The Lemon Index2006 Toyota RAV4.
The 2006 Toyota RAV4 is worse than average by owner complaints: 153 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 145, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 21 to 24 mpg combined. The best Toyota RAV4 year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 705 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota RAV4 year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 90K miles on the car (539 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 28K–60K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 69K–126K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 6K–56K miles
Recalls 11
- suspension 2016
The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing.
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- seat belts 2016
In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
Show all 11 recalls
- visibility 2015
During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
- airbags 2014
In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC).
- suspension 2013
If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust leading to thread damage and eventual failure.
- suspension 2012
If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure.
- speed control 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES.
- equipment 2010
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." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
- equipment 2010
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 VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- equipment 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 308 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering intermediate shaft noise - when turning the steering wheel left or right
- Multiple warning lights illuminated, vehicle not shifting from park to drive, and other…
- Steering intermediate shaft noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedRear suspension arm assembly failure2012
- ClosedUnintended and uncontrolled acceleration2010–2011
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Hesitation problem - '06 RAV4 i4 sport Model when trying to overtake, when pressing the pedal harder, engine didn't respond right away.
2006 Toyota RAV4 owner · NHTSA complaint 10162201
More owner reports
Clunking noise in steering when turning left or right. Was occasional at first now is consistent. Brought in when under warranty when noise was inconsistent now that noise is consistent and warranty is up they won't pay for it.
NHTSA complaint 10238742
I've had the knock/pop when turn on low speed dealer said needs replace steering shaft.
NHTSA complaint 10284399
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 145; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota RAV4 year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2006 Toyota RAV4 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (27%), speed control (20%) and transmission & drivetrain (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota RAV4 have?
11 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Toyota RAV4 get?
21 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota RAV4 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 90,000 miles. The middle report was at 55,000 miles, from 539 complaints.
Does the 2006 Toyota RAV4 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Toyota RAV4 cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Toyota RAV4 have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota RAV4 year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2022 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works