2006 Toyota Rav4: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 880 complaints
880
Total Complaints
55,508mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
37
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
30,000
25th Percentile
55,508
Median Mileage
90,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
223
Engine
109
Vehicle Speed Control
69
Suspension
68
Air Bags
51
Electrical System
34
Power Train
30
Unknown Or Other
22
Engine And Engine Cooling
22
Automatic Transmission
20
Severity Assessment
37
Crashes
10
Fires
11
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER BEING PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IT WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED AT AN EXCEPTIONAL SPEED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE MO..."
"I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 V6 SPORT 4WD AND WITHIN 4 DAYS OF COLLECTION, THE REAR LEFT WHEEL WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FALLING OFF. WHILE THIS PROBABLY SOUNDS DRAMATIC AND AN EXAGGERATION, IT IS NOT. WITH 144 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SOURCE OF A SQUEALIN..."
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE THE BRAKES HAD EXCESSIVE TRAVEL AND SPONGINESS. THIS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL BRAKING ON NORMAL ROADS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED ..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
223 complaints
25th: 30,000 mi
Median: 42,000 mi
75th: 60,000 mi
Engine
109 complaints
25th: 70,000 mi
Median: 90,000 mi
75th: 122,300 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
69 complaints
25th: 8,200 mi
Median: 24,000 mi
75th: 59,851 mi
Suspension
68 complaints
25th: 74,400 mi
Median: 100,000 mi
75th: 122,000 mi
Air Bags
51 complaints
25th: 75,000 mi
Median: 90,000 mi
75th: 107,725 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 113
NY: 58
NJ: 54
TX: 51
PA: 51
VA: 49
FL: 38
CT: 35
MD: 30
IL: 30
Who Files Complaints?
12.7%
Original Owners
87.3%
Second+ Owners
Toyota Rav4 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (11)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Rear
Campaign 16V596000 | 12/08/2016
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0V for Toyota vehicles and GLK for
Rear/Other
Campaign 16V096000 | 19/02/2016
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
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. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
Power Window Devices And Controls
Campaign 15V689000 | 22/10/2015
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-
Inflator Module
Campaign 14V168000 | 09/04/2014
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
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. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac V
Seat Heater/Cooler
Campaign 16V396000 | 02/06/2016
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Rear
Campaign 12V373000 | 02/08/2012
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 improper servicing in the future. The recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota
Rear
Campaign 13V383000 | 28/08/2013
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Due to limitations in parts, the recall remedy will be
Accelerator Pedal
Campaign 11V113000 | 24/02/2011
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Labels
Campaign 09V223000 | 15/06/2009
INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 AT 1-888-270-9371.
Labels
Campaign 10V036000 | 03/02/2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Labels
Campaign 10V035000 | 03/02/2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
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 RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28