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8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
6,450 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. steering column repair (1 reports)
2017 Toyota RAV4 steering problems

steering problem

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2017 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #8

Jul 012020

RAV4 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

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

When driving over 15 miles an hour it gets more significant, more noticed and felt. I was lucky have not swerved to the left and run over someone yet. The Toyota dealer at Guam told me it was my problem. I have to pay before fix. It's a very sad story, don't know what to do now.

I look over the internet for help and I found this site. Any suggestions on trouble found on the net mentions different finding, so now I'm worried I might be paying for wrong fix.

- George S., Yigo, Guam

problem #7

Aug 312017

RAV4 LE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,835 miles

It pulls left in my car when I drive it. It not noticeable when driving normally but when on the highway it is unbearable and dangerous. If I am not paining attention to it it will put me into the wall or off the road after 15 seconds amount of time. Along with the car being highly affected by cross winds I feel like I always have a slightly flat tire. I am not exaggerating the pulling of the wheel, I am just warning owners that you have to pay attention.

- Alex L., Winnipeg, MB, Canada

problem #6

Oct 072017

RAV4 EXL 2.5L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40 miles

Problems doesn't feel at below 50 mph but aroudn 55+ mph, I start notiving it and around 65 it bugs the hell out of me. It seems like the steering wheel doesn't want to self center, that if I correct slightly to the left it continues going that way until I correct to the right and then it does the same thing again. I'm constantly correcting in one direction or the other. Very-very annoying, It's very frustrating on a brand new vehicle.

- b.t, Frankfort, US

problem #5

Aug 102017

RAV4 LE 2.5L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75 miles

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

A few days after buying my Rav4 I was on the thruway and noticed the vehicle wanted to drift to the right. It was a minor drift but rather annoying since I needed to keed a slight but steady pressure on the wheel to keep going straight. As it happens I was near the dealership where I bought the car so I stopped and explained what was happening. They hung some sort of device on the wheels, pushed the car forward a few feet and got a readout that said the alignment was within spec. Sorry, I can't keep up with the latest technology, I guess this how things are checked now. I now have just under 1,000 miles on the car and the problem hasn't changed. I don't notice it around town but on the thruway it bugs the hell out of me, it almost seems like the steering wheel doesn't want to self center, that if I correct slightly to the left it continues going that way until I correct to the right and then it does the same thing again. I'm constantly correcting in one direction or the other. I spoke with the dealer again and they told me they could put it on the rack and tweak the alignment but I don't think that's the problem and I don't want to use up my first year free toyota alignment for nothing.

- Edward G., Erie, US

problem #4

Jul 312017

RAV4 LE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

Purchased a 2017 Rav4 LE. Overall I like the vehicle however I have had some problems with this vehicle. It had some problems with acceleration which seems to be somewhat better the more I drive it. I was told by the dealership that the computer adjusts acceleration according to my driving. Also the vehicle pulls significantly to the right and the steering wheel is turned to right. I have taken it in to the dealership 3 times so far with no results. One tech told me that toyota designed the vehicle to pull to the right as a safety feature. I personally have never heard of this. It is very aggravating when you are driving and the car is pulling to the right with a crooked steering wheel. My sister and I purchased the same car on the same day and hers does NOT drive anything like mine. I expressed this to the techs at the dealership but they always have a fantastic rebuttal for every complaint I have. I am so very disappointed and will not purchase another toyota ever. I will continue to pursue this issue and hopefully get a listening ear soon!

- Vanessa B., Arcadia, US

problem #3

Jan 092017

RAV4 LE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 828 miles

Bought an RAV4 2017 LE about two weeks ago with 26 miles on the engine. The first-week car drove great no complaints except why I had not purchased a Toyota much sooner.

On the second week, I started to notice the steering on the vehicle was pulling to right side at highway speeds (55+) and also at residential speed (25). Right after I started noticing another problem with the steering. At highway speeds, the steering wheel will shake to the point I had to slow down and bring the speed to 50 -. On an older vehicle, I can see why it would happening but on a NEW car. Maybe I would like to spend my money on such major purchase and be worry free but as it seems that will not be the case with this manufacturer.

The car will be drop off at the dealer this weekend for a checkup as they have never heard of such issues with this model vehicle. I will come back and update everyone on the results.

- rav42017, Woodbridge, VA, US

problem #2

Dec 292016

RAV4 XLE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52 miles

I just bought a new 2017 Rav4 XLE with about 52 miles and the steering is pulling to the right. The next day after delivery, I took it to the dealership and they rotated the tires. It was still pulling to the right so I had to go back to dealership and they did an alignment. They told me to they noticed the toe was off. The steering wheel is still going towards the right - slightly. I went on the highway and there's now a slight vibration with accelerated speed...So disappointing! I bought a new vehicle to avoid having to deal with problems and now it has been such an inconvenience and so stressful. Back to the dealership this week...

- angalee78, New Bedford, MA, US

problem #1

Nov 032016

RAV4 XLE AWD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140 miles

The vehicle is a brand new 2017 RAV4 XLE AWD that slowly drifts to the right even while driving on the left lane where the road banks left. I took it to the dealer and the tire pressure was fine. I am waiting on the results of the alignment check but am bothered that this is happening on a brand new $27K car. Not sure if the issue is with the alignment or with the tires and will provide an update as soon as I have on.

What is disconcerting is that this RAV4 is also from Japan (Japan VIN) and it has Yokohama tires and I see that there are already a few complaints about the same issue on 2016 RAV4 XLE models from Japan with Yokohama tires. I purchased a new vehicle hoping for a stress free ride and it is causing me a lot of stress as I am not able to enjoy the vehicle because of this issue.

Update from Dec 27, 2016: Update: The dealer did an alignment check and found no issues. They then swapped out the front tires and that seems to have fixed the issue partially. The steering however feels imprecise / vague at highway speeds and in light snow or wintry conditions leading me to think that the Yokohama Geolandar G91 tires (though rated All Season) are terrible tires.

- jsil, Palatine, IL, US

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