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.
I hear a clunk, pop or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel. Toyota is aware of this (tech service bulletin ST001-08). Toyota redesigned the intermediate shaft. However, Toyota has not taken the steps to issue recall to replace this defective part.
I hear a clunk, pop, or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. Toyota was acutely aware of this issue (please see attached technical service bulletin ST001-08) and had to redesign the intermediate shaft. Unfortunately, Toyota has not taken the steps to recall all effected vehicles and replace this defective part. I urge the NHTSA to take immediate steps to force Toyota to issue a recall and make the necessary repairs as this issue has been witnessed in a large proportion of the 06-07 Toyota Rav4 vehicles.
The intermediate steering shaft is making clunk noise when turning the steering at low speeds. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. I am feared to drive this vehicle and the steering is dangerous.
Left front input seal has leaked fluid twice now. First time was 9/25/2012 @ 56,516 miles. Second time was on 1/12/2016 @ 101,753 miles. My independent auto repair service, coram precision auto of coram, NY went to Toyota to get the seal needed to fix the leak both times and asked Toyota parts counter if they knew of a recall and they said no. Then they asked why they had so many seals in stock if there had been no recalls. I am on this website and don't see any recalls either but I wonder if any complaints have been filed. Note: I have several recalls for my Toyota Rav4 for gas pedal and now for the 'rear differential coupling' which extends my warrantee until 2017 from Toyota and from NHTSA for my drivers side air bag in 2014 but can't find anything on this wed site. Please follow up with me on the seal problem and if the airbag needs to be replaced. Toyota told me 'no" but I don't trust them. Thanks, wpziems 02/01/2016.
- Coram, NY, USA
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Clunking noise when steering either right or left, noticeable at slower speeds. This has been a problem since it was new but we were told it was the left front strut. On our last service we were told it involved the steering. Note: Rav's front bumper had been repaired, before vehicle was delivered to us. We were told it was minor damage just needed repainting..this vehicle has 64,000 original miles.
Noticed clunking in steering when turning either right or left. Looked up problem on internet and found that it is a huge problem with these vehicles. According to internet there over 400,000 complaints. Called Toyota and was told there is a technical bulletin on the problem and it requires replacing steering shaft. I also read on the internet that vehicles who replaced the intermediate steering shaft often have to replace it again. This seems to me that Toyota can not fix the original problem and now it becomes the owners responsibility to keep on changing an intricate part to driving their vehicles. Why with so many failures hasn't your Agency warned the public or is NHTSA saying there is no issue or safety concern. Please inform me that this issue is not a problem and I should not have to worry about it and I don't have to spend $800 to fix it.
Driving 50 mpg around curve in heavy traffic steering locked up hardly able to pull.off side of road. Happened again today 2 times and happened at least 5 times before in the past 3 months.steering froze had to get of to the side and restart then it was able to steer but battery.light flickers. Three other lights on the left of the dashboard stayed on after restarting the vehicle. Went to pep-boys and I was asked to replace the battery due to low voltage. Battery was replaced and one day later same thing happened again.
Driving on the highway going about 75mph after about 5 hours when a bunch of warning lights came on (including battery, air bag, and brake), my power steering failed and my speedometer quit working. Pulled over on the side of the highway and let my car sit for a minute, restarted my car and three different lights came on (vsc, check engine and slip indicator) and my cruise control wouldn't work anymore. My car currently has about 110,000 miles. This is not a wear and tear issue; this is a defect. From reading online, there are many complaints of the same issue. This could be a fatal defect and should be taken seriously. This is the second time my power steering has failed while driving.
Loud clunking noise when turning left or right and while backing out of driveway near the steering wheel. I purchased this vehicle in 2007 and within 2 years (~30000 miles) the same issue had occurred and Toyota dealer replaced the part under warranty. Within 6 years of the first occurrence I am facing the same issue again. I have reached out to Toyota for a free repair but Toyota has refused to replace the part under product defect. This is a product defect and also a safety issue and hence Toyota should make a national recall.
At 51,000 miles, there is a heavy rattle in the front end when driving on rough roads. After replacing several parts, local mechanics now tell me that the rack and pinion steering gear needs replacement. This does not seem to be the intermediate steering shaft problem that is the subject of Toyota service bulletin #T-sb-0319-08. I do not feel anything abnormal in the steering wheel, steering is smooth and the problem is not noticeable driving on smooth road surfaces. The noise seems to be getting worse with time, so I am concerned that the steering could fail altogether.
I purchased my Rav4 used about 12 months ago. Within the past 3 months I've notices problems with my steering. Slow turns make a clunking sound with loose movement and vibration felt in the steering wheel. Initially I was told it was a bad strut, which I replaced, but the problem seems to get a little worse by the day. In checking online I see numerous complaints of the same nature, some resulting in serious accidents. It appears that the rack & pinion assembly is defective since the problem is so widespread. I have not seen a recall on this and wonder why since steering is so essential to the safe operation of the vehicle. I will be contacting my local Toyota dealer service dept. To see what can be done.
Steering intermediate shaft clunk, when I turn steering making noise. I talk to a mechanic he says need to replace steering. It is so expensive, my income is not allowed to do this. Please give me advice [xxx]@gmail.com information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).?
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. While driving at various speeds and attempting to make a turn, the power steering seized and several warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the battery and sensors were changed, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,800.
Thumping sound in sterring passeger side. Toyota dealer said rack and pinion must be replaced at 52,000 miles? thumping sound is not always but is getting worse as car is in motion. Frankly seems like a defect. Feels very unsafe, should be recalled since it is weak point of all Rav4 for years 2007-2008
My 2007 Toyota Rav4 has some clunky noise around 46,000 miles, but recently it is getting louder. It becomes a major concern for my family and me; therefore, I have brought it in to a car repair shop (Firestone) to have it diagnosed. The result came back to be the steering intermediate shaft and rack. I called Toyota dealership to have it repaired, but they said that if I only have a extended warranty they will repair it with free of charge and that the warranty only covers up to 36,000 miles. If not, they will charge another 130 some dollars to just diagnosed again, but will waive it once I do the repair with them. After doing a little research on the internet, it appears that more people has the same problem. It seems to be a wider problem for this type model of car. I believe this is a safety issue and prior to this there were various replacement recall such as the suspension, gas pedal, air bags, and etc. How come this issue isn't on the recall list?
Driving 55 mpg around curve in heavy traffic steering locked up hardly able to pull.off side of road. Happened again today July 25 2015 going 60 down busy hey rush hour traffic and steering froze had to get of to the side and restart then it was able to steer but battery.light flickers ha D battery lreplaced day before.
I was driving at 25mph when the red battery light came on and I lost the ability to steer. I was able to pull into a parking lot with much difficulty. I shut the car off to go into a store to let them know I was going to have my vehicle towed and went back to my car again to restart. The car would not restart. Had I not been on a highway going 55 I would have been in an accident since I had a difficult time turning the wheel at all.
While backing up out of a driveway there is a loud clunk and the steer wheel shakes. While making turns at low speed and driving over pot holes the same loud clunk. The dealer said its a problem in the steering shaft that has 2 different parts. I asked the dealer about it being covered under warranty and they said no. I have read several other complaints on this same issue and a couple have been covered under warranty even thou the vehicle had over 100000 miles on it. I understand Toyota has made 2 replacement parts regarding this issue so they know there is a problem. I would like to see a national recall on this part and have Toyota cover the repairs before someone is injured or killed.
The car failed to start, the battery was extremely hot and had not water in it. Changed the battery, the car started properly; however, once set to drive it hesitated a bit, as if it were chocking for lack of gas but it had gas. Drove on and at about speed of 40 mph steering became hard to handle, ac and engine cut off. Restarted it drove back home... just made the last payment on the car, car was regularly serviced at the dealer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Milford, CT, USA