2006 Toyota RAV4 Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 26, 2026 · 53 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2006 Toyota RAV4, 8% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 40,000 miles.

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2006 Toyota RAV4 at $2,700, and half of them between $1,850 and $5,400.

Based on 5 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2018), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 43 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles13 · 30%
10k–25k miles5 · 12%
25k–50k miles5 · 12%
50k–75k miles7 · 16%
75k–100k miles5 · 12%
100k–150k miles7 · 16%
150k+ miles1 · 2%

How serious are the reports?

Of 53 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire.

Toyota RAV4 power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2002, with 376 complaints
1996: 919961997: 51998: 101999: 419992000: 52001: 1902002: 37620023762003: 2092004: 232005: 820052006: 532007: 532008: 3720082009: 282010: 382011: 2520112012: 192013: 292014: 2020142015: 252016: 112017: 1620172018: 262019: 802020: 3820202021: 222022: 112023: 1120232024: 82025: 6

n = 1,395 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 RAV467%—
2024 RAV485%8,063
2023 RAV4117%24,500
2022 RAV4117%10,000
2021 RAV4226%2,468
2020 RAV4386%500
2019 RAV4809%5,304
2018 RAV4268%9,470
2017 RAV4165%39,000
2016 RAV4115%19,500
2015 RAV4258%41,500
2014 RAV42010%58,661
2013 RAV42911%43,000
2012 RAV4197%22,360
2011 RAV4259%47,000
2010 RAV43810%30,000
2009 RAV4289%78,385
2008 RAV4376%77,100
2007 RAV4535%47,250
2006 RAV4538%40,000
2005 RAV486%90,000
2004 RAV42315%85,918
2003 RAV420966%98,298
2002 RAV437671%96,000
2001 RAV419061%103,690
2000 RAV4517%65,000
1999 RAV446%114,000
1998 RAV41013%111,500
1997 RAV459%114,000
1996 RAV4919%60,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2006, with 12 complaints
2006: 122006122007: 6200762008: 4200842009: 5200952010: 3201032011: 1201112012: 2201222013: 7201372014: 4201442015: 2201522016: 1201612017: 2201722018: 1201812019: 320193

n = 53 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (0)

No safety recall lists power train for the 2006 Toyota RAV4. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

We purchased a 2006 rav4 limited the first week of march 2019. A rear differential coupling growl noise was noticeable a month after we purchased the vehicle. While driving the rear end started making a growling noise. In early january 2015 toyota issued a warranty enhancement program (zf4) for…

Received May 13, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11207287

Tamara recall engine failure almost caused a major accident. Dealership tells me the it's an recall but, it has now expired. I don't understand how a safety recall can expire. I need help from an attorney on this matter. Because this isn't right. Can you recommend an attorney? They said they could…

Received May 2, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11205301

Losing oil engine making noise no power

Received May 2, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11205296
Toyota RAV4
2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Z Prototype. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: TTTNIS, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2006 Toyota RAV4s have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 53 owner complaints about power train for the 2006 Toyota RAV4 (8% of the 705 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Toyota RAV4 power train?

No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 40,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2006 Toyota RAV4?

Owners report a typical cost of $2,700 (half paid between $1,850 and $5,400), from 5 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

Other 2006 Toyota RAV4 problems

See all 2006 Toyota RAV4 problems or power train problems across all RAV4 years.