Transmission Noise problems of the 2006 Toyota RAV4

Letter from constituent regarding problems with his 2006 Toyota rav 4; he hoping that Toyota can be forced to repair the transmission and reimburse the cost of repairing steering shaft (full document not imaged). The consumer stated he has been trying to get the transmission replaced per Toyota TSB-0130-12, because of whining noise but he was informed the TSB was no longer in effect. It was confirmed, that an internal noise was coming from the transmission.

When placed in reverse gear car bolts or jumps. Loud noise. Either reverse gear or transmission is faulty. Has gotten worse over the years.

There was a rumble in the rear @ 40 mph. I had maplewood Toyota check it 2-3 times, they said they couldn't hear it, car was fine; they checked the trans oil once and said it was fine. It's a closed system-you never need to change its oil. (I had asked this question several times over the years and they always told me that I never needed to change the trans oil & the manual does not list it either). They took it for a drive and checked it good-said that 1st gear was going, but it was fine to drive-come back when I couldn't stand the noise and they'd put in a new trans for $4,500. I was going out of town, they said ok, car will be fine. Since the rumble was so loud, 3 days later I got a second opinion at a transmission specialist's shop recommended to me by several friends. They put it up on a rack and tested it with a stethoscope type device. They said that the bearing was very bad and that I should not take the car out of town or drive it as it was not safe to drive and could stop at any time. They replaced m,w/s, u240/24e 00-up (cork); filter; bushing, a40 series pump; tc, Rav4, med stall, ink 14; center gear bearing, etc. When the Toyota technician checked the trans oil, I realized that it was not "a closed system"! also, the oil was black and I now know that it should be red. I think I should have been changing the trans oil all along and my transmission probably would not have failed. I think they should order a recall on all these transmissions - and pay for the work that I had to have done before my car failed on a freeway somewhere. A transmission should last forever, especially since half of the miles have been freeway miles and I drive my car very gently. I just put in new brake pads for the first time recently and there was still 20-30% left on them. Previously I had to pay Toyota $400 to repair the steering column-another defect that should be a recall.

2006 Rav4 unsafe to drive!!! le brun Toyota, canadaigua, NY, made me pay to exchange lemon with only 150-200 miles 2 days after purchase, they made me pay an additional 7k to trade for the v-6 I have now, because of the transmission accelerated downhill, on both 4cyl and v-6, it still does it though not as severe, still scary at times. Recently,my steering went out on the exit ramp luckily and locked a few times, it now makes a thump and caused a minor accident, next time I won't be so lucky. Really loud noise from rear also. Antifreeze smell inside car too. H. E. L. P.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The drivetrain in the transmission makes a whining sound. The dealer replaced the transmission. A regional engineer recently stated that the noise was typical of a 2006 Rav4 and there was nothing to repair. The noise began while driving 40 mph hour and is currently ongoing while driving between 30 to 55 mph. The engineer also stated that the sound of the transmission is inherent to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 5,070 and current mileage was 24,100. Updated 04-08-08 updated 04/08/08.