Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2016 Superseding Recall (Campaign 16V596000): Toyota issued a follow-up recall because some initial epoxy repairs were not enough. Dealers must replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts completely free of charge. These parts are severely rusted and corroded on my 2006 Toyota Rav4. It seems like my vehicle was not included in the recall when it should have been. I am not the original owner, but it seems like the issue was never addressed. The damage was discovered during routine maintenance. I purchased the vehicle on 8/1/2024. The damage must have existed before then based on the amount of damage. Is it possible for Toyota to still extend the recall to this vehicle?
Rear subframe rusted out. I took it in because my car started sounding like the Titanic after it hit an iceberg. The mechanic described it as "a giant hole in the bottom of the car." I read there were recalls on frames for other Toyotas, but we kept up with every recall on this vehicle and the subframe was never listed as an issue. I get a regular multipoint inspection at the Toyota dealership about every six months, and no one caught this. I was told it is not safe to drive, and will snap at any time. I am lucky I did not crash.
How do I get my name removed from any communications regarding the above vehicle. It was totaled in June, 2010. I have tried communicating this to Toyota and still receive recall notices. I am not associated with this car...notification of it being totaled was filed with the washington state department of licensing in June, 2010. This vehicle was rear ended and totaled regards, [redacted] @hotmail.com '
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the rear and front axles were rusted out and rust covered the bottom of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to curry water town Toyota (832 straits turnpike, watertown, ct 06795, [phone]), but the mechanics refused to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 180,000. . Consumer stated the Toyota dealer in watertown, ct (curry) refused to do a safety recall on the rear lower suspension arm due to axle rust. This rust was never brought to my attention previously.
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.
Incident no injuries so far I own a 2006 Toyota RAV4 purchased in Mexico serial# tmzd31v865021536 there are two incidents reported with dealer in Mexico but no response at all: 1. The passanger seat excesively vibrates and wobbles when nobody is seated, I do not know if that poses a risk; I have had three previuosly new vehicles and never I have seen a seen vibrate and make noise and rattles by itself when you are on the road and noone is seated. 2. Water leak from the heba or aircondition unit, I have at least 4 instances in which water leaks fom the ip or dash, the water posses a risk of electrica short or major mailfunction, is comming from inside the dashboard in the passanger side ! Please help, dealer do nothing, I don't know if this posses a risk my guess is yes. I'm reporting here because in Mexico there is not an entity as this one and this vehicle is also sold over the USA. …
My 2006 rav 4 has had a series of front end problems dating from jan 2007 to April 2009. It had been in the shop 9 times (warranty work) with numerous parts being replaced before Toyota had their southern california rep come and look at it. They ended up replacing just about all of the front end component parts except the steering. That was the 10th time the car was in. Now after 21 months the sound is back and I can even feel vibration knock in the steering. This car was purchased new in July 2006. Mileage at the first sign of trouble was 4847. Mileage in April 2009 was 26737. Current mileage is 41800. I don't feel safe driving this car with the feeling that something is going to break while I'm making a sharp turn.
We bought our 2006 Toyota RAV4 in February 2006 and it began leaking water in the front passenger floor area this past fall with the first rains. I did some research and have learned that Toyota issued a technical service bulletin (bo021-06 revised) November 1, 2006 specifically dealing with the water leakage problem, they title; cowl panel water leak. However, Toyota never contacted us and we are beyond the 36,000 mile or 3 year warranty period so they will do nothing to mitigate this design flaw. Since they didn't contact us when they learned of this problem, when we couldn't have it repaired under warranty, it appears Toyota only wants to make money on repairs for their known design flaw.
Since day one there was a knocking/popping sound coming from the steering column when turning the wheel at park and low speeds. I had taken the vehicle in to the dealer at least 3 times and finally, and ironically, the dealer acknowledged the noise. Previous trips yielded the ever present "could not duplicate". However steering adjustments via an alignment was attempted. Could not duplicate but tried something anyway? The ironic part about when the dealer acknowledged the noise is that the vehicle was 4000 miles past warranty. Funny how such an obvious thing can go unnoticed until warranty expires.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota RAV4. While parked the contact noticed the front passenger side floor board was extremely soaked with water. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic. The technicians stated the plastic cowl cover and seal plate on the passengers side would have to be replaced. The failure recurred after the repairs and the floorboard became molded in addition to condensation building on the windows from the moisture in the vehicle. The water began to freeze due to the cold temperatures. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 9,825.
Body complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2006 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the body & structure of the 2006 Toyota RAV4, 3% of the model year's 705 complaints. The component named most often is body (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota RAV4 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2006 Toyota RAV4, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota RAV4 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.