2006 Toyota RAV4: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 28, 2011 · Acceleration · 40,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the driver owns a 2006 toyota rav4. After driving approximately 45 MPH the driver came to a stop. Once the vehicle was stopped the engine began to rev very loudly and the driver had to apply heavy pressure to the brake pedal to keep the vehicle stopped. Numerous lights began illuminating on the dashboard. The contact was not the driver, so the specific light names were unavailable. Once the engine stopped revving the vehicle hesitated when the driver attempted to accelerate. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The failure and current mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jan 28, 2011 · Electrical · 66,000 miles · GA

Multiple cylinder misfire causing hesitation and lack of power. This problem can lead to safety issues since the car looses power intermittently. Mechanic says error code indicates all six ignition coils need to be replaced. The plugs are to be changed at 120k miles. The coils only lasted 66k ? Common issue see http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24070 went to auto part store and confirmed diagnostics: 6 plugs misfiring due to bad coils. Believe this issue is a problem that need to be explored for safety of all drivers

Filed Oct 2, 2010 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 51,500 miles · DE

When trying accelerate my toyota 2006 rav 4, at any speed car will hesitate for second and suddenly accelerate to much faster speed that is intended. I have checked, ignition system, found nothing, my personal experience. In heavy rain fall have water inside the car at front passenger side coming from air blower area. Dealer says they don't know anything about both issues. These issues are not a onetime issue and happens all time.

Filed Jan 22, 2009 · Engine, Steering · 40,000 miles · CA

Toyota, 2006 rav4 ... Loose steering arms. Causing clunking noises while turning at low speed. Don't know if this gets bad enough to fall apart while driving? Toyota has a tsb out on this. Many many complaints on this topic online. Toyota wants $800. To fix this problem. I think they should do a recall on these cars. Also vehicle has a 2 to 3 second hesitation if trying to accelerate during a lane change or something similar. This is a safety issue. My car does this also .. And numerous complains with this issue on line. Should be a recall for this. Toyota won't acknowledge there is a problem with this.

Filed Feb 17, 2008 · Suspension, Transmission · 10,846 miles · CA

Two separate problems: 1) left rear suspension, reported to two dealers starting 8/11/07 followed by three other complaints, diagnosed as worn bushing. Parts on order; problem getting worse. Notified dealer through factory rep; dealer has not indicated that driving vehicle is a safety issue. 2) hesitation downshifting when depressing gas pedal. First reported to two dealers on 9/8/07 followed by two other complaints. Informed it was/is a software problem corrected at the factory, yet problem persists.

Filed Oct 21, 2007 · Transmission · PA

Purchased rav in 1/2006 and have had many acceleration issues with this car. From a slow/start or stop/start, I have experienced the car hesitate on acceleration. This occurrence is all the time, creating a very unsafe situation. Have complained to the dealer several times about this issue and was told that it was a safety mechanism to prevent "hard" shifting in the transmission. This situation still occurs several times daily. *tr information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 17, 2007 · Acceleration, Transmission · 16,000 miles · NY

Our 2006 toyota rav4 has had issues on several occasions of either hesitating when the gas pedal is pressed or lunging forward when trying to slow down for traffic or a stop light. We have made several complaints to our dealer, but they keep saying nothing is wrong. We feel this car is unsafe/ reliable at this point.

Filed Jun 17, 2007 · Acceleration · 500 miles · OH

Hesitates to accelerate. It would not go over 20 MPH for over 2 miles. I live right off a major highway, and when I try to pull on highway, car does not want to go. I had it to the dealer about 4 times, but they could not get it to go. Once they claimed it was the floor mat jamming under the gas pedal. They kept it for a week and found nothing. Also, they looked on a website and found no other complaints. I am very unhappy. Not sure what to do.

Filed May 20, 2007 · Acceleration · MA

I own a 2006 toyota rav4 4cyl, 4wd. I currently have just under 15k miles and I've had an issue with the car hesitating (or the throttle lagging). At times, usually one a week or so, if I push on the gas pedal when I need to speed up, it's as if nothing happens. I have to let the pedal go and push it again to speed up. It usually happens if I'm trying to merge into faster traffic, or at times when I'm taking a slow turn and then go to speed up afterwards.

Filed Dec 28, 2006 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

Engine hesitates upon acceleration from standing start, creating an unsafe situation.

Filed Oct 27, 2006 · Acceleration · 600 miles · TN

I purchased a 2006 toyota rav4 limited 4 cyl in january/february of 2006. I noticed a problem in acceleration/hesitation after driving the vehicle for about a week. I have experienced acceleration problems on a daily basis. Steady pressure on the accelerator yields no response, or a stutter as though the car is about to stall. When this occurs, the only way to get the car moving is to push the pedal all the way to the floor, at which point the engine races and the car speeds up. This hesitation happens throughout the day. The first time this occurred I was pulling onto a major highway from a side street and was nearly rear-ended because the car simply would not go (until I slammed the pedal to the floor). This is very unsafe for everyday driving. I reported the problem to the toyota dealer who stated that this problem was 'normal' for toyotas and something I needed to get used to. They did checkout the car and said no error codes were generated and they were unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Sep 16, 2006 · Transmission · 800 miles · VA

On several occasions there is a severe hesitation when pressing on the accelerator. This is most notable when accelerating from a stop or a near stop. I thought it was just the A/C being on or in my head, but I have ruled out the A/C, and sometimes it will work wonderfully one night and the next morning, the throttle response is very sluggish. Sometimes seems to bog down if you give it more gas and then you have to ease way back on the accelerator pedal once it gets going.