2007 Toyota RAV4: loss of power steering

Filed Oct 4, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · CA

while driving down the big bear mountain, the vehicle lost power steering i could not turn the wheel and hit the railing, thank god i didn't hit another car. The battery light was flashing steering locked up other dash lights came on. The mechanic could not give me any answers, Toyota says there is no recall on this and after reading other complaints about the 2007 Toyota RAV 4 i am shocked that the dealership has nothing to say and can not fix the problem, this is so dangerous and i am at a loss on how to fix the problem. who has to die for them to take this problem seriously!!!

Filed Aug 16, 2017 · Suspension, Wheels · 122,000 miles · PA

In late summer/early fall 2016 my 2007 toyota rav4 began experiencing rear suspension, alignment, and tire wear problems associated with the toyota recall at the time, although my car was not included in the recall. When my mechanic examined the car, he said it made no sense that toyota's solution in their second suspension recall was to epoxy pieces in place and not allow the vehicle's suspension to adjust to movement on the road while driving. I had to argue with the dealership who sold the car to get them to make the proper repairs (perform the recall work on my car) at no charge to me. The damaged ruined my relatively new tires and I had to get another set. Recently during general servicing, my mechanic discovered the same tire wear problem and that the rear tires are severely tilting inward, and the most recent repair by the dealer was done using a solid tie bar. In my mechanic's professional opinion (he's been in business for several decades and does contract work for a government entity), that kind of repair should not have been done with that piece of equipment because it would lead to the failure and damage I'm experiencing again. If the same recall "fix" that was performed on my car is being performed on all others that were part of the 3rd recall and beyond, other vehicles may be in danger of failed parts that could cause loss of steering, as noted per previous recalls. I have reached out to the dealer, district manager, and danica sorenson at toyota without success. My claim is being denied despite the evidence of an ongoing suspension problem. When you look at my car, the improper tilt of the tires and irregular tread wear are visible to the naked eye. My car will no longer pass inspection due solely to the tire damage.

Filed Apr 18, 2016 · Body, Engine · 60,035 miles · KY · fire

On march 29, 2016, I was driving to work in the far left lane when a gentleman driving a green pickup truck come rushing up beside me. He was waving at me pointing down at the right front side of my toyota. I thought that maybe I was driving on a flat tire and didn't realize it so I rolled down the window. He yelled as he was still pointing down at the front of my toyota "your car is on fire". He got ahead of me and I pulled over to the right shoulder of the freeway. He got out of his truck and ran back to my 2007 toyota rav4 and said "ma'am, you better get your purse and things and get out, your car is on fire". At that time, smoke was pouring out somewhere up front on the passenger side by the tire. I got my things and we moved to the back of my toyota when at that time, it went up in flames. I took care of that vehicle because I can not afford another. My last oil change was in november 2015 with only 50035 miles on the vehicle. When it was last inspected, everything was fine. So I am not understanding how this happened. Tires were about a year old as well. Car just don't catch on fire driving down the freeway. On april 4, 2016 a friend and I took a drive to my burnt vehicle and she could not believe that was my toyota. And I could not believe I had walked away without any injuries. There is no engine, no dashboard, no steering wheel, no front seats, and no back seats. All burned! How could this happen?

Filed Jan 19, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 110,000 miles · VA

Driving on the highway going about 75mph after about 5 hours when a bunch of warning lights came on (including battery, air bag, and brake), my power steering failed and my speedometer quit working. Pulled over on the side of the highway and let my car sit for a minute, restarted my car and three different lights came on (vsc, check engine and slip indicator) and my cruise control wouldn't work anymore. My car currently has about 110,000 miles. This is not a wear and tear issue; this is a defect. From reading online, there are many complaints of the same issue. This could be a fatal defect and should be taken seriously. This is the second time my power steering has failed while driving.

Filed Jun 7, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 128,910 miles · FL

The car failed to start, the battery was extremely hot and had not water in it. Changed the battery, the car started properly; however, once set to drive it hesitated a bit, as if it were chocking for lack of gas but it had gas. Drove on and at about speed of 40 MPH steering became hard to handle, AC and engine cut off. Restarted it drove back home... Just made the last payment on the car, car was regularly serviced at the dealer.

Filed Mar 30, 2015 · Suspension · 51,000 miles · WI

March 27, 2015 at 2:40 pm. Sunny, 38, clear road conditions. Exiting off us 43 and south onto us 41 at approx. 40 to 45 MPH. The car suddenly jerked to left, then swerved to the right. I took my foot off the gas but did not brake. Steering was difficult but not impossible. The car felt(althoughi am not sure) as though it went up on two wheels each time it swerved to the left or right. The car came to a stop and I was able to move it to the far side of the highway. I looked beneath the car and saw an approximately 10 inch rod with the sticker that said "recall safety". I took a photograph of the broken part, called a tow truck and the toyota dealership. I believe if I had been going 65 miles per hour I would have been unable to have any control and may have rolled over injuring, or worse myself and others.

Filed Sep 6, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 80,842 miles · MD

I brought my vehicle to the dealer for the rear suspension recall and when I picked it up I was advised that the steering shaft needs to be replaced and there is a clunking sound when turning the wheel. The service advisor told me the shaft is cracked and could be dangerous. I never noticed any steering sounds but now that I'm specifically listening for it I do hear it. I believe that if this is a safety issue as the dealer stated then the vehicle should be recalled. Most owners will not know they have this problem since the sound is not that noticeable and I assume that if left uncorrected loss of steering will occur.

Filed Jul 28, 2014 · Steering · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota rav 4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering with the engine and vsc light illuminated on instrument panel. The vehicle regained power steering once the vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

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 May 16, 2014 · Steering · 53,574 miles · TN

Lost power steering without warning in heavy traffic. P/s light came on at the same time. Barely avoided collision with large truck. Started engine after 20 mins., p/s light out & steering normal. Took vehicle to dealer who found code c1524 (low voltage in power steering). In order to find root of problem I need to pay $200 for diagnostic, which I refused. This is not a wear/tear issue but either a defect or malfunction. Called toyota, asked them to pay for diagnostic & toyota refused since vehicle is out of warrenty. Guess toyota could care less about customer safety even though there are numerous vehicles with same complaint!

Filed Feb 6, 2014 · Steering · 85,000 miles · WY

Drove a short distance and parked car. Started car 10 minutes later and had no power steering. Ps warning light on dash was now on. With a great deal of effort, the car could be driven about a mile back home. When reading thru the owners manual, it became evident there were different possible failure conditions, each represented by different warning light states. A flashing light that went off after a few seconds, a flashing light that stayed on, a flashing light that stays on in conjunction with all dash warning lights being on at the same time, and last but not least, the steady light and complete failure of assist system. I believe it was simply the luck of the draw that our failure occurred in a parked condition. I was raised on a farm driving monstrous old trucks with no power steering. They were tough steering, but this small SUV took an extreme amount of effort to turn. Failure in traffic or hazardous conditions could be catastrophic. I do not believe my 82 year old mother could safely control the car, if the failure unexpectedly occurred in many of the driving conditions she experiences in her daily driving. Lane changes, merging traffic, 90 degree turns, pulling out to pass, icy roads, and hydroplane conditions could all quickly become life threatening with this particular failure.

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.