2007 Toyota RAV4: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Apr 29, 2020 · Steering · 141,000 miles · WA

Knock in the steering wheel when turning and have paid over $2,500.00 with the problem never getting fixed because everyone thinks it is something else and they are always wrong.

Filed Feb 12, 2017 · Steering · 108,250 miles · CA

Audible clunk sound in the steering when turning the steering wheel. The driver can also feel a knock through the steering wheel. I am worried that this is a safety issue. This appears to be a common issue for this model and year (e.g., about 40 complaints of this kind have been filed for 2007 rav4s on carcomplaints.com). It appears to be related to the intermediate steering shaft; toyota has for example issued tsb 0318 08 to address this problem. According to our toyota dealership, it is due to a shaft tolerance that is too loose; the clunk sound would only be an annoyance, but not a safety concern. Given that the steering is critical for control and safe operations of the car, I feel that any noise in the steering might indicate a serious problem that needs to be addressed. We bought the car used with 107874 miles (from the first owner) on 05/09/2014, and noticed the problem immediately during the first weeks of use. We believe the condition had already existed before we purchased the car, but we have no information at which mileage the previous owner started to notice it.

Filed Jul 2, 2016 · Steering · 98,000 miles · CT

I hear a clunk, pop or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel. Toyota is aware of this (tech service bulletin st001-08). Toyota redesigned the intermediate shaft. However, toyota has not taken the steps to issue recall to replace this defective part.

Filed Jun 17, 2016 · Steering · 66,000 miles · TX

I hear a clunk, pop, or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. Toyota was acutely aware of this issue (please see attached technical service bulletin st001-08) and had to redesign the intermediate shaft. Unfortunately, toyota has not taken the steps to recall all effected vehicles and replace this defective part. I urge the federal safety agency to take immediate steps to force toyota to issue a recall and make the necessary repairs as this issue has been witnessed in a large proportion of the 06-07 toyota rav4 vehicles.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Steering · 50,000 miles · CT

There are multiple knocks coming up the steering shaft at low speeds when turning the steering wheel.

Filed Jul 6, 2014 · Steering · 74,627 miles · CA

Noticed knocking/clunking noise from steering at low speed as described in t-sb-0318-08 steering intermediate shaft noise' dated october 20, 2008. Took the car to a toyota dealer to replace the steering intermediate shafts as detailed by the t-sb. Upon further inspection the technician reported that both the intermediate shaft and the steering rack have play in them and recommended that they both be replaced. The service advisor stated that this will become a safety issue if not repaired and can lead to loss of steering. The estimate for the repair was $2700 since the extended warranty has expired two month prior to taking the vehicle in. Given that there is a safety concern, I opted to have the recommended service done and paid $2731.77 for the repair. A quick internet search shows that this is a common issue with the toyota rav for model years 2006 - 2008. Given that this is a safety issue and that some drivers might not associate the noise with a serious issue, toyota motors should: 1.instate a recall to inspect all parts related to the steering mechanism in effected models. 2.replace all effected parts at no cost to the owner 3.reimburse diligent owners who noticed the issue, reported it to the dealers and paid to have the repair done. Best regards.

Filed Apr 10, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 50,000 miles · MA

On march 21st the ABS, vsc, traction and brake warning lights came on while driving at 35 MPH in dry weather condition. When the lights were on, the ABS system was triggered making difficult to brake to stop. Since then the warning lights have been on and off and so I've been having difficulties when slowing down at a higher speed rate 60 MPH, slow speed 20 MPH, and even stopping. On tuesday, april 8 I brought the rav4 to the dealer and they said that there is nothing wrong with the car and that the breaks were ok. Dealer said: it is just the a rear sensor that needs to be reset. So dealer technician reset the sensor the same day. On wednesday, april 9, 2014 around 6:00 pm when turning left at a corner I heard a ticking noise then four warning lights appeared again and the breaks started to malfunction again. I'll bring the rav4 to the dealer on april 12, 2014 and see what they have to say. The codes the dealer have initially were c0210 and c1223. My spouse and I don't want to drive the rav4 without knowing that the sensor that the dealer talks about is either fixed or replaced. I don't want to be exposed nor expose my family to any possible accident due to the sensor/braking system failure.

Filed Dec 4, 2013 · Engine · 98,800 miles · PA

My 2007 toyota rav 4 experienced some heavy knocking on friday nov. 29th. I took it into kost tire and muffler in clark summit, pa to have then take a quick look at it. They said the engine was full of oil at the time. I drove it approximately 8.5 miles after leaving kost before deciding to have it towed to the toyota dealership in scranton on sunday. On monday morning toyota said the car arrived with no oil. How could this be? There was no oil in the kost parking lot, in my driveway or on the tow truck bed ( can be verified by all sources). If the car were to have spilt a full engine of oil there would have been some kind of evidence(burning smell, sight of lost oil, car smoking -but there was nothing). Toyota has denied the warranty claim due to what they say is lack of engine lubrication. This is absolutely bogus. After reading some online blog I have seen a number of other customers who own 2007 rav4's who have had the same exact problem.

Filed Oct 26, 2013 · Suspension · 29,500 miles · NY

While driving car on highway, I heard a low noise from the passenger side rear of the car that sounded like something in the right rear suspension broke. Since this time, the car sounds like something is loose and makes a knocking sound from the passenger side rear of the vehicle when driving between 10 MPH and 30 MPH when you go over small bumps. It sounds like a broken spring or shock absorber or some other component of the rear suspension system is loose or broken. I am concerned about driving the vehicle, or letting other family members drive the vehicle, especially at high way speeds.

Filed Sep 25, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 25,650 miles · NV

Knock and sudden shift of steering wheel. Noise appeared to come from front of vehicle and along the steering column or suspension system. Has grown worse with use, but vehicle only has 30,250 miles. We would like to know if it's safe to drive; danger of loss of steering. We do not feel safe, especially at highway speeds.

Filed Aug 23, 2013 · Steering · 13,975 miles · FL

I hear a clunk. Pop or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. According to toyota service bulletin t-sb-0318-08, a new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this condition, that is to remove and replace both steering and intermediate shafts (no. 1 and no. 2.). The tsb expressly states that the repair is covered only under the 3 year/ 36k milestoyota comprehensive warranty. Many owners of the rav of this era have experienced this problem, and it often occurs when the vehicle is out of warranty. Many owners have had to pay several hundred dollars to have it fixed. Also, many owners have reported the sound getting worse over time if not fixed. ( this information is frequently stated in forums and blogs about this era rav 4). I believe this is a safety issue that will, at some point, result in negative steering effects, if not loss of steering. As such, toyota should be forced to initiate a recall campaign to fix this tsb problem under extended warranty.

Filed Jul 3, 2013 · Engine · 37,000 miles · MA

There is a knocking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. I can also feel something moving in sync with the knocking whenever it occurs. It feels as though some car parts are making contact and the knocking noise is the result of the impact.