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.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota rav 4. the contact was driving 30 mph when an abnormal clunking noise was exhibited from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the steering shaft would need to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that if the steering shaft was not replaced, the vehicle could become difficult to control and could result in a crash. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Steering began experiencing a slight 'clunking' feel and noise. It progressively became worse. I finally took it to a Toyota garage for repair, as I was concerned the steering would fail, and was disturbingly surprised to find they had the part in stock. I use to work in automotive dealerships parts departments and we never stocked a part of this nature as it was an item that didn't normally wear out. Cost to replace it was around $500. I have since discovered that this item has a poor history that Toyota was aware of but didn't notify their customers.
At any time during the life of the vehicle, the steering column can make an audible clunk when turning either left or right at low speeds. It gets progressively worse over time. The worry is that the steering joint could completely dislocate disabling control of the car. It is a well known problem documented in a tsb by the manufacturer. Typical repair costs can exceed $800.
Clunking-grinding sound in steering column when steering wheel is turned Rav4 does not track on highway as it did before...likes to wander, always correcting the steering. Dealer states there is a tsb to correct this problem at my expense.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that a knocking noise was exhibited from the steering column whenever making a left or right turn, regardless of the speed. The vehicle was never taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 35,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact heard a knocking noise coming from the steering column while driving various speeds and whenever attempting a turn. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.
This is a follow-up to complaint number 10322423 I filed on March 26, 2010. At 37,109 miles my 2007 Toyota Rav4 had a binding and thumping noise in the steering column. I took the vehicle into the dealership where it was purchased and was informed the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced, but it was not a safety issue. At 46,781 miles I took my vehicle in for an oil change at my local automotive repair facility (not a Toyota dealer). They recommended I have Toyota look at the vehicle since the power steering rack and pinion was bad. I took the Rav4 to a different Toyota dealer in the area. They confirmed the power steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. I asked them to replace the intermediate shaft while they were working on the vehicle's steering system. A few days prior to the rack and pinion being replaced, the car felt like it had no power steering and it was difficult to turn the steering wheel. The power steering rack and pinion was replaced at 48,555. The second Toyota dealership informed me the intermediate shaft did not have to be replaced because the binding and thumping noise was being caused by the power steering rack and pinion. I do not have the binding and thumping noise in the steering since the power steering rack and pinion was replaced. Toyota has issued two technical service bulletins (tsbs) for the binding and thumping noise in the steering column ' replacement of the intermediate steering shafts. The problem I had with the binding and thumping in the steering column was caused by the power steering rack and pinion, not the intermediate shafts. The power steering rack and pinion probably was bad at 37,109 miles. Many 2006-2008 Rav4S have reported problems with the steering columns. Does Toyota really know what's causing the steering column problems on the 2006-2008 Rav4S? it's very disappointing Toyota and the NHTSA does not consider a steering problem a serious enough problem for a recall.
At around 20,000 miles, my 2007 Toyota Rav4 started making a clunking sound when I made right hand turns. I brought it in to the dealer but they said they could not reproduce the sound. Over time, the clunking grew louder and could be felt traveling up the steering shaft. I brought it in again just shy of the 36 month warranty limit and was told that once again the service technicians could not detect any sound/defect. However, when I brought my vehicle in for a safety recall on an oil hose, I mentioned the steering problem yet again and lo and behold, they could now detect it! however, my car was now past the 36 month comprehensive warranty coverage, so the repair would be out of pocket. The service technician pulled up the service bulletin T-sb-0318-08, dated 10-20-2008. It clearly describes the problem just as I had described it to the technician, and was posted almost a year before my second trip to the service department. I have not had the problem repaired yet, and now the clunk is heard and felt when turning left or right. I do not know what the ultimate outcome will be if I ignore the problem indefinitely. I do know that I am one of many 2006-2008 rav owners who have complained of this defect on the internet. Based on this number, Toyota should be made to recall the defect.
On 2007 and 2008 Toyota Rav4 vehicles, the steering intermediate shaft and steering gear assembly fail. Toyota has a technical service bulletin that describes the fix: Tsb 0318-08 rev1. Drivers will begin to feel a "thunk" in the steering column, and my mechanic (at a Toyota dealership) informed me this would become a safety problem if left unfixed. This does not appear to be caused by any kind of driver error. Rather, it is a design flaw in the steering components. On my 2007 Rav4, this problem began at around 55,000 miles, and was fixed per the technical service bulletin referenced above.
Tsb ST001-08 steering gear box shaft. I have a severe clunking noise on my 2007 Toyota Rav4. The noise appears whenever I move the steering wheel even a little bit and continues indefinitely. I have had this noise for almost one year and it is getting worse. According to other Rav4 owners, Toyota knows about this problem, but they refuse to repair it without charging the owners. The vehicle was under warranty when the noise started and now it is no longer under warranty and is no longer covered (the vehicle was purchased 3 years ago and has less than 30,000 miles on it). When I took the car into the local Toyota dealership on June 1, 2010 for an annual inspection, the car was still under warranty and the mileage was only 26496 (I purchased it on June 16, 2007). I mentioned to the dealership that there was a clunking noise in the steering, but there was no mention of any problems. I am unable to pay for any repairs on this vehicle, and do not feel like I should have to because it was faulty while under warranty, and Toyota knows about it but refuses to repair it (it is a huge problem, one that affects 2006 and 2007 Toyota Rav4 vehicles).
I own a 2007 Rav4 that have knocking sounds in the steering wheel. I had to replace both of the steering intermediate shaft at a cost of $355. The car has 31000 miles and just passed the 36 month warranty. Toyota refuses to help with the cost of repair. Many other 2007 Toyota Rav4 owners have complained of the same problem online. Toyota has issued service bulletin #T-sb-0319-08" to tell the Toyota mechanics how to replace the defective steering shafts. Toyota should be made to issue a recall to repair this problem.
My 2007 Toyota Rav4 ltd 4X4 has an audible and physical clunking in the steering column when turning at any speed in either direction. I began noticing the sound around 80,000 miles and then began feeling it around 90,000. I had it looked at my a qualified technician and was told my entire steering column has defective bushings that are a design flaw and the entire dual steering shaft would have to be replaced for $820. I was also told it could be a safety hazard because the steering will no longer be functional when the bushing actually give out. I can only imagine what the hell would happen going 60 mph down the freeway on my daily commute when my steering fails. This is a known design flaw by Toyota, how on earth does this not qualify as a safety recall!!!"!?!?!"!
Steering has had a "clunking" noise for several months. I read online from numerous other 2007 Rav4 owners that Toyota has issued service bulletin #T-sb-0318-08 to correct the problem. My Toyota dealer replaced one of the intermediate shafts has instructed in the service bulletin. Repairs cost me $414. Noise has been eliminated. I own two Rav4S year 2007. Both have the same problem.
I own two 2007 Rav4S. Both have knocking sounds in the steering wheel. I had to replace the steering intermediate shaft in one of the cars last week at a cost of $440. I will have to do the same repair on the second Rav4 this week. There are less than 33,000 on each car. Toyota refuses to help with the cost of repair. Many other 2007 Toyota Rav4 owners have complained of the same problem online. Toyota has issued service bulletin #T-sb-0319-08" to tell the Toyota mechanics how to replace the defective steering shafts. Toyota should be made to issue a recall to repair this problem.
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- Leoma, TN, USA