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.
Just like many other owners of 2007 Rav4 I began experiencing a distinctive klunking noise around 35,000 miles. Took it to the dealer and they said it was normal noise when you turn the wheel all the way to the side..... my problem was that it was making cracking noise all the time, when turning or especially parking the car.... also a problem with my driver visor flap not staying in upward position it was hanging down halfway and faces forward. I had to pay 75 dollars to replace it, warranty would not cover it. Since so many 2007 Toyota Rav4 owner are having the same problems it should be elevated to a recall status!!!
Experience knocking and popping noises in the steering wheel column. My vehicle had 31,247 miles on it when I brought in for airbag recall. They asked me about the knocking and I said yes it's knocking. Asked if it was dangerous to drive they said they would get back to me if it was....I never heard back from them. They told me it would cost about $500 to repair. I did research on line and found 117 complaints. Why hasn't Toyota recalled this? I don't feel I should have to pay for this. Toyota knew this was a defective part.
I was just in a serious car accident where I lost steering and control of my vehicle. After reading online about the knocking in the steering from other owners, I believe I had the same problem. Although noone was seriously injured I am worried about other drivers safety. My car and two others were totaled. I have my car serviced for regular maintenance at the same Toyota dealer and I think that they should have noticed something with the steering and checked it. I just had a 50000 mile checkup. I really feel something is wrong here that alot of people are having the same problem and it can be fatal. I am lucky that I was not on the highway. My car did go into oncoming traffic though. I hope someone knows how to get ahold of me and help me with this problem. But just to say everyone else, please be careful.
I purchased a new 2007 Rav4 from Toyota of braintree in 2007. 1. in 2009 I could hear wind in the driver's window; I took the vehicle to be checked, Toyota service department said I was hearing things. 2.the driver's door caught fire (I had the keys with me) I had to spend $606.01 to fix it, Toyota said there was water intrusion (I thought, it probably was, because of the air leak previously reported in 2009) 3. the steering wheel felt strange when I drove, I took it back for service, the diagnosis was steering shaft internal failure which needed to be replaced; I fought to get that fixed out of warranty. 5. on November 25, 2011 I was driving, the window fell in on me and on November 26, 2011, I had to have the driver's side window regulator replaced for $338.30 7. now, oil is leaking into the muffler. (I purchase oil frequently) this vehicle is only 4.5 years old and should not have any of these major problems, when I purchased this Rav4, it was going to be my last vehicle purchase because Toyota advertises longevity of their products. I also know people who drive 1990 and 1995 Toyota products who have never had any of these problems. I was also treated very poorly during some of my repair visits. After the door caught on fire, I had a meeting with the owner of Toyota of braintree, [xxx] but his resolution was giving me $13,000 for my vehicle (which I own) and me purchasing a brand new vehicle, which meant I would have a monthly payment. I did contact Toyota headquarters in California and filed a complaint and never received any resolution. Since then I received a letter from the national center for dispute settlement stating they can't help me. Thank you for any assistance, sincerely, Toyota Rav4 owner. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Began experiencing a distinctive clunking noise, at low speeds, while turning the steering wheel. The clunk could be felt in the steering wheel and felt as though a bushing was defective, or their is excessive play in the steering assembly. No noise from the front end, or undercarriage, just at the steering wheel, when turning, at low speeds. Toyota states that this is a common problem and that they have developed a part replacement, however, I feel that it is definitely a safety issue, which could become fatal, at highway speeds. Should be elevated to a recall status, as it involves the steering assembly.
- Staten Island, NY, USA
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Steering intermediate shaft started failing causing knocking noises when turning the wheel. Toyota will only replace within standard warranty period as they don't think this is a safety issue.
Several years ago I noticed a popping noise when the steering wheel was turned. I thought it was in the steering wheel because I frequently used the tilt and telescope features to let me use my work laptop while in the car. (I am a retired hospice nurse.) I just figured it was aging from overuse. However, last week I took the 2007 Rav4 in to my tire dealer and asked them to check the alignment while they did some other work. The mechanic was sharp and told me that he had first thought the same thing about the steering wheel being the source of the noise, but investigated further and found it was the "intermediate shaft" of the steering system. He told me there was a technical service bulletin about it. I've looked up the tsb's and they are 0318-08 and ST001-08, and they describe my car exactly. I have an appointment tomorrow-2-3-12-to have a local dealer look at it. The car has 69659 miles on it now, but only 49882 when I retired in may of '10 and it was maybe a year before that (at 33842 miles) that the noise started. This has certainly not been the car our '96 rav was. I call it my bad luck car for various reasons and it appears it still is. The tire mechanic said the repair was about $400.
Experienced knocking noises with vibration in the steering column when turning the steering wheel. Condition has worsened over the last year. I am concerned this could result in steering failure and an expected inability to turn the vehicle while driving.
Experienced knocking and popping noise with vibration in the steering column when turning the steering wheel. This condition worsened over the course of a few weeks and eventually became constant.
"klunking" noise from steering column. Noticed intermittently initially, now all the time. Occurs at any speeds but primarily lower speeds and while stopped. Worsening over time.
Upon starting the car the red power steering warning light (P/S) stayed on and the steering wheel would not move. This has happened twice in 2 weeks. We are told by a mechanic that it is a very dangerous condition. Others on the internet with this exact problem say it cost $2500 to fix!! turning the car off and then back on relieved the problem but it came back again a week later. GM issued a recall quickly for its cars when they had a problem with the new electric instead of hydraulic steering. This is another major defect for Toyota which could be very serious if the steering fails while driving! loss of steering can result in major accidents. Thank you for your interest in this matter. Lives will be saved if you make Toyota meet its responsibilities and issue a recall.
Hearing a clucking noise from steering column for last couple of years. It was getting worse and increased frequency so we took it to the local Toyota dealer. Service dept personnel said they had replaced other steering shafts but no recall on our Rav4's year. 2001 & 02's and other years have recalls. Searched on-line and there are numerous other posts with this same problem on 2006 & 07 Rav4S. Why is Toyota not acknowledging this problem. Others have stated the steering will evidently go out. Definite major safety problem. $800+ cost to fix.
Experienced knocking and popping noise with vibration in the steering column when turning the steering wheel. This condition worsened over the course of a few weeks and eventually became constant. The dealership's service department determined the noise was coming from the steering rack and not the intermediate steering shafts and recommended replacement of the steering gear assembly per T-sb-0308-08 "steering rack noise". I'm concerned this might be a safety issue that could result in failure of the steering components and have the potential for losing control of the vehicle.
At 66,000 miles heard & felt clunking in the steering, & then spent $2033 plus tax at the Toyota dealer to replace intermediate shafts #1 & #2, & power steering rack. Toyota should cover their manufacturing defects.
My Rav4 has began having clunking noises in the steering column. I have done some searches on this problem. It seems this is prevalent with Rav4's and Toyota is refusing to issue a recall. Is this a serious safety concern" will this eventually be a recall"
Steering makes popping sound when turning to left or right when pulling out of driveways or parking spaces. Took to Toyota dealership, and it was shrugged off as not a big deal, but that it would cost over $500 to fix. Was told it was the steering intermediate. It was lubed and I was told that might help and that it wasn't a safety issue and I didn't have to get it fixed right away; however after reviewing complaints on-line, it appears a lot of '07 rav's have had the same issue at different mileage points and nothing has been done by Toyota. I believe a recall should have been made on this.
On or about 9/01/11, I began to notice a popping/clunking sound when turning my car left or right, when parking and when turning into or backing out of my driveway (approx 5mph). This clunking sound was occurring without turning the steering wheel all the way to either side and when turning the steering wheel left or right with the car running at a complete stop. On 10/27/11, I took my car to my Toyota dealership in winston salem, nc and was told the steering shaft needed to be replaced and the car would need a 4 wheel alignment as a result of the replacement. On 11/01/11, I had this service done at my Toyota dealership (replaced steering shaft assembly, item #45260-42090, and 4 wheel alignment.) I paid a total of $479.73 for this service. NHTSA service bulletin #ST001-08, item #10024291, was issued 2/08/08 for the 2007 Rav4 steering component. In searching mycarstats.com along with other sites on the internet, this is an extremely common issue and complaint. A repair cost of $479.73 is substantial, and since this is a known consumer complaint and a service bulletin was issued, I believe Toyota should issue a recall on this steering shaft component for the 2007 Rav4.
Recently I have noticed a 'clunking sound' when I turn my steering wheel either direction on my Toyota rav 4 2007 vehicle. I am bringing in this vehicle to be checked out by my local dealer. I was looking to see if there are any recall notices on this steering noise issue.
I have a Toyota Rav4, 2007. I heard steering column noise right after it crossed 35000 mile only. I read in the internet many Rav4 user mention the same problem and Toyota knowingly not recalling the vehicles to fix it. The dealer wants to replace intermediate shaft with $550 cost. Since this is a known problem encountered by many Rav4 buyers, Toyota should replace this free.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Maspeth, NY, USA