2006 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 8%of 705 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Toyota RAV4, 8% of the 705 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought the car back in august 2006 at Toyota dealer. There were clunky sounds from the steering wheel when after couple months of purchase. I brought the car back to dealer to request for a fix but I was told that the clunky sounds from the steering wheel should be considered as normal as the way the it came from Toyota factory. There was no fix to correct that clunky noises from steering wheel on that day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10981256, filed 2017-04, 2,000 miles“My power steering p/s warning light came on as I was backing out of a parking space. I noticed my power steering suddenly wasn't working. I drove home and then took it back out of my garage, in which the light then turned off and I had my power steering back. Is this a known defect of my car? I did receive one about the rear lower suspension arm #1 and a floor mat recall, but that's all.”
NHTSA complaint #10509604, filed 2013-04, 74,400 miles“Transfer case noise; quelling noise is coming from engine ( I hear this noise at low speed between 20 miles and 40miles). When I push gas pedal vehicle don,t pick the speed, engine runs fast and it jumps to get its speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10822654, filed 2016-01, 132,000 miles“My truck has had 4 incidents of dangerously low oil levels. Toyota has service bulletins out regarding oil consumption and my model of the 2006 Toyota RAV4 regarding faulty pistons and rings. I have brought my truck to Toyota 4 times for this issue and Toyota refuses to fix the problem under my warranty stating that I am out of warranty even though my first complaint was 10/13/13 and my warranty expired jan 2013 t-sb-0094-11 is the Toyota service bulletin.”
NHTSA complaint #10513925, filed 2013-05, 91,738 miles“Details: the vehicle has frequent problems with acceleration when cold. Car has no power when trying to enter traffic. I will step on the gas, begin moving, then the engine will bog down and I will have no acceleration at all. I have taken this up to my dealer, and their explanation is that nothing is wrong. However, this problem can occur when ever it is cold.”
NHTSA complaint #10205819, filed 2007-10, 5,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10140566May 2, 2016TSB: Some 2006 - 2012 model year 4WD RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front…
- 10092682May 2, 2016Tsb: some 2006 - 2012 model year 4wd rav4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front…
- 10152282Dec 3, 2015WPB: In certain 2006 to 2012 model year Rav4 4WD vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling…
- 10152281Dec 3, 2015DD: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear…
- 10152280Dec 3, 2015DL: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear…
- 10093766Dec 3, 2015Wpb: in certain 2006 to 2012 model year rav4 4wd vehicles, toyota has received some reports where the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling…
- 10093722Dec 3, 2015"dd: in our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, toyota is announcing a warranty enhancement program to extend the warranty coverage for rear…
- 10093717Dec 3, 2015"dl: in our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, toyota is announcing a warranty enhancement program to extend the warranty coverage for rear…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% |
| 2021 | 23 | 6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% |
| 2019 | 82 | 9% |
| 2018 | 26 | 8% |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 25 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 10% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 19 | 7% |
| 2011 | 25 | 9% |
| 2010 | 38 | 10% |
| 2009 | 28 | 9% |
| 2008 | 37 | 6% |
| 2007 | 53 | 5% |
| 2006 | 53 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 15% |
| 2003 | 209 | 66% |
| 2002 | 376 | 71% |
| 2001 | 190 | 61% |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 13% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2006 Toyota RAV4
230 complaintsEngine
109 complaintsVehicle speed control
74 complaintsSuspension
73 complaintsAir bags
57 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsEngine cooling
40 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology