2007 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,003 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 53 involved a crash and 37 involved a fire. 41 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, rearAug 12, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0V for Toyota vehicles and GLK for Lexus vehicles. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-383, in which some vehicles were only inspected, sealed, and did not have both arms replaced. The affected vehicles were previously recalled under 13V-383, but did not have both rear suspension arms replaced at that time. Those vehicles need to have both arms replaced as part of this recall remedy.
Campaign 16V596000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherFeb 19, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
Campaign 16V096000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, power window devices and controlsOct 22, 2015
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Campaign 15V689000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerNov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Campaign 14V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleApr 9, 2014
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
Campaign 14V168000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearAug 28, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tie rods and replace any that have rust or corrosion on the alignment adjustment threads. All of the rear tie rods will then be encased in an epoxy to prevent future environmental damage. Due to limitations in parts, the recall remedy will be launched in phases from September 2013 through mid-April 2014. All owners will receive notification of the recall, with most receiving second notifications when parts are available in their area. IMPORTANT: This recall supersedes Toyota and Lexus recall 12V-373. All vehicles that have been inspected and remedied under the previous recall need to be re-inspected and have the appropriate remedy applied.
Campaign 13V383000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, power window devices and controlsOct 10, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
Campaign 12V491000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearAug 2, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to prevent improper servicing in the future. The recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 12V373000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 21, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 RAV4 VEHICLES. IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG (CSA) SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT: MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ROLL DETECTION SYSTEM WILL BE SUSPENDED; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG CSA REMAINS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE CRASH. IF BOTH SENSORS FAIL NEARLY SIMULTANEOUSLY AFTER INITIAL AIRBAG SYSTEM CHECK, THE CSA AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED.
INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE CONTAINING IMPROVED ROLL RATE SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA INTENDS TO SEND AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS EARLY TO MID-MAY, 2011 WHEN SUFFICIENT PARTS AND REMEDY BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 11V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalFeb 24, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 11V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Campaign 09V223000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
271 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Mar 29, 2016
R/R SWAY BAR END LINK BROKEN. UPPER AND INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BROKEN.
Steering, Air bags, Mar 1, 2016
LEFT FRONT INPUT SEAL HAS LEAKED FLUID TWICE NOW. FIRST TIME WAS 9/25/2012 @ 56,516 MILES. SECOND TIME WAS ON 1/12/2016 @ 101,753 MILES. MY INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SERVICE, CORAM PRECISION AUTO OF CORAM, NY WENT TO TOYOTA TO GET THE SEAL NEEDED TO FIX THE LEAK BOTH TIMES AND ASKED TOYOTA PARTS COUNTER IF THEY KNEW OF A RECALL AND THEY SAID NO. THEN THEY ASKED WHY THEY HAD SO MANY SEALS IN STOCK IF THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS. I AM ON THIS WEBSITE AND DON'T SEE ANY RECALLS EITHER BUT I WONDER IF ANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. NOTE: I HAVE SEVERAL RECALLS FOR MY TOYOTA RAV4 FOR GAS PEDAL AND NOW FOR THE 'REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING' WHICH EXTENDS MY WARRANTEE UNTIL 2017 FROM TOYOTA AND FROM NHTSA FOR MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG IN 2014 BUT CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ON THIS WED SITE. PLEASE FOLLOW UP WITH ME ON THE SEAL PROBLEM AND IF THE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TOYOTA TOLD ME 'NO" BUT I DON'T TRUST THEM. THANKS, WPZIEMS 02/01/2016.
Steering, Feb 27, 2016
CLUNKING NOISE WHEN STEERING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, NOTICEABLE AT SLOWER SPEEDS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW BUT WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE LEFT FRONT STRUT. ON OUR LAST SERVICE WE WERE TOLD IT INVOLVED THE STEERING. NOTE: RAV'S FRONT BUMPER HAD BEEN REPAIRED, BEFORE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO US. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS MINOR DAMAGE JUST NEEDED REPAINTING..THIS VEHICLE HAS 64,000 ORIGINAL MILES.
Steering, Feb 1, 2016
NOTICED CLUNKING IN STEERING WHEN TURNING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. LOOKED UP PROBLEM ON INTERNET AND FOUND THAT IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO INTERNET THERE OVER 400,000 COMPLAINTS. CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THE PROBLEM AND IT REQUIRES REPLACING STEERING SHAFT. I ALSO READ ON THE INTERNET THAT VEHICLES WHO REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT OFTEN HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO ME THAT TOYOTA CAN NOT FIX THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM AND NOW IT BECOMES THE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP ON CHANGING AN INTRICATE PART TO DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES. WHY WITH SO MANY FAILURES HASN'T YOUR AGENCY WARNED THE PUBLIC OR IS NHTSA SAYING THERE IS NO ISSUE OR SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE INFORM ME THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT A PROBLEM AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT AND I DON'T HAVE TO SPEND $800.00 TO FIX IT.
Steering, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 26, 2016
DRIVING 50 MPG AROUND CURVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC STEERING LOCKED UP HARDLY ABLE TO PULL.OFF SIDE OF ROAD. HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY 2 TIMES AND HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES BEFORE IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS.STEERING FROZE HAD TO GET OF TO THE SIDE AND RESTART THEN IT WAS ABLE TO STEER BUT BATTERY.LIGHT FLICKERS. THREE OTHER LIGHTS ON THE LEFT OF THE DASHBOARD STAYED ON AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. WENT TO PEP-BOYS AND I WAS ASKED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY DUE TO LOW VOLTAGE. BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND ONE DAY LATER SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 19, 2016
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 75MPH AFTER ABOUT 5 HOURS WHEN A BUNCH OF WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (INCLUDING BATTERY, AIR BAG, AND BRAKE), MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND LET MY CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE, RESTARTED MY CAR AND THREE DIFFERENT LIGHTS CAME ON (VSC, CHECK ENGINE AND SLIP INDICATOR) AND MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULDN'T WORK ANYMORE. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 110,000 MILES. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE; THIS IS A DEFECT. FROM READING ONLINE, THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. THIS COULD BE A FATAL DEFECT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Jan 14, 2016
LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2007 AND WITHIN 2 YEARS (~30000 MILES) THE SAME ISSUE HAD OCCURRED AND TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED THE PART UNDER WARRANTY. WITHIN 6 YEARS OF THE FIRST OCCURRENCE I AM FACING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA FOR A FREE REPAIR BUT TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PART UNDER PRODUCT DEFECT. THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT AND ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AND HENCE TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE A NATIONAL RECALL.
Steering, Dec 26, 2015
AT 51,000 MILES, THERE IS A HEAVY RATTLE IN THE FRONT END WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS. AFTER REPLACING SEVERAL PARTS, LOCAL MECHANICS NOW TELL ME THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN #T-SB-0319-08. I DO NOT FEEL ANYTHING ABNORMAL IN THE STEERING WHEEL, STEERING IS SMOOTH AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT NOTICEABLE DRIVING ON SMOOTH ROAD SURFACES. THE NOISE SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE WITH TIME, SO I AM CONCERNED THAT THE STEERING COULD FAIL ALTOGETHER.
Steering, Dec 22, 2015
I PURCHASED MY RAV4 USED ABOUT 12 MONTHS AGO. WITHIN THE PAST 3 MONTHS I'VE NOTICES PROBLEMS WITH MY STEERING. SLOW TURNS MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND WITH LOOSE MOVEMENT AND VIBRATION FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. INITIALLY I WAS TOLD IT WAS A BAD STRUT, WHICH I REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GET A LITTLE WORSE BY THE DAY. IN CHECKING ONLINE I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE, SOME RESULTING IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. IT APPEARS THAT THE RACK & PINION ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE SINCE THE PROBLEM IS SO WIDESPREAD. I HAVE NOT SEEN A RECALL ON THIS AND WONDER WHY SINCE STEERING IS SO ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPT. TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE.
Steering, Dec 9, 2015
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CLUNK, WHEN I TURN STEERING MAKING NOISE. I TALK TO A MECHANIC HE SAYS NEED TO REPLACE STEERING. IT IS SO EXPENSIVE, MY INCOME IS NOT ALLOWED TO DO THIS. PLEASE GIVE ME ADVICE [XXX]@GMAIL.COM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).? *JB
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND SEVERAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY AND SENSORS WERE CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,800.
Steering, Nov 17, 2015
THUMPING SOUND IN STERRING PASSEGER SIDE. TOYOTA DEALER SAID RACK AND PINION MUST BE REPLACED AT 52,000 MILES? THUMPING SOUND IS NOT ALWAYS BUT IS GETTING WORSE AS CAR IS IN MOTION. FRANKLY SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT. FEELS VERY UNSAFE, SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE IT IS WEAK POINT OF ALL RAV4 FOR YEARS 2007-2008
Steering, Sep 28, 2015, crash
MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS SOME CLUNKY NOISE AROUND 46,000 MILES, BUT RECENTLY IT IS GETTING LOUDER. IT BECOMES A MAJOR CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY AND ME; THEREFORE, I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP (FIRESTONE) TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE RESULT CAME BACK TO BE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND RACK. I CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, BUT THEY SAID THAT IF I ONLY HAVE A EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY WILL REPAIR IT WITH FREE OF CHARGE AND THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS UP TO 36,000 MILES. IF NOT, THEY WILL CHARGE ANOTHER 130 SOME DOLLARS TO JUST DIAGNOSED AGAIN, BUT WILL WAIVE IT ONCE I DO THE REPAIR WITH THEM. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT MORE PEOPLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE A WIDER PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE MODEL OF CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND PRIOR TO THIS THERE WERE VARIOUS REPLACEMENT RECALL SUCH AS THE SUSPENSION, GAS PEDAL, AIR BAGS, AND ETC. HOW COME THIS ISSUE ISN'T ON THE RECALL LIST?
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 15, 2015
DRIVING 55 MPG AROUND CURVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC STEERING LOCKED UP HARDLY ABLE TO PULL.OFF SIDE OF ROAD. HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY JULY 25 2015 GOING 60 DOWN BUSY HEY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND STEERING FROZE HAD TO GET OF TO THE SIDE AND RESTART THEN IT WAS ABLE TO STEER BUT BATTERY.LIGHT FLICKERS HA D BATTERY LREPLACED DAY BEFORE.
Steering, Jun 15, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AT 25MPH WHEN THE RED BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY. I SHUT THE CAR OFF TO GO INTO A STORE TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS GOING TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED AND WENT BACK TO MY CAR AGAIN TO RESTART. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD I NOT BEEN ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55 I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME TURNING THE WHEEL AT ALL.
Steering, Jun 12, 2015
WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK AND THE STEER WHEEL SHAKES. WHILE MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEED AND DRIVING OVER POT HOLES THE SAME LOUD CLUNK. THE DEALER SAID ITS A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING SHAFT THAT HAS 2 DIFFERENT PARTS. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT IT BEING COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID NO. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND A COUPLE HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOU THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 100000 MILES ON IT. I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAS MADE 2 REPLACEMENT PARTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE SO THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A NATIONAL RECALL ON THIS PART AND HAVE TOYOTA COVER THE REPAIRS BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 7, 2015
THE CAR FAILED TO START, THE BATTERY WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND HAD NOT WATER IN IT. CHANGED THE BATTERY, THE CAR STARTED PROPERLY; HOWEVER, ONCE SET TO DRIVE IT HESITATED A BIT, AS IF IT WERE CHOCKING FOR LACK OF GAS BUT IT HAD GAS. DROVE ON AND AT ABOUT SPEED OF 40 MPH STEERING BECAME HARD TO HANDLE, AC AND ENGINE CUT OFF. RESTARTED IT DROVE BACK HOME... JUST MADE THE LAST PAYMENT ON THE CAR, CAR WAS REGULARLY SERVICED AT THE DEALER.
Steering, Mar 29, 2015
WHEN PULLING OUT FROM STOP SIGNS HEARD CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IN MARCH 2015 NOISE IS THERE AGAIN. THERE IS A LITTLE OVER 80000 MILES ON VEHICLE. BAD ENOUGH IT WENT BAD ONCE.NO IDEA WHAT COST WILL BE TO REPAIR SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Steering, Jan 6, 2015
AS SOON AS I BACK UP OUT OF THE GARAGE, THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL, MORE SO TURNING TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK IT INTO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND HAD 2 EMPLOYEES DRIVE IT. THEY BOTH AGREED IT WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, POSSIBLY A BRACKET. WHEN I TURN IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE WHEEL DOESN'T WANT TO GO ANY FURTHER, MAKES THIS LOUD CLUNKING SOUND THEN LETS GO. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND THE TIGHTNESS IN THE TURN HAS WORSENED.
Steering, Dec 31, 2014
MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS DEVELOPED A LOUD CLUNK AND SLIGHT BINDING WHEN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE DIAGNOSIS FROM TOYOTA APPEARS TO BE A WORN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. IN MY OPINION, THE STEERING SHAFT ON THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT RESEMBLE THOSE ON OTHER CARS IN THAT STARTS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN RUNS VERTICALLY DOWN THROUGH THE DASH AREA CHANGING DIRECTION ABRUPTLY. OTHER VEHICLES HAVE A GENERALLY STRAIGHT STEERING SHAFT IN LINE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AXIS AND NO ABRUPT CHANGES IN ALIGNMENT. THERE APPEARS TO BE SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSIONS ON TOYOTA RELATED WEBSITES OF SIMILAR RAV4 STEERING SHAFT PROBLEMS. IS TOYOTA AND THE NHTSA AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND PREPARING AN INVESTIGATION OR REMEDY. *JS
Steering, Dec 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 3/18/15*CN UPDATED 8/18/2015*JS UPDATED 10/19/2015 *JS
Steering, Suspension, Dec 7, 2014
MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS A "CLUNKING/POPPING" NOISE COMING FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE STEERING LINKAGE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND RACK-AND-PINION ASSEMBLY.IN EARLY 2014, A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN INDIANA RECOMMENDED SERVICING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY VIA AN ISSUED TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED IN THE SPRING OF 2014 (COST=$1000, CAR MILEAGE ~65K).I HAVE SINCE JOB RELOCATED TO NEW JERSEY AND THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED (CAR MILEAGE ~75K).A DEALERSHIP HERE TOLD ME THAT THE RACK-AND-PINION ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACE (EST. COST= $2000).GENERAL SIGNS OF RACK-AND-PINION FAILURE AS STATED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND GENERAL RESEARCH ARE NOT OBSERVED IN MY CAR (SIGNS INCLUDING "PLAY/SLOP" IN THE STEERING WHEEL, LOOSE STEERING, STIFF STEERING, ETC.).FURTHER RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE HAS SHOW MULTIPLE HUNDREDS-OF-THOUSANDS OF RAV4 OWNERS INQUIRING ABOUT THIS ISSUE EITHER VIA RAV4/TOYOTA FORUMS, OR THROUGH THE NHTSA AND OTHER THIRD PARTY AUTO SAFETY AGENCIES.THE DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO BE GUESSING AT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, AND THEY ISSUE REPAIR GUIDELINES BASED ONLY ON SERVICE BULLETINS WITHOUT FULLY INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE.THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WITH A "CLUNKING/POPPING" NOISE WITH THE STEERING ASSEMBLY OF THESE AUTOMOBILES.OWNERS OF THIS (HIGHLY RATED, ABUNDANTLY SOLD) RAV4 MODEL SHOULD BE ISSUED A RECALL BY TOYOTA TO HAVE THE RACK-AND-PINION AND THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY FIXED WITHOUT CONSUMER PURCHASE.TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS, AS THEY HAVE ISSUED MULTIPLE SERVICE BULLETINS, BUT HAVE YET TO DEEM THE ISSUE A SAFETY CONCERN LEAVING THEIR LOYAL OWNERS WITH REPAIR COST IN UPWARDS OF $3000 FOR CARS THAT ARE WELL UNDER 100,000 MILES, BUT OUTSIDE OF TOYOTA'S WARRANTY PERIOD. PROTECTING THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS AND THEIR PRECIOUS PASSENGERS, SHOULD BE THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN OF TOYOTA AND THE NHTSA. *TR
Steering, Sep 11, 2014
THERE ARE MULTIPLE KNOCKS COMING UP THE STEERING SHAFT AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Suspension, Sep 6, 2014
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION RECALL AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP I WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THERE IS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THE SHAFT IS CRACKED AND COULD BE DANGEROUS. I NEVER NOTICED ANY STEERING SOUNDS BUT NOW THAT I'M SPECIFICALLY LISTENING FOR IT I DO HEAR IT. I BELIEVE THAT IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DEALER STATED THEN THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. MOST OWNERS WILL NOT KNOW THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE SOUND IS NOT THAT NOTICEABLE AND I ASSUME THAT IF LEFT UNCORRECTED LOSS OF STEERING WILL OCCUR. *TR