Clunking noise coming from steering. Toyota will not assist in repairing costs being car is out of warranty.
2007 Toyota RAV4 steering complaints
Page 8 of 10: complaints 191 to 220 of 271, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Replaced lower and middle steering shaft. Replaced stabilizer bar control end links, front and rear and struts.
Clunking noise coming from steering mechanism. Replaced lower and middle steering shaft and front and rear end links.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated that a knocking noise was exhibited from the steering column whenever making a left or right turn, regardless of the speed. The vehicle was never taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 35,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact heard a knocking noise coming from the steering column while driving various speeds and whenever attempting a turn. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.
This is a follow-up to complaint number 10322423 I filed on march 26, 2010. At 37,109 miles my 2007 toyota rav4 had a binding and thumping noise in the steering column. I took the vehicle into the dealership where it was purchased and was informed the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced, but it was not a safety issue. At 46,781 miles I took my vehicle in for an oil change at my local automotive repair facility (not a toyota dealer). They recommended I have toyota look at the vehicle since the power steering rack and pinion was bad. I took the rav4 to a different toyota dealer in the area. They confirmed the power steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. I asked them to replace the intermediate shaft while they were working on the vehicle's steering system. A few days prior to the rack and pinion being replaced, the car felt like it had no power steering and it was difficult to turn the steering wheel. The power steering rack and pinion was replaced at 48,555. The second toyota dealership informed me the intermediate shaft did not have to be replaced because the binding and thumping noise was being caused by the power steering rack and pinion. I do not have the binding and thumping noise in the steering since the power steering rack and pinion was replaced. Toyota has issued two technical service bulletins (tsbs) for the binding and thumping noise in the steering column ' replacement of the intermediate steering shafts. The problem I had with the binding and thumping in the steering column was caused by the power steering rack and pinion, not the intermediate shafts. The power steering rack and pinion probably was bad at 37,109 miles. Many 2006-2008 rav4s have reported problems with the steering columns. Does toyota really know what's causing the steering column problems on the 2006-2008 rav4s? It's very disappointing toyota and the federal safety agency does not consider a steering problem a serious enough problem for a recall.
At around 20,000 miles, my 2007 toyota rav4 started making a clunking sound when I made right hand turns. I brought it in to the dealer but they said they could not reproduce the sound. Over time, the clunking grew louder and could be felt traveling up the steering shaft. I brought it in again just shy of the 36 month warranty limit and was told that once again the service technicians could not detect any sound/defect. However, when I brought my vehicle in for a safety recall on an oil hose, I mentioned the steering problem yet again and lo and behold, they could now detect it! However, my car was now past the 36 month comprehensive warranty coverage, so the repair would be out of pocket. The service technician pulled up the service bulletin t-sb-0318-08, dated 10-20-2008. It clearly describes the problem just as I had described it to the technician, and was posted almost a year before my second trip to the service department. I have not had the problem repaired yet, and now the clunk is heard and felt when turning left or right. I do not know what the ultimate outcome will be if I ignore the problem indefinitely. I do know that I am one of many 2006-2008 rav owners who have complained of this defect on the internet. Based on this number, toyota should be made to recall the defect.
On 2007 and 2008 toyota rav4 vehicles, the steering intermediate shaft and steering gear assembly fail. Toyota has a technical service bulletin that describes the fix: tsb 0318-08 rev1. Drivers will begin to feel a "thunk" in the steering column, and my mechanic (at a toyota dealership) informed me this would become a safety problem if left unfixed. This does not appear to be caused by any kind of driver error. Rather, it is a design flaw in the steering components. On my 2007 rav4, this problem began at around 55,000 miles, and was fixed per the technical service bulletin referenced above.
Tsb st001-08 steering gear box shaft . I have a severe clunking noise on my 2007 toyota rav4. The noise appears whenever I move the steering wheel even a little bit and continues indefinitely. I have had this noise for almost one year and it is getting worse. According to other rav4 owners, toyota knows about this problem, but they refuse to repair it without charging the owners. The vehicle was under warranty when the noise started and now it is no longer under warranty and is no longer covered (the vehicle was purchased 3 years ago and has less than 30,000 miles on it). When I took the car into the local toyota dealership on june 1, 2010 for an annual inspection, the car was still under warranty and the mileage was only 26496 (I purchased it on june 16, 2007). I mentioned to the dealership that there was a clunking noise in the steering, but there was no mention of any problems. I am unable to pay for any repairs on this vehicle, and do not feel like I should have to because it was faulty while under warranty, and toyota knows about it but refuses to repair it (it is a huge problem, one that affects 2006 and 2007 toyota rav4 vehicles).
I own a 2007 rav4 that have knocking sounds in the steering wheel. I had to replace both of the steering intermediate shaft at a cost of $355.00. The car has 31000 miles and just passed the 36 month warranty. Toyota refuses to help with the cost of repair. Many other 2007 toyota rav4 owners have complained of the same problem online. Toyota has issued service bulletin #t-sb-0319-08" to tell the toyota mechanics how to replace the defective steering shafts. Toyota should be made to issue a recall to repair this problem.
My 2007 toyota rav4 ltd 4x4 has an audible and physical clunking in the steering column when turning at any speed in either direction. I began noticing the sound around 80,000 miles and then began feeling it around 90,000. I had it looked at my a qualified technician and was told my entire steering column has defective bushings that are a design flaw and the entire dual steering shaft would have to be replaced for $820.00. I was also told it could be a safety hazard because the steering will no longer be functional when the bushing actually give out. I can only imagine what the hell would happen going 60 MPH down the freeway on my daily commute when my steering fails. This is a known design flaw by toyota, how on earth does this not qualify as a safety recall!!!?!?!?!?!
Steering has had a "clunking" noise for several months. I read online from numerous other 2007 rav4 owners that toyota has issued service bulletin #t-sb-0318-08 to correct the problem. My toyota dealer replaced one of the intermediate shafts has instructed in the service bulletin. Repairs cost me $414.00. Noise has been eliminated. I own two rav4s year 2007. Both have the same problem.
I own two 2007 rav4s. Both have knocking sounds in the steering wheel. I had to replace the steering intermediate shaft in one of the cars last week at a cost of $440.00. I will have to do the same repair on the second rav4 this week. There are less than 33,000 on each car. Toyota refuses to help with the cost of repair. Many other 2007 toyota rav4 owners have complained of the same problem online. Toyota has issued service bulletin #t-sb-0319-08" to tell the toyota mechanics how to replace the defective steering shafts. Toyota should be made to issue a recall to repair this problem.
Steering did not feel right - grinding and bumping through steering column.
I would like to file a complaint which some of the rav4 owners were experiencing as I browse through the internet I found a lot of complaints about this. I'm not sure if everybody filed a complaint about this. My car is only 38 months old and bought it brand new. I have 37000 mi on it. What I noticed is a clicking sound when I'm turning slowly to the right or left, mostly when I'm parking. I brought it to the dealership service center and they diagnosed that the steering column shaft is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced. They said it's a safety issue if not taken care of because the steering wheel might get stucked.
Popping and clunking sound and feel in steering wheel noticeable more at low speeds. Obviously this is a common problem and one that toyota is fully aware of to the point of issuing service bulletin in 2008 addressing the concern. The solution is a re-design of the column components. This information was not passed on to vehicle owners as apparently toyota realized many failures would occur or be noticed beyond the original warranty period. This deserves a recall. A known design flaw in a safety component should not cost the consumer $700 to $1000 to repair. Nor should it take a number of accidents or loss of one life before action is taken.
I noticed a "popping" sound and started feeling a "thunk" in the steering wheel at ~ 40,000 miles in our 2007 rav4. The dealer claimed it was typical and nothing to worry about. Upon checking incident reports I discovered it is certainly typical, but whether I should be worrying about it is undetermined. Toyota knew of this problem and issued a service bulletin in 2008, neither they nor their dealers informed the owners. The problem was serious enough that it warranted a redesign of the intermediate steering shaft components to correct the problem. I believe this is a design flaw that should have been rectified through a recall.
2007 toyota rav4 (46k miles) steering makes popping and cracking sound during stopped and low speed turns. Toyota issued technical service bulletin in october 2008 allowing free replacement of the intermediate steering shaft only if customer complained. It appears toyota was betting the part failure would occur after the 3 year 36k mile warranty. Toyota redesigned the intermediate shaft. A steering component defect appears to be a safety issue that would warrant a recall. Toyota quoted a $480 repair cost.
I recently replace both intermediate steering wheel shaft in my 2007 toyota rav4 due to excessive clicking noise and disturbing feedback on steering wheel. Car has 49k miles on it, notice the issue around 45k miles but unfortunately a local mechanic misdiagnoised the problem as a tie rod issue. As the noise and steering wheel feedback became more serious, I went to dealer for evaluation. Given the dangers around loss of steering wheel and potential for serious crash, I believe this wear and team on the steering shaft is way to premature at this age. I have never had steering wheel defect in over 8 cars I have owned in the past 30 years especially given that the car is not even 4 years old. Part replaced included both steering wheel shaft and assembly at toyota dealer with new part.
There is a chronic clicking/clunking sound on the steering column as it is turned left or right as the vehicle is stationary or in motion. Might become a safety issue over the short or long term. Do we need to wait until an accident or death happens before this issue is looked at?
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. While driving approximately 5 MPH the steering wheel locked and all of the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was parked and shut off. Hours later, he attempted to restart the vehicle but the battery was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. Whenever he would make a turn the steering wheel also made a "clanking" noise. The failure and current mileages were 77,500.
Knocking and banging noises when steering wheel is turned in either direction. Sometimes when going over minor bumps in the road. Most noticeable at slow speeds.
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.
Last night, my rav4 battery died due presumably to the rear door light getting accidentally turned on. Upon jump starting the car, everything seemed fine. I drove it home without incident. Then, this morning, the battery was not quite up high enough to start the car, so I jump started it again. It started, but a few hundred feet away, I lost power steering and power brake assist. It required every ounce of force I could muster to turn the vehicle around and get it back to my house. Thankfully, this happened on city streets near my house and not on the highway last night or the chp would have been scraping me off a bridge post. The rav4 cannot realistically be steered by an average person without the power steering assist because of the gearing ratio, making this a very serious design defect. If a vehicle cannot safely operate, the vehicle should not operate. The problem is that, because the battery plays an integral role in power smoothing, and because the power steering and power brake pumps are electrically operated, a low battery can result in failure of the power steering and brake pumps while the engine is still functional. This can easily result in an uncontrollable vehicle barreling down the highway at 80 MPH. I believe that fixing this problem requires a fundamental redesign of the electrically operated pumps to add additional capacitors so that the battery is not playing such a crucial role in smoothing out the pulsating dc from the alternator along with the addition of sensor hardware to detect a low battery condition and activate an indicator light until the vehicle is safe to drive. Ideally, the steering gearbox should also be redesigned with a lower gear ratio so that it does not become undriveable. Without these fixes, the 2007 rav4 is fundamentally unsafe. This design flaw probably also affects most other late models of toyota.
2007 toyota rav4. Hear a knocking noise while turning left and right more at slow speed. Took to the dealer last oct 15 and replaced steering intermediate shaft out of warranty and they charge $520.00 for labor and parts. The failure mileage was 30,000 and current mileage was 32,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav4. The contact stated that when he turned the steering wheel, he heard a clunking sound; the noise became louder at lower speeds. The contact was informed that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000 and the current mileage was approximately 46,000. Updated 01/11/2011*lj updated 03/02/11
An obvious "clunking" sound became evident right after the expiration of the warranty. In addition to the sound a "looseness" within the steering column is also evident. Research shows thousands of these reported. Dealers have been replacing parts to no avail and to much cost. The problem can be easily heard at low speeds especially when turning in or out of driveways, intersections, etc.
2007 toyota rav4 with approx 65,000miles requiring intermediate shaft replacement in steering wheel. This is obviously a defective part in toyota cars as it is documented frequently online by toyota owners. A service bulletin has been sent to dealers re this situation. However there is no recall. This seems to be a safety problem that all toyota owners are at risk.
I have a 2007 rav 4. In aug 2008 it started making a clunking noise at low speeds. I took it to the dealer and part of the steering column was replaced under warranty. The noise went away. Now it is oct. 2010 and the noise is back but vehicle is no longer under warranty. Searching 07 rav 4 clunking noise in steering column I realize that this is a very common problem and a safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav 4. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, there was a pronounced clunking sound coming from the vehicle. An independant mechanic diagnosed the failure as the intermediate steering shaft needing replacement. The consumer was informed that there were two intermediate steering shafts in the vehicle in which both would need replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000 and the current mileage was 53,000. Updated 12/16/11*lj updated 01/20/12
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