2006 Toyota RAV4: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Steering · 86,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while making a right or left turn, there was a loud popping sound coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the popping noise was progressively louder while steering to make a turn. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering linkage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2019 · Steering · 140,000 miles · FL

Vehicle did have an official recall(steering shaft assembly) vehicle was repaired 2x's. Vehicle is experiencing same problem. Steering gets tight and knocks. Sent letter to toyota in california created case #[xxx] dealer refuses to repair *tt consumer stated there are 2 odi numbers #352270 and #1182873. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *ln

Filed Jan 5, 2019 · Steering · WA

Steering 'clunks' and car won't turn at low speeds/stationary, radio momentarily cuts out and dash lights flash. Can turn the steering wheel further after a few seconds. Happens intermittently, so far only at low speeds/while parking or leaving a parking space.

Filed Nov 22, 2018 · Steering · CA

Hear clunk sound when turning the steering. Check with toyota sunnyvale dealer, they said the steering intermediate shaft needs to be replaced

Filed Dec 1, 2017 · Steering · 65,000 miles · CO

Purchased vehicle in november 2015 with the noise/issue already occurring. It is a popping/clicking when turning left or right with steering wheel. Had diagnosis done at repair shop. It is the intermediate drive shaft that is worn/defective. Toyota has had known tsb's on this part since 2008, but regardless of safety concerns, refuses to replace or reimburse.

Filed Apr 28, 2017 · Transmission · 2,000 miles · CA

I bought the car back in august 2006 at toyota dealer. There were clunky sounds from the steering wheel when after couple months of purchase. I brought the car back to dealer to request for a fix but I was told that the clunky sounds from the steering wheel should be considered as normal as the way the it came from toyota factory. There was no fix to correct that clunky noises from steering wheel on that day. I had trusted to toyota's advice on that day and kept driving the car until other mechanics and friends told me that my car needed to be fixed with the steering wheel since there had been clunky noises when they tested drive on my car. The sounds always came up when I moved the steering wheel. I called toyota service around 06/2014 about the clunky noise since the condition got worse. I was told that my car is out of warranty so there is nothing from toyota to help fixing the problem. Toyota told me that there would be recall if there had been numerous complaints with the same problem I had. I was advised to wait for a recall. For safety concern, I brought the car to toyota dealership after my conversation with toyota customer service on 06/2014. Toyota dealership had quoted with a fix for $600 for the part not including the labor. The clunky noise was came from the intermediate steering wheel shaft. I could not afford to fix because the price was too expensive so I had to keep the car condition as it was. Toyota should fix the problem when I brought it in. There have been so many complaints from 2006 toyota rav4 owners who have the same this intermediate steering shaft. I don't know if there has been any accident involved this issue or not but I am very sure that this is a serious matter since this intermediate shaft is relating to the controlling car's front wheels. For the safety concern, please help to look into this complaint.

Filed Apr 25, 2016 · Steering · 54,000 miles · VA

Steering column clunking noise when turning the wheel. On-going issue since december 2015.

Filed Apr 4, 2016 · Steering · 50,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4 the contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The steering wheel emitted a loud metal noise while turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2015 · Steering · IN

Steering column cluncking noise year: 2006 make: toyota model: rav4/base issue: steering column cluncking noise. I just bought the car on the 12th of june but have seen other people online talking about it.

Filed May 20, 2015 · Steering · 40,000 miles · VA

My 2006 toyota rav4 limited edition, I heard a clunking noise coming from the front steering column each time I turned the wheel right or left. The noise occurs only when you turn the steering and it is a clunking noise along with a vibration in the steering when you turn the wheel. This has been an ongoing problem and when I brought it up with the toyota dealership the attendant said that it wasn't an issue. The problem isn't going away and the noise and clunky feeling when turning steering has been increasing. The problem started when the car was about 40k miles (out of warranty @ 36k). Few mechanics from other places looked at it and said it need to be fixed asap. I read blogs and noticed many of these vehicle have similar issues. I hope toyota won't wait until an accident happen because of the problem.

Filed Feb 26, 2015 · 500 miles · CA

Soon after I purchased my 2006 toyota rav4 limited edition, I heard a clunking noise coming from the front steering column each time I turned the wheel right or left. The noise occurs only when you turn the steering and it is a clunking noise along with a vibration in the steering when you turn the wheel. This has been an ongoing problem and when I brought it up with the toyota dealership the attendant said that it wasn't an issue. The problem isn't going away and the noise and clunky feeling when turning steering has been increasing. 3 mechanics from non-toyota dealerships looked at my car on three separate occasions and documented the noise as a defect in the car that needs to be fixed. One mechanic told me that I could lose control of steering if I do not fix the problem. I recently took my car into my tire dealer for a tire rotation and the mechanic noticed the problem right away and said that I need to get it fixed asap. This has been a problem since I bought the car and is obviously a recall situation that toyota has yet to take responsibility for. Please advise.

Filed Feb 1, 2015 · Steering · 74,000 miles · NY

Steering clunking noise and looseness.