2006 Toyota RAV4 Suspension Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11696689

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

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?

NHTSA ID

11628448

Incident

Nov 18, 2024

AS A RESULT OF HAVING RECALL 16V596000 PERFORMED, REAR TOE ARMS ARE NO LONGER ADJUSTABLE FOR ALIGNMENTS. CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR AT THEIR COST THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSES PREMATURE RUST, OFFERED NO SOLUTIONS. CAUSES PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, LOSS OF TRACTION.

NHTSA ID

11340738

Incident

Jul 21, 2020

Mileage

263,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, IT SHOOK INTERMITTENTLY. NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130, 000.

NHTSA ID

11302590

Incident

May 14, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR WHEELS WERE WEARING OUT THE TIRES DUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (SUSPENSION) REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAGUABO AUTO SALES (272 NAGUABO PR 00718), BUT AN ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO THE SEAL ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO REPLACE BOTH SUSPENSION ARMS, BUT THEY WERE SEALED INSTEAD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRES WOULD SLIDE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO THE SEAL ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 182,999. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ID

11290263

Incident

Aug 8, 2019

Mileage

182,999 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (SUSPENSION), HOWEVER THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. HERITAGE TOYOTA CATONSVILLE (6324 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, BALTIMORE, MD 21228, (844) 315-0964) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11286725

Incident

Dec 3, 2019

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

NHTSA ID

11204002

Incident

Apr 7, 2018

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA DE PONCE (URBANIZACIN PERLA DEL SUR, CARRETERA 2, ESQUINA CALLE RAFAEL LUGO GONZALEZ, PONCE PR 00716, (787) 651-8800), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11195792

Incident

Aug 24, 2016

Mileage

111,000 mi

FRAME HAS SEVERE CORROSION ROTTED THROUGH. THIS PROBLEM MUST HAVE BEEN PROGRESSING FOR SOME TIME, BUT THE INDICATOR OF A RATTLING WAS MOST EVIDENT RECENTLY. I BEGAN HEARING A CLANGING SOUND UNDER THE REAR OF THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEN I WENT OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD, SUCH AS A MANHOLE OR SMALL POTHOLE. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE IN A MATTER OF DAYS, OCCURRING OVER SMALL CRACKS IN THE ROAD SO I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE HAS DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH SEVER ROTTING THROUGH OF THE FRAME. MY RESEARCH ONLINE INDICATES THIS IS SIMILAR TO BRIAN WARNER ET AL. V. TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC., CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT ON THE TACOMA, TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA AND RECENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE 4RUNNER BY NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA).

NHTSA ID

11163371

Incident

Dec 22, 2018

Mileage

117,450 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A BUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION EXPERIENCED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ARLINGTON TOYOTA (2095 N. REND RD, PALATINE, IL) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2013 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11153373

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

104,000 mi

HAD A RECALL ON THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS OF MY 2006 RAV 4 WHICH I WENT AND HAD FIXED. IT IS NOW A NON ADJUSTABLE BAR WHICH MEAN THE REAR TIRES OF MY CAR CAN NOT BE ALIGNED. THIS IS CAUSING SEVERE WEAR OF THE INNER SIDE OF MY TIRE WHICH IS A HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE A MAJOR TIRE BLOW OUT WITHOUT THE OWNER EVEN KNOWING. YOU CANNOT SEE THE WEARING OF THE TIRE FROM THE OUTER SIDE. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY INSISTED THAT THE SUSPENSION ARM IS ADJUSTABLE AND THAT IT ISN'T CAUSING MY PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC IS MORE THAN WILLING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT MY CONCERN. SINCE I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE I HAVE REPLACED MY TIRES ONCE (I TOOK PICTURES OF THE TIRES THAT WERE REPLACED) AND SINCE THEN I HAVE OBSERVED WEAR TO THE INNER RIM OF THE NEW TIRES. LUCKY FOR ME WHEN I WENT TO MY AUTO SHOP FOR MY OIL CHANGE THEY MADE ME AWARE OF THIS MOST SERIOUS ISSUE. I COULD OF HAD A BLOW OUT AND CAUSED OR BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT!

NHTSA ID

11143526

Incident

Dec 15, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER (RIVERTOWN TOYOTA, 706-322-8891, LOCATED AT 1661 WHITTLESEY RD A, COLUMBUS, GA 31904) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ORDERED THE PART WITHOUT CONFIRMING AN AVAILABILITY DATE OR INQUIRING ABOUT A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A LOANER OPTION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11139172

Incident

Oct 6, 2018

THIS MODEL TOYOTA HAD A RECALL FOR A TRAILING BAR ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE PROBLEM WAS THE BOLTS RUSTED. THE FIX PUT ON NEW TRAILING BAR WITH FIXED BOLTS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN THE CAR LOSES ALIGNMENT, THE ALIGNMENT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED AS THE BOLTS ARE PERMANENTLY FIXED. THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT ALLOWS ALIGNMENT TO BE ADJUSTED. ONCE THE ALIGNMENT IS OUT, THE CAR IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE AS TRACTION AND CONTROL IS IMPERFECT WITH AN OUT OF ALIGNED CAR

NHTSA ID

11073873

Incident

Feb 16, 2018

Mileage

126,744 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND A CLINKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TEAM TOYOTA OF PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY (2871 US HWY 1, LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ 08648; 609-883-4200 OR 1-800-521-0623) AROUND 8/15/2016 TO HAVE THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS REPLACED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (SUSPENSION). APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS FAILED AND WERE CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1709020227. THE MANUFACTURER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID

11023599

Incident

Aug 12, 2017

Mileage

93,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS PART OF RECALL ID: 16V596000. THE REAR SUSPENSION ARMS THAT WERE INSTALLED AS A CORRECTIVE ACTION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TEAM TOYOTA LOCATED IN LAWRENCEVILLE, NEW JERSEY. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 4 WEEKS SINCE DIOGNOCED AND BOTH TOYOTA AND THE DEALER ARE TRYING TO FIND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEEDED REPAIR. I THINK THIS PLACES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT RISK BECAUSE NEITHER PARTY WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE IMPROPER PARTS AND/OR INSTALLATION.

NHTSA ID

11023023

Incident

Aug 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11012686

Incident

Apr 11, 2017

SUSPENSION RECALL BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP KEEPS ON BEING DELAYED. DEALER CONTINUES TO USE THE EXCUSE THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND ARE SLOW TO TAKE ACTION.

NHTSA ID

11002922

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WHICH INCREASED WHILE REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IN ATLANTA (LOCATED AT 2345 PLEASANT HILL RD IN DULUTH, GA 30096) PREVIOUSLY PLACED A SAFETY NOTICE STICKER ON THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ID

10992703

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

64,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, TRAVELLING ABOUT 70 MPH. OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THE CAR BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. EVEN THE SMALLEST BUMP WOULD CAUSE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO FEEL AS IF I WAS LOSING TRACTION AND "FISH-TAILING." I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME SAFETY BY REDUCING MY SPEED TO ABOUT 50 MPH. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR RIGHT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN TWO PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR THE IDENTICAL DANGEROUS CONDITION. THERE IS PRESENTLY A THIRD RECALL (SAFETY RECALL GOV) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND INCLUDES SOME VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE TWO EARLIER RECALLS. TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT EXPLAIN TO ME WHY MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE GOV SAFETY RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE FIRST TWO RECALLS. OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR AS MINE ARE INCLUDED IN THE GOV RECALL. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT RECALL GOV NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ID

10992061

Incident

Jan 14, 2017

Mileage

194,301 mi

I HEAR A RIDDLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE EACH TIME I START THE CAR. CLICK SOUND WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL.

NHTSA ID

10990772

Incident

Mar 1, 2017

TOYOTA SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA RECALL # 16V-596) IN EARLY OCTOBER 2016 SAYING I NEEDED TO BRING MY RAV4 IN TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM DO TO POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT FAILURE "RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH". I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY SAID THE PARTS WERE NOT IN YET. I HAVE CALLED BACK EVERY MONTH FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS AND THEY SAY THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER WITH NO ETA. THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVE AND RIDICULOUS. IF THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE, WHY DOESN'T TOYOTA MAKE NEW PARTS OR SEND OUT A LETTER SAYING THIS WAS NO BIG DEAL AND THERE IS NOT A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. DRIVING AROUND FOR 8 MONTHS WORRYING ABOUT A SUSPENSION FAILURE AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT IS CAUSING MY PTSD TO FLAIR UP. I WOULD LIKE AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM A TOYOTA EXECUTIVE EXPLAINING WHY THEY ARE TAKING SO LONG TO GET A SIMPLE PART AND GIVE ME SOME ASSURANCE THAT THEIR RECALL IS NOT JUST A JOKE.

NHTSA ID

10984929

Incident

Oct 3, 2016

Mileage

122,000 mi

REAR NO. 1 SUSPENSION ARM ASSEMBLY RECALL WAS PREFORMED AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR TOE WAS LOCKED IN PLACED AND IS NON ADJUSTABLE. NOW WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR TIRES, THE REAR TOE IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND TOYOTA WILL NOT COREECT IT.

NHTSA ID

10983540

Incident

Mar 27, 2017

NTSB: 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 SECOND RECALL FOR REAR END SUSPENSION. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS STATED THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. INFORMED THE STRUTS LOCKED UP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON A LIFT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 04/17/2017 *JS

NHTSA ID

10971377

Incident

Dec 6, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10968964

Incident

Sep 12, 2016

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. LETTER FROM [XXX] RE 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 4WD 2.4 L, NHTSA SAFETY CAMPAIGN NO. 16V596000. *LD [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *PM *TR

NHTSA ID

10967008

Incident

Mar 1, 2017