2006 Toyota RAV4 Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Rear
  2
• Front
  2

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  25%
• 25k–50k
  410%
• 50k–75k
  717%
• 75k–100k
  717%
• 100k–150k
  1639%
• 150k+
  512%

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?

My 2006 Toyota RAV4 was supposedly repaired under the rear suspension arm recall (C0J / G0V), but the rear tie rod ends still have yellow stickers reading "this is a recalled part" and no epoxy on the bolts. A Toyota dealer refused to inspect the vehicle and relied solely on the VIN record. The car now rides roughly, and I believe additional suspension components have been damaged due to the unresolved recall. I am concerned for my safety and request NHTSA investigation.

The vehicle is owned and operated in Costa Rica. I submitted the vehicle for the 4 incomplete recall items associated with its VIN. I was told by Grupo Purdy Toyota of Costa Rica that Manufacturer Recall Number G0V NHTSA Recall Number16V596 does not apply in Costa Rica and they declined to complete the recall remedy. Is this correct or should they be completing the recall remedy?

I was driving home from a business trip on an interstate highway, travelling about 70 MPH. Over a short period of time the car became more difficult to control. Even the smallest bump would cause the rear of the vehicle to feel as if I was losing traction and "fish-tailing." I was able to get home safety by reducing my speed to about 50 MPH. When I took it to my local Toyota dealership service department I was told that the rear right lower suspension arm needed to be replaced and that it was unsafe to drive. My vehicle had been included in two previous recalls for the identical dangerous condition. There is presently a third recall (safety recall gov) for the same problem again and includes some vehicles that have been previously repaired under the two earlier recalls. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota RAV4. While driving, the rear of the vehicle wobbled and a clinking noise was heard. The contact took the vehicle to team Toyota of princeton, new jersey (2871 us hwy 1, lawrenceville, nj 08648; [phone] or [phone]) around 8/15/2016 to have the rear lower suspension arms replaced per NHTSA campaign number: 16V596000 (suspension). Approximately one year later, the failure recurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear lower suspension arms failed and were causing uneven wear of the rear tires. The dealer stated that the rear lower suspension arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened case number: 1709020227. The manufacturer was in the process of determining who would be responsible for the repair. The VIN was unknown. …

Toyota sent me a recall notice (NHTSA recall # 16v-596) in early October 2016 saying I needed to bring my RAV4 in to inspect and repair the rear lower suspension arm do to possible equipment failure "resulting in loss of control and increased risk of a crash". I called to make an appointment and they said the parts were not in yet. I have called back every month for the past 8 months and they say the parts are on back order with no eta. This seems excessive and ridiculous. If this is truly a safety issue, why doesn't Toyota make new parts or send out a letter saying this was no big deal and there is not a real safety concern. Driving around for 8 months worrying about a suspension failure and possible accident is causing my ptsd to flair up. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that both rear wheels were wearing out the tires due to NHTSA campaign number: 16V596000 (suspension) regarding the rear suspension arm. The vehicle was taken to naguabo auto sales (272 naguabo pr 00718), but an alignment could not be completed due to the seal on the rear suspension. The dealer was supposed to replace both suspension arms, but they were sealed instead. The contact also stated that the tires would slide while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was determined that an alignment could not be completed due to the seal on the rear suspension. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 182,999. The VIN was invalid.

On August 11, 2016, Toyota announced a recall for rear suspension NHTSA 16V596 to again replace rear suspension arms and then epoxy them to prevent corrosion. This denies the owner to align the rear wheels in the future. Toyota and other manufacturers have been building cars for years that have not required epoxying of parts to prevent corrosion so what is the problem here. Has Toyota used inferior materials? Isn't there some way for Toyota to make the repair and still allow for proper alignment even if it costs a small amount more? Improper alignment will result in increased tire wear and decreased fuel economy and possibly decreased contro while driving. My car now has 91,500 mile on it and I intend to keep it for many years. Why should I be denied the ability to properly maintain the car?

Frame has severe corrosion rotted through. This problem must have been progressing for some time, but the indicator of a rattling was most evident recently. I began hearing a clanging sound under the rear of the drivers side when I went over small bumps in the road, such as a manhole or small pothole. It got progressively worse in a matter of days, occurring over small cracks in the road so I brought it to my local mechanic. He has deemed it unsafe to drive with sever rotting through of the frame. My research online indicates this is similar to brian warner et al. V. Toyota motor sales, U.S.A., inc., class action settlement on the tacoma, tundra and sequoia and recent investigation into the 4runner by national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota RAV4. While driving various speeds, a bumping noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle and the vehicle would not drive in a straight line. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that the rear suspension experienced severe rusting and corrosion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to arlington Toyota (2095 n. Rend rd, palatine, il) where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced in 2013 per NHTSA campaign number: 13V383000 (suspension) to prevent the failure from occurring. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 104,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Suspension complaints in other RAV4 years