2008 Toyota RAV4: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Mar 21, 2022 · Steering · CA

I was starting to back out of my driveway and my steering wheel made a loud clunking noise and became free floating. The plastic air vent fell on my right foot. I did not attempt to drive the car after this incident. I had it towed to Toyota Service. I was told that the steering bracket had come loose and that they had never seen anything like it before. I did some online research and found that this has happened many times with 2006, 2007 and 2008 Toyota RAV 4 vehicles. I believe there are even case numbers for some of them. It was determined to be a failed weld each time! If this had happened to me over the summer, when I was driving in the mountains it cold have caused a serious or even fatal accident. I don't understand why this hasn't been recalled?! This is very dangerous for the unsuspecting people driving RAV 4s! The repair estimate for this is over $5,000!

Filed May 25, 2018 · Steering · 118,527 miles · AZ

I am having a steerling noise issue when backing up or moving forward there's a loud clunk from the steering column area that I can feel in the wheel. I feel it in the wheel when driving down the freeway or uneven surfaces as well as when the vehicle is stopped and idling while turning the wheel to the locks. This vehicle was inspected my an ase certified master mechanic who found no issues with the rack and pinion system but diagnosed the issue as an intermediate steering shaft failure.

Filed Apr 25, 2018 · Steering · 107,600 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. While driving various low speeds, the steering wheel made a loud clunking noise and there was abnormal movement in the steering column. A dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,600.

Filed Mar 29, 2018 · Steering · 42,851 miles · CA

Steering intermediate shaft worn out : making clunking noise when turning either way also when reversing car toyota technician found this defect/issue

Filed Feb 22, 2018 · Steering · 96,000 miles · GA

Very bad clunking / popping sound when I back up and turn my wheels. Seems to happen mostly when I first drive the SUV in the morning. Only has 96,000 miles on it.

Filed Jun 17, 2017 · 80,000 miles · CA

Intermediate shaft making loud clunking noise when backing up and going forward. After further discussion with other rav4 owners many experience the sameness issue. Mine is out of warranty but had less than 100,000 miles on I think when it started.

Filed Aug 3, 2016 · Steering · 128,000 miles · NY

Clunk in steering wheel when turning to the left or right.

Filed Mar 16, 2016 · Acceleration · 105,000 miles · MN

Sudden acceleration. Car was stopped in park and shifted to drive. Transmission made a large clunk sound as it went into drive and then accelerated to what sound like full throttle. My foot was on the brake and the car didn't move much but was bucking against the brake. I shifted into neutral and turned off the car. I then put it into park. I got out of the vehicle, looked under the dash and the accelerator pedal looked like it was in a normal position and the floor mats were several inches from the accelerator pedal. This took place at the bemidji high school parking lot. I then re-started the car and drove it home with no incident. There was no damage to the car and no injuries.

Filed Jan 7, 2016 · Steering · 45,000 miles · MA

Vehicle developed a clunk noise that could be heard and felt throughout the vehicle, especially in the steering system and especially during slow speed operation. The problem began in 8/2015 at ~45,000 miles. Vehicle also developed a loose feel in the steering and would pull to the right under hard acceleration. By 1/2016, the problem got noticeably worse. I then took the vehicle to a local auto repair shop for diagnosis/repair. After an hour or so of checking the entire suspension and steering system, the problem was diagnosed as a bad "steering intermediate shaft". The local shop owner stated he had replaced several of these same steering shafts on other rav4s around the same vintage (2006-2010). I contacted my local toyota dealership and the service agent also stated they had "several" incidents with this vintage of rav4s and steering shaft problems but there was no recall and since the vehicle was out of the warranty period, toyota would not cover the repairs. I then looked online to see if any other owners had the same problem and was shocked to see how many others have had the same issue with rav4s of the same vintage and had similar results with local toyota dealers. I believe this is a serious safety concern as eventually the steering shaft and/or shaft u-joint knuckles could fail due to this poor design and cause loss of control (steering) of the vehicle. Toyota does not seem to be taking this seriously, hopefully the federal safety agency will.

Filed Jan 6, 2016 · Steering · CA

2008 rav 4 has less than 60k miles. Was experiencing a clunking noise when turning left or right at low speeds. Took my vehicle into the dealership and was told it needs a new steering shaft at a cost to me of $688. Upon researching this issue I have discovered that it has been an issue with this make, year and model for a long time. Would like to see a recall generated for this as toyota owners should not have to bear the cost of faulty manufacturing.

Filed Dec 1, 2015 · Steering · 89,000 miles · PA

Having just exited I-95, I was turning the steering wheel to the right to pull up to the curb at the philadelphia airport to pick up a passenger. Upon doing so, the steering column made a loud pop or clunk sound, and the steering wheel immediately lurched approximately 6-8" to the left - and nearly out of my hands - almost causing me to crash into the crowd at the curb. After this sound occurred, the steering wheel (as in a previous complaint in 2013) was still operational, however was able to move approximately 6 - 9" up, down, right, or left while still remaining operable. Upon taking the vehicle to the toyota dealership, I was asked if I had been in a front-end collision (answer, "never"), as a factory weld had failed that keeps the steering column attached to a safety rod in the dash. Repairs are expected to run approximately $3,700. Matter has been sent to toyota corporate, however no word has come back. It appears as if I will be responsible for the full repair cost, despite failure in factory weld. Apparently no fail-safes are in place should this weld fail, such that a very dangerous situation arises, especially if this had happened three minutes earlier when I was in very heavy interstate traffic, instead of just having exited, and moving at 10 MPH or less.

Filed Oct 8, 2015 · Steering · 73,000 miles · PA

I have a 2008 rav4. In 2010, I experienced a "clunking" or "thunking" sensation in the steering column on low speed turns. The dealer determined that a faulty intermediate steering shaft was the cause and replaced it. The same problem occurred again in 2012 and the dealer replaced the intermediate steering shaft again. In 2015, I had steering problems which had a similar feel (a "thunk" or "clunk" feeling when turning). This time the dealer determined that the steering rack and related parts needed to be replaced and charged me $2,400 for the repair.