After two years of trying to get someone to listen, the noise is now unmistakable, as it clunks with the least effort. The dealer say it was my choice to "fix it" or "live with it" as it is not a safety concern. I have an extended warranty, but it does not cover the intermediate shaft. I called Toyota customer service, and was told they never heard of any problems with the RAV4 intermediate shaft....my response "try Goggling RAV4 intermediate shaft." I have been a loyal customer for over 20 years, never again will I buy Toyota...the consumer confidence is now gone by the constant Toyota denials over problems related to their vehicles.
My wife and I were exclusive Toyota buyers. Camry, Highlander, RAV4. Not anymore. My 2006 RAV4 lasted 5 years and I'm done. Clunk noise when turning, Toyota mechanic told me that's common with the 06-08 RAV4. Rack and pinion not built well, informed me it's a common problem with a price tag > $1000 to really solve it. After the alternator went out and the O2 sensor went bad I switched. Honda/Acura here I come. I have had my Acura RDX for bout a week now and love it. Doubt I will be going back!
This is my 9th Toyota since 1985- Never ever a problem- Thinking sound in steering of my 2006 Rav with less that 24,500 mileage told it was rack and pinion and would cost $1800 but since I was a consistent customer the dealership would pay 1/2. That was nice but the problem is this car has been well maintained, driven little and should not have had this occur as it has so few miles. Who can I contact about this problem and get some action. This is not my error, but I feel it is a RAV4 problem since I have been reading about it consistently. These autos should have been recalled...and they still have not done so. This will be my last Toyota, sorry to say but I am not so loyal that I will pay an exorbitant amount of money to fix something that should have been recalled.
My Rav4 has the clunking noise when turning. The Dealer said that it's a u-joint binding and if I wanted it fixed it would cost $300.00 for a new steering column. They also said it was not a safety issue. The Toyota dealer seems to be real quick with dismissing problems. I don't think I'll be buying another Toyota.
CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING MAY BE A PRECURSOR TO A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THE REPORTED MODELS WITH THIS DESIGN ERROR. AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO OFFSET REPAIR COSTS SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM THAT TOYOTA OFFERS TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS.
- chrisccc,
Chino Hills, CA, US
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The problem started in 2008 but the clunking noise did not happen quite so often. It was also unpredictable so we thought it was just normal. almost a year later the clunking noise are more frequent and a friend told us to have it looked at... and we did. And warranty won't cover it since we were over 300 miles from 36000. Even though the problem started before it reached 36000. Since we did not report it sooner, warranty will not cover it. Let this be a lesson for you. We had to pay $840 for it and a year after having the shaft replaced the clunking noise is back.
My RAV4 has been making a clunking noise for a couple of years now when I make a left turn. Recently, it started making the noise no matter which way I turn. After researching it on the internet and seeing that this is a common complaint, I took it in to Toyota. My mileage is 31,000+ but since it is a 2006, they say it isn't covered under the warranty.
I am not finished fighting. It is obviously a defect and Toyota needs to make good on it. Otherwise, it will be the last Toyota I buy and I have had several.
THe RAV 4 is driven by a little old lady (67 yrs. old) she is handicapped, and she my wife. I drive my van an hardly ever drive the RAV4. I notice GM had a recall for stirring clunking.The RAV4 was under a service agreement (oil changes,Etc,) and they did not catch the clunking at LIA of Wilbraham where we purchased the RAV4 new. I 'm getting the run around by Toyota/LIA of Wilbraham...I notice on-line there were 49 complaints for the same thing...people got it repaired and the cost range from $350-$650....I'm still paying on the loan for this KLUNKER and now they want me to piss-out another $650...well kiss my---
We thought that Toyota would hold up better to their name on parts such as steering shafts going bad. This vehicle was never in an accident involving the front end. This vehicle is a single female driver owner. I am very discouraged with Toyota not taking care of this problem for us. I believe this part should be recalled since I only had 76,000 miles on it when the dealer brought this problem to my attention. If they don't take care of it, we will not buy another Toyota.
Clunking noise in the steering column with slow turns, forward or in reverse. Called the dealer, said it was a "Service Bulletin" not a recall and NOT a defect! Hah! They said the only way they would cover is if I had every service done exactly as suggested by Toyota and had documentation of that! We're not done yet.... especially in lieu of what is now coming out about the issue and Toyota's quality issue.
Curious, does anyone know if this is a safety issue?
This seems to be a problem with this vehicle as I see I am not the first to report it. And of course it started right after the warranty ran out. I believe Toyota has a problem and there should be a recall.
I noticed clunking about seven months ago ,but thought it was a braking system working. Then a noise started to get more noticeable and I realized that I definitely got a problem . Plus in august 2009 while I was driving, my RAV4 started to smoke and spread oil . Then engine started to make strange sounds . I pulled over and found the big oil spot under the car. It was towed into a dealership .I was told that the oil line cracked .Was repaired under the warranty . They said no damage was done to the engine . But its disappointing.
Noticed clunking in steering column. After a few months I started to feel the clunk on the steering wheel. Took the vehicle to the dealer with another problem and they replaced the sleeves for the steering. If they are having problems with as few miles on the vehicle I can't imagine what it will be like at say 100,000 miles. I think the quality in Toyotas is a thing of the past.
Clunking noise when steering. I've mentioned problem before when car was taken to the Toyota dealership for oil changes, but was told they did not find anything. Am taking the car in 10-5-09 to have noise checked again.
Toyota told me that too bad i didn't bring the car in when it was still under warranty. Well, who would think that a car this new would break down already? And if there's a number of car owners complaining about the same problem, shouldn't this be recalled? Instead of them pretending as if they didn't know about the problem? If toyota was smart, they should avoid word of mouth and fix the defect instead of covering it up. I will for sure tell all the people i know, and i'm talking about a lot, to never buy a toyota again. Media is a good source!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
After two years of trying to get someone to listen, the noise is now unmistakable, as it clunks with the least effort. The dealer say it was my choice to "fix it" or "live with it" as it is not a safety concern. I have an extended warranty, but it does not cover the intermediate shaft. I called Toyota customer service, and was told they never heard of any problems with the RAV4 intermediate shaft....my response "try Goggling RAV4 intermediate shaft." I have been a loyal customer for over 20 years, never again will I buy Toyota...the consumer confidence is now gone by the constant Toyota denials over problems related to their vehicles.
- Angela S., Marietta, GA, US