In a parked position or while turning ,sometimes, there is a vibrating/clunking sound made by the steering/steering shaft...toyota suggests replacing for $520.00 plus tax.... For the year and mileage on vehicle I think it's a manufacturers defect and should be corrected by toyota.
2007 Toyota RAV4 steering complaints
Page 5 of 10: complaints 101 to 130 of 271, newest first, as owners wrote them.
There is a popping noise in the steering while making turns. The toyota service dealer identified it as the "intermediate steering shaft, a recurring problem with the 07-08 rav." he said the cost to replace it would be $650.72. I asked him it was covered by toyota, and he said no. I asked if it was a safety hazard, and he said, "the steering could potentially fail while you're driving." I have five children and don't want my steering to fail while I'm driving. Since this is a known problem on 07-08 rav's, I am requesting that it be turned into a national safety recall for toyota to fix. Thank you for your time and consideration! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Upon taking ownership of this pre-owned vehicle I noticed a clunking sound coming from the drivers side front of the vehicle, particularly while turning. I took the vehicle to my local dealership who ran a diagnostic and informed me that this problem was due to issues in the steering intermediate shaft and that it needed to be replaced. They indicated the "splines" were starting to wear and that delay in repair could see worsening of sound and potential issues with steering. Yet they also informed me there was no danger. While perhaps that was the case I felt that a steering failure was an immediate danger and had the vehicle repaired immediately. Price was approx. $420 for labor and parts. After researching this a bit I find that toyota has recalled a similar part on some of it's other vehicles, such as the prius. It concerns me that this part is not recalled on the rav 4 or any other toyota vehicle with the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel failed without warning and the contact crashed into a guard rail. There were no injuries and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, where it was stated that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise that came from the front driver and passenger side wheels whenever the contact moved the steering wheel or when the vehicle was not in motion. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,200. The current mileage was 48,684. Updated 10/24/13
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the intermediate steering shaft would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while reversing from a residential driveway and turning to the right, there was a loud sound. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the intermediate steering shaft would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 1,900 and the current mileage was 21,400. Updated 04/30/13
I have had numerous sensor problems, replaced free of charge at this point. Had to replace wheel bearing and wiring due to corrosion, free of charge now other side has same wheel bearing, corrosion problem and they want $1000.00. Have also had a clunking in steering column (bad knuckle joint) that tech's have not found. Hear that would cost at least $800.00. They also say water pump leaking and need replacement to prevent engine damage another approx. $1000.00. I've been online and these are all problems discussed by other rav4 owners. The tech told me there are not enough problems to incite a recall. Mean while I've had nothing but problems since I bought this vehicle and it doesn't even have 60k. Now they want 3k to fix current problems.
Hear a popping noise when turning steering wheel left or right. Only hear it when turning at slower speeds.
While getting recall work done on my 2007 toyota rav4, the dealership called to say that they detected a 'clunking' in my steering column that was caused by the steering shaft and it was a 'known issue' with the model but not big enough for a recall.
The vehicle has problems with the steering column and it is causing issues with wheels when turning. I have read a bunch of others complaints. Please have toyota recall this part and replace there is a clunking in my steering when I turn the car left or right at any speed. The steering feel as their is looseness causing non accurate turning and wobblesness. Jan 14, 2013 - wesley chapel , fl - steering tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making a right or left turn, there was a loud strange noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 46,000. The VIN was not available. Bulletin out on this intermediate steering shaft. A new shaft is going to run $400.00 plus at least an hour of labor. This mean that it is going to cost each owner of this rav4 model at least $500.00. Toyota has put a service bulletin out on this very problem. The bulletin # is tsb-0318-08 rev1. I am afraid that this will become a safety issue and I believe that there is some manufacturing defect or design problem at the basis of this problem. View details nov 14, 2010 - howell, nj - steering at approximately 50,000 miles we noticed a clunking noise in the power steering. It got progressively worse. At 69,457 miles we took it to the dealer. He informed us the steering shaft would have to be replaced at $456.00 with a wheel alignment. After asking about a possible steering defect I was told it was normal maintenance. Without a repair I am afraid I might loose my steering.
Sudden clunk noise and jerking motion in steering wheel.
I've been hearing clicking noise when I turn the steering wheel to either sides. Not always present but it is a safety concern for me.
2007 toyota rav 4. Consumer writes in regards to problems with recall notices for rear suspension and power window switch. *smd the consumer stated did not believe the recall was performed, as he is still experiencing problems with the power window switch. Also, the water pump was replaced. The consumer stated there were still problems with the suspension, after the dealer it was fixed. Due to the ongoing suspension problems, it was affecting the steering shaft, rack and pinion and tie rod. Updated 03/12/13
There is a clunking in my steering when I turn the car left or right at any speed. The steering feel as their is looseness causing non accurate turning and wobblesness.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making a right or left turn, there was a loud strange noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 46,000. Updated 02/28/13 *bf updated 03/11/13.
Notice a popping sound in the steering column. Found toyota bulletin t-sb-0318-08 which superseded tsb st001-08. The bulletins gave new parts and repair for the steering column. If toyota knows there is a design problem, the fix should be covered by toyota. The parts person says he knew the part number by heart since so many were being replaced.
My car began to make a clunking noise at the steering wheel every time I would turn it in any direction at any speed. I was worried about the safety of the car so I called toyota and scheduled for my car to be inspected. I was told I had 3 recalls on my car. After all the repairs where made the dealership told me that the only concern they still had was the clunking noise in the steering wheel. They told me that I needed to replace the accessory shaft. I was also told that I would have to pay out of pocket. I had no choice but to decline the repair due to the cost. I decided to do research of my own and have found many other toyota rav 4 owners that have experienced the same issue with their vehicles. All have the same complaints and feel the same frustrations as I do. This problem should be looked at. This could possibly be a defect in their design at the expensive of the car owner.
Steering has play and clunk at times causing car to swerve do mechanical defect and/or over correction of the driver do to sensation of loss of steering control. After reading user forms on this vehicle it is common to the vehicle and should be recalled by toyota to prevent fatal accidents. Recall items should include middle shaft and rack and pinion. Websites below tell people to complain to toyota but this should be mandated by the federal safety agency http://www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2007/toyota/rav4/steering http://www.rav4world.com/forums/99-4-3-mechanical/82616-steering-intermediate-shaft-clunk-solution.html.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle erroneously veered off the road. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was determined that the threads on the tie rod had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Noise in steering column - toyota service inspected same - suggested steering shaft needed to be replaced mileage on car 59200.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated the steering intermediate shaft failed causing a loud clunking noise when making a right or left turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated there was no recall and they would have to take the vehicle apart to find the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified which offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Around the 12th of october 2012 I started to notice a sound when turning the steering wheel to the left. Within a few days I could hear it when turning left or right at slower speeds. I took my car to my mechanic for an oil change and mentioned it. He said that it seemed to be the steering intermediate shaft. I contacted a toyota dealer to enquire about cost of part and repair. I was told that the part was around $400 and that it would take approximately 1.6 hours to repair at $80/hour. I contacted toyota headquarters and was told that even though there was a service bulletin out on this same problem, that there was not a recall and the car is not under warranty now. If I had not asked my mechanic to check the problem I very likely would of had an accident when the splines finally gave out. I have the old shaft now as I had my mechanic order the part from a toyota dealer (the price was just over $100) and it took him 1.7 hours to do the repair, so it cost me about $200 total. Toyota said that if there were a recall I might be able to get some of my money back. Does someone have to die before they have a recall on this. It would be stupid of them to wait until there is a death!! I've had 2 recalls taken care of and there are 2 more that will need to be done soon. Did someone die to get them to recall for those problems. There was a recall announced yesterday on this very same problem with the prius 2004-2009. I have a 2007 toyota rav4...this is a bigger problem than they have acknowledged.
There is a steering shaft defect in toyota rav4 2007 too.
Soon after purchasing my 2007 rav4 sport I started hearing a clicking noise when I made turns in either direction. This clicking occurs while turning and does not depend on speed or degree of turn. I've read several complaints from other rav4 owners and believe toyota should initiate a recall.
There is a known issue with the steering shaft causing complete failure in steering. Toyota is well aware of the issue but has not recalled the defective parts... Http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2007/toyota/rav4/steering/problem.aspx. I would like to see this very serious issue addressed by toyota.
Dealer informed me yesterday that intermediate steering shaft needs to be replaced for the third time since manufacture.shaft was replaced a couple of years ago at a cost of $880, of which I had to pay $500 as vehicle was out of warranty. Dealer downplayed whether this is a safety issue but insisted that I should pay $715 to replace the shaft which is making knocking noises when driven. This has to be a design and/or manufacturing defect and I've heard that other models in the line have also suffered similar steering issues. Can only hope it doesn't lead to steering failure.
When you turn left or right a strange noise happening and you can feel some sort of bump or catch in the steering. There is a service bulletin out on this intermediate steering shaft. A new shaft is going to run $400.00 plus at least an hour of labor. This mean that it is going to cost each owner of this rav4 model at least $500.00. Toyota has put a service bulletin out on this very problem. The bulletin # is tsb-0318-08 rev1. I am afraid that this will become a safety issue and I believe that there is some manufacturing defect or design problem at the basis of this problem.
At any speed, an audible "clunk" is present when steering wheel is turned right or left. Furthermore, one can feel a vibration in the steering wheel that exactly matches the "clunk" sound. During low speeds after starting the vehicle the noise and vibration is prominent any time the steering wheel is turned. At higher speeds, the sound is less pronounced, but a vibration and feeling of "looseness" in the steering is prominent. Since this vehicle is used as a family car with young children (and a pregnant woman) present, this noise/vibration combination is disturbing as we fear steering failure. I am not sure if this problem is related to toyota's technical service bulletin st001-08 which matches the description of my problem. However, it is apparent that toyota issued this tsb as a result of customer complaints and developed a procedure and replacement parts to cure such a problem.
Hi good day, I am writing this complain about my vehicle problem toyota rav4 2007 "steering knocking" which affects my driving ability cause it bothers me while driving due to noise everytime I turn my steering wheel left and right. I already write the company about this matter but there is no proper answer about the defect. I search the vehicle defect online and there are a lot of rav4 owners with the same problem. I hope it's not to late to notify this problem and not waiting for the time that it will cause accidents to the owners of the vehicle in the near future. I am just anticipating that there will be no future accidents arise related to this vehicle problem.
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