2006 TOYOTA RAV4 Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

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

I'M A OWNER OF 06 TOYOTA RAV4 IT HAS 152,488 MILES I HAVE BEEN NOTICING OIL CONSUMPTION DRAMATICALLY, THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT IS LOW BUT THERE ARE NO LEAKS, TOYOTA SAYS CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 5,000 MILES BUT MY ENGINE LIGHT STARTS TO FLICKER AT 3,000 I HAVE STOP TO CHECK MY OIL STICK AN IT SHOWS LESS THAN A QUART OF OIL, I HAVE SWITCHED TO SYNTHETIC OIL AND THE SAME THINGS IS HAPPENING. I'VE BEEN SPEAKING TO SEVERAL OWNERS OF RAV4 AND IT SEEMS THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A BIG ISSUE WITH THESE RAV4. *TR

Mileage: 152,488

MUFFLER & TAILPIPE AND HOUSING ON MY RAV4 ARE RUSTING EXTENSIVELY. HAD DEALER CHECK IT OUT. RECOMMENDS I REPLACE MY EXHAUST SYSTEM. THERE WERE HOLES IN MY EXHAUST SYSTEMS DUE TO RUST. CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ONLY OFFER A 3 YR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. CASE REF #1203230216. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YRS OLD!!! MY EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN FALL OFF MY RAV4 ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WHO IS TO BLAME IN SUCH A SENARIO? TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY FOR MAKING INFERIOR EXHAUST SYSTEMS? THERE IS RUST ON GARAGE FLOOR WHERE I PARK MY RAV4!!! *TR

Mileage: 69,288

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

Mileage: 61,000

I OWN 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH 48,000 MILES. MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR IN APRIL I RECEIVED RECALL LETTER SAYING I SHOULD REPLACE THE OIL RUBBER HOSE. 18 MONTHS LATER I NOTICE A LOT OF OIL UNDER MY CAR, THERE WAS NONE LEFT IN THE ENGINE. I HAD TO CALL TOWING COMPANY TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THE HOSE IS BROKEN, THE ONE THAT SUPPOSED TO BE UPGRADED LASTED ONLY 18,000 MILES. THEY CHARGE US $700 BECAUSE OUR WARRANTY FINISHED IN JULY 2011 AND THE WARRANTY FOR THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR 1 YEAR. I TRIED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM BUT NOBODY EVEN LISTENED. WE LEFT THE DEALER WITH NOTHING, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR, HE PULLED TO THE PARKING LOT AND HEARD THIS BIG NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT WAS 15 MINUTES AFTER WE LEFT THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID THAT THEY TESTED THIS CAR AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE BUT IF WE WANT WE CAN BRING THE CAR BACK. WE HAD TO CALL FOR TOWING COMPANY AGAIN. THE CAR CAME BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY ADMITTED THERE IS A NOISE BUT FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE ENGINE THEY HAVE TO CHARGE US $1200. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SENDING ME BACK TO THE DEALER TO TALK TO THEIR CUSTOMER RELATION MANAGER. THE MANAGER SAID HE DID SOME INVESTIGATION AND MY PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH THE REPAIR THEY DID. I TALK TO MANY DIFFERENT MECHANICS OUTSIDE OF TOYOTA AND THE SAID IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ENGINE TO JUST DIE. BESIDES EVERY MECHANIC SAYS THE HOSE SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 18 MONTHS AND THEY BELIEVE THAT IT WAS NOT INSTALLED THE RIGHT WAY. TOYOTA MAIN OFFICE SAYS THE SUPPORT THE DEALER DECISION AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY DON'T FEEL ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SITUATION. YOU HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE WITH THAT, MAYBE YOU CAN GIVE ME SOME ADVICE. THANK YOU. *KB

Mileage: 48,000

I OWN A 2006 RAV4 V6. AT ROUGHLY 60,000 MILES THE ENGINE, VSC AND 4WD LIGHT WOULD START GOING ON AND THEN OFF AFTER SHUTTING DOWN. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE GAS CAP AFTER FILLING UP NOT BEING TIGHT. AT 64,000 MILES THE LIGHTS WENT ON AND STAYED ON. BECAUSE MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IS WORTHLESS, I WENT TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC. THE CODES SHOWED A BAD COIL IN THE #2 CYLINDER SO I REPLACED IT. THEY SUGGESTED THAT THESE COILS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE BAD AND THAT I SHOULD REPLACE ALL OF THEM. I DIDN'T WANT TO DROP $1300 AT THE TIME AND NOW AT 70,000 THE LIGHTS ARE ON AGAIN AND THE CODES ARE SHOWING ALL 6 COILS ARE BAD AGAIN. HOW IS IT THAT A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO GO 100,000 MILES BEFORE YOU EVEN NEED TO CHANGE THE PLUGS HAS ALL THE COILS GO BAD AT THE SAME TIME. THERE ARE WEB SITES FOR RAV4 OWNERS ALL OVER THE INTERNET COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING AND TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

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

Mileage: 43,000

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

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

Mileage: 52,056

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VAPOR CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VAPOR CANISTER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING HARMFUL FUMES FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE HARMFUL FUMES PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE, VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AT 78,000 MILES AND THEY FOUND A ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AT THE REAR OF ENGINE AND THEY CLAIM ENGINE MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. HAVE HAD NO INDICATIONS OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE, NO OVERHEATING, NOTHING. ESTIMATED COST OF ENGINE THAT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED IS $8,000 THAT DEALER CLAIMS TOYOTA WILL PAY HALF. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS SHOWING THAT I COMPLAINED OF A SMELL OF COOLANT AT 4,000 MILES AND THE DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS UNDERCOATING BURNING OFF. SAYS THAT THE COMPLAINT AT 4,000 MILES IS NO WAY RELATED TO MY CURRENT PROBLEM AND WILL NOT HONOR MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT AS ANYTHING RELATED TO NEW ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN THE AREA OF MY VEHICLE WHERE THE COOLANT IS LEAKING AND IT IS AT THE VERY SAME SPOT THAT OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ARE HAVING ISSUE WITH THE BOLTS CORRODING DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND LEAKING COOLANT. TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR SECOND OPINION AND HE SAYS VEHICLE IS IN MINT CONDITION AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AT ALL. WHY IS TOYOTA WILLING TO PAY 50% IF THERE IS NOT A LEGITIMATE PROBLEM? *TR

Mileage: 78,000

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC AND SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AT 71000 MILES. CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER EVERY FEW MINUTES, FEELING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. DEALER SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE UNLESS LIGHTS WERE BLINKING, WHICH THEY WERE NOT. TOOK IT TO ADVANCED AUTOCARE WHO TOLD ME 4 PISTONS WERE REGISTERING AS MISFIRING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO CHECKED IT OUT, STATING THAT THE ONLY THING WRONG WAS A COIL WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BARELY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WHILE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING! TOYOTA IS SAYING IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND IS NORMAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THIS IS THE LATEST OF ISSUES WITH THIS CAR! DOOR SEALS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND HAD TO REPLACE THE BACK DOOR SEAL AFTER STANDING WATER WAS FOUND IN THE BACK AFTER IT RAINED. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER ON A LONELY HIGHWAY WITH NO CELL SERVICE, MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 V6 LIMITED STARTED MAKING A NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED MY DASH AND NO LIGHTS WERE ON, PRESSURES OKAY. THE NOISE STOPPED AND I KEPT DRIVING. ABOUT TWELVE MILES FROM HOME THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN AND MY DAUGHTER NOTICED. I LOOKED DOWN AND MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND RIGHT BACK OFF. WE BARELY MADE IT TO OUR HOUSE. WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, OIL WAS EVERYWHERE. IT HAD RAN ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF THE CAR. WHEN I PULLED THE DIP STICK THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE STICK. MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT TODAY AND FOUND A HOLE IN A RUBBER HOSE. I WENT ON-LINE AND HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR STORIES. SUPPOSEDLY, TOYOTA WAS TO SEND OUT A LETTER IN OCTOBER 2009 TO ALL 2006 RAV OWNERS. WELL, I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER AND I'VE BEEN THE ONE AND ONLY OWNER AT THE SAME ADDRESS. SO, IT'S NOT LIKE I COULDN'T BE FOUND. NOW MY HUSBAND IS TRYING TO FIND THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE VVTI- OIL HOSE, THAT IS NOW CALLED A 'PIPE'. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS WASN'T CONSIDERED A RECALL ISSUE INSTEAD OF A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN? THAT OIL HAD SPEWED ALL OVER AND UNDER THE HOT ENGINE ONTO THE MANIFOLD. THERE WAS NOTHING KEEPING IT FROM CATCHING FIRE WHICH COULD HAVE TAKEN BOTH OUR LIVES. IF I HAD RECEIVED THE LETTER (A YEAR AND A HALF AGO) THE HOSE COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW, I'M LOOKING AT REPAIR COSTS THAT COULD INCLUDE A NEW ENGINE. AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH DAMAGE WAS DONE. MY CAR IS PAID FOR AND I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO BUY A NEW CAR OR HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. I WANT TO KNOW WITH ALL OF THE OTHER TOYOTA ISSUES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WHY THIS WASN'T ADDRESSED? MY HUSBAND JUST CALLED A LOCAL DEALER TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART. HE SAID THE WAREHOUSE HAS OVER 250 IN STOCK! WHICH TELLS THEM THAT THIS IS NO ISOLATED ISSUE. HE SAID THAT THE PART NUMBER HAS CHANGED ABOUT FOUR TIMES, WHICH MEANS TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 103,002

2006 TOYOTA RAV4. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE HAS A WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE ECM COMPUTER IS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO AN ASSOCIATED RATTLING SOUND. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS REGARDING THE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF CLOSE TO TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. ALSO, THE TIRES WERE LEAKING AIR. *JB

MY 2006 RAV4 4WD (40,000 MILES) BEGAN LEAKING OIL AT A VERY FAST RATE, LEAVING A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, WHICH WASN'T IMMEDIATELY NOTICED BY ME. THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED, THEREFORE I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THERE WAS ALMOST NO OIL IN THE CAR. I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS A PROBLEM IF MY BOYFRIEND HAD NOT CALLED ME FROM THE HOUSE TO WARN ME THAT MOST OF THE OIL THAT SHOULD BE IN MY CAR WAS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. TOYOTA REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE OIL LINE AND SAYS THAT THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR SYSTEM IS WORKING CORRECTLY, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THE NEXT TIME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY OIL DELIVERY SYSTEM, I WON'T HAVE ANY WARNINGS TO PREVENT ME FROM BURNING UP THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

MY 2006 RAV4 4WD (40,000 MILES) BEGAN LEAKING OIL AT A VERY FAST RATE, LEAVING A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, WHICH WASN'T IMMEDIATELY NOTICED BY ME. THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED, THEREFORE I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THERE WAS ALMOST NO OIL IN THE CAR. I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS A PROBLEM IF MY BOYFRIEND HAD NOT CALLED ME FROM THE HOUSE TO WARN ME THAT MOST OF THE OIL THAT SHOULD BE IN MY CAR WAS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. TOYOTA REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE OIL LINE AND SAYS THAT THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR SYSTEM IS WORKING CORRECTLY, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THE NEXT TIME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY OIL DELIVERY SYSTEM, I WON'T HAVE ANY WARNINGS TO PREVENT ME FROM BURNING UP THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

MY 2006 RAV4 4WD (40,000 MILES) BEGAN LEAKING OIL AT A VERY FAST RATE, LEAVING A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, WHICH WASN'T IMMEDIATELY NOTICED BY ME. THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED, THEREFORE I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THERE WAS ALMOST NO OIL IN THE CAR. I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS A PROBLEM IF MY BOYFRIEND HAD NOT CALLED ME FROM THE HOUSE TO WARN ME THAT MOST OF THE OIL THAT SHOULD BE IN MY CAR WAS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. TOYOTA REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE OIL LINE AND SAYS THAT THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR SYSTEM IS WORKING CORRECTLY, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THE NEXT TIME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY OIL DELIVERY SYSTEM, I WON'T HAVE ANY WARNINGS TO PREVENT ME FROM BURNING UP THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS DEVELOPED A VERY DISTINCT CLUNKING SOUND AND FEEL WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I NEVER DRIVE THE CAR, AND NOTICED IT IMMEDIATELY WHEN I HAD TO DRIVE IT A WEEK AGO. I QUESTIONED MY HUSBAND, WHO SAID IT HAD FELT LIKE THAT "FOREVER"!! WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT IT ACTUALLY IS QUITE A PROBLEM! CAR NOW HAS 90-K MILES. LAST SUMMER (AT A HAIR OVER 60-K) THE WATER PUMP WENT - OUT OF WARRANTY. VERY POOR DESIGN, AS THE ENGINE MUST BE PULLED TO REPLACE THE PUMP TO THE TUNE OF $1,600!!!! MY HUSBAND IS NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO QUESTIONING THE DEALER ABOUT THE STEERING. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

Mileage: 12,000

TOYOTA: LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR VVT-I OIL LINE THIS IS HOW TOYOTA HANDLES THIS ISSUE I OWN A 2006 RAV4 SPORT WITH THE 2GR-FE V6 ENGINE. THE CAR WAS SERVICED ON 3/17/2010 FOR THE LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN RELATED WITH THE VVT-I ACTUATOR OIL SUPPLY HOSE - OR IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE METAL-RUBBER-METAL OIL LINE PART #15707-31030 HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH THE METAL-RUBBER-METAL PART #15757-31030 (A PALLIATIVE FIX), INSTEAD OF PART #15772-31030 'OIL PIPE METAL' THAT IS MADE ENTIRELY FROM METAL AND FITS THE 2GR-FE V6 ENGINES MANUFACTURED AFTER APRIL 2008. ALSO ON THE INVOICE THAT WAS RELEASED, THE LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR THE VVT-I ACTUATOR OIL SUPPLY HOSE SHOWS UP AS '90K OIL COOLER HOSE (RAV4)' THAT IS NOT THE SAME THING WITH ACTUATOR SUPPLY HOSE. I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE AGREED THAT THE METAL OIL SUPPLY LINE HAS A BETTER DESIGN, BUT HE REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPLACEMENT WITH THE METAL COMPONENT BECAUSE ACCORDINGLY WITH THE VIN, THIS IS WHAT SHOULD BE USED. AS AN ENGINEER WITH MORE THAN 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE I BELIEVE THAT THIS RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED IN A TECHNICALLY SOUND MANNER AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED WITH THE CORRECT ALL METAL OIL PIPE PART #15772-31030. I BELIEVE THAT THIS FIX DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT DELAYS THE FAILURE OF THE OIL LINE THAT CAN CAUSE THE SEIZURE OF THE ENGINE IN MATTER OF MINUTES. THIS DEFINITELY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. *TR

Mileage: 29,262

WHEN FIRST DRIVING MY NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV4, I NOTICED AT SLOW SPEEDS IT WOULD SOMETIMES ACCELERATE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE. I ATTRIBUTED THIS TO BIG FEET AND A NEW CAR WHERE I DID NOT YET MASTER THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PEDALS. I STARTED DRIVING WITH TWO FEET, JUST AS I WAS TAUGHT AS A TEENAGER IN DRIVERS ED. OCCASIONALLY, THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE ENSUING 3 YEARS. UNTIL THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM CAME TO LIGHT IN 2010, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST "OPERATOR ERROR." NOW, I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THERE IS SOME DEFECT - MAYBE IT'S HARDWARE LINKAGES, BUT I SUSPECT THERE IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER OF THE CAR. I ALSO HAD THE STEERING MID-SHAFT PROBLEM AFTER WARRANTY AND SCREAMED UNTIL THEY FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY FOR $50. THERE WAS ALSO A "RUNAWAY" FUEL PUMP SERVICE BULLETIN I MADE THEM COVER AS WELL. I HAVE WORKED WITH TOYOTA QUALITY ENGINEERS SINCE THE 1980S AND AM DISGUSTED BY THEIR RESPONSES REPORTED IN THIS ODI SITE. TOYOTA'S CLAIM TO FAME WAS THERE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER FOCUS. LOOKS LIKE THE CURRENT GENERATION OF TOYOTA PEOPLE HAVE LOST THIS, AND THAT POINTS DIRECTLY TO TOP MANAGEMENT THERE. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME. AS THEY SAY IN JAPANESE, THEY ARE "ON SHIRAZU" (DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATION TO THEIR CUSTOMERS). *TR

Mileage: 1,000

MASSIVE ENGINE OIL LEAK. THIS IS THE HOSE REFERRED TO IN LSC 90K - VARIABLE VALVE TIMING WITH INTELLIGENCE (VVT-I) OIL HOSE REPLACEMENT LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN. WHILE DRIVING IN THE LOCAL WALMART PARKING LOT VIRTUALLY ALL OF OUR ENGINE OIL DRAINED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AT LESS THAN 10 MPH. WE HAD NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH. OUR ONLY WARNING OF A PROBLEM WAS A HOT OIL SMELL. WE STOPPED AND I CHECKED THE DIP STICK WHICH WAS COMPLETELY DRY WITH OIL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE ENGINE WHICH EXPLAINS THE HOT OIL SMELL. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

THE ACCELERATOR IS VERY TWITCHY. ON ONE OCCASION, ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK IN OUR PARKING AREA. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND AVERTED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

DRIVING ON I-495 ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL AT 70 MPH, ON CRUISE CONTROL, 2006 RAV4 STARTED MAKING NOISE, LOW OIL SORT OF NOISE, AND I STARTED TO PULL OVER. NO OIL LIGHT, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BEFORE I COULD EVEN PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE ENGINE BLEW. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE. COST OF NEW ENGINE AND LABOR WAS AROUND $9,000. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WATER PUMP FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND BLOW PISTON 3 THROUGH THE SIDE WALL, BUT AS A AMATEUR MECHANIC, I AM 100% POSITIVE THIS IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. THE VVT-I OIL LINE RUPTURED ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE ALL OIL AND BLOW, BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO AGREE AND FORCED US TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET, RATHER THAN COVERING IT BECAUSE TOYOTA KNEW THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, AS IT HAD BEEN THE CAUSE FOR MANY TSB'S, AS WELL AS MANY MANY DOLLARS SPENT BY CONSUMERS TRYING TO REPLACE ALL OF THESE DEFECTED PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

THIS PAST WEEKEND WE HAD JUST DRIVEN OUR 2006 RAV4 WITH A V6 ENGINE OVER 150 INTERSTATE MILES AND PULLED OVER FOR A REST STOP. WE SMELLED OIL ON EXITING THE VEHICLE AND WHEN WE OPENED THE HOOD WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS OIL SPRAYING ON THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE OF THE ENGINE. ON CHECKING THE DIPSTICK WE FOUND THAT IT SHOWED NO OIL. NO WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE ENGINE HAD NOT MADE ANY UNUSUAL SOUNDS. SINCE WE WERE CLOSE TO OUR DESTINATION WE ADDED 3 QUARTS OF OIL AND MADE IT ANOTHER 30 MILES TO THE END OF OUR TRIP. UPON ARRIVAL I CHECKED THE DIPSTICK AND FOUND AGAIN THAT IT SHOWED NO OIL. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE IT TOWED FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT AN OIL LINE SUPPLYING THE VALVE HEAD HAD BROKEN AND THAT HE HAD THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, THE SERVICE MANAGER (THIS IS A SMALL DEALERSHIP) SAID THAT HE STOCKED PARTS IF HE HAD 3 OR MORE INCIDENTS IN 12 MONTHS THAT REQUIRED SUCH A PART. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE DID NOT HAVE MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE OR HAVE A FIRE AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY ACCOMMODATING. THE TOWING AND REPAIRS COST US $500. IN DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH, BOTH ON THIS SITE AND IN OTHER LOCATIONS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM OCCURRING IN ANY OF THEIR LINES (AVALON, CAMRY , RAV 4, ETC).WITH THE V6 ENGINES AND THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT IT AND THAT THEY HAVE MODIFIED THE OIL LINE FOR NEWER MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 73,400

ON TUESDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER, 2009, I CAME HOME AND PARKED MY CAR IN THE > GARAGE. WHEN I GOT OUT, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL. I INVESTIGATED > AND FOUND OIL RUNNING OUT FROM UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY WIFE'S RAV4. THE > OIL WAS CONTINUING TO FLOW AND HAD COVERED MOST OF THE GARAGE FLOOR (I HAVE > PICTURES). I OPENED THE HOOD OF THE RAV AND FOUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT > COVERED IN SMOKING OIL. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WAS ALSO DRIPPING OIL FROM VARIOUS > LOCATIONS, WITH NO APPARENT DAMAGE BEING VISIBLE. I EXAMINED THE DIPSTICK, > BUT NO OIL WAS INDICATED. WHEN I OPENED THE OIL FILL CAP, SMOKE CAME OUT > WITH A STRONG SMELL OF BURNT OIL BEING PRESENT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED > AMERICAN TOYOTA AND REQUESTED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THIS WAS SCHEDULED FOR > THE NEXT MORNING. NEXT I CALLED AAA AND ARRANGED TO HAVE A FLATBED TAKE THE > RAV TO AMERICAN. WHEN THE TOW SERVICE ARRIVED, WE PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF THE > GARAGE AND POSITIONED IT TO BE WINCHED ONTO THE FLATBED. OIL WAS DEPOSITED > ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. > > I DROVE MY CAR TO AMERICAN AND MET WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR FOR > AMERICAN. I EXPLAINED THAT THE RAV HAD DEVELOPED A SERIOUS LEAK AND THAT > THE CAR WAS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR RELATED THAT THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE OIL SUPPLY LINE (TO THE HEAD) FOR THE RAV AND CAMRY > USING THE 3.5L V-6 ENGINE. HE EXPLAINED THE FAILURE MODE FOR THE LINE AND > STATED THAT THE PART SHOULD BE IN STOCK. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA REGARDING THIS SITUATION. MY ON-LINE RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR SHOWS THAT THE RAV'S FAILURE MODE WAS WELL KNOWN TO TOYOTA. THE RAV'S MAINTENANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PERFORMED AT AMERICAN, BUT NO ONE WAS PROACTIVE AND REPLACED THE OIL LINE OR EVEN ADVISED US THAT IT MIGHT BE A SUBJECT FOR CONCERN. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE RAV OUT IN REMOTE PART OF NM OR IT HAD BURNED MY HOUSE DOWN? TOYOTA IS NOT COOPERATING BY PROVIDING FAILURE OR REPAIR INFORMATION. *TR

Mileage: 28,900

THE CAR WAS LIFTED UP TO REPLACE TIRES AND SOMEHOW THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS PUSHED UP AND GOT STUCK WITH THE EXIT INSIDE THE BUMPER LEADING TO A FIRE AND MELTING THE BUMPER. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE TIRES PLACE DIDN'T NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUSTED SYSTEM WAS STUCK UP.THE BUMPER WAS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

EMAIL TO TOYOTA I HAVE BEEN GENERALLY VERY HAPPY WITH MY 2006 RAV4 (6 CYL, 62K MILES) BUT THIS PAST THURSDAY I HAD A REAL SCARE. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A MEETING ABOUT 15 MILES AWAY VIA INTERSTATE. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR LEAVING THE MEETING, MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BLINKED ON THEN WENT OFF. ALTHOUGH IT WAS UNUSUAL, I DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT THINKING I WOULD CHECK MY OIL WHEN I GOT HOME. MIDWAY HOME, I BEGAN TO HEAR SOME STRANGE NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SINCE IT WAS FAIRLY HOT, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE FAN AND SHUT DOWN THE AC AND TURNED OFF THE RADIO TO LISTEN. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO MAKE STRANGE NOISES. AFTER STOPPING AT THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP NEAR HOME I ACCELERATED ONTO THE SIDE STREET AND THE NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD. I DROVE SLOWLY THE LAST 1/2 MILE HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME, I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS NO OIL READING ON THE DIPSTICK. NOTE THAT THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. I ADDED THE ONLY QUART OF OIL THAT I HAD AT HOME AND DROVE SLOWLY TO MY MECHANIC ABOUT A MILE AWAY. WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING, THEY SAID THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. A RUBBER HOSE THAT RAN FROM THE VALVE COVER TO THE OIL PUMP RESERVOIR HAD SPLIT AND PUMPED OUT ALL THE OIL. THEY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE HOSE HAD SOME METAL SHIELDING, THE HEAT HAD DETERIORATED THE RUBBER CAUSING THE SPLIT. THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLACE THE PART AND CLEAN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR $600. I JUST DROVE IT ABOUT 300 MILES TODAY AND AFTER A FEW MILES OF DRIVING, THE ENGINE RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL SOUND SO I AM HOPING THAT THERE WAS NO LONG TERM DAMAGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A 2000 MILE TRIP TO CANADA AND IF THAT HAD HAPPENED DURING AN EXTENDED ROAD TRIP, MY ENGINE WOULD BE TOAST. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH HE HAS THE SAME ENGINE IN HIS 2008 TOYOTA. THERE IS NOTHING I COULD FIND IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL TELLING ME THAT I HAD TO HAVE THIS HOSE CHECKED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VAPOR CANNISTER, WHICH WAS A PART OF THE EMISSION SYSTEM, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,300. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PATCH OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE CHECKED THE OIL AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY LOW. HE PLACED FIVE QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN 30 MINUTES, ALL FIVE QUARTS HAD LEAKED OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD JUST REPAIRED THIS ISSUE ON ANOTHER TOYOTA RAV4 AND THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A TSB FOR THE TOYOTA AVALON (SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 06405, NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10018855, COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SUMMARY: ENGINE OIL DRIP: BANK 1 VVTI OIL LINE). BOTH THE AVALON AND THE RAV4 HAVE THE SAME ENGINE. THE TSB STATED THAT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SMALL/SLOW OIL DRIP FROM THE BANK 1 VVTI OIL SUPPLY LINE ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCE REPAIRING VEHICLES AND STATED THAT THE OIL SUPPLY LINE ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BURST, WHICH CAUSED OIL TO SPLATTER ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE OIL WAS LOW IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD VALVE CHATTER COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. UPDATED 8/24/09 *CN A RUBBER HOSE IN THE OIL DELIVERY SYSTEM FAILED WHICH CAUSED DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. UPDATED 08/26/09. *JB

Mileage: 61,000

FAILURE OF OIL LINE ON 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 V6 CAUSES ENGNE TO LOOSE OIL AT RAPID RATE POTENTIALLY CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE OR FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

HUGE OIL LEAK! STARTED SMALL, NOTICED A LITTLE ON THE TURN AROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY - DIDN'T EVEN THINK IT WAS MY CAR SINCE THERE WAS NO OIL WHEN I PARKED. ABOUT ONE WEEK LATER CAME HOME AFTER A SHORT TRIP AND NOTICED THE CAR SMELLED HOT. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND THE OIL WAS JUST RUNNING OUT - THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WAS COVERED WITH SPLATTERED OIL AND IN ABOUT 15MINUTES - NO OIL LEFT! I HAVEN'T TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER YET - I'M AFRAID OF THE $$ AND WITH ALL OF THE DEALERSHIPS CLOSING, THE TOWING FEE ALONE WILL PROBABLY BE ONE I CAN'T AFFORD. I HAVE CHECK THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMMENTS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHERE IS THE RECALL???

Mileage: 47,000

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER, AND MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I STARTED THE ENGINE AND HEARD THE SAME LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL, AND SAW THAT IT WAS NON-EXISTENT. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT THE OIL LINE IS CONTINUING TO FAIL ON THE NEWER V-6 ENGINES. I WILL BE CALLING TOYOTA TOMORROW. THE CAR IS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 SPORT 4WD V-6. IT HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. TOYOTA PERFORMS REGULAR OIL CHANGES. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

ON FREEWAY, OTHER MOTORIST NOTIFIED ME MY CAR WAS "ON FIRE!" I SAW EXCESSIVE SMOKE IN REARVIEW MIRROR. I TOOK THE NEXT EXIT WHICH WAS DIXON, CA OFF INTERSTATE 80 WEST IN CALIFORNIA. THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY THERE IS GRASSY, DID NOT THINK IT WAS SAFE TO STOP...I STOPPED THE CAR AND SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE, COMING UP THROUGH THE HOOD & UNDER THE CAR. THIS WAS TUES, 2/3/09. I HAS THE CAR SERVICED THE FRI BEFORE, 1/30/09 AT TOYOTA VALLEJO IN VALLEJO, CA. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AFTER CALLING AAA FOR A TOW. THE SERVICE ADVISOR, RYAN SAID "IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN FROM ANYTHING THEY HAD DONE. BUT THERE IS AN 'OIL HOSE' THAT HAD BEEN COMING OFF ALOT OF THE RAV4'S." I WAS ALREADY UPSET & THAT MADE ME LIVID!! IF IT WERE A KNOWN PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE CHECKED DURING THE SCHEDULED MAINT. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO LITHIA TOYOTA OF VACAVILLE #47 AT 500 ORANGE DRIVE, VACAVILLE, CA. WORK ORDER 394212. AS OF YESTERDAY, 2/12/09, THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER, MEGAN, TOLD ME THERE WAS NO TSB SHE WAS AWARE OF, YET THE PART THAT CAME OFF (VVTI OIL PIPE) WAS NOT FOUND AT ANY OTHER DEALERSHIP OR SUPPLIER IN THE UNITED STATES, AND WAS ON ORDER FROM TOYOTA IN JAPAN. I AM FURIOUS THAT IT APPEARS TOYOTA WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS FAILED TO INITIATE ANY STEPS TO PREVENT RISK TO ITS CONSUMERS. I AM ASKING FOR A FULL INVESTIGATION WHICH HOPEFULLY WILL LEAD TO A RECALL OF THE 2006 RAV4'S AND ANY OTHER YEAR THIS AFFECTS. MEGAN, THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AT LITHIA TOYOTA CONFIRMED WITH MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER, JOSE LARA (GEICO 707-688-3318) THE COST IS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY....WHAT ABOUT THE COST OF MY LIFE, AND THE LIVES OF THE OTHER MOTORIST SURROUNDING ME??? THE RISK OF FIRE IS NEVER TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER TO AVOID ANY COST OF LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 59,177

TOYOTA, 2006 RAV4 ... LOOSE STEERING ARMS. CAUSING CLUNKING NOISES WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEED. DON'T KNOW IF THIS GETS BAD ENOUGH TO FALL APART WHILE DRIVING? TOYOTA HAS A TSB OUT ON THIS. MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS TOPIC ONLINE. TOYOTA WANTS $800. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THESE CARS. ALSO VEHICLE HAS A 2 TO 3 SECOND HESITATION IF TRYING TO ACCELERATE DURING A LANE CHANGE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY CAR DOES THIS ALSO .. AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINS WITH THIS ISSUE ON LINE. SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. TOYOTA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

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. *JB

Mileage: 5,000

ENGINE HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION FROM STANDING START, CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION. *JB

THE VEHICLE HAS FREQUENT PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION - ESPECIALLY FROM STANDING STILL. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS WHEN TRYING TO ENTER TRAFFIC FROM MY DRIVEWAY, OR FROM OTHER PLACES. I WILL STEP ON THE GAS, BEGIN MOVING, THEN THE ENGINE WILL BOG DOWN AND I WILL HAVE NO ACCELERATION AT ALL. HAVING CHILDREN, I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BASED IN LARGE PART TO ITS SAFETY FEATURES. THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, PRACTICALLY NEGATES ALL OF THAT. IF I STEP ON THE GAS I SHOULD EXPECT RELIABLE ACCELERATION SO I CAN SAFELY MERGE WITH TRAFFIC. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO MY DEALER, AND THEIR EXPLANATION HAS BEEN THAT THIS IS AN INTENTIONAL THING, TO BE SURE THE LUBRICANT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN IS OF SUFFICIENT TEMPERATURE BEFORE ALLOWING HARD ACCELERATION, THUS REDUCING WEAR ON COMPONENTS. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME, EVEN AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE - I DO NOT ACCEPT THIS REASON, NOR DO I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE WAY TO DEAL WITH COMPONENT WEAR. I SHOULD HAVE ACCELERATION AT ALL TIMES. IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO DRIVE INTELLIGENTLY AND NOT GUN THE ENGINE WHEN IT IS COLD, POSSIBLY DAMAGING THE ENGINE. BUT IT IS TOYOTA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE ME WITH A VEHICLE THAT WILL RESPOND TO MY DEMANDS AT ANY TIME. MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY'S DEPENDS ON THIS. *NM

Mileage: 1,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV4 4WD, BLACK GAS FUME HOSE DISLODGED FROM UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND THEN FELL OUT IN DRIVEWAY AS RESULT OF DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLE ON HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAINS COMING HOME FROM WORK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THE FOLLOWING DAY, SERVICE TECH SAID THAT FUME CANISTER BREATHER ASSEMBLY ATTACHED TO FUME HOSE WAS MISSING AND PROBABLY FELL OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLE. SERVICE TECH REPLACED PARTS A COUPLE DAYS LATER AFTER ORDERING IT. SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT PART WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS DUE TO DAMAGE AND NOT DEFECT - COST TO OWNER $132 PARTS $50 LABOR. WENT OUT OF TOWN FOR 5 DAYS & DID NOT DRIVE VEHICLE. ON 8/9/06 AFTER HAVING DRIVEN ABOUT 30 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INCLUDING THE VSC AND 4WD INDICATOR LIGHTS, NO PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION NOTICED. ON 8/12/06 BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO DEALER AGAIN TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SERVICE TECH STATES THAT CHARCOAL CANISTER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VALVE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE ADDED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT WOULD BE POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT. PART IS ON ORDER AND WILL ARRIVE NEXT WEEK. *NM

Mileage: 8,226

2006 RAV4 SPORTS V6 269 HP PLASTIC FUME CANISTER LOCATED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE ON DRIVERS SIDE IS EASILY DAMAGED. THE PLASTIC CANISTER IS EXPOSED TO ROAD DEBRIS INCLUDING RAIN PUDDLES THAT WILL DISPLACE AND KNOCK THE CANISTER OFF THE VEHICLE. THE RESULTING DAMAGE INCLUDES UNPLUGGED AND EXPOSED GAS FUME HOSES AND EMISSION CONTROL HOSES THAT CREATE A FIRE AND EXPLOSIVE HAZARD. THE PART IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE FROM TOYOTA AND DRIVERS MAY BE TEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH OUT THE PROPER REPAIRS. CONTINUED OPERATIONS WITHOUT THE CANISTER MAY ALSO RESULT IN FURTHER ENGINE DAMAGE AND RELEASE OF POLLUTANTS INTO THE AIR. *JB

ANOTHER DRIVER WAS DOING ABOUT 60 WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN THE POURING RAIN AND HIT A LOW SPOT ON THE FREEWAY THAT HAD ABOUT 3" OF WATER IN IT. HE DIDN'T SEE IT SOON ENOUGH TO AVOID IT SO HE JUST HUNG ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND PRAYED. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN QUITE A BIT BUT KEPT GOING STRAIGHT SPRAYING WATER EVERYWHERE. THE NOISE FROM THE WATER HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WAS DEAFENING. THE NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT AND 4X4 LIGHT, CAME ON. HE STOPPED BY THE DEALER ON HIS WAY HOME TO HAVE IT CHECKED. HE WAS IN THE WAITING ROOM A FEW MINUTES WHEN THE SERVICE MGR. CAME AND GOT HIM SAYING HE WANTED TO SHOW HIM SOMETHING. THEY WENT OUT SIDE AND HE POINTED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE TWO HOSES HANGING FROM THE CAR BELOW THE DRIVERS SEAT. IT SEEMS THERE WAS A PLASTIC CANISTER BEHIND THE CHARCOAL FILTER THAT RECIRCS TANK FUMES BACK TO THE ENGINE. IT GOT RIPPED OFF WHEN HE HIT THAT PUDDLE. HE EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND HE TOLD HIM THAT WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER THE DAMAGE (~$150.00). HE TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD NEVER LOST CAR PARTS BY DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE IN ALL HIS YEARS OF DRIVING. HE WAS UNSYMPATHETIC TO SAY THE LEAST. THE WORST PART ABOUT THIS IS THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER FROM TOYOTA AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY'LL HAVE THEM. UNTIL THEN, THE LIGHTS WERE ON ON THE DASH. *NM