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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,772 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2007 Toyota RAV4 steering problems

steering problem

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2007 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments (Page 6 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #166

May 062013

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 57,025 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Upon taking ownership of this pre-owned vehicle I noticed a clunking sound coming from the drivers side front of the vehicle, particularly while turning. I took the vehicle to my local dealership who ran a diagnostic and informed me that this problem was due to issues in the steering intermediate shaft and that it needed to be replaced. They indicated the "splines" were starting to wear and that delay in repair could see worsening of sound and potential issues with steering. Yet they also informed me there was no danger. While perhaps that was the case I felt that a steering failure was an immediate danger and had the vehicle repaired immediately. Price was approx. $420 for labor and parts. After researching this a bit I find that Toyota has recalled a similar part on some of it's other vehicles, such as the prius. It concerns me that this part is not recalled on the rav 4 or any other Toyota vehicle with the same problem.

- Edmonds, WA, USA

problem #165

May 022013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 22,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the steering wheel failed without warning and the contact crashed into a guard rail. There were no injuries and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, where it was stated that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

- St Thomas , VI, USA

problem #164

Apr 022013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,200 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise that came from the front driver and passenger side wheels whenever the contact moved the steering wheel or when the vehicle was not in motion. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,200. The current mileage was 48,684. Updated 10/24/13

- Amityville, NY, USA

problem #163

Sep 152010

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 18,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, she heard an abnormal sound from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the intermediate steering shaft would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #162

Sep 152007

RAV4 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,900 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while reversing from a residential driveway and turning to the right, there was a loud sound. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the intermediate steering shaft would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 1,900 and the current mileage was 21,400. Updated 04/30/13

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #161

Mar 012009

RAV4 4-cyl

  • miles
I have had numerous sensor problems, replaced free of charge at this point. Had to replace wheel bearing and wiring due to corrosion, free of charge now other side has same wheel bearing, corrosion problem and they want $1000. Have also had a clunking in steering column (bad knuckle joint) that tech's have not found. Hear that would cost at least $800. They also say water pump leaking and need replacement to prevent engine damage another approx. $1000. I've been online and these are all problems discussed by other Rav4 owners. The tech told me there are not enough problems to incite a recall. Mean while I've had nothing but problems since I bought this vehicle and it doesn't even have 60K. Now they want 3K to fix current problems.

- Maple Heights, OH, USA

problem #160

Mar 012010

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hear a popping noise when turning steering wheel left or right. Only hear it when turning at slower speeds.

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #159

Feb 202013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
While getting recall work done on my 2007 Toyota Rav4, the dealership called to say that they detected a 'clunking' in my steering column that was caused by the steering shaft and it was a 'known issue' with the model but not big enough for a recall.

- Derry, NH, USA

problem #158

Jun 142011

RAV4

  • 38,000 miles
The vehicle has problems with the steering column and it is causing issues with wheels when turning. I have read a bunch of others complaints. Please have Toyota recall this part and replace there is a clunking in my steering when I turn the car left or right at any speed. The steering feel as their is looseness causing non accurate turning and wobblesness. Jan 14, 2013 - wesley chapel, fl - steering TL* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making a right or left turn, there was a loud strange noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 46,000. The VIN was not available. Bulletin out on this intermediate steering shaft. A new shaft is going to run $400 plus at least an hour of labor. This mean that it is going to cost each owner of this Rav4 model at least $500. Toyota has put a service bulletin out on this very problem. The bulletin # is tsb-0318-08 rev1. I am afraid that this will become a safety issue and I believe that there is some manufacturing defect or design problem at the basis of this problem. View details Nov 14, 2010 - howell, NJ - steering at approximately 50,000 miles we noticed a clunking noise in the power steering. It got progressively worse. At 69,457 miles we took it to the dealer. He informed us the steering shaft would have to be replaced at $456 with a wheel alignment. After asking about a possible steering defect I was told it was normal maintenance. Without a repair I am afraid I might loose my steering.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #157

Sep 202010

RAV4

  • 40,000 miles
Sudden clunk noise and jerking motion in steering wheel.

- Windsor, MA, USA

problem #156

Feb 082013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I've been hearing clicking noise when I turn the steering wheel to either sides. Not always present but it is a safety concern for me.

- Vallejo , CA, USA

problem #155

Nov 122012

RAV4 4-cyl

  • miles
2007 Toyota rav 4. consumer writes in regards to problems with recall notices for rear suspension and power window switch. The consumer stated did not believe the recall was performed, as he is still experiencing problems with the power window switch. Also, the water pump was replaced. The consumer stated there were still problems with the suspension, after the dealer it was fixed. Due to the ongoing suspension problems, it was affecting the steering shaft, rack and pinion and tie rod. Updated 03/12/13

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #154

Jan 012013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 83,120 miles
There is a clunking in my steering when I turn the car left or right at any speed. The steering feel as their is looseness causing non accurate turning and wobblesness.

- Pontiac , MI, USA

problem #153

Oct 162012

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making a right or left turn, there was a loud strange noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 46,000. Updated 02/28/13 updated 03/11/13.

- Wesley Chapel , FL, USA

problem #152

Jan 082013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 67,902 miles
Notice a popping sound in the steering column. Found Toyota bulletin T-sb-0318-08 which superseded tsb ST001-08. The bulletins gave new parts and repair for the steering column. If Toyota knows there is a design problem, the fix should be covered by Toyota. The parts person says he knew the part number by heart since so many were being replaced.

- Smyrna, TN, USA

problem #151

Jan 082013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 113,205 miles
My car began to make a clunking noise at the steering wheel every time I would turn it in any direction at any speed. I was worried about the safety of the car so I called Toyota and scheduled for my car to be inspected. I was told I had 3 recalls on my car. After all the repairs where made the dealership told me that the only concern they still had was the clunking noise in the steering wheel. They told me that I needed to replace the accessory shaft. I was also told that I would have to pay out of pocket. I had no choice but to decline the repair due to the cost. I decided to do research of my own and have found many other Toyota rav 4 owners that have experienced the same issue with their vehicles. All have the same complaints and feel the same frustrations as I do. This problem should be looked at. This could possibly be a defect in their design at the expensive of the car owner.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #150

Feb 202012

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 46,000 miles
Steering has play and clunk at times causing car to swerve do mechanical defect and/or over correction of the driver do to sensation of loss of steering control. After reading user forms on this vehicle it is common to the vehicle and should be recalled by Toyota to prevent fatal accidents. Recall items should include middle shaft and rack and pinion. Websites below tell people to complain to Toyota but this should be mandated by the NHTSA www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2007/Toyota/Rav4/steering www.rav4world.com/forums/99-4-3-mechanical/82616-steering-intermediate-shaft-clunk-solution.html.

- El Granada, CA, USA

problem #149

Jan 012012

RAV4

  • miles
The contact owned a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the vehicle erroneously veered off the road. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was determined that the threads on the tie rod had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Pennington, NJ, USA

problem #148

Nov 202012

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 59,200 miles
Noise in steering column - Toyota service inspected same - suggested steering shaft needed to be replaced mileage on car 59200.

- Centerville, MA, USA

problem #147

Oct 202012

RAV4

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated the steering intermediate shaft failed causing a loud clunking noise when making a right or left turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated there was no recall and they would have to take the vehicle apart to find the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified which offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 25,000.

- Appleton, WI, USA

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