Lost power steering without warning in heavy traffic. P/S light came on at the same time. Barely avoided collision with large truck. Started engine after 20 mins., P/S light out & steering normal. Took vehicle to dealer who found code C1524 (low voltage in power steering). In order to find root of problem I need to pay $200 for diagnostic, which I refused. This is not a wear/tear issue but either a defect or malfunction. Called Toyota, asked them to pay for diagnostic & Toyota refused since vehicle is out of warrenty. Guess Toyota could care less about customer safety even though there are numerous vehicles with same complaint!

- Knoxville, TN, USA

On March 21st the ABS, vsc, traction and brake warning lights came on while driving at 35 mph in dry weather condition. When the lights were on, the ABS system was triggered making difficult to brake to stop. Since then the warning lights have been on and off and so I've been having difficulties when slowing down at a higher speed rate 60 mph, slow speed 20 mph, and even stopping. On Tuesday, April 8 I brought the Rav4 to the dealer and they said that there is nothing wrong with the car and that the breaks were ok. Dealer said: It is just the a rear sensor that needs to be reset. So dealer technician reset the sensor the same day. On Wednesday, April 9, 2014 around 6:00 pm when turning left at a corner I heard a ticking noise then four warning lights appeared again and the breaks started to malfunction again. I'll bring the Rav4 to the dealer on April 12, 2014 and see what they have to say. The codes the dealer have initially were C0210 and C1223. My spouse and I don't want to drive the Rav4 without knowing that the sensor that the dealer talks about is either fixed or replaced. I don't want to be exposed nor expose my family to any possible accident due to the sensor/braking system failure.

- Quincy, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota rav 4. the contact stated while driving she heard a loud noise in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the technician stated the intermediate steering column needed to be replaced. The contact paid for the repairs, at her expense. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The mileage at the time of the failure was 52,730 and the current mileage was 54,134. Updated 5/27/14 updated 08/04/14

- Portland, OR, USA

No crash involved. No loss of vehicle control. During routine maintenance, was informed the rack assembly would have to be replaced to deal with a clunking noise that a technician had noticed. I checked and found that while parked and idling, pulling the wheel in either direction did produce the clunk. After additional estimates, settled on a specific repair venue at almost $1700. Also informed by one of the estimators that the steering column would soon need replaced. Not scheduled for repair at this time. I was informed by one of the estimators that most vehicles would not have required a whole rack replacement (or as much money) for a problem such as this, but rather the 2007 design was integrated rather then modular.

- Frederick, MD, USA

The steering mechanism makes a clunk when turned. The dealer says the intermediate steering shaft needs replaced. There are numerous accounts of this same defect on the internet. Toyota issued a bulletin in 2008 telling dealers to replace the shaft on cars still on warranty but will not replace ours because it is more than 3 years old. A mechanical failure at such low mileage such as this should be repaired by the company at their cost since it is not cause by use but by poor engineering or assembly.

- Blaine, WA, USA

The intermediate shaft on the vehicle is not working properly. In some states the Toyota has changed them for no cost after the warranty has expired, but know the do not. There have been numerous amount of claims in regard to this issue on this model, but continues to be ignored. On Friday 03/08/2014 I took my vehicle to have it checked because of this, and what they told me was that it was my struts. Well after getting them changed it turns out it was the intermediate shaft and they want to charge me an additional $502 for this. This is an on going issue with numerous claims about the intermediate shaft and Toyota is not realizing the safety issue in which it places it customers.

- St Johns, FL, USA

Reference Toyota recall: Tis designation C2J found at: Https://techinfo.Toyota.com/techinfoportal/staticcontent/en/techinfo/html/prelogin/docs/cp/C2jtofaq.pdf reference question Q1A and answer A1A: "....alignment will be set and the arms will be sealed with epoxy." Reference question qua and answer A1C: "if the rear wheel alignment shifts out of specification, rear suspension arms or other components may need to be replaced." Reference my phone conversation with Toyota @ 888-270-9371 on 11 February 2014 @ 0800 and their assigned case # 1402110228: My question to Toyota to the answer A1C above: Who pays for the required replacement of suspension arms or other components? their answer was: The owner. My complaint deals with fairness. Due to a Toyota design defect, rear control arms must be encased in epoxy thus rendering rear wheel alignments impossible. If an owner hits a pothole, and rear wheel(s) are knocked out of alignment, the control arm and/or associates components might need to be replace - at considerable expense to the owner. This could generate large profits to Toyota due to a remedy for one of their design defects. Without the (epoxy encapsulation), a mere rear wheel alignment might rectify the misalignment. A possible $50 versus $500 repair. Additionally, if the control arms must be replaced to align the back wheel(s), Toyota is the only entity that has the know how and parts to re-encapsulate the new control arm(s): More profits for Toyota. Owners need to be made aware of the consequences this remedy will have on their vehicle so they can decide if they want a vehicle in which the rear wheels cannot be aligned without considerable expense. My question to nhsta: Why should the owner pay for repairs to one of their remedies" is this fair"

- Unknown, DC, USA

Received a recall notice for tie rod/suspension back in September 2013. Today I called local Toyota dealer and asked about the fix. They told me that there was no fix yet available....obviously very disappointed and worried about how long I have been driving with potentially dangerous part/defect that could cause loss of control and wreck. I think NHTSA should force the issue with Toyota now it has been too long!. local dealer advised me what sound, loud rattling in back of vehicle to listen for....really unbelievable the delay.

- Golden, CO, USA

Drove a short distance and parked car. Started car 10 minutes later and had no power steering. Ps warning light on dash was now on. With a great deal of effort, the car could be driven about a mile back home. When reading thru the owners manual, it became evident there were different possible failure conditions, each represented by different warning light states. A flashing light that went off after a few seconds, a flashing light that stayed on, a flashing light that stays on in conjunction with all dash warning lights being on at the same time, and last but not least, the steady light and complete failure of assist system. I believe it was simply the luck of the draw that our failure occurred in a parked condition. I was raised on a farm driving monstrous old trucks with no power steering. They were tough steering, but this small SUV took an extreme amount of effort to turn. Failure in traffic or hazardous conditions could be catastrophic. I do not believe my 82 year old mother could safely control the car, if the failure unexpectedly occurred in many of the driving conditions she experiences in her daily driving. Lane changes, merging traffic, 90 degree turns, pulling out to pass, icy roads, and hydroplane conditions could all quickly become life threatening with this particular failure.

- Pinedale, WY, USA

2007 Toyota rav 4. consumer writes in regards to vehicle water pump failure. The #6 ignition coil was replaced, as it was shorting out and the steering wheel made an unusual noise, when it was turned.

- Naperville, IL, USA

In October I noticed a clunk in the steering column. This is most noticeable at slow speeds when turning left or right. After researching the internet, it seems to be a common problem with Toyota vehicles in the steering shaft. I recently had to have the steering shaft replaced on my 2008 Tacoma, VIN. No.: [xxx], with only 37000 miles, and reported this to Toyota customer rep., they said they would give me a $350 credit at a Toyota dealership for future work, however, the replacement was considerably higher. I fear now that my rav 4 is going the same route. I feel Toyota should be required to have a recall on this problem because it could be a safety issue. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Marcellus, NY, USA

When turning the steering wheel there is an audible click accompanied by feedback through the steering column. This is caused by defective hardware used in the assembly of the steering column. These weakened components, when completely compromised, may lead to a catastrophic loss of the ability to steer the vehicle. When asked, the Toyota dealership acknowledged this is a common problem but refused to repair it free of charge in the absence of a safety recall.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

Within approximately 2 years of the purchase of our new 2007 Toyota Rav4 we noticed a "clunking" sound and feel in the steering at slow speed. The problem was reported to the dealer, gettle Toyota of bradenton, Florida, and was repaired under warranty. They referred to the parts replaced as intermediate steering shaft/ steering shaft assy. (the service writer seemed to know exactly what the problem was). The same apparent problem appeared again in approximately June of 2013 and is worse now in January 2014. It has become quite annoying and now both my wife and I wonder if this will become a safety concern, I.e. leading to a steering failure. Our original decision to buy the Rav4 was primarily based on a very high safety rating after we were involved in a serious injury crash which destroyed our previous vehicle. We are becoming more and more disappointed with Toyota quality in general as our Rav4 approaches only 75,000 miles. I would request the recall of this vehicle for manufacturer-sponsored repairs to follow the already historical tsb of 2008 for this same problem in '06 and '07 Rav4S. Thank you for your attention.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

A R E call now on the clock spring stop acting stupid's.

- Ontario, CA, USA

There is a loud clunking noise accompanied by a tug at the steering wheel when making turns either left or right. Most notable at slower speeds. This noise started this summer at around 32000 miles and is becoming progressively worse. I am concerned about the safety of the steering. Car currently has 36000 miles. From reading comments on line this appears to be a very common problem with the 2007 rav 4. is Toyota going to recall for this problem? they most certainly should!

- Carmel, IN, USA

There is a loud "thud" sound coming from my steering column when making turns (left or right). The sound has been noticeable for about a year, but has become far worse very quickly since September 2013. I can tell the steering wheel is hitting something inside the steering column (the sound plus a tug at the wheel when I turn the car). I am concerned this is a safety issue, and want to be sure there is nothing mechanically wrong with the steering column.

- San Jose, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated when turning the steering wheel in either direction, there was an abnormal clucking noise without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the intermediate shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000 and the current mileage was 47,851.

- Kendall Park , NJ, USA

Clunk noise from L\R steering and excess play in steering diagnosed again..and (cost me $59..at dealer).. as problem with steering shaft\intermediate steering shaft..was quoted $428 to correct..the same problem occurred in 2009 @ 27,477 miles at which dealer replaced steering shaft and intermediate shaft @ nocharge as was under warranty..under tsb 0318-08 and tsb327.. using part nos..45221 & 45260.. I believe Toyota has another problem with replacing defective parts with defective parts( or bad tsbs)..never had this kinda problem with any other Toyota or vehicle..this should be under a recall as I refused to pay again for a same issue.

- Southampton, PA, USA

I started experiencing a clunking noise whenever I turn the steering wheel to the left or to the right at low speeds. It has progressively gotten worse. Right now, it's really bad. I took it in to the Toyota dealership at 62K miles and they said I need to replace the intermediate shaft at a cost of $6,400 out of owner's pocket. They said it had been out of warranty for a few months before I took it in hence, cost to owner. I reported it to Toyota head quarters and they offered to reimburse $1K after I send them receipt of repairs, since they said my warranty expired not long before. I thought it was a kind gesture but I didn't have $5,400 to spend on those repairs, so I didn't take them up on that offer. I asked about their knowledge of this being a common problem with the stated model, and they said I may have seen this reported frequently in forums online, but until enough people report the problem to Toyota's head quarters they won't have grounds to issue a recall. The problem persists and continues to get louder an is now accompanied by vibrations in the steering wheel. I hope Toyota sees the need to issue a recall soon.

- Sharon Hill , PA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that when turning the steering wheel in either direction, there was a popping noise coming from the intermediate shaft of the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the intermediate shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the intermediate shaft. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The current and failure mileage was 71,633.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA