Similar issue just started. 2011 Base 4cyl FWD with only 11,000 miles. Hitting any road roughness, bridge straps, dips or cracks, especially when on a slight curve (we're talking highway curves - very slight) the front end will bounce the front wheels and sometimes I feel the rear ones as well, maybe 5 or 6 times rapidly. Reminds me of an old Pontiac I had with completely shot suspension and worn out shocks. The nose also porpoises and the car will even skip sideways sometimes toward the outside of the curve. Will happen at any speed over 30 or so. Don't see much about this on the web, can't believe shocks are worn out so soon. Will give the dealer an opportunity to correct, although I don't expect much having had previous Toyotas.
When I first got the car, I thought the suspension wasn't as stiff as I would like, and mentioned it to the service department at my local Toyota Dealer. They told me I was the first they'd heard about it, so I didn't pursue it. As two years and 36K miles have passed, the handling on rough road surfaces at low speeds is annoying and embarrassing to get that kind of a ride out of a sport utility vehicle. On the Interstate the other day I drove over a bridge section which started some porpoising at 70mph. I realize there are other Rav4 models that have a stiffer suspension, but they are not the majority of what's out there.
Has anyone else experienced this, and do you have a solution?
The suspension is terrible. I always hear and feel a slamming sound every time I hit a bump or when I drive on an uneven road surface. Dealership tells me it!s normal for a V6 model. The thing is I didn't buy the sport model which has the stiffer sport-tuned suspension. I requested a comparison test drive with a similar model but unfortunately they don't have one on their lot. So I don't have anything on hand to verify if this problem is really normal or not.
when driving you expect a smooth ride but when you hit uneven roadway or a bump in the road the suspension hits hard. The dealer doesn't know what it is but he says it is a sports car so it rides hard. I disagree!
- ndewald,
Eddystone, PA, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Similar issue just started. 2011 Base 4cyl FWD with only 11,000 miles. Hitting any road roughness, bridge straps, dips or cracks, especially when on a slight curve (we're talking highway curves - very slight) the front end will bounce the front wheels and sometimes I feel the rear ones as well, maybe 5 or 6 times rapidly. Reminds me of an old Pontiac I had with completely shot suspension and worn out shocks. The nose also porpoises and the car will even skip sideways sometimes toward the outside of the curve. Will happen at any speed over 30 or so. Don't see much about this on the web, can't believe shocks are worn out so soon. Will give the dealer an opportunity to correct, although I don't expect much having had previous Toyotas.
- pwesty, Annapolis, MD, US