Automatic Transmission problems of the 2006 Toyota RAV4

When starting up from a stop, the automatic transmission shifts properly from 1st to 2nd gears however when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear, it appears to momentarely go in to neutral where the engine wines out before quickly banging into third gear. Very harsh shifting. This appears to occure only after the transmission heats up after driving for about 30 minutes or longer. After this occures, it will do this every time when starting from a stop. I have complained about this to the dealer for some time however was only recently able to prove it to them. I was then told that I would need a new transmission for about $4000. 00.

At approximately 60,000 miles I noticed when I backed up I heard a loud clunking noise in what seemed to be the rear. At approximately 62,000 miles I took it to my dealer and it was diagnosed as a "transaxle" problem.

My 2006 Rav4 sport that occasionally has problems with acceleration, this usually occurs right after starting the vehicle and can last up to 15 min into the drive. Occurs when accelerating from a stop, you press the gas pedal and receive a very slow response from the vehicle; almost as if trying to drive with the e brake on. Once you have reached 5-10mph it engages and goes, but until then it is very unsafe. This is especially true when making a left hand turn, although you would normally have enough room and time to turn and be out of the way for incoming traffic, if you don't compensate for that additional lag , you could get t-boned.

This is in reference to the electrical problem referenced recently. I have had the same experience of the car just not starting. I discovered that it is related to the stick shift. It looks like it is engaged. If you give it the tiniest jiggle it engages and the car will start. I don't know what the deal is, but planned to bring it up when I take car to be serviced next.

Details: the vehicle has frequent problems with acceleration when cold. Car has no power when trying to enter traffic. I will step on the gas, begin moving, then the engine will bog down and I will have no acceleration at all. I have taken this up to my dealer, and their explanation is that nothing is wrong. However, this problem can occur when ever it is cold.

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.

Throttle lag when requesting immediate acceleration from either a stop or a t low speeds.

I was driving my 2006 Toyota Rav4 when I applied the brakes from about 25 mph to stop for traffic at a light. As I applied the brake the engine accelerated and I had to stand hard on the brake to keep from hitting the car in front of me. After a few seconds the engine speed came back to normal. At that time I double checked my foot position on the brake pedal and am confident that I was in no way contacting the accelerator pedal.

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.

Serious hesitation problem in my 2006 Toyota Rav4. I've reported to Toyota, but they indicate it's normal. Problem has happened seriously 3-4 times. When slowing to a near stop or from a stop, accelerating, I get nothing when I push on accelerator. This is beyond hesitation. The first 2 times I panicked since I was merging in traffic, floored the pedal and after perhaps 1/2 to 1 second (might not sound long, but imagine no response to pushing you pedal with oncoming traffic doing 60-70). . . . It kicked in/downshifted or whatever. Really scary. Again, I noted this to Toyota. I noted a post on edmunds site today with a 2005 article on past hesitation problems with Toyota/Lexus. And other complaints as well on this serious safety issue. I've posted a date of June 30 for incident, but actually 3-4 separate times in past 4 months.

Hesitation problem - '06 Rav4 i4 sport model when trying to overtake, when pressing the pedal harder, engine didn't respond right away.

I have a new 2006 Toyota Rav4 with automatic transmission and, in the first 2000 miles, it has failed to shift correctly on 3 separate occasions. This has created dangerous situations when merging in traffic. Specifically, when I step on the gas pedal, the rpms shoot above 4-5k but there is no accompanied increase in speed. Given the repeated postings on edmunds. Com about these problems, it does not appear to be an isolated case with my vehicle.

My Rav4 "lags" or "hesitates" when I try to accelerate in order to get up to speed-especially when I am trying to merge into oncoming traffic. I have been told by technicians that others are experiencing the same problem and that there is no "fix" for this problem.

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.