CarRecallWatchThe 2006 Toyota RAV4 has 11 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 705 complaints with NHTSA, including 26 crashes, 5 fires, 10 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Steering (232 reports).
2006 Toyota RAV4 recalls
Rear Suspension Arm May Fail, Risking Loss of Control
Certain Toyota RAV4 (2006-2011) and Lexus HS 250h (2010) vehicles may have rear suspension arms, also called rear tie rods, whose adjusting lock nuts were possibly tightened improperly after servicing.
Aftermarket Seat Heaters May Short Circuit and Cause Fire
Certain vehicles were equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters that have a copper strand heating element.
Rear seat belts may be cut in a frontal crash
Certain Toyota RAV4 vehicles from model years 2006 to 2012, along with 2012 to 2014 RAV4 EVs, may have rear outboard seat belts that can be cut by the seat cushion frame during a frontal collision.
Power window switch may overheat and cause a fire
Some Toyota vehicles may have a power window master switch where grease was inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts during manufacturing.
Most common 2006 Toyota RAV4 problems
Problem areas named in the 705 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Steering | 232 |
| Engine | 109 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 75 |
| Suspension | 73 |
| Air Bags | 58 |
| Power Train | 54 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 42 |
| Electrical System | 42 |
| Structure | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
What owners report
2016 Superseding Recall (Campaign 16V596000): Toyota issued a follow-up recall because some initial epoxy repairs were not enough. Dealers must replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts completely free of charge. These parts are severely rusted and corroded on my 2006 Toyota Rav4. It seems like my vehicle was not included in the recall when it should have been. I am not the original owner, but it seems like the issue was never addressed. The damage was discovered during routine maintenance. I purchased the vehicle on 8/1/2024. The damage must have existed before then based on the amount of damage. Is it possible for Toyota to still extend the recall to this vehicle?
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.
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 âthis is a recalled partâ 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.
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 an
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 âa giant hole in the bottom of the car.â 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.
2006 Toyota RAV4 questions
Does the 2006 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls for the 2006 Toyota RAV4: Rear Suspension Arm May Fail, Risking Loss of Control; Aftermarket Seat Heaters May Short Circuit and Cause Fire; Rear seat belts may be cut in a frontal crash; Power window switch may overheat and cause a fire; Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota RAV4?
Based on 705 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Steering (232), Engine (109), Vehicle Speed Control (75).
How do I check if a recall on my 2006 Toyota RAV4 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.