Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Driving down road at 20-25 MPH. Suddenly the right front wheel locked up (brake pedal was* being pressed) and began the ABS shudder as if vehicle was braking on ice. Vehicle pulled hard to the right; this occurred several times over the next few minutes. After car warmed up it didn't happen again, but recurred the next morning after starting out. Searched internet and found other Toyota drivers had experienced the same problem and 'resolved' it by removing fuses for ABS braking system, rendering it inoperative. Car brakes normally now with no issues, but ABS, brakes, vsc and other dash lights are on because ABS system is disabled.
When brakes are applied engine attempts to maintain speed, making it difficult to stop. After car has stopped, stepping on the gas pedal again May only allow car to move forward very slowly. This started happening within the last month and has occurred four times so far. It happens with the car in motion and either turning or going straight. So far all incidents were while driving on city streets. All safety recalls are up to date. Dealer says applying brake pressure disengages the accelerator, but this is not happening. The gas pedal moves freely and there is no interference from the floor mat. The car is at the dealer now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota rav-4. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the brakes were applied and the vehicle abnormally accelerated and crashed into objects in a residential garage. There were no injuries and the police were not called. The contact stated that the failure recurred three additional times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. The VIN was not available.
Having an issue with my rear right wheel speed sensor - so therefor if I don't cough up the $1200 that Toyota is asking, I won't have the safety features of ABS or traction control on my car. I was driving on the highway when the ABS, brake and traction control warning lights came on... They've been on for a week.. Car is sitting at Toyota now while I decide what to do
I bought my brand new Toyota rav 4 in August 2006. I use it very lightly mostly to commute to work which is about 10 miles. About 9 month later, I heard a squeaking noise when I hit the brakes. When I took my car to the dealer. I was told the front brakes need to be changed. I argued that the brakes have to be defective since with my previous car I changed the brakes once in 16 years. The dealer argued that I have to be an aggressive driver that why I wore the brakes so fast and that it is not covered by warranty. This problem was repeated twice after that. This means that in less than 4 years. I changed the front brake pads twice and the rear brake pads once. I found this extremely unusual. So far I have spent almost $1000 to repeatedly change brake pads and rotors. Recently I believe I found the problem. When I press the gas pedal the car speeds very easily and very fast. …
I had ABS, vsc all the traction light came on my car around 6 months ago. I took it into the dealer and got the car fixed the culprit was the bad ABS sensor. Now on new years night while driving home all the lights came on and I lost my traction ABS suddenly. After parking the car for few hrs or so seems to cure it, but it kicked in while driving again and lost ABS, traction etc. It is very unsafe and I am taking my car to the dealer for second time, first thing in the morning. Now do I have to do that for all 4 sensors? Wait till they die out one by one and go all year around ? What happens if my ABS and traction stops working while I am on highway while its heavy snowing? I after quick research online there seems like the ABS sensor problem is quite common among all the RAV4 in similar body style. If Toyota knows about it why are they not doing something ? …
My nearly new (3000 mi.) 2006 Toyota RAV4 experienced a sudden total brake failure with all four wheels locking up solidly. An expert from california had to be called in to analyze the problem, since the local dealership had never seen aproblem like this. The probatible cause of this failure was mentioned to me my making a panic activation of the brake pedal which demaged a brake switch located above the brake pedal. The switch,its support bracket, all brake rotors and brake pads had to be replaced and were shipped to the home office.the repair took three weeks. My SUV was returned to me with the brake switch that was supposed to have caused the complete brake failure in the same location as it was before. …
Tl* - the contact stated the he owns a 2006 Toyota RAV4. While driving his vehicle at 5 MPH and he was tried to come to a stop when the vehicle accelerated. The contact stated that this happened 3 times before he took the vehicle to dealership. The dealership did run a computer diagnostic and found no errors. The contact stated that the vehicle ran fine for a while and on 12/29/06 while driving the vehicle tried to make a turn and to stop when the vehicle accelerated again. He stated that this has happened 4 times that day. The contact stated that the second time the vehicle would not come to a stop and ran into stairs which damaged the guard that protects the bumper. The contact called Toyota's regional office in chicago. The contact met an investigator at a dealership to run more diagnostic testing. …
At first, when the brake pedal was depressed, a hissing sound appeared to come from inside the vehicle. The vehicle still braked normally, requiring the usual distance to stop. However, after some time, the "brake" light came on, and braking feel completed changed, requiring the pedal to completely be depressed just to slow the vehicle down to a stop. The brake fluid level in the master cylinder was at the proper (maximum) level and no leaks appeared around the brake calipers / pistons and ground. It seemed several owners of this generation of RAV4 (3rd generation) had exhibited similar symptoms pointing to a "brake booster" failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent, reliable shop and the "brake booster" was verified to be the problem.
I wish to report an ongoing problem with the ABS braking system on my 2006 rav. It seems similar to that described for the new prius models. When braking on slippery or bumpy surfaces, usually at final braking at a stop sign, the system seems to take over and I have no braking control. (it is as if a pre-set braking program goes into effect.) it happens most often at low speeds, just as I brake for the stop -- and should have stopped easily. I have had many, many incidents where this has caused me to slide through a stop sign into an intersection. This has been a recurrent problem this winter, and is a serious concern for driving in minnesota winters.
Brake complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Toyota RAV4, 5% of the model year's 705 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota RAV4 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes 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.