2006 Toyota RAV4
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 47 |
| 1997 | 54 |
| 1998 | 77 |
| 1999 | 62 |
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 309 |
| 2002 | 527 |
| 2003 | 314 |
| 2004 | 153 |
| 2005 | 141 |
| 2006 | 704 |
| 2007 | 1003 |
| 2008 | 575 |
| 2009 | 327 |
| 2010 | 400 |
| 2011 | 286 |
| 2012 | 260 |
| 2013 | 255 |
| 2014 | 194 |
| 2015 | 302 |
| 2016 | 234 |
| 2017 | 301 |
| 2018 | 327 |
| 2019 | 867 |
| 2020 | 624 |
| 2021 | 375 |
| 2022 | 132 |
| 2023 | 140 |
| 2024 | 161 |
| 2025 | 69 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
32% of complaints: steering — 223 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250809
15% of complaints: engine — 109 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 69 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING INTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20060821
10% of complaints: suspension — 68 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30TH, AROUND 6 P.M. EST, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, GOING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE (2006 RAV4, STANDARD NOT SPORT).
NHTSA ODI report, 20130214
The vehicle is owned and operated in Costa Rica. I submitted the vehicle for the 4 incomplete recall items associated with its VIN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20241202
7% of complaints: air bags — 51 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
"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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171124
SAFETY TIMELINE
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WH
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA
Campaign 09V223000 — check if this car was fixed
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT S
Campaign 10V036000 — check if this car was fixed
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECAL
Campaign 10V035000 — check if this car was fixed
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSIT
Remedy: THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT
Campaign 11V113000 — check if this car was fixed
Rear Suspension Arm Assembly Failure
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to prevent
Campaign 12V373000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tie rods and replace any that have rust or corrosion on the alignment adjustment threads. All of the rear tie rods will then be encased in an epoxy to prevent future environmental damage.
Campaign 13V383000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.
Campaign 14V168000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015.
Campaign 15V689000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 16V096000 — check if this car was fixed
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser,...
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 16V596000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2006 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (223 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (109 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (69 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V223000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V036000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V035000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V113000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V373000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V383000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V168000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V689000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V096000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V596000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2006 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Toyota RAV4 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota RAV4?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota RAV4 have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.