Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 122,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 199,694.
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. …
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.
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.
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.
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.
For some time there has been an intermittent problem with the dashboard lights coming on and loss of power steering. The car has been checked by mechanics, including one at a Toyota dealership, but the problem was not found. I have experienced the problem with the car stationary, but I believe my son said it has happened to him while in motion.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I.
Electrical complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the model year's 705 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota RAV4 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.