Two problems related to front suspension have been reported for the 2006 Toyota RAV4. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Toyota RAV4 based on all problems reported for the 2006 RAV4.
Since day one there was a knocking/popping sound coming from the steering column when turning the wheel at park and low speeds. I had taken the vehicle in to the dealer at least 3 times and finally, and ironically, the dealer acknowledged the noise. Previous trips yielded the ever present "could not duplicate". However steering adjustments via an alignment was attempted. Could not duplicate but tried something anyway? the ironic part about when the dealer acknowledged the noise is that the vehicle was 4000 miles past warranty. Funny how such an obvious thing can go unnoticed until warranty expires.
My 2006 rav 4 has had a series of front end problems dating from Jan 2007 to April 2009. It had been in the shop 9 times (warranty work) with numerous parts being replaced before Toyota had their southern California rep come and look at it. They ended up replacing just about all of the front end component parts except the steering. That was the 10th time the car was in. Now after 21 months the sound is back and I can even feel vibration knock in the steering. This car was purchased new in July 2006. Mileage at the first sign of trouble was 4847. Mileage in April 2009 was 26737. Current mileage is 41800. I don't feel safe driving this car with the feeling that something is going to break while I'm making a sharp turn.