2006 Toyota RAV4 Toyota RAV4 2006

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2006 Toyota RAV4 repairs by problem area

Engine (39%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (21%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (5%)

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Chart based on 316 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2006 Toyota RAV4.

2006 Toyota RAV4 suspension repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (13%)

$100 - $499 (30%)

< $100 (48%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 61 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2006 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

269-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD

104000 mi

US $150
Hub assembly. Not that hard to change. Fixed noise while driving. 
31000 mi Clunking in the power steering when turning at slow speeds. 
75000 mi

US $550
Steering shaft was making noise Replaced under extened warranty 
150000 mi

US $4000
Struts and caps and tie rod ends needed replacing 

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2006 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

269-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic AWD

46500 mi

C $50
Sound in the front left shock absorber 
53000 mi

US $1000
Power steering light had illuminated with attendant loss of power assist. Power steering ECU was faulty and replaced by dealer. They provided the part free under a "goodwill warranty" while I paid for labor. 
59000 mi Steering intermediate half-shaft TSB. 
68000 mi

US $700
Left front strut found leaking. Replaced both front struts and rear shocks. 
24800 mi Steering shudder fix. 
61500 mi 2006 Rav4's are prone to a "clunk" in their steering at low speed. Toyota has a Tech Bulletin on this--a poorly designed intermediate steering rod. They won't repair unless under warranty. They say not a safety issue, so I left it. 
110800 mi

US $335
Broken. Possibly caused by recall repair done. Dealer performed recall and reported broken part. Brought to my usual mechanic, and due to rust/rot the part could have broken by recall repair. 
122000 mi Steering clunk. 
55800 mi

C $125
rear sway bar link broke. replace left and right link. 
64060 mi

C $200
change front shocks 
40500 mi intermediate steering link, hose and clamp 
52000 mi front struts 
21900 mi TSB to replace steering shaft 
99000 mi

US $400
Struts, Sway bars, Ball Joints, Outer tie rods 
101000 mi

US $100
Intermediate steering shaft 
50840 mi The rear suspension began to 'thunk' when pulling away in drive from having backed up down a small incline. Dealer tested and could not replicate - it still happens to this day (about once a week) 2 years later. 
71700 mi

C $300
suspension bolt broke . replaced 
98000 mi

US $200
Replaced rear shocks Frozen right rear tie-rod, unable to align wheels. 
104000 mi Warranty - replaced both lower suspension arms for rust/looseness. Alignment after repair. 
121000 mi

US $550
Replaced struts. 
25000 mi Occasional click-like sound when steering wheel was turned. Toyota fixed it by replacing the inner shaft of the steering column. 
95860 mi Replaced front left strut. Was making a knocking noise even though it didn't bounce. Dealer paid for it as vehicle was recently purchased and they agreed to fix the noise. 
105400 mi Felt knock in the steering. Replaced steering mid shaft. $400. 
128300 mi Earlier rear suspension recall deemed ineffective and recalled again. 
36000 mi intermediate steering shaft replaced 
62000 mi The mid steering shaft had loosened so that I had a clunk when going over bumps in turns. Dealer replaced under warranty. 
71000 mi Steering Column was not right - was making noise on turns. They replaced. 
114000 mi

US $375
Hub bearing went bad and repaired 
10000 mi One day when I started the car the P/S light came on and the power steering seemed stiffer than norman. Turning the car off & restarting it right away did not stop the problem. After the car was off & restarted later it was OK. Passerger window clunks 
21000 mi Clunking sound when turning the steering wheel at low speeds. 
35000 mi Clunk when turning the steering wheel is back. Could not replicate with the Service Manager in the car, will return in a month to attempt to duplicate the issue again. 
35000 mi Returned to the shop again to demonstrate noise issue. The Shop Foreman and I rode around for 15 minutes in an attempt to duplicate the sound, but could not. 
48000 mi Clunking sounds when turning the steering wheel. Steering shaft and powersteering rack were replaced with updated parts. 
127300 mi

US $60
One rear sway bar end link was broken, and the bushing on the second was in poor condition. I replaced both with Moog replacement end-links. 
36000 mi

US $388
Front Struts needed replacing at 36000 miles. Dealer paid for parts, I paid labor -- it was 200 miles out of warrantee. 
55000 mi

US $1200
Rear tie-rod broke. Replaced parts after parts bent when the tie rod broke while driving. Parts repaired were: arm assembly, 48710-0R010 RR Suspension Arm assembly, trailing (48780-42010)  Rear tie-rod broke. Replaced parts after parts bent when the tie rod broke while driving. Parts repaired were: arm assembly, 48710-0R010 RR Suspension Arm assembly, trailing (48780-42010) Arm assembly, upper control (48790-42020) 
141600 mi Both Rear Shocks 
39560 mi

C $750
Replaced bearing (sp?) in differential. Also covered by extended warranty.  
53720 mi Heard a sporadic clunk sound. Took car to dealer & sway bars (rear suspension) broken. Covered under extended warranty. No charge. 
34000 mi Steering was making a knocking or popping sound in a hard turn, like when pulling out of a parking space. There is a service bulletin on the issue. 
39000 mi Popping sound was fixed. Apparently there was a service notice out on the problem. 
112000 mi

US $300
Needed replacement 
134000 mi

US $800
Control Arms 
24000 mi Steering half shaft caused loud clunking noise, which could be felt in steering wheel when turning at slow speed. This was covered in a Technical Service Bulletin. 
109120 mi

C $500
Steering column mid-shaft link had a knocking noise when turning. Known problem with the 2006 RAV4. Dealer had parts avail. 2hr fix. 
144460 mi

C $450
Rattling and occasional loud bang at rear right. Sway bar and linkage bushings worn out. Now fixed, but still has some rattling..,but the big bang is gone. Perhaps the original shocks need replacing...don't know. 

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2006 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

166-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

80300 mi

US $1300
Replaced leaking front struts 

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2006 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

166-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

55000 mi

US $700
Both front struts needed replacement. They were leaking from the seals. 
55000 mi

US $160
Sway bar end bolts corroded from poor design and broke. Needed to have the sway bar end links replaced. 
29140 mi Steering intermediate shaft clunking in operation. 
112220 mi

A $200
Steering clunking 
24000 mi Toyota TSB for steering knock. Replaced the steering shaft. 
120000 mi

US $400
Shocks and brake pads replaced. 
102200 mi

US $292
Replace left and right rear shocks 
72400 mi

US $350
Front Passenger strut was leaking fluid and in bad shape. Would not pass inspection in current condition. Was replaced. 
55000 mi

US $1200
Steering lower assembly plus alignment replacement of front struts 

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2006 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

93000 mi

R 26000
Replacement of front McPherson struts 

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2006 Toyota RAV4 4-door

4-cylinder automatic AWD

41540 mi

C $400
Replaced the left front strut of the suspension. Mechanics found the old one bent. 

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2006 Toyota RAV4 Suspension Problems

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