2007 Toyota RAV4: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Apr 29, 2020 · Steering · 141,000 miles · WA

Knock in the steering wheel when turning and have paid over $2,500.00 with the problem never getting fixed because everyone thinks it is something else and they are always wrong.

Filed Aug 21, 2019 · Steering · 149,000 miles · FL

Toyota 2007 rav4 steering makes a klunking / popping noise while driving, when turning either direction, while pulling out of driving. No sounds on freeway. Issues seems to be steering column.

Filed Aug 19, 2019 · Steering · 143,000 miles · FL

Defective steering assembly, makes a clunking sound when turning slowly. I found multiple complaints for the same problem and a serious accident resulted when the driver lost control of steering

Filed Feb 12, 2017 · Steering · 108,250 miles · CA

Audible clunk sound in the steering when turning the steering wheel. The driver can also feel a knock through the steering wheel. I am worried that this is a safety issue. This appears to be a common issue for this model and year (e.g., about 40 complaints of this kind have been filed for 2007 rav4s on carcomplaints.com). It appears to be related to the intermediate steering shaft; toyota has for example issued tsb 0318 08 to address this problem. According to our toyota dealership, it is due to a shaft tolerance that is too loose; the clunk sound would only be an annoyance, but not a safety concern. Given that the steering is critical for control and safe operations of the car, I feel that any noise in the steering might indicate a serious problem that needs to be addressed. We bought the car used with 107874 miles (from the first owner) on 05/09/2014, and noticed the problem immediately during the first weeks of use. We believe the condition had already existed before we purchased the car, but we have no information at which mileage the previous owner started to notice it.

Filed Jul 2, 2016 · Steering · 98,000 miles · CT

I hear a clunk, pop or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel. Toyota is aware of this (tech service bulletin st001-08). Toyota redesigned the intermediate shaft. However, toyota has not taken the steps to issue recall to replace this defective part.

Filed Jun 17, 2016 · Steering · 66,000 miles · TX

I hear a clunk, pop, or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. Toyota was acutely aware of this issue (please see attached technical service bulletin st001-08) and had to redesign the intermediate shaft. Unfortunately, toyota has not taken the steps to recall all effected vehicles and replace this defective part. I urge the federal safety agency to take immediate steps to force toyota to issue a recall and make the necessary repairs as this issue has been witnessed in a large proportion of the 06-07 toyota rav4 vehicles.

Filed Jun 3, 2016 · Steering · 65,000 miles · NJ

The intermediate steering shaft is making clunk noise when turning the steering at low speeds. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. I am feared to drive this vehicle and the steering is dangerous.

Filed Dec 22, 2015 · Steering · 95,000 miles · FL

I purchased my rav4 used about 12 months ago. Within the past 3 months I've notices problems with my steering. Slow turns make a clunking sound with loose movement and vibration felt in the steering wheel. Initially I was told it was a bad strut, which I replaced, but the problem seems to get a little worse by the day. In checking online I see numerous complaints of the same nature, some resulting in serious accidents. It appears that the rack & pinion assembly is defective since the problem is so widespread. I have not seen a recall on this and wonder why since steering is so essential to the safe operation of the vehicle. I will be contacting my local toyota dealer service dept. To see what can be done.

Filed Dec 9, 2015 · Steering · PA

Steering intermediate shaft clunk, when I turn steering making noise. I talk to a mechanic he says need to replace steering. It is so expensive, my income is not allowed to do this. Please give me advice [xxx]@gmail.com information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).?

Filed Mar 29, 2015 · Steering · 29,884 miles · PA

When pulling out from stop signs heard clicking noise when turning right or left. Car was repaired under warranty. Now in march 2015 noise is there again. There is a little over 80000 miles on vehicle. Bad enough it went bad once.no idea what cost will be to repair should be recalled.

Filed Dec 7, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 77,300 miles · NJ

My 2007 toyota rav4 has a "clunking/popping" noise coming from what appears to be the steering linkage somewhere between the intermediate shaft and rack-and-pinion assembly.in early 2014, a toyota dealership in indiana recommended servicing the intermediate shaft assembly via an issued toyota service bulletin. The intermediate shaft was replaced in the spring of 2014 (cost=$1000, car mileage ~65k).I have since job relocated to new jersey and the problem has resurfaced (car mileage ~75k).a dealership here told me that the rack-and-pinion assembly needs to be replace (est. Cost= $2000).general signs of rack-and-pinion failure as stated by the dealership and general research are not observed in my car (signs including "play/slop" in the steering wheel, loose steering, stiff steering, etc.).further research of this issue has show multiple hundreds-of-thousands of rav4 owners inquiring about this issue either via rav4/toyota forums, or through the federal safety agency and other third party auto safety agencies.the dealerships seem to be guessing at what the problem is, and they issue repair guidelines based only on service bulletins without fully investigating the issue.there is a serious safety concern with a "clunking/popping" noise with the steering assembly of these automobiles.owners of this (highly rated, abundantly sold) rav4 model should be issued a recall by toyota to have the rack-and-pinion and the intermediate shaft assembly fixed without consumer purchase.toyota is aware of the problems, as they have issued multiple service bulletins, but have yet to deem the issue a safety concern leaving their loyal owners with repair cost in upwards of $3000 for cars that are well under 100,000 miles, but outside of toyota's warranty period. Protecting the safety of drivers and their precious passengers, should be the number one concern of toyota and the federal safety agency.

Filed Aug 11, 2014 · Steering · 10,554 miles · CA

Steering intermediate shaft clunks and it is getting worse. Toyota has not recalled the common problem.