2007 Toyota RAV4: harsh or hard shifting

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 Aug 17, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · 76,500 miles · AL

77000 mile lower control arms with bushings went bad ,lower ball joints bad inner & outer tie rods bad , sway bar end links ball joints bad.alignment & re-balanced tires after replacement .began swaying in road fighting steering on every bump with dipping of front end & vibration badly of car especially steering wheel , worn new tires on outsides .complete records in toyota vehicle repair service site.total cost so far for the above is 158.00 plus 44.95 plus 1 week down time, due to all joints bad and vibrations and swaying around has caused the cv shafts to get loose good shake and not in to out sideways direction - up to down they have slight play and hear a clunk both ways (to be replaced when have money will be another 150 to 195 bucks and another day or 2 down time, not sure of front wheel bearings yet or the rear sway bar all them links , this is how bad the swaying got so needs checked any back parts will cost me approx 240.00 -- replaced parts lower control arms with ball joints and bushings along with inner plus outer tie rods along with sway bar links were bought through amazon from detroit axel seller so may be able to get receipt if needed-- the tire re-balanced was done at lynn layton ford of decatur alabama 256‑350‑2120 customer [xxx] invoice [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 13, 2018 · Steering · MD

My 2007 rav4 is experiencing a clunking sound in the steering column when turning at low speeds and the steering feels suspect at times at highway speeds. A online search, revealed that this has been a common problem for some time with this model and year. Toyota diagnoses this as a problem with the intermediate steering column.is the federal safety agency aware of this problem and is it a safety concern?

Filed Sep 15, 2017 · Steering · 80,000 miles · NY

Ongoing and very loud clunking noise when the wheel is turned at low speeds, at times the noise can also be heard when going straight. This appears to be an ongoing issue with this rav4 model and it seems toyota has not taken any steps to remedy this. It is a very serious safety concern, the proper function of the steering mechanism is extremely important to the safety of the driver and passengers at all times.

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 Feb 6, 2017 · Steering · 100,000 miles · PR

Constant clunking of the steering wheel

Filed Jul 24, 2016 · Steering · 45,000 miles · NC

Whenever you make a left or right turn, there is a clunking noise. I have contacted several different dealerships regarding this issue for over 5 years & yet there doesn't seem to by a remedy. This issue should be fixed by toyota. I am not the only person to make this complaint. Please look into this issue & fix the dangerous problem before someone gets seriously injured. This problem happens all the time when the vehicle is in motion on highways & city streets.

Filed Jul 5, 2016 · Steering · MA

Clunking noise when turning steering wheel on very low speed or on car that in not moving. It was discovered during state inspection [car was in garage and was not moving]. Car has just above 30,000 miles, mostly city driving, regularly, but short distance commute.

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 May 17, 2016 · Suspension · 126,000 miles · IL

After hearing a clunk type sound back in 2012 I took the car to the dealer and found out that the right rear say bar linkage had rusted out. The sway bar was not secure anymore. Fast forward to the fall of 2015 and now I have the same sound...not remembering about prior incident I finally discover that the left sway bar linkage is not rusted off too. Why wouldnt the dealer do boh replacements back then. And by putting only one new one did that put pressure onto the other one. Isnt it odd to have both side of a sway bar link rust out. This problem seems a bit too widespread to ignore.