2007 Toyota RAV4: won't start

Filed Dec 9, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 110,000 miles · CA

I was traveling down arrow hwy in the rain when my electrical system failed. I lost power from both my alternator and battery intermittently. I was coasting down to an approaching intersection when I made the descision to turn right at the intersection. The steering was so hard that I nearing hit the center divide. My windshield wipers were barely working and many of my dash icons were coming on randomly. Through it all, my engine continued to run and I made to the next street that turned into condos that had parking spaces. I shut my engine off and tried a restart. The engine,of course,did not start. After being hauled to the nearest toyota dealer they diagnosed the problem as an alternator that shorted the battery. Having a little experience in this electrical area, I understand how this can happen but with proper design it could have been avoided. The battery was saved after recharging. Here is my point; I don't want any one that I know and love to go through what I had to. Those that drive this car should be made aware that this could happen with a car equipped with electrical steering. This problem could have been more severe if the engine would have stalled; which, by the way would have happened in a short time.

Filed Dec 19, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · DC

While driving the car suddenly loses all electricity, all the lights, every light indicator, the radio are off. The engine stops running and the car stops immediately. This normally happens while driving on city streets but also happened once when the car was parked and the key was out. After I entered and turned the key the car wouldn't start and there was no electricity in the car. No lights, no indicators, etc were on. Took it to the mechanic to take a look but he couldn't find anything. Also took it to toyota dealership and the technician inspected it and ran a diagnostics test but couldn't find the problem either.

Filed Sep 16, 2012 · Electrical · 72,000 miles · FL

I was driving the rav4 in april 2011 and again on september 14, 2012 when the same incident occurred.the first time there was no warning, the battery light did not come on, first the radio quit playing and then the car went dead as I was moving in traffic. Needless to say it was very stressful being struck in traffic. Thanks to some kind ladies, the car was pushed out of the way. We suspected it was a battery malfunction, although the battery was only 8 months old. We took the battery to place of purchase and they tried to charge it, it would not charge so they replaced the battery for free because it was still under warranty. On friday, september 14 I was driving in heavy traffic and this time the battery light came on for a few minutes, then the radio went out and the car died. This was extremely stressful as traffic was speeding behind me and I was afraid I would get rear ended. Once again there were two females that helped me push the car out of traffic. Once again the battery was replaced as it was still under warranty, however this time the battery light will not go out. After doing some investigating, I believe the problem stems from the rav 4 's electrical steering and the fact that it pulls to much power. There is not reason why the car should just quit while your driving in traffic. It is hard to trust the vehicle when it suddenly stops in traffic and will not start again.

Filed Sep 5, 2010 · Electrical, Steering · 55,000 miles · CA

1. While driving a 2007 toyota rav4 at low speed, the steering wheel lock engaged, instrument cluster lights flashed and the radio silenced for about 5 seconds. The car was able to be safely stopped. Normal steering resumed radio came back on and cluster lights stopped flashing. The car was driven approximately 2-3 miles and parked for apprx. 1 hour. 2. The car would not start, again no radio, but lights were illuminated to full brightness. No warning/fault light was illuminated. The car was "jump-started". When pulling out of the parking stall, the steering wheel lock engaged again. A tow truck was called. The car engine remained running normally. 3. While loading the car, the tow truck driver had the steering wheel lock engage and disengage repeatedly 4 - 5 times. The toyota of walnut creek (california) technician states that the problem is a discharged battery, causing the electric power steering assist to not operate and stated that the steering wheel lock cannot engage while the car is in motion. The problem was that the steering wheel lock did engage, not a lack of steering assist. The technician stated he "cannot duplicate" the problem.

Filed Aug 18, 2010 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav-4. The contact stated the vehicle would not start and received a jump start. After receiving the jump start and driving 15 MPH, the power steering locked and the power steering warning light began to sporadically illuminate. The dealer advised the contact that the battery would need to be replaced to correct the failure. The battery was replaced. The contact was concerned with the safety of a recurring failure if driving on the highway and the potential of a crash. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 45,000.