I have a 2007 toyota rav4 4wd v6 limited that had a defectively designed steering shaft. In early 2009, I began to notice a loud "clunk" when my vehicle turned slowly (fwd or back from a stop) or when I entered or exited my driveway. Quick research revealed others with this condition on 2006 and 2007 rav4s, it was likely a defective steering shaft..improperly engineered at the joint, and it was wearing/loosening. Toyota had apparently issued a t-sb-0318-08 to replace the shaft when owners complained. I took my rav4 in for service to check, and it was confirmed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. However, my mileage exceeded the 36,000 mile warranty, and despite numerous diplomatic attempts on my part, toyota denied coverage on the basis of mileage, despite my argument of a safety defect. I argued that this loosening/defective steering shaft could break and cause a loss of steering control at highway speeds. I was ignored numerous times through regional and national toyota "customer service" channels. My local dealer was friendly, buy unable to convince toyota to help. I finally decided to have the steering column repaired at my expense, fearing for the safety of my steering, and toyota could not assure me that the steering was safe without the repair (they refused to comment). I told them I would be reporting this to the nhtsb, and they did not seem to care. I spent over $500 to replace a defectively designed steering shaft, and I hope others with this issue are reporting this to hold toyota accountable for potential safety defects.
2007 Toyota RAV4 steering complaints
Page 10 of 10: complaints 251 to 271 of 271, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Clicking noise in steering shaft. I had mentioned this to the dealer in numerous occasion the month after my warranty wore out they mentioned yes there is a problem and several vehicles have been brought in for this problem its called the steering shaft which makes a clicking noise and sometimes becomes stuck. The dealer headquarter toyota (horrible servicer) failed to take responsibility and I contacted the toyota and they said they would not cover the part even though there is recalls in japan for this same situation. I am not able to cover this expensive part and so im waiting to see if the recalls comes to the us before there is an accident.
2007 rav4 steering clunking noise.
2007 toyota rav4 has loud clunking noises and "catches" when turning the wheel left or right. Supposed to be a steering issue caused by a manufacturers defect, but toyota not will not cover any repairs that cost upwards of $1,000. Dealer says this is a common problem but will not respond to complainants about it being a safety issue. If steering fails, will toyota be responsible?
Steering column in 2007 toyota rav4. Problem is s manufacturing defect that will not be corrected if the car is out of warranty. Makes a very loud noise whenever steering wheel is turned and has a tendency to "wander" to side of road.
Large steering noise when car is turned at certain speeds, which is well characterized by other son my 2007 rav4. See a link: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0c40d0 this issue has been brought to the attention of the dealership shortly after I purchased the car. I am concerned about how safe the car is enlight of toyota's quality control issues.
Steering wheel problem with 2007 toyota rav 4. *nj the consumer stated the steering wheel would make a strange noise every time he turned the wheel. The dealer stated it was a common problem. The dealer stated a new steering shaft was needed. The seals on the intermediate shaft of the steering wheel system had dried up and was causing the joint to make a noise. *jb updated 03/08/10.
I have an 07 toyota rav and recently had to take it to the dealer because of a clunking sound in the steering. Was told by the service rep that the intermediate steering rod is failing. The splines are hitting the bottom assembly. Was also told that this is not a safety issue and is safe to drive. Cost was $415.70 for parts and 178.00 for labor. The issue is not the cost but concern that something (intermediate steering rod) in my steering is failing (when will it fail completely) and according to service rep...this is not a safety issue. Perhaps he should be turning the wheel, listening to the "clunking sound of the failing spines" and then thinking, "this is not a safety issue!"
Thumping/clunking sound heard/felt in steering when turning left. Diagnosed as bad intermediate steering shaft. Vehicle only 9,000 miles out of warranty and failure of this part at such low mileage is absurd. Had it replaced as potential safety threat. Selling dealer initially advised that repair would cost $839.00 but after further discussion of toyota tsb's and internet info that this part has also been defective in camrys and avalons toyota agreed to provide parts under warranty-saving $517. I paid labor of $321.00.
Popping noise in steering at low speeds, indicating possible eventual failure of steering function. Toyota has been nonresponsive to customer complaints, though this is clearly a design failure that frequently shows just as vehicle exceeds warranty. Government pressure is required for toyota to issue a recall before this nuisance issue becomes a safety issue.
I recently had to replace the steering shaft on my 2007 toyota rav4. My car was making popping noises when steering left and right. Come to find out it was the steering shaft. My car was above the mileage and out of the manufactures warranty. Since there was a tsb they said they would temporarily fix it by lubing it. The actual replacement of the steering shaft on my car cost me over $755.08 out of pocket. I had absolutely no choice but to pay this since I am not sure if it would have been safe to even continue driving my car. I know of one complaint on this exact same issue and I think it is ridiculous that we consumers should have to pay this out of our own pockets. Toyota should be issuing a recall for this.
I have 2007 toyota rav 4. The steering start making knocking / popping sound whenever I turn right or left. I found tsb from the website which is t-sb-0318-08. This tsb is to replace steering shaft. 2006,2007,2008 rav 4 is fall into this tsb. The problem is toyota will do this tsb repair only the car is below 36k mile/36 month which is under manufacture warranty. If the car is out of warranty, consumer has to pay about $700. I don't understand why consumer has to pay for defective part replacement. If I don't replace the steering shaft, I don't know if it will be safe for keep driving or not. Toyota must recall the rav 4 to replace the steering shaft instead of tsb repair under the warranty. Steering is directly related with driver's safety.
The battery on my wife's 2007 toyota rav4 went out without warning, & so on the advice of the folsom lake toyota garage, I jump started her car to get her home. The next morning I did the same, so that she could drive it to the garage to get fixed. When she started to drive the car however, the steering lock would not allow her to turn the wheel & she ended up driving towards the middle of the road. She immediately stopped, & told me, & so as I thought she meant that the power steering simply wasn't working, I said that I would drive it to the garage for her. When I started off however, the car steering lock stopped me turning the wheel, although only for a second or two, before the steering began to work correctly, & so I very slowly & carefully drove the car to the garage. The garage checked the car & said that it was just a faulty battery, but when I pointed out that if a faulty battery could cause the steering lock to engage while driving, this was a safety hazard, they said that when they asked toyota, they simply said that it was working as designed, & so there was nothing they could do. Consequently, I called toyota, & they told me that as the car has an electronic power steering module, the steering lock could engage with a bad battery. When I suggested to the customer services rep that they needed to address this issue as a safety hazard, she wasn't interested in helping, & point blank refused to give me contact details for her boss, or anyone at toyota north america or japan, only the customer services dept., I.e., people like herself. I find it insulting that toyota not only appears not to care about the safety of their customers, but also doesn't appear to want to hear from their customers, e.g., when I took a survey after my call, & entered some very low numbers for service care, the call was deliberately cut off by toyota. So much for japanese service!
Part worn out in steering column they call it the shaft.
Steering noise-whether turning left or right you can hear and feel a noise(clanking sound). The feel is on the steering column and wheel. This vehicle has 10,000 mi. But the problem has been there since 6,000 mi.. Tire pressure is good, I check it once a week.
Electric power steering failure,had to drive from lorsburge n.m.to el paso tx 180 miles with no electric power steering. Took car to dick poe toyota on 5/14/08 car had 2 failure codes 1-computer failed 2-power steering motor failed dealer would not make repairs,car is covered by toyota with 100,000 miles warranty.
07 toyota rav 4 has had "pull to left" problem since purchased 6-07. Been to dealer twice for this and still cannot correct. They say it has been corrected. They found alignment. Problem 10-07, but just x-rotated tires 3-08 and said was corrected.
Knocking/popping noise in steering when trun left or right. Sometime happens when make a u-turn.
Clunk in power steering (rack-and-pinion) while making a turn at a slow speed (can be heart and felt on steering wheel).
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. While driving at any speed, the vehicle veered from left to right. The dealer stated that the tire pressure was different on all four tires. They corrected the tire pressure, however, the failure continued. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that all toyota's experienced the failure. No repairs or adjustments were made. The failure mileage was 15 and current mileage was 1,100.
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering without warning. The power steering did not return until the dealer replaced the steering column. The failure recurred while driving 45 MPH. The failure mileage was 1,000 and current mileage was 4,600. The consumer stated the first time the steering malfunctioned, it reset itself, however the second time it happened the steering column was replaced. The third time, a computer component was replaced. The dealer was not able to determine what was causing the problem. Updated 09/18/07.
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