2006 Toyota RAV4: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Mar 16, 2014 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · IN

Loud grinding sound at approx 40mph, easily replicated and sounds as if something is stuck underneath car. Dealer refuses to acknowledge faulty parts or cover any repairs.

Filed Feb 26, 2014 · Suspension · TX

I received notification of the recall and took my vehicle to the dealer in october 2013. The dealer determined my car needed the recall part fixed. I was notified that due to availability of parts the recall could not be done until mid-february 2014. I called the dealer and toyota on 2/10/14 who both tell me it would be "mid-february." it was mid-february but they didn't know when the parts would be received. I called today, 2/26/14, and now being told that it would be between "mid-february and mid-march" but they don't know when the dealer would receive the parts to fix it. In the meantime, the car continues to make the grinding sound. Toyota continues to give the run around on this repair. This is not acceptable when I took the car to the dealer in october!

Filed Oct 17, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · MD

While driving from maryland to maine for a vacation, I noticed my transmission was slipping and grinding gears frequently in the range of 20-35 MPH. I noticed it happening more frequently during slowdown for making a turn and then acceleration to resume driving. I did not have any accidents, but this has been happening more frequently. I had previously reported the problem, when it happened less frequently, to my dealership (darcars of frederick) and they told me that 1)they could not duplicate the sound during their test run and 2) if such a thing had happened, my ecu would have made a note of it and recorded it. Since there was no record of it happening, it was nothing. However, upon reading several complaints about the rav4 02-03 models, regarding transmission problems, I find that their issues of hanging before slipping into gear, grinding gear and not finding the gear at all are the same ones I have been experiencing in my '06 rav4. Could it be that my ecu is bad? Yes, but my dealer won't acknowledge that possibility. They check my floor mats, but not the ecu for faulty issues. This is my primary vehicle and I transport my daughter in it all of the time. I am worried one day I am going to be driving and get into a serious accident because of this issue. I have all of my maintenance records and recently had the transmission flushed and filled completely. I used oem fluid and am on schedule with all of my maintenance.

Filed Jan 17, 2012 · Steering · 28,000 miles · NJ

There's a weird clicking/grinding noise coming from my steering when turning. I was making a u-turn (not even 5mph) when I first heard it and has heard it almost everyday since. Its terrifying while driving to think that my steering can fail. My mechanic will let me know if it can be fixed and how much it will cost. I have to say... I'm considering trading that sucker in.

Filed Oct 2, 2011 · Steering · 51,000 miles · PA

Clinking and grinding coming from the steering wheel. The dealership informed us it was the steering shaft is worn and would cost between $800- $1000 to repair. This is not covered since the warranty has expired. The dealership reported it's a common problem. I feel this is a safety issue and needs to be looked at.

Filed Jun 23, 2011 · Steering · MI

I own a 2006 toyota rav 4 with steering shaft issues. The shaft makes grinding/knocking noises when turning the vehicle. The dealership notified me of this issue and stated that I should replace the shaft. I argued that toyota should cover the costs, but they would not concur. I started researching the issue online and discovered a technical service bulletin (tsb) for this exact issue. They have even already developed a new intermediate shaft to correct the issue. It is clear that they recognize this as a design/engineering issue. Furthermore, this defect could eventually lead to the vehicle not being able to steer, which is a safety issue. This in my opinion, merits a recall.

Filed Aug 17, 2010 · Steering · 27,334 miles · OH

My 2006 toyota rav-4 with 27,000 miles developed a clunking, grinding noise when turning the steering wheel. It was so severe that I even checked the wheels to make sure that they were not loose. I took the car to my dealer, tansky toyota, 6300 sawmill rd., dublin, oh 43017, on july 13, 2010 for servicing. They discovered a broken intermediate shaft [part #45221-42071] on the steering column which they replaced at a cost of $439.50. While my car had only 27,334 miles, I took delivery on 8/25/06 so it was out of warranty. Together with wheel alignment, the total cost to me was $523.00. The service staff acted as if they had not heard of such a failure, but after checking the federal safety agency website, I found a number of reports of similar problems for 2006 rav-4's. I also discovered that toyota issued a service bulletin to its dealers in 2008 to make them aware of the problem and how to repair it. To date, toyota has not issued a recall for this safety problem. Since the failure was due to either a manufacturing defect or poor engineering, I asked for my dealer to cover my expenses for the repair, but after a month with multiple meetings with their service manager, the dealer has not reimbursed me. While I did not have an accident, I considered steering column failure to be a serious safety issue; one requiring a recall to protect owners of this vehicle.

Filed May 10, 2010 · Steering · 12,000 miles · NJ

My 06 rav experienced a cracking/grinding noise when turning to the far left or right at low speed. I was terrified!!! I contacted toyota and at the time my car had just came out of warranty 15days earlier but I didn't let that stop me. After some back and forth with the dealer and the regional manager my steering was fixed. There was a tsa report put out about this problem but no actual recall which I think there should be but I sent out blast emails and text to my friends etc to let people know. I've noticed that they're more women driving ravs than men and the thought of a mother and child in an accident over something that cost $600 per vehicle to fix is upsetting. People turn down the music and listen to your cars!!!

Filed Apr 14, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 7,000 miles · VA

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. However, when I release my foot off the gas pedal the car does not slow down spontaneously. The gas pedal takes an unusually long time to go to the idle position. Hence, I have to use the brakes much more frequently which wears them out very fast. This is a safety issue and needs to be addressed and fixed. I am going to the dealer tomorrow.

Filed Mar 11, 2010 · Brakes · 36,184 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH. When the brake pedal was engaged there was a grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on several separate occasions for the identical failure. The noise was coming from the front driver side brake pads. The dealer stated that the brakes were functioning normally. There were no resolutions. In addition, the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who stated that the floaters within the calipers failed and the brake pads were severely worn. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 36,184. The current mileage was 117,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2009 · Steering · SC

2006 toyota rav4 has a grinding/binding noise when turning the steering wheel. Consumer feel that this is perhaps a defect. *nj the dealer determined the intermediate shafts were faulty.

Filed Jun 26, 2007 · Brakes · 11,500 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the brakes had to be replaced at 11,500 miles because the rotors were failing. The dealer replaced the rotors and brake pads. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle began squealing and grinding very badly 4,400 miles later. When she took the vehicle back to the dealer, they stated that the noise originated from the rear brakes, in between the vacuum and the rotors. The contact feels that the system was poorly designed. The possible mileage is 16,700 and failure mileage was 11,500. The consumer provided repair invoices. Updated 08/27/07