Problems with 2006 Toyota RAV4 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Losing oil engine making noise no power

Steering froze up while leaving my driveway and p/s light came on. shut engine off and back on, but did not resolve. i recall at least one other time that steering locked up temporarily while at a stop. took to dealership for diagnostic as manual recommends. diagnostic shows dtcs u0105 and u0121. found tab st005-06 related to this issue and "updated power steering ecu available". diagnostic $150, parts and labor $1600+ cleary this is a safety issue requiring a recall. please investigate there are many more similar complaints.

At interstate speeds and sometimes quick acceleration all the lights come on the dash and you lose all steering , it locks up this has happened several times , to my seventeen year old daughter she was lucky there was not a corner when it happened she would've shot straight off the road . there needs to be a recall on this i have looked it up and there has been several complaints of this same issue on the rav4s and several other toyota's. if i knew this issue was a problem i would not of purchased this car for my daughter.

Most lights on dashboard are lit up. vsc, engine 4wd. also my mechanic said outs throwing off a lot of false readings. lights are always on sometimes feels like the transmission is slipping when i go from stopped to go on a hill. outs been this way since i bought it.

I have 2006 toyota rav4-battery warning lights flips and go,- when i was driving in freeway 68mph, battery warning signals flips two times while i try to accelerate the vehicle. and also all warning signals, check engine, tcs, vsc, 4 wd, break, and airbag signals came and vehicle lost all electrical power, steering become hard and break didn't work, i had to pull over the vehicle in freeway. it happed two times, still the battery signals are flips when push the gas. i had to tow this vehicle two times. i check this car with three mechanics and autozone, they could not find out any problem,. they all said battery and alternators are working good ( battery and alternators are replaced two ears ago. i have seen many 2006 toyota rav4 customers experiencing the same problem. driving this vehicle is scary and life threatening. i hope highway safety is; aware of this problem and they will make an enquiry/action.

Transmission harsh shift, no acceleration, extreamly dangerous to drive, ecu needs replaced, poor quality vehicle.

2006 toyota rav 4. consumer writes in regards to disappointment with alternator repair work at dealership. *smd the consumer stated she did not think she needed an alternator replacement. after the alternator was replaced, the battery light illuminated. according to the invoice, the dealer replaced the short engine block. the dealer not charge the consumer for the replacement of the alternator and engine short block. however, there was a charge for an engine gasket and cylinder. *jb

Unsafe defects malfunction

Toyota defects malfunctioning

While sitting in slow 5-10mph traffic on the freeway, the power steering seized and the airbag dashboard warning light came on at the same time (for about 2-3 seconds at a time). a few miles later, other warning lights (vsc, slip, abs, engine, battery) all illuminated on and off randomly. took it to the mechanic to have it looked at. they replaced the battery, but the problem happened again about 12 hours later. the alternator is a year old and the battery, tires, alignment, and engine coils are all brand new. after half a dozen calls to the dealership, come to find out, the problem is the computer that controls the power steering... a problem which has been acknowledged and recalled for 2014-15 model year rav4s. this is a serious safety flaw, and it is insulting and negligent that toyota is pretending this isn't a serious problem for other model years.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. the contact stated that the front passenger side window was activated, but failed to function. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the vin was included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v096000 (seat belts), 15v689000 (visibility), 13v383000 (suspension), and 11v113000 (vehicle speed control). the parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 73,000. vin tool confirms parts not available. parts distribution disconnect.

Sudden acceleration when the vehicle is started. when the vehicle is started after a humid night, the engine goes to full power without depress of the accelerator pedal. when the engine is shut down and restarted the situation is cleared. this a safety concern as the vehicle is out of control if put in gear. this condition has happened 5 times in the last 60 days. i contacted toyota and am not comfortable with their direction based on the safety concern.

Computer problems causing all the lights to come on the dashboard and disabling the shifting solenoid. it also disables the safety braking and four wheel drive. this causes the vehicle to be unsafe.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. while driving at approximately 25 mph, the vsc and the check engine warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer software needed to be updated. the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 60,000. the vin was not available.

The power window master switch it doesn't work well . sometimes works and sometimes not, to malfunction overheat.. *tr

I was driving on the highway about 60 mph and power steering went out. car made a noise and all the dashboard lights came on like it was sliding on ice, no bad weather that day. could not turn steering wheel and speedometer went to 0 and would not work the rest of the journey. made it to the toyota dealership where i was told nothing was wrong, and it was "the cold weather" that probably caused it. they ran a few tests but nothing was done to the car. no answers to my problem and nothing happened since. but now i am worried because of the recent recall and makes me think this incident was related. *tr

I have always believed in toyota's reliable vehicles till i bought my rav4. lately i have had the unfortunate experience of having to replace all six coils with new ones, because toyota maid a bad design for the 2006 rav4. and now i need to replace the steering shafts because they are bad too. toyota please help with covering the cost of parts and labor. *tr

Car at about 37,000 miles. only drive to store and drop kids off to school. car parked for 10 minutes while at store shopping. came back, started the engine. the engine light, vsc and 4wd lights all lighted up. when to local toyota dealer, dealer said can't service it at this time need to make appointment. dealer stated based on the lights, this might be the ignition coil.. it's known to have problem. estimated cost to fix about $1500. but we need to computerized the codes.. *tr

We were on the road (on a family vacation). the day that we were coming back the check engine light, the vsc light and the slip warning light came on as we were pulling out of the hotel parking lot. on the way to the dealer, i also felt like the car was misfiring. the dealer found "multiple codes p0304, p0305, p0306, p0356, p1578, c1201. #6 coil malfunctioning. recommend replace #6 coil pack and recheck. possible that other coil may fail from the result of #6 coil failing." #6 coil pack was replaced and the rav4 has been running fine since. the dealer also said that "typically after one coil goes the others follow shortly after", so i will keep an eye open for that. it is strange since ignition coils have a long life expectancy. i checked on-line and there seems to be a high failure rate with coil pack part # 90919-02251, which is the original part that came with the car. i made sure the part was replaced with the latest revision (90919-a2007) of the new part numbers (90919-a2002, 90919-a2004 or 90919-a2007) that toyota changed to. it is also interesting that most of the failures happen with #6, #4 and #5 coils (in that order). the failures seem to concentrate around the right front corner, which is close to the radiator (hot fluid) exit. maybe that is why the later revision part # coil packs have a double metallic screen outside the plastic housing, to protect the assembly. *tr

Driving back from gas station all three lights came on in dash -- vsc, check engine & 4wd. researched and found that gas cap not sealing cold cause problem, removed / retightened gas cap numerous times. lights won't go off. i had car tested with obd reader attached and codes (po300, po303, po305 & po356 says it's ignition coil f--primary/secondary circuit malfunction. car only has 43000 miles and checking on the internet, seems to be a lot of toyota ignition failures between 40000 & 55000 miles. *tr

After check engine light came on i took it to the toyota dealer for service and i was told it was faulty ignition coil. this all started when i neglected close the gas cap all the way about a week before. at that time i called toyota and they said to tighten it and the light would go off. it did for awhile but soon started a series of events that ended up with the coil "d" having to be replaced. *tt

A warning light appeared on the dashboard indicating an airbag malfunction. i called toyota service and was told the car required a repair, and the airbags would not function at all until this repair was done. today the toyota tech told us a "spiral cable assembly had gone bad." he said it will cost $514.00 to make this repair, and again, the airbags will not work unless it is done. i asked if this was a recall issue with toyota and the service manager replied, "i have no idea." i asked if this was a common problem with this car and he replied, "we see it all the time in rav3's and tundra's." i indicated the car is only 5 years old with just over 60k miles, and that i have never (ever) had an airbag failure in any vehicle until now. he again said, "well, we see it all the time with this model." this surely appears to be a design flaw that is very costly to an average consumer. can they get away with this? please help! (thanks much-)

Engine coil failure. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions, while driving at various speeds. the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel during all of the failures. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that an ignition coil failed. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but did not offer any assistance. the failure and current mileages were 52,056. updated 08/31/11 *bf updated 09/14/11

2006 toyota rav 4. consumer states ignition coil and plug failure *tgw the consumer stated while driving, various dashboard lights illuminated and the transmission shimmied and the engine misfired and the vehicle became disabled. an inspection by the dealer revealed a misfire code and that a number two coil and plug had to be replaced. a month and a half later, the consumer experienced the same problem again. it was determined that another ignition coil had failed and the suv was operating in four cylinder mode. the consumer was informed his model vehicle had a design/engineering problem which was identified and does not occur on subsequent year rav 4 models. *jb

While driving on the highway at approximately 65 mph the car suddenly would not and behaved as if in neutral. the engine reved upon applying the gas. we pulled over to the shoulder and put on hazard lights and put the car in park. then put the car back in drive and the car behaved normally.

Engine coil failure. my research tells me this is a common problem with these 3.5l v6 engines. error code p0352. *tr

2006 rav4 : speed control: sudden acceleration and sudden decrease in acceleration on highway. starting in november 2010 our toyota rav4 would suddenly acceleration on highway,lunge forward while parking for no reason. in december 2010 all senor lights on the dashboard panel came on and the car actually decelerated while i while trying to change lanes on the highway. i quickly turned on my four ways and moved to the far left of highway for safety . all the dash board lights went off and car resumed normal driving functions. on february 16, 2011 i was on the highway again attempting to change lanes and the car decelerated and appeared to be stalling-out also all the dashboard lights when on:check engine ,abs,vsh,and 4wd. i again put my four ways on and moved to shoulder of highway, my vehicle resumed normal driving functions and all dashboard lights went off. about 5 minutes later the same thing happened again. i took my car to my mechanic the next day and he states it appears to be a malfuction in the senory panel. he contacted the toyota dealer and is awaiting a response. my car in undrivable at the present time due to the fact it could stop running at any time for no apparent reason. *ln

2006 toyota rav4 fwd v6 engine w/65,000 miles is showing check engine light, vsc light and traction light. ecm generating p0606 fault code. dealer replaced ecm under warranty, but 10 minutes later same lights and fault codes recurred. *tr

The right rear wheel sensor failed on my 2006 toyota rav4 on 1/19/11. the part was back ordered to 2/24/11. i was assured by the dealer's service department that the car was safe to drive. that was not the case, however, when the left rear wheel sensor failed on 2/2/11, causing the car to become dangerous to drive, while i was on the road. *tr

Multiple cylinder misfire causing hesitation and lack of power. this problem can lead to safety issues since the car looses power intermittently. mechanic says error code indicates all six ignition coils need to be replaced. the plugs are to be changed at 120k miles. the coils only lasted 66k ? common issue see http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24070 went to auto part store and confirmed diagnostics: 6 plugs misfiring due to bad coils. believe this issue is a problem that need to be explored for safety of all drivers

I have a 2006 toyota rav4 with 33,167 miles. the ignition key is about to fall apart. all the covers for the push buttons on the key are falling apart. this just started about a month ago. i went to the dealer and i was informed the key was not covered under warranty and would cost $250.00 to replace. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav-4. the contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the electrical components became inoperable and the vehicle stalled. the dealer advised a diagnostic at her expense. there were no recalls for the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 119,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. while the contact was driving 40 mph he noticed that the power steering light appeared on the dashboard, moments later the contact noticed that the vehicle no longer had power steering or anti-lock brakes. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the internal computer needed to be replaced. there were no prior warnings and the current and failure mileages were 46000.

'model year: 2006 'make: toyota rav4 'model: 4 drive, 2 wd, v6 sport 'component: power steering system description: i bought the above car on 12/16/2006. after two years of driving, i started to notice that there is a tweaking sound on the steering wheel whenever i make a left or right turn of the vehicle at a slow speed. i have made a complain to capitol toyota at the beginning of 2009 and demand a fix without charge, but their management insisted that they charge me a fee of $132.00 for diagnostic and additional repair cost if they find out that problem is not within their warranty limits; please note that my car was within warranty at 42k miles. frustrated and angry, i brought my car home without any service. a year later with 44.3k miles, i began to notice additional problem with my car. this time, the check engine, viscous, and track lights get turned on. i brought my car to capitol toyota again with my additional complaint. this time, they agreed to perform a diagnostic service without a fee of $132.00, but they charge me for $1083.00 to replace the power steering ecu computer which is out of range and causing the lights to be turned on, and $483.00 for fixing the first, original power steering noise problem. they said that my vehicle is out of warranty. the only thing they can help cover for free of charge and within warranty at this time is to fix the cam timing oil valve which is sticking out to cause the engine light problem. i believe my toyota has their design and manufacturing problems, and i have not ordered the ecu computer and steering wheel noise fixes that they recommended because i do not agree with the provided cost. i am expecting that they should fix these problems for me free of charge. *tr

This is in reference to the electrical problem referenced recently. i have had the same experience of the car just not starting. i discovered that it is related to the stick shift. it looks like it is engaged. if you give it the tiniest jiggle it engages and the car will start. i don't know what the deal is, but planned to bring it up when i take car to be serviced next. *tr

First thing in the morning and sometimes after work, car will not start. dashboard lights come on, battery condition indicator checks good. had battery tested, battery is good. of course, when the car does start and i drive it in to a toyota dealership, the dealership can't find a problem. no problems with the starter. no indications of starter sluggish or low battery power. these symptoms have happened several times, and fortunately the car would start. *tr

My 2006 rav4 has daytime running lights (drl) along with the optitron dash (lcd dash that is lit whenever the car is running - as opposed to the dashboard being lit only when the headlights are turned on). on the rav4 toyota only provides a small icon to let you know when your headlights are on. with the optitron dash and daytime running lights i am able to get into my car at night, see the lighted dash and light coming from the headlights and erroneously believe that my full nighttime headlights are on (instead of the daytime running lights). the problem with this setup is my tail lights are not on. i feel that this is a safety issue as running w/o tail lights at night could cause rear-end collisions. rather than provide rav4 owners with a small dashboard indicator showing when the headlights are lit, toyota should include; either an indicator that shows when the headlights are not on, or include auto-on headlights for vehicles with drl and optitron dashboards. *nm

I own a 2006 toyota rav4 limited. the digital radio controls occaisionally become inactive and the display goes blank or becomes illegible. when this happens the only contol that works is the mode and volume button on the steering wheel. the problem corrects itself when the vehicle is shut off and then restarted. *jb

First day i had car, i got gas, went to the mall, came out and 3 lights were on, my vcd, 4wd, and check engine. brought car in was told faulty gas cap. ordered me a new gas cap, a day later same thing, brought it back told they needed car for day to analyze, told i needed charcoal cylinder, had replaced a day later same thing again. brought back told needed for a day again, this time they replaced the gas tank, day later lights on again, this time tightened up gaskets, day later, lights on again. this car is a lemon. *jb