2006 Toyota RAV4 Problems

For several months the 2006 Rav4 with only 118k miles had been experiencing intermittent failure of power steering while driving at speeds between 5-20mph. These failures resulted in the steering wheel to become extremely difficult if not impossible to turn while the car is driving. In each incident, this resulted in stopping the car and putting on emergency lights until we can safely turn off the car and hopefully the issue goes away several minutes later. This issue has proven to be very dangerous when in traffic with no place to pull over and with the steering tightening up, it is not even possible to pull over in most cases. Four different mechanical shops tried to replicate the issue and none were able to determine the root cause nor replicate it consistently. This issue has been happening more frequently now and the car cannot be taken out safely. As [XXX] drivers, this is not safe by any means and Toyota should consider this a critical safety recall and cover towing costs to move this. There are no signs of instrument lights or any leaks coming from the car. This seems to be entirely a malfunction of steering components. With regard to incidents resulting from this, my mother is the primary driver, she is [XXX] old and injured her wrist trying to move the steering wheel to a safe location. Her wrist is still in pain several days later. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while making a right or left turn, there was a loud popping sound coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the popping noise was progressively louder while steering to make a turn. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering linkage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Two days ago my car was driving perfectly on the highway. The oil pressure light turned on I turned off the highway immediately and put more oil in the car. At this point my car is consuming over a quart every week and I don't drive more than a couple of hundred miles every week. I've taken several longer trips with this car. I started the car back up after checking the oil level, started driving and the light didn't come back on. About 10 more miles down the road on the highway the oil pressure light the check engine light vsc light the four-wheel drive light appear. I go to an AutoZone and I get a code p0012. I've done lots of research and I've learned that this is all related to Toyota's well-known defective design and manufacturing of their engines. I have a 2az Fe engine. I bought this car with 125,000 miles on it in 2020. It now has about 154,000 mi on it. I didn't know that the oil consumption was extreme until this point of research. Now my car is making a rattling sound most likely the engine needs to be replaced. Technically yes I can drive it but it will stall and probably light on fire if I do and this is dangerous. They had a TSB warranty extension in 2016 I believe. I did not own the car that time nor do I know if that car was even subjected to the extension notice. But it is well known engine can do this and the Pistons fail around this mileage that my car has. It's out of warranty but I'm reading everywhere people having problems with this year's car and the other cars with this engine right now. There's a whole group of engines that are starting to fail because of these poorly designed Pistons that can affect oil leakage. Not only wasting a precious resource but causing a very dangerous situation for drivers. This should be addressed by Toyota still I want them to fix my engine or replace it before I cause an accident that can lead to death. I'm choosing to not drive it right now but I don't have the luxury of a second car. I may have to drive it.

2006 Toyota Rav4 with 2.4 liter engine burning oil rapidly. Burning approximately 4 quarts of oil in 3,000 miles. Vehicle currently has 100,000 miles. Issue persists even though I maintain routine maintenance on the vehicle. Luckily no safety hazards have occurred yet, but there is a high risk for potential safety hazard. Vehicle has been inspected by 3 different mechanics. I have been told by 3 different mechanics that this is a common issue for cars with this year/engine. About 2,800 miles after high synthetic oil change the vehicle begins to sound like it is struggling to accelerate at low speeds and the check engine oil light will briefly turn on at random then go away. Light does not stay lit or continuously flicker.

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.

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.

My 2006 Toyota RAV4 was supposedly repaired under the rear suspension arm recall (C0J / G0V), but the rear tie rod ends still have yellow stickers reading “this is a recalled part” and no epoxy on the bolts. A Toyota dealer refused to inspect the vehicle and relied solely on the VIN record. The car now rides roughly, and I believe additional suspension components have been damaged due to the unresolved recall. I am concerned for my safety and request NHTSA investigation.

The vehicle is owned and operated in Costa Rica. I submitted the vehicle for the 4 incomplete recall items associated with its VIN. I was told by Grupo Purdy Toyota of Costa Rica that Manufacturer Recall Number G0V NHTSA Recall Number16V596 does not apply in Costa Rica and they declined to complete the recall remedy. Is this correct or should they be completing the recall remedy?

MY RAV4--VIN: [XXX]--HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG CONNECTOR. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON, IT DEACTIVATES ALL OF THE AIRBAGS. IT HAS BECOME PERMANENTLY ON IN RECENT DAYS. IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN I START MY VEHICLE AND THE AUTOMATIC CHECK UP, THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS LIGHTING UP. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD BE ON WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. IT WILL KEEP ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE. THE ERROR CODE FOUND BY MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IS B1821. BUT MY MECHANIC CAN NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. EVEN REPLACING THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO MY MECHANICS. IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTOR. I HAVE ASKED TOYOTA TO FIX THIS FOR FREE. TOYOTA REFUSED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

THE SIDE AIRBAG CONNECTOR FAILED TO WORK SPORADICALLY. WHEN IT FAILED TO PASS THE ONBOARD TEST, THE WHOLE AIRBAG SYSTEM STOPS WORKING, WHICH BECOMES A SAFETY HAZARD.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 122,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 199,694.

FOR SOME TIME THERE HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED BY MECHANICS, INCLUDING ONE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STATIONARY, BUT I BELIEVE MY SON SAID IT HAS HAPPENED TO HIM WHILE IN MOTION.

WE PURCHASED A 2006 RAV4 LIMITED THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH 2019. A REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING GROWL NOISE WAS NOTICEABLE A MONTH AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING THE REAR END STARTED MAKING A GROWLING NOISE. IN EARLY JANUARY 2015 TOYOTA ISSUED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (ZF4) FOR YEARS 2006-2012 RAV4 TO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE BEARING REPLACED, BUT THEY PUT AN EXPIRATION DATE OF APRIL 30TH 2017 OR 9 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF FIRST USE REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN PUT AN EXPIRATION DATE ON A DEFECTIVE PART. THESE BEARINGS COULD GO BAD AND SEIZE AT ANY TIME POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH. WE HAPPEN TO OWN TWO OF THESE VEHICLES, SAME YEARS, ONE MAKING NO NOISE AND NOT GOING BAD YET, BUT THE OTHER DECIDED IT WAS TIME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING BEARING, NOT A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. TOYOTA HAS ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED A DEFECT WITH THE BEARING BY INITIATING A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, YOU CAN'T JUST SAY AFTER APRIL 30TH 2017 NO OTHER BEARINGS WILL FAIL AND IF THEY DO WE PASS THE BUCK ON THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY CONCERNS, I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO DEBATE THE ISSUE WITH ONE OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES WITH YOU LISTENING, I'D RIP'EM APART. IT IS TIME THESE BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKES AND NOT PASS THE BUCK TO THE LITTLE GUY. THANK YOU AGAIN, (XXXX). YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT (XXXX). PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

TAMARA RECALL ENGINE FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE IT'S AN RECALL BUT, IT HAS NOW EXPIRED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A SAFETY RECALL CAN EXPIRE. I NEED HELP FROM AN ATTORNEY ON THIS MATTER. BECAUSE THIS ISN'T RIGHT. CAN YOU RECOMMEND AN ATTORNEY? THEY SAID THEY COULD ONLY DO NEW RINGS AND NEW PISTONS BACK THEN BUT NOW TOYOTA WILL NOT EVEN DO THAT. SO NOW I JUST HAVE A 5,000 BILL FOR A NEW ENGINE.

HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY REAR RIGHT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR - SO THEREFOR IF I DON'T COUGH UP THE $1200 THAT TOYOTA IS ASKING, I WON'T HAVE THE SAFETY FEATURES OF ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL ON MY CAR. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ABS, BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON... THEY'VE BEEN ON FOR A WEEK.. CAR IS SITTING AT TOYOTA NOW WHILE I DECIDE WHAT TO DO

TWICE IN THE LAST 24 HOURS THERE HAS BEEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKING FOR A STOP.

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR, WON'T STAY UP, BLOCKS MY VIEW WHEN I'M DRIVING, HAVE TO DUCK DOWN TO SEE FARTHER THAN THE FRONT OF MY RAV4......IT SEEMS THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, THAT THE SUN VISOR GAVE OUT, I THINK THIS IS A DRIVING HAZARD, SINCE IT BLOCKS A GOOD PORTION OF YOUR VIEW WHILE DRIVING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V689000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

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.

TWICE IN THE LAST 24 HOURS THERE HAS BEEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKING FOR A STOP.

Rear subframe rusted out. I took it in because my car started sounding like the Titanic after it hit an iceberg. The mechanic described it as “a giant hole in the bottom of the car.” I read there were recalls on frames for other Toyotas, but we kept up with every recall on this vehicle and the subframe was never listed as an issue. I get a regular multipoint inspection at the Toyota dealership about every six months, and no one caught this. I was told it is not safe to drive, and will snap at any time. I am lucky I did not crash.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT AXLES WERE RUSTED OUT AND RUST COVERED THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CURRY WATER TOWN TOYOTA (832 STRAITS TURNPIKE, WATERTOWN, CT 06795, (203) 758-8261), BUT THE MECHANICS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. .*BF CONSUMER STATED THE TOYOTA DEALER IN WATERTOWN, CT (CURRY) REFUSED TO DO A SAFETY RECALL ON THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM DUE TO AXLE RUST. THIS RUST WAS NEVER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION PREVIOUSLY. *JB

WHEN STARTING UP FROM A STOP, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS PROPERLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEARS HOWEVER WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, IT APPEARS TO MOMENTARILY GO IN TO NEUTRAL WHERE THE ENGINE WINES OUT BEFORE QUICKLY BANGING INTO THIRD GEAR. VERY HARSH SHIFTING. THIS APPEARS TO OCCUR ONLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION HEATS UP AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR LONGER. AFTER THIS OCCURS, IT WILL DO THIS EVERY TIME WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO THE DEALER FOR SOME TIME HOWEVER WAS ONLY RECENTLY ABLE TO PROVE IT TO THEM. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT $4000.00. *TR

MY 2006 RAV4 SPORT THAT OCCASIONALLY HAS PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION, THIS USUALLY OCCURS RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND CAN LAST UP TO 15 MIN INTO THE DRIVE. OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND RECEIVE A VERY SLOW RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE; ALMOST AS IF TRYING TO DRIVE WITH THE E BRAKE ON. ONCE YOU HAVE REACHED 5-10MPH IT ENGAGES AND GOES, BUT UNTIL THEN IT IS VERY UNSAFE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, ALTHOUGH YOU WOULD NORMALLY HAVE ENOUGH ROOM AND TIME TO TURN AND BE OUT OF THE WAY FOR INCOMING TRAFFIC, IF YOU DON'T COMPENSATE FOR THAT ADDITIONAL LAG , YOU COULD GET T-BONED. *TR

The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a scraping and shuddering sound at the hood of the vehicle. The contact then stated that another vehicle noticed a spark underneath the vehicle and notified his wife. The contact’s wife was able to veer the vehicle off the road and exit the vehicle when the hood of the vehicle started to inflame. No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO DISCOVERY SRX P215/70R16 COOPER TIRES WHICH WERE BOUGHT ON OCTOBER 23 2018. THESE TIRES ARE IDENTICAL TO RECALL 'NHTSA RECALL NO. - 19T-005 AFFECTING COOPER DISCOVERER' AND COOPER EVOLUTION' TIRES' ONLY THEY ARE THE 16 INCH TIRES. WE BELIEVE THAT THE 16 INCH TIRES SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. HERE ARE THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH THESE TIRES: 1.10-23-18 PURCHASED DISCOVERY SRX P215/70R16 COOPER TIRES WITH ROAD HAZARD FROM BLAINS FARM & FLEET IN VERONA WI VEHICLE MILES 106292 2.10-28-18 REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW FOR NO REASON, CHANGED AND RETURNED TO BLAINS FOR REPLACEMENT (NO RECEIPT WAS GIVEN) 3.11-25-18 WHILE DRIVING HOME AND ROUNDING A CORNER, THE CAR VEERED INTO A CURVE AND DESTROYED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE, RIM, AND WHEEL COVERS ON BOTH WHEELS. REAR TIRE WAS ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE OF BULGE ON TIRE. WE PAID THE $770.46 BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WAS OUR FAULT BUT NOW ARE WONDERING IF THIS WAS A TIRE ISSUE TOO. MILEAGE 107274 4. 02/21/2019 FOUND BULGE IN REAR PASSENGER TIRE, REPLACED TIRE AT BLAINS FARM AND FLEET 5.2/27/19 HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED BECAUSE TIRE FELT LIKE THEY WERE NOISY AND WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. 6.04/16/21 FOUND BULGE IN DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE AND WILL HAVE REPLACED. CALLED DAVID AT COOPER TO EXPLAIN ALL OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD SAY THAT THE FAILURES ALIGN WITH RECALL 19T-005 EXCEPT FOR THE SIZE OF THE TIRE. HE SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING EXCEPT WANTED US TO TAKE THE TIRE WITH THE BULGE TO THE DEALER, WHICH WILL DO.

GOODYEAR 225/65R17 102T SL ASSURANCE FUEL MAX TL

I BOUGHT A 2006 RAV4 OVER THE WEEKEND AND THE UNDERINFLATION LIGHT IS ON. I CHECKED THE 4 TIRES ON THE GROUND AND THEY WERE ALL OK. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE SPARE AND AFTER ABOUT 30-45 MINUTES OF FRUSTRATION, I GAVE UP TRYING TO REMOVE THE COVER. I CALLED SERVICE AND THE TECH SAID, SOMETHING LIKE, "YEAH, THOSE ARE HARD TO GET OFF AND EVEN HARDER TO GET BACK ON." ANYWAY, THIS IS THE COVER WITH THE HARD SHELL AND THE VINYL WITH ELASTIC AROUND THE BACK--IT DOES NOT HAVE THE LATCH. I FINALLY GOT THE VINYL COMPLETELY PULLED TOWARDS THE BACK AND AROUND THE HARD SHELL BUT I YANKED, PULLED AND PRIED AND COULDN'T GET THE HARD SHELL TO BUDGE. IT WAS COLD IN THE GARAGE AND MY HANDS PROBABLY WEREN'T WORKING SO WELL BUT IT SHOULD BE EASIER. THE QUESTION IS: WHAT IF I HAVE A FLAT TIRE WHILE IN HIGHWAY, FIRST OF ALL REMOVING THIS COVER IS NOT EASY AT ALL FOR MEN, WHAT ABOUT WOMEN? ALSO, STOPPING ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER FOR LONG TIME TRYING TO REMOVE THIS COVER IS NOT A SAFE OPTION. I SAW ANOTHER RAV4 WITH THE SAME SHAPE OF THIS COVER BUT WITHOUT THIS VINYL. IT'S LIKE A BODY FROM BACK AND THE SHELL CAP OVER IT. THIS ONE TAKES LESS THAN A MINUTE TO REMOVE IT. I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THIS TYPE OF SPARE TIRE COVER AND CHANGE IT WITH THE NEWEST BODY AND SHELL ONE. *TR

"TAKATA RECALL", I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH MY VEHICLE FRONT END COLLIDED WITH A TREE. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND UPPER SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING INJURY TO MY FACE. I WAS ON A CITY STREET IN MOTION. I WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

MY RAV4--VIN: [XXX]--HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG CONNECTOR. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON, IT DEACTIVATES ALL OF THE AIRBAGS. IT HAS BECOME PERMANENTLY ON IN RECENT DAYS. IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN I START MY VEHICLE AND THE AUTOMATIC CHECK UP, THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS LIGHTING UP. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD BE ON WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. IT WILL KEEP ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE. THE ERROR CODE FOUND BY MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IS B1821. BUT MY MECHANIC CAN NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. EVEN REPLACING THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO MY MECHANICS. IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTOR. I HAVE ASKED TOYOTA TO FIX THIS FOR FREE. TOYOTA REFUSED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

I WAS LOCKED OUT OF MY VEHICLE BY THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM WITH MY DOG IN THE FRONT SEAT ON A HOT SOUTH CAROLINA DAY WITH ALL WINDOWS UP. THE LOCKS ON ALL 4 DOORS AND THE BACK DOOR LOCKED EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LOCKING SYSTEM THE FIRST TIME I UNEXPECTEDLY GOT LOCKED OUT IN 2007. I SPENT MOST OF THE DAY DRIVING HOME TO GET A SPARE KEY AND BACK AGAIN TO THE CAR'S LOCATION. AT THAT TIME, TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS RESPONDED WITH THE SAME ARROGANCE THE COMPANY HAS DEMONSTRATED REGARDING THE ACCELERATION ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME "THAT'S HOW THE LOCKS ARE DESIGNED" (EVEN THOUGH NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN THE BENEFIT) AND THEY TOLD ME THE LOCKS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK IF THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE PETS AND SMALL CHILDREN CAN BE INADVERTENTLY LOCKED INSIDE OF A SUFFOCATING HOT VEHICLE. THIS WOULD RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE IF THE OWNER HAS TO BREAK A WINDOW. FORTUNATELY, IN THIS INSTANCE, I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A SPARE KEY BEFORE MY DOG DIED. IF I WERE A MANUFACTURER, I WOULD WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ANY DESIGN FLAW TO BE ABLE TO FIX IT. TOYOTA, HOWEVER, RESPONDED IN AN OVERCONFIDENT WAY, ACCEPTING NO RESPONSIBILITY. EVENTS LEADING UP TO MOST RECENT INCIDENT: A FRIEND AND I DROVE TO A DUMP LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY HOME. WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE BACK DOOR AND BEGAN TO UNLOAD THE TRASH. MY SMALL DOG WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT, AND THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. WHEN FINISHED UNLOADING, I SHUT THE BACK DOOR AND WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. IT WAS LOCKED. MY FRIEND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND IT WAS LOCKED. ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED, THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, AND MY DOG STARTED PANTING. WHEN I CALLED TO REPORT THIS MOST RECENT INCIDENT, CUSTOMER RELATIONS SUGGESTED I TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT A LOCAL DEALER AT MY OWN EXPENSE. UNACCEPTABLE. NHTSA: PLEASE DO YOUR JOB ON THIS. THANKS. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO WITHDRAW HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED IVOQ 06/02/10

FOR SOME TIME THERE HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED BY MECHANICS, INCLUDING ONE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STATIONARY, BUT I BELIEVE MY SON SAID IT HAS HAPPENED TO HIM WHILE IN MOTION.

PLEASE REQUIRE A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF HIGHLIGHTS ON ALL NEWER CARS. THEY ARE MUCH TOO BRIGHT. I CAN'T SEE A THING WHEN THESE CARS ARE DRIVING TOWARD ME BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS BLINDING. I HAVE HIT ANIMALS IN THE ROAD AND IN 2 INSTANCES HAVE ALMOST STRUCK PEOPLE. PLEASE REQUIRE A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF ALL THESE LIGHTS, AND PLEASE REQUIRE ALL STATES TO TEST THE BEAM DIRECTION ANNUALLY, PARTICULARLY ON TRUCKS AND LARGE SUVS WHICH TIP UPWARD IN THE FRONT END WHEN THEY ARE TOWING OR CARRYING A LOAD IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THESE LIGHTS ARE A HAZARD AND I FEEL IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL I STRIKE A BICYCLIST OR PEDESTRIAN BECAUSE I SIMPLY CAN'T SEE BEYOND THE VEHICLE WITH THAT MUCH LIGHT IN MY EYES. (I HAVE HAD MY EYES EXAMINED FOR PHOTOSENSITIVITY AND THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM.) PLEASE ACT ON THIS.