Suspension
Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.
What Owners Say
"Car had to be aligned, in the front end, after purchase (which was covered by the 30 day warranty)"
Anonymous, PA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base)"Recall repair would not permit me to adjust alignment in rear any longer"
Anonymous, VA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"Rear wheels cannot be properly aligned. Causes cupping in tires"
Sunset S., CA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 3.5-L V6)"It was out of alignment and was difficult to get aligned. It took two attempts and parts to get it aligned"
Gerald K., MO (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"worn out"
Laurence S., ON (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"We live on a rough dirt road which definitely is a challenge for car suspensions from time to time"
Anonymous, ON (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 3.5-L V6)"Rear stabilizer link kit"
Thomas W., WI (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"Rear anti-sway bar links on rear suspension failed. Possibly due to salt corrosion.,"
Arthur R., PA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"control module"
Anonymous, UT (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"Power steering has an electric motor that didn't function properly in extreme cold weather"
Robert M., PA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"The electronic system glitches, and the power steering will shut off as you are driving it, which could be at 65 mph on the expressway. The dealer and 3 other shops said they cant fix it. it happens about every 2 mo. Mostly when very hot. Dealer replaced 3 expensive items, not fixed. Toyota web blogs are aware of this glitch, but they have not found a solution, only to say the computer shuts down "non vital" parts of the car when the power dips, and thus dash board lights all blink, and power steering shuts down."
Anonymous, (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"Shocks had to be replaced"
John M., GA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Need to replace original factory front struts. 9years old and 118000miles. I got my monies worth"
Nicholas S., NY (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"Front struts-shocks locked up"
Anonymous, HI (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"Needed to replace after 140K miles, which doesn't seem unreasonable"
Anonymous, VT (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Was a problem identified in the purchase"
David B., AR (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"Worn/needed to be replaced. Front end had a "squishy" feel. All good after replacement"
Matt H., TX (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"had rear struts replaced and front end work"
Anonymous, CO (2006 Toyota RAV4 3.5-L V6)"In reversing from our drive way we get a large sounds and clunking in the rear end"
Mary W., HI (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 3.5-L V6)"small pistons needed replacing"
Paul G., VA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"Began leaking? may be normal for road conditions here in Houston?"
Anonymous, TX (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 3.5-L V6)"Ride is very stiff. Loud bang noise whenever driving over bumps in the road. Toyota claims the car is old and everything is fine. Recently a technician reported the suspension and struts need to be replaced"
Anonymous, CA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Needed new struts"
Anonymous, VA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"Was an easy fix at Toyota. Front end struts failed"
Frank S., AL (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Frequent rattles - not bad for high mileage and dirt roads though"
Anonymous, VT (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 3.5-L V6)"Wore out causing very rough ride Had to replace all shocks & struts"
Anonymous, PA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"Rear Shocks and Front Struts Both Needed Replaacement at About 70000 Miles"
Anonymous, AZ (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Rough ride, more vibration than usual, lots of banging when going over bumps"
H G., NC (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Front Struts wore out @ 55000 miles"
Robert E., OR (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"Dealer checks everything when I do an oil change and felt this needed attention."
Anonymous, AK (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"The struts had bled out. So the ride was rough and noisy, and I felt like it didn't have the good handling of previous. It had been getting more noticeable for a while, and had been bad the past year or so. But we don't drive the vehicle a lot, so we didn't get it fixed right away. When we had it in for service and found out what it was, we decided to replace the struts in order to get more years from the vehicle. It is a second vehicle for us, that we use mostly around town and not for long trips. Since it is otherwise in good shape and is reliable, we feel like it is worth investing in repairs; cheaper than getting a different car to replace it."
Anonymous, MN (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"The boots surrounding the struts were deteriorated and subsequently the shocks were worn and the vehicle starting vibrating at speeds over 50 mph."
Anonymous, (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"I graduaally noticed a great instability in the steering and handling when hitting bumps, etc. I had the struts and shocks changed as preventive maintenance before they got worse. This was the first change of these parts since the car was new."
Anonymous, MA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Struts/shocks locked so my suspension were the tires. Ok for short distances only. Repair satisfactorily."
Anonymous, MO (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"had a recall for rear stabilization bars when the replaced the ride was like riding with no shocks had to replace the shocks at a cost of over $1000.00,ride is still a little rough"
Anonymous, CA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"one rear shock absorber failed (leaking), so I replaced rear shocks and front struts. Car rides like new"
Arthur R., PA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"right rear shock failed; left was weak -- replaced both"
Anonymous, VA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 3.5-L V6)"Recalled for possible rusted or loose bolts not properly tightened at time of alignment"
Cecil C., AR (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Both rear upper control arms required replacement"
Nicholas W., MN (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"Toyota recalled and fixed the rear suspension for the second time"
Edward K., UT (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"Need to be replaced at 65000 miles"
Anonymous, AE (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"had to replace sway bar link and rubber bushings"
Randolph H., GA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Rear axle control arm. was replaced on a recall"
Anonymous, AB (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 3.5-L V6)"Rear suspension clunked when entering parking lots, driveways, etc. that involved uneven chassis twisting terrain. Replaced rear stabilizer links"
Anonymous, NY (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"there was a recall"
Fred K., PA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Broken rear spring after returning from south for winter. Vehicle was kept at a friends house and was driven 1-2 times per week"
Michael H., NY (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"rear stabilizer bar on Sport versions seem to fail regularly. No recall or program to fix."
George T., NJ (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Had to be repaired"
John M., GA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"We have replaced the steering column twice since buying the RAV4 new. The first time Toyota paid for it but the second time they refused despite knowing it was a huge issue with this model car"
Anonymous, GA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Front suspension has had a persistent knock over rough roads for most of the car's life"
Edward K., UT (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"Steering linkage was replaced once under warranty, and problem has again reoccurred. In my opinion, the nature of this defect should warrant a recall"
Anonymous, PA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"steering replaced, not subject to recall. should have been, toyota aware, but ignores problem"
Ellen B., PA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"The repairs are in progress as I write this but there seems to be a problem with steering--a flappy sound and feel--when I turn the wheel at very, very low speed--specifically when I am parking"
Anonymous, PA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base)"STEERING SHAFTS HAD MANUAFACTURING DEFECT THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT FIX AS A RECALL. PAID INDEPENDENT SHOP $800 TO FIX"
James M., IL (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"Steering shaft from the wheel to the steering box had to be replaced. It's developing the same problem again at 100,000 miles"
Philip D., TX (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"broken rack. I could feel the break occasionally when turning. The failure did not incapacitate the vehicle and was fixed in a few hours at my local shop."
Anonymous, NY (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"Recall. Toyota dealership repair"
Anonymous, OR (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"STEERING LINKAGE HAD A CLUNK WHILE TURNING. FROM WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET, MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT TOYOTA NEVER SEEMED TO HEAR THE NOISE UNTIL THE DRIVERS CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AVERAGE COST TO REPAIR WAS $700"
James M., IL (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"I was having a snap-like feel when I came to a stop and proceed to turn left or right. The linkages were replaced about two or three times when the issue was solved. I had these steering problem when the car was fairly new"
Anonymous, MP (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"almost overnight steering became more difficult, just turning the steering wheel. Dealer said they needed to replace a part of the steering column, but didn't have the parts. In a week or two they received the part and replaced the worn part for a few hundred $. Seems ok"
Anonymous, UT (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"The steering linkage makes a clicking sound when we turn the steering wheel. We have had it replaced by an independent repair shop and again by the Toyota dealership. It is better, but still makes the clicking sound on occasion."
Anonymous, NE (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"steering mech.had play"
Anonymous, MA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 3.5-L V6)"I have been feeling that the suspension was rough for a while but I could not get a mechanic to agree with me. When I took it in for state inspection I was told my right tie rod needs to be replaced. I am scheduling an appointment tomorrow."
Anonymous, (2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Rear wheels cannot be aligned properly leading to cupping of tires. No fix available"
Sunset S., CA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 3.5-L V6)"Our RAV4 has been experiencing uneven tire wear on the rear tires that has caused the vehicle to wobble and make a loud wub wub noise when it's driven. We first noticed the problem when we had the tires rotated to the front. One mechanic thinks it's caused by a recall fix that installed permanent control arms on the back of the RAV4 so it can't be aligned by anyone but a Toyota dealer's repair shop. The tires are wearing out very prematurely."
Anonymous, WA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"After the shocks were replaced the dealership had to go back and rebalance my tires that were not adequately balanced during the shock replacements."
Anonymous, (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)"Noise from wheel bearing slowly increased to the point where I could easily discern where the noise was coming from. Mechanic confirmed and replaced part."
Anonymous, NY (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 3.5-L V6)"After a trip from Boston to New York and back, at 178,000 miles, I noticed a clicking noise coming from the right front. I searched for possible causes online and determined that it was probably a wheel bearing. I had the diagnosis confirmed and repaired at the dealership where I bought the car. This was the first bearing replaced since the car was bought new."
Anonymous, MA (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
"Had to be aligned after front end work. All good"
Matt H., TX (2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 2.4-L 4 Cyl)