This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Clunking steering column when turning. Started at about 15K miles. Now 45K and noise much more pronounced. Read this is rod/shaft problem with 2006S, see that majority of complains filed w/ NHTSA relate to this issue. Why is Toyota not recalling? they claim not safety issue. Clunking noise while turning can't be good for future integrity of vehicle's steering. It's not a problem until there is a serious injury or death. Read Toyota recalled 2005S for same issue, and read no post-2006 models suffer same problem. Come on Toyota, fix this problem on 2006S.
Steering column making a clicking sound when turning the wheel at a slow speed going both forward and in reverse. Clicking has gotten more frequent and stronger over the past months.
2006 Toyota Rav4. S10 appropriate handling- letter from regarding Toyota problems the consumer stated her make, model and year vehicle has a widely known defect in the steering column and the ECM computer is also defective and needs to be replaced. There is also an associated rattling sound. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer on two occasions regarding the problems. The consumer was given an estimate of close to two thousand dollars for the repairs. In addition, the mechanic stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the steering could fail at any time. Also, the tires were leaking air.
Toyota 2006 Rav4 4 cyl automatic 4 wheel drive has frequent clunking sound when turning the wheel at low speeds. After searching for similar problems online I found numerous complaints others have had regarding "steering intermediate shaft noise Rav4". it seems to be a very common problem that is not covered once out of warranty and it seems there is a real concern that failure of the part could lead to a real safety problem.
- Burbank, CA, USA
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My 2006 Toyota Rav4 has a clunking noise when turning. The dealer said I would need to replace the steering column for $300 if I wanted to eliminate the noise. I declined. They said it was not a safety issue. Now the power steering warning light has come on.
Our 2006 Rav4 has a knocking sound when you turn. We took it in for 90K service at the Toyota dealership and they said it was a steering rod/shaft issue that would cost $2000 to replace. We asked if it was safe to drive because we can't afford that repair and wanted to shop for other pricing, and they said we could but to be careful because it could cause additional damage at any time. I've read about several other complaints and how this is a Toyota defect and not a driver fault, so I'm concerned why this hasn't yet been recalled. I saw there were was a recall for 2005 and earlier models for the same issue, why is it now not being addressed since it could cause further damage and safety issues?
This defect is with regard to my 2006 Toyota Rav4. Turning the steering wheel at low speed causes multiple loud clunking sounds, and the steering wheel vibrates along with clunk. It's almost like a ratcheting behavior on the shaft connecting the steering wheel to the steering mechanism. This defect began at approximately 40,000 miles. The car has 83,000 miles and the clunking is becoming more pronounced. There is at least one Toyota technical bulletin on the defect: #ST001-08. It describes a new series of parts redesigned to correct the issue. When I brought car to dealer for repair, they said parts are on backorder and Toyota isn't offering a recall or assistance in covering the cost of the repair. As it requires redesigned parts, is a prevalent defect, and directly involves the steering integrity of the vehicle, I would contend that Toyota should recall the affected cars and replace these defective parts without charge and without delay.
2006 Toyota rav 4 with 23,500 miles. Steering knocking noise and clunking. Started at 20,000 miles approx. I went on line and found this to be a common complaint with rav owners yet there has been no recall. Why? I can't get a straight answer as to whether this is a noise problem or will be a steering problem.
Vehicle purchased new in June 2006 returned to dealer in March 2008; approx 32K miles. Complained to service rep. Of "clunk" sound in the steering mechanism during low speed operation. Tech standing nearby stated, in effect, "they do that alot". (he is now probably unemployed) dealer replaced (at their cost) the steering shaft, part #45260-42090. In August 2010, approx 70K miles; vehicle was returned to dealer for state inspection with, again, complaint of "clunk" noise in steering mechanism at low speed. The state inspection was completed; dealer found no fault with the steering mechanism. On 09/28/10; 72K miles, vehicle returned to dealer for replacement of faulty door latch and complaint saa. "clunk" dealer replaced steering shaft, part #45221-42070 two parts are both part of the steering column; but are not the same component the first shaft replaced was a "lower shaft" the part replaced on 09/28 is the "intermediate shaft" although Toyota has issued "service bulletins"concerning steering column shaft failures; the company refuses to acknowledge that there is an existing design flaw an internet "google" search for clunking noises in the 2006 Rav4 retrieves many similar complaints. (not exactly evidence I would want to walk into a courtroom with) I suggest that the only reason there have not been a rash of steering related accidents is that the consumer can identify the noise and correct the defect prior to a catastrophic failure. I am certain that a review of vehicle repair histories of this vehicle will reveal an alarmingly high incidence of failure for the steering column.
Clunking is heard and felt from the steering column when turning corners. This occurs about 80% of the time and is getting worse. Toyota has addressed that this problem is in the intermediate shaft of the steering column and needs to be replaced at a cost of $530 cdn.
The steering column clunks when you turn the wheel. My vehicle has 85,000 miles. The clunking is getting worse. Toyota should recall this vehicle! there are many others who are experiencing this problem.
My 2006 Toyota rav-4 makes a clunking noise when I turn a corner. At first, it was only when I turned to the left. Now the noise is worse and it makes the noise no matter which way I am turning. I have reported it every time I take my vehicle in to Toyota for servicing, but they claim they can't find a problem. My car has 31,000+ miles on it.
The steering column 'clunks' when you turn the wheel. My vehicle has 85,000 miles, and I was recently informed by the dealership that I will need to get it repaired, but since there's no recall for this defect, I will have to pay for it myself! meanwhile, the clunking is getting worse. Toyota should recall this vehicle! there are many others who are experiencing this problem.
When slowly turning and applying the brakes, there is a clunking in the wheel as you turn. Many others have complained about this being the intermediate steering shaft. If this many people are complaining, I don't know why a recall hasn't been issued. I have contacted Toyota to question this; however I have yet to hear back from them.
2006 Toyota Rav4 clunking/popping noise when turning steering wheel. Dealer says I need interm. Steering shaft, clamps and hose for a total of $597.49. This seems to be a widespread problem, why no recall? gear shifter and gear shifter slide became problematic at 49,000 miles but was covered by warranty.
My 2006 Toyota rav 4 has steering problems. The steering column is loose and Toyota will not fix it.$1700 to fix it, don, T have money. Could come apart? there has been lots of complaints about the rav 4, they need to do a recall.
My 2006 Toyota rav-4 with 27,000 miles developed a clunking, grinding noise when turning the steering wheel. It was so severe that I even checked the wheels to make sure that they were not loose. I took the car to my dealer, tansky Toyota, 6300 sawmill rd., dublin, oh 43017, on July 13, 2010 for servicing. They discovered a broken intermediate shaft [part #45221-42071] on the steering column which they replaced at a cost of $439.50. While my car had only 27,334 miles, I took delivery on 8/25/06 so it was out of warranty. Together with wheel alignment, the total cost to me was $523. The service staff acted as if they had not heard of such a failure, but after checking the NHTSA website, I found a number of reports of similar problems for 2006 rav-4's. I also discovered that Toyota issued a service bulletin to its dealers in 2008 to make them aware of the problem and how to repair it. To date, Toyota has not issued a recall for this safety problem. Since the failure was due to either a manufacturing defect or poor engineering, I asked for my dealer to cover my expenses for the repair, but after a month with multiple meetings with their service manager, the dealer has not reimbursed me. While I did not have an accident, I considered steering column failure to be a serious safety issue; one requiring a recall to protect owners of this vehicle.
We hear a continuous popping/clunking noise from our 2006 Toyota Rav4 when turning the steering wheel to the right or to the left. When this happens, a slight increase of the force is required to turn the steering wheel. This problem is well documented in Toyota T-sb-0318-08: "some customers may hear a clunk, pop, or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. A new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this condition." It shows that Toyota originally used defective intermediate shafts. "warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint." Toyota will do nothing about the defective intermediate shaft if customer doesn't complain. The noise is caused by "shaft excessive play" according to Toyota. It may not cause audible noise in early stages so a customer can't hear it. Toyota can continue to ignore the defect until this condition aggravates to a certain point. Is it a safety concern that excessive shaft play may eventually lead to full or partial loss of steering? we have filed complain through BBB to Toyota but they decided to do nothing about it.
There is a loud "clunk" in steering and you can actually "feel" it in the turns. Mechanic feels it should be fixed (about $800) and checked with Toyota to see fix. There is a recommendation, but no recall. What the heck"! sounds like defective work to me - and this wasn't a cheap car. Does somebody have to die before they take care of this" I hope this isn't becoming Toyota's policy. Waiting for Toyota to take action.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Seattle, WA, USA