

The 25 most recent of 81, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Mar 1, 2020

HAD MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL SERVICES. I ALSO HAD RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE TUNEUP AND BRAKE FLUID DRAIN AND REFILL. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT OF THE DEALERSHIP, I CROSSED 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC, BRAKED, WAITED FOR ALTERNATE TRAFFIC TO PASS BEFORE TURNING ONTO THE CITY STREET WITH MY FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED, LURCHED THEN ACCELERATED AGAIN WITHOUT ME PRESSING ON THE GAS AND CONTINUING TO BRAKE WHEN IT ACCELERATED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY TOWED IT BACK IN. AFTER THEY PERFORMED SEVERAL TESTS AND TEST DRIVE IT THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE SAME THING. THERE WERE TWO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES THAT I DID NOT REPORT TO THIS ENTITY SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR USED. THEY HAPPENED CLOSE TOGETHER AND NOT AGAIN UNTIL THE MOST RECENT EVENT. I BELIEVE THE PROHIBITIVE COST OF THROTTLE BODY AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL MODULE ($1,519.40) WHICH ARE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOT THE FLOOR MATS, IS WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER SOLD THE CAR TO ME. NO WARNING FORTHCOMING, EVEN THOUGH I DID ASK.

NHTSA ID
11315362
Incident
Feb 19, 2020
Mileage
143,954 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 11, 2018

MOST LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD ARE LIT UP. VSC, ENGINE 4WD. ALSO MY MECHANIC SAID OUTS THROWING OFF A LOT OF FALSE READINGS. LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WHEN I GO FROM STOPPED TO GO ON A HILL. OUTS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE I BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA ID
11101257
Incident
Mar 9, 2017
Mileage
87,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 2, 2018

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ENGINE ATTEMPTS TO MAINTAIN SPEED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. AFTER CAR HAS STOPPED, STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN MAY ONLY ALLOW CAR TO MOVE FORWARD VERY SLOWLY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING WITHIN THE LAST MONTH AND HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES SO FAR. IT HAPPENS WITH THE CAR IN MOTION AND EITHER TURNING OR GOING STRAIGHT. SO FAR ALL INCIDENTS WERE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. ALL SAFETY RECALLS ARE UP TO DATE. DEALER SAYS APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE DISENGAGES THE ACCELERATOR, BUT THIS IS NOT HAPPENING. THE GAS PEDAL MOVES FREELY AND THERE IS NO INTERFERENCE FROM THE FLOOR MAT. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW.

NHTSA ID
11058038
Incident
Dec 19, 2017
Mileage
63,205 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 13, 2017
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PRESTIGE TOYOTA LOCATED AT 1096 NJ 17 RAMSEY, NJ 07446 844-838-7075) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1707072335. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID
11005177
Incident
Jul 4, 2017
Mileage
76,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 25, 2017

COMPUTER PROBLEMS CAUSING ALL THE LIGHTS TO COME ON THE DASHBOARD AND DISABLING THE SHIFTING SOLENOID. IT ALSO DISABLES THE SAFETY BRAKING AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID
10980441
Incident
May 20, 2015
Mileage
1 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 21, 2017

UPDATING THE RECENT COMPLAINT, WARNING LIGHTS:-CHECK ENGINE,VSC, TCS,BREAK,4WD LIGHTS ARE KEEP ON COMING , VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER ASSISTANCE. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS WITH AUTO MECHANIC FEW DAYS AGO AND HE CHANGED THE BATTERY AND CHECK THE ALTERNATOR, ALL IN GOOD CONDITION. YESTERDAY MORNING I WAS ON THE WAY TO WORK,ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME AND I HAD TO STOP THE CAR IN FREEWAY, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR FEW MINUTES,STARTED ENGINE AND ENGINE LIGHT WERE ON, BUT ALL POWER CAME BACK AND I COULD WENT BACK BACK TO MY HOME. I LEFT THE THIS CAR AT HOME AND TOOK MY 2ND CAR AND WENT FOR WORK. EVENING I CHECK THE CAR, MY CAR LOOKS NORMAL THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS, IT WAS RUNNING NORMAL. I BELEIVE THIS CAR HAS SOME SERIOUS ELECTRONIC PROBLEM( UNABLE TO DETECT THROUGH DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE).WHICH I CHECK WITH 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS.

NHTSA ID
10967536
Incident
Mar 20, 2017
Mileage
5 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemSeat belts+1 more
Filed Apr 21, 2016

DEAR, NHTSA DATABASE: TOYOTA ? MOTOR SALES (TMS), U.S.A. INC.; MOTOR CREDIT CORPORATION (TMCC); FINANCIAL SERVICES SECURITIES USA CORPORATION; GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (GOODYEAR.COM) UNSAFE:TOYOTA 2006 RAV4 (VIN) [XXX]. DEFECTS UNREPAIRABLE: 4 .JPG; UNREPAIRABLE RECALLS SAFETY RISK:1 .PDF; PROTECT SAFELY & SAFEGUARD ? PLEASE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10860837
Incident
Apr 21, 2016
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 28, 2015
Crash reported

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GAS PEDAL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK AND DID NOT RELEASE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSUMER HIT A TREE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10773693
Incident
Sep 1, 2015
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 29, 2015

1/30/14 RECALL PART - REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM REPAIRED BY HANDY. SHORTLY AFTER (1-3 MONTHS) I NOTICED SWERVE/SWAY DURING HARD RIGHT TURNS. I SUSPECTED BAD OR UNDERINFLATED TIRE ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR. CHECKED ALL TIRE INFLATION AND LUG NUT TIGHTNESS BUT THE SWERVE/SWAY CONTINUED. ON 10/16/14 I HAD (4) NEW SNOW TIRES INSTALLED AT SUMNER TIRE IN NEWPORT/DERBY, VT. I THOUGHT IT WOULD ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM BUT THE SWERVE/SWAY CONTINUED. ON 10/21/14 I HAD LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORM A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT MAKE THE ADJUST BUT CONFIRMED DRIVERS SIDE REAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. ON 1/16/15 I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT HANDY TO RESOLVE THIS AND OTHER ISSUES. HANDY OFFERED FREE LABOR IF I PAID $309.43 FOR PARTS TO REPLACE THE FAILED RECALL. WITHIN A FEW DAYS I CONTACTED NATIONAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE TO [XXX]. REF #CAN'T BE ENTERED AS IT FLAGS AS A SS NUMBER. [XXX] CALLED BACK TO STATE THAT HANDY SHOULD BE CONTACTING ME BY END OF THE WEEK CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. RECEIVED A ON-LINE SURVEY ONLY IN WHICH I MADE CLEAR THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A FAILED RECALL ITEM THAT WAS NOT FIXED PROPERLY. I CALLED NATIONAL C.S. AGAIN TWO WEEKS LATER TO REPORT THAT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CONTACT FROM HANDY. AFTER THAT CALL, STILL NO CONTACT WAS RECEIVED. I CALLED HANDY (3) TIMES ASKING TO SPEAK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, [XXX] , WHO WAS ALWAYS BUSY. I FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM A SERVICE TECHNICIAN, [XXX], WITH A LOWER OFFER FOR THE COST OF THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL OF $226.03. I CALLED HANDY BACK STATING THAT I FELT THEIR OFFER WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND THAT I WOULD BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB FOR ASSISTANCE. MY POINT IN ALL OF THIS IS THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PART AND THE RECALL FAILED AND SHOULD NOT BE REPAIRED AT THE CONSUMER'S COST. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE AS WELL AND LIMITS THE USE OF MY VEHICLE FOR LONG TRIPS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10713575
Incident
Jan 13, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Mar 28, 2015
Crash reported

OSTEOPOROSIS AND I READ THAT THIS DRUG BRINGS ON OR MAKES WORSE ANY OSTEOPOROSIS CONDITION MINE IS EXTREMELY SEVER AND MINE IS SEVER. I HAVE SINCE GONE TO A NEUROLOGIST AND HE PUT ME ON VERAPAMIL 80 MGS 2 X A DAY. I FRACTURED MY RIGHT KNEE IN 15 PLACES-I AM IN CONSTANT PAIN-I HAVE TO PAY OUT MONEY TO GET ANYWHERE I NEED TO GO-GROCERIES,BANK ALL THE CONTINUING VISITS TO MY PRIMARY DOCTOR, MY ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON(BECAUSE UNLESS I DO NOT REPLACE MY KNEE-I WILL BE IN THIS HORRIFIC-& PAIN THAT IS MY ORTHOS OPINION. I AM ALL FOR IT JUST TO LESSEN THE PAIN- I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TAKE PILLS WHEN IT COULD BE GONE AFTER MY ACCIDENTS- I RECEIVE IN THE MAIL YET ANOTHER RECALL THAT SPECIFICALLY SAYS MY VIN NUMBER AND SAYS THAT BESIDES SOMETHING THAT GIVES ELECTRICAL TO THE AIR BAGS- MAY CAUSE AIR BAGS-NOT TO DEPLOY-I HAVE NO CAR,IT WAS TOTALED, THE POLICE SUSPENDED MY LICENSE AND BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE TO GO THROUGH A BUNCH OF STUFF IN ORDER TO GET MY LICENSE BACK. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA A LOT OF TIMES-THEY DO NOT CARE=I WAS WHAT-I HAVE NO FAMILY I HAVE HAD 4 ACCIDENTS-NEVER HAD THAT MANY, I HAD A TOYOTA CECLICA FOR 20 YEARS AND NEVER HAD 1 RECALL AND DID HAVE 1 ACCIDENT..AND THAT IS 20YEARS PRIOR TO THIS ONE-THAT CAR WAS A SUPER LEMON,BUT NO ONE GIVES A [XXX] WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH AND NO ONE CARES-THE PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO DOWN THERE ARE RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL TO MT. HOPEFULLY I CAN FIND A LAWYER WHICH WILL DO PRO-BONO. THANKS FOR THE 15 FRACTURES. THE LOSS OF MY LICENSE,HAVING TO -THANKS FOR THE MISERY YOU HAVE BROUGHT ME AND THE RUDE AND CRAPPY BEHAVIOR OF YOUR COLLEAGUES. I HAVE NOTHING LEFT-NO LICENSE,NO CAR-HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE TO THE DOCTORS,FOOD,HAD TO MY CHAMPIONSHIP YORKIE UP BECAUSE I COULD NOT CARE FOR HER=U TRY THAT WITH 15 FRACTURES IN UR KNEE-NOT TO MENTION WHAT THE NEUROLOGIST ABOUT MY HANDS.UR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS-THEY ARE RUDE & DISRESPECTFUL. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10702341
Incident
Nov 25, 2014
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 4, 2015

DRIVING DOWN ROAD AT 20-25 MPH. SUDDENLY THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP (BRAKE PEDAL WAS *NOT* BEING PRESSED) AND BEGAN THE ABS SHUDDER AS IF VEHICLE WAS BRAKING ON ICE. VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT; THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW MINUTES. AFTER CAR WARMED UP IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT RECURRED THE NEXT MORNING AFTER STARTING OUT. SEARCHED INTERNET AND FOUND OTHER TOYOTA DRIVERS HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND 'RESOLVED' IT BY REMOVING FUSES FOR ABS BRAKING SYSTEM, RENDERING IT INOPERATIVE. CAR BRAKES NORMALLY NOW WITH NO ISSUES, BUT ABS, BRAKES, VSC AND OTHER DASH LIGHTS ARE ON BECAUSE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10670004
Incident
Sep 3, 2014
Mileage
98,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 16, 2014

THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES AND TO MY WIFE ONCE. AS WE BEGIN TO ACCELERATE, EITHER FROM A STOP OR AS WE ARE ACCELERATING, WE HAVE A PAUSE IN ACCELERATION. IF FEELS LIKE WE ARE NOT PUSHING ON THE GAS BUT THAT IS NOT IT. ONCE THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED AND WE RE-ACCELERATE, THE CAR MOVES FORWARD NORMALLY. IT HAS BEEN VERY SCARY WHEN SOMEONE IS APPROACHING AND THE GAS DOES NOT MOVE US FORWARD. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN REVERSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10598651
Incident
Apr 10, 2014
Mileage
122,300 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 6, 2014
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO OBJECTS IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10586763
Incident
May 2, 2014
Mileage
16,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Jan 25, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10561421
Incident
Sep 18, 2012
Mileage
38,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 2, 2014

I HAD ABS, VSC ALL THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON MY CAR AROUND 6 MONTHS AGO. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND GOT THE CAR FIXED THE CULPRIT WAS THE BAD ABS SENSOR. NOW ON NEW YEARS NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND I LOST MY TRACTION ABS SUDDENLY. AFTER PARKING THE CAR FOR FEW HRS OR SO SEEMS TO CURE IT, BUT IT KICKED IN WHILE DRIVING AGAIN AND LOST ABS, TRACTION ETC. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND I AM TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SECOND TIME, FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. NOW DO I HAVE TO DO THAT FOR ALL 4 SENSORS? WAIT TILL THEY DIE OUT ONE BY ONE AND GO ALL YEAR AROUND ? WHAT HAPPENS IF MY ABS AND TRACTION STOPS WORKING WHILE I AM ON HIGHWAY WHILE ITS HEAVY SNOWING? I AFTER QUICK RESEARCH ONLINE THERE SEEMS LIKE THE ABS SENSOR PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON AMONG ALL THE RAV4 IN SIMILAR BODY STYLE. IF TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT IT WHY ARE THEY NOT DOING SOMETHING ? IF I LOOSE ABS AND MY TRACTION WHILE DRIVING I AM JEOPARDIZING MY LIFE. I AM CERTAIN THAT TOYOTA HAVE SAID OH ITS BAD ABS SENSOR AND MADE THE CUSTOMER FIX IT BUT HOW ABOUT THE REST OF THE SENSORS WHICH IS ABOUT TO GO BAD? I WOULD KINDLY SEEK IF SOMEONE COULD GET BACK TO ME. I WOULD ALSO VOLUNTEER MY TIME AND ALLOW THE CAR TO BE TESTED AT YOUR FACILITY IF NEEDED TO DO SO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10558121
Incident
Jan 2, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 17, 2013

WHILE DRIVING FROM MARYLAND TO MAINE FOR A VACATION, I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND GRINDING GEARS FREQUENTLY IN THE RANGE OF 20-35 MPH. I NOTICED IT HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY DURING SLOWDOWN FOR MAKING A TURN AND THEN ACCELERATION TO RESUME DRIVING. I DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS, BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I HAD PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THE PROBLEM, WHEN IT HAPPENED LESS FREQUENTLY, TO MY DEALERSHIP (DARCARS OF FREDERICK) AND THEY TOLD ME THAT 1)THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SOUND DURING THEIR TEST RUN AND 2) IF SUCH A THING HAD HAPPENED, MY ECU WOULD HAVE MADE A NOTE OF IT AND RECORDED IT. SINCE THERE WAS NO RECORD OF IT HAPPENING, IT WAS NOTHING. HOWEVER, UPON READING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RAV4 02-03 MODELS, REGARDING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I FIND THAT THEIR ISSUES OF HANGING BEFORE SLIPPING INTO GEAR, GRINDING GEAR AND NOT FINDING THE GEAR AT ALL ARE THE SAME ONES I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING IN MY '06 RAV4. COULD IT BE THAT MY ECU IS BAD? YES, BUT MY DEALER WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT POSSIBILITY. THEY CHECK MY FLOOR MATS, BUT NOT THE ECU FOR FAULTY ISSUES. THIS IS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE AND I TRANSPORT MY DAUGHTER IN IT ALL OF THE TIME. I AM WORRIED ONE DAY I AM GOING TO BE DRIVING AND GET INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND RECENTLY HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND FILLED COMPLETELY. I USED OEM FLUID AND AM ON SCHEDULE WITH ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548322
Incident
Oct 22, 2012
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 1, 2013

FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR (I ALSO DOCUMENTED THE SAME PROBLEM 2/24/13), WE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND THE CAR BUCKING. WE WERE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. MY HUSBAND BACKED UP AND REALIZED HE NEEDED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT ON THE CURVED DRIVEWAY SO PUT IT IN DRIVE FOR A FEW FEET AND THEN WHEN HE PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP TO A MAXIMUM RPM'S. HE IS 200 POUNDS AND HAD TO HOLD HIS FOOT ON THE BREAK TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING. HE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. MY 20 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR WITH US AND GOT OUT AND COULD SMELL THE ENGINE FROM REVVING UP SO HIGH. MY BROTHER AND SISTER IN LAW CAME RUNNING OUT OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE THEY COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING UP AND KNEW SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. I AM NOT SAFE IN MY OWN CAR. TOYOTA HAS GOT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND FIX THE ISSUE! IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM. HAD I BEEN DRIVING, NO TELLING WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AS I WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT TOTALLY OFF GUARD AND I'M NOT SURE I WOULD HAVE HAD RESPONDED APPROPRIATELY UNDER PRESSURE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR!!! *JS

NHTSA ID
10538253
Incident
Aug 31, 2013
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 2, 2013

CAR AT ABOUT 37,000 MILES. ONLY DRIVE TO STORE AND DROP KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL. CAR PARKED FOR 10 MINUTES WHILE AT STORE SHOPPING. CAME BACK, STARTED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE LIGHT, VSC AND 4WD LIGHTS ALL LIGHTED UP. WHEN TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, DEALER SAID CAN'T SERVICE IT AT THIS TIME NEED TO MAKE APPOINTMENT. DEALER STATED BASED ON THE LIGHTS, THIS MIGHT BE THE IGNITION COIL.. IT'S KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEM. ESTIMATED COST TO FIX ABOUT $1500. BUT WE NEED TO COMPUTERIZED THE CODES.. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501068
Incident
Feb 26, 2013
Mileage
37,658 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 19, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10448450
Incident
Jan 8, 2012
Mileage
61,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 26, 2012

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.

NHTSA ID
10445415
Incident
Jan 25, 2012
Mileage
70,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 8, 2011

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

NHTSA ID
10418008
Incident
May 24, 2011
Mileage
64,443 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 22, 2011

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT AND BEHAVED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE REVED UPON APPLYING THE GAS. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THEN PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE AND THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY.

NHTSA ID
10392465
Incident
Mar 18, 2011
Mileage
49,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 25, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO ENTER A HIGHWAY WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND SWERVED INTO TRAFFIC AS ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HANDS AND ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,132.

NHTSA ID
10384478
Incident
Feb 9, 2011
Mileage
65,132 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 18, 2011

2006 RAV4 : SPEED CONTROL: SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN DECREASE IN ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY. STARTING IN NOVEMBER 2010 OUR TOYOTA RAV4 WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY,LUNGE FORWARD WHILE PARKING FOR NO REASON. IN DECEMBER 2010 ALL SENOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL CAME ON AND THE CAR ACTUALLY DECELERATED WHILE I WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. I QUICKLY TURNED ON MY FOUR WAYS AND MOVED TO THE FAR LEFT OF HIGHWAY FOR SAFETY . ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT OFF AND CAR RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING FUNCTIONS. ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES AND THE CAR DECELERATED AND APPEARED TO BE STALLING-OUT ALSO ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHEN ON:CHECK ENGINE ,ABS,VSH,AND 4WD. I AGAIN PUT MY FOUR WAYS ON AND MOVED TO SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING FUNCTIONS AND ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OFF. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND HE STATES IT APPEARS TO BE A MALFUCTION IN THE SENORY PANEL. HE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALER AND IS AWAITING A RESPONSE. MY CAR IN UNDRIVABLE AT THE PRESENT TIME DUE TO THE FACT IT COULD STOP RUNNING AT ANY TIME FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *LN

NHTSA ID
10383208
Incident
Feb 16, 2011
Mileage
116,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 9, 2011

2 UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INSTANCES --- I HAVE HAD TWO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INSTANCES IN A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. IN BOTH CASES I WAS WEARING BOOTS AND THE BOOT HITTING THE BRAKE OVERLAPPED AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. NEITHER CASE RESULTED IN A COLLISION. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS HERE IS THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED POSITION IS WELL BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SO OVERLAP CAN APPLY THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10381255
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Mileage
55,000 mi

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