Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle engine raced as the rpms increased. The vehicle then accelerated independently. The contact was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v113000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not alerted of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 62,215. The vehicle was not repaired.
2009 Toyota RAV4 steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 26 of 26, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Steering: during new hampshire state inspection mechanic failed vehicle due to excessive play in wheel assembly because of defective electronic power steering rack. Note: vehicle had never been involved in an accident or excessive vibration due to road or off road driving experienced. Remedy: replace electronic power steering rack and accessories. Of the three other rav4's owned by driver, all drove over 200,000 miles without steering problems. Wheels: during new hampshire state inspection mechanic found rear axle seals leaking. Note: vehicle had never been involved in an accident or excessive vibration due to road or off road driving experienced. Remedy: replace rear axle seals.
Vehicle experiences loud "clunking" noise and noticeable shaking in steering wheel while turning at slower speeds. The problem has gotten progressively worse and I am seriously concerned of steering or related subcomponent failure while driving in the midst of traffic. After doing some research I noticed my symptoms are fairly wide-spread amongst other rav 4 owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise heard from the steering wheel when turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav 4. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel began to pull to the right and caused the contact to crash into a pole. The vehicle was destroyed and there were no injuries. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. A police report was filed of the incident. The contact stated that the vehicle was not inspected for the cause of failure. The failure mileage was 30,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, a strange noise was emitted from the steering column while making a turn. The contact stated the failure occurred when driving between 10 and 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the intermediate steering shaft would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving in reverse approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure however, the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and an inspector was sent to further assess the vehicle failure. The inspector was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.
I started my car and attempted to reverse out of my driveway - but it started then stopped and would not move - the power steering emergency light had turned on and the power steering wasn't working. I towed the car to my toyota dealership. They told me the computer was faulty (on a 3 year old car ?!!) and I needed a new one at a part cost of about $700 and labor cost of $300-$400. The car was just out of warranty but they agreed to pay for the part if I paid for the labor. I was suspicious of why they agreed to do this, but I agreed. The following week I drove my car down my driveway and onto the road and as I was turning the power steering failed again, the light came on again, and I could not steer so I crashed into a hedge. (but I could have crashed at high speed and been killed) . I towed the car to the toyota dealership - now they tell me they are replacing the whole steering column, at no cost to me. Obviously they know there is a problem. If you google it, lots of people have had power steering issues and even crashed at high speeds. This is a life threatening fault. Please look for a pattern.
Vehicle starting a popping/binding feel when making a turn left or right at about 36000 miles. It became more pronounced and by 42000 miles it could be felt when sitting still. Toyota tso issued to replace the intermediate steering shaft. I feel that this is a progressively dangerous condition that will cause failure and loss of life one day. Cost the replace shaft, $517.00. Search finds many, many rav4 owners have this complaint.
I have a 2009 toyota rav4. The steering column started making a clunking noise when turning right or left at low speeds. Looks like others have had this same problem. No recall that I know of, but there should be. Noticed problem shortly after 36,000 mile warranty expired so all out of pocket expense. Had to replace steering shaft at dealer for $378. Ouch!
Steering started creating occasional mild noise while turning at around 49000. At 53000 during maintenance service at burlington toyota, ontario I reported this incident along with a metallic noise when the brake pedal is pressed. They mentioned not to be able to reproduce the problem and hence did not make any fix. They refused to deal to brake noise and mentioned that my brake pad will last for much longer time and reason may be a little bit of rust. They will have to charge me for any further diagnosis even though it was within the warranty period. Later I have escalated this to toyota canada, as another toyota dealer found that the shaft inside the steering column is cracked. Toyota canada claims that to be a wear and tear and refused to cover that as my warranty was over even though I have reported this problem when my vehicle was within warranty period. Today november 10th, newspapers publish that more than 500,000 rav4 are recalled for steering. I called the dealer and they mentioned, this recall is only for 2006 rav4 and not for 2009. I strongly feel that toyota rav4 2009 has the same issue. I could not find an ontario site. So I could not enter my province and zip code below.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was safely maneuvered onto the emergency lane and shut off. Upon restarting the vehicle it began to function normally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated while trying to avoid what she thought was an animal in the road, but it turned out to be paper. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and the steering wheel locked as the brake pedal depressed to the floor. The vehicle continued to accelerate forward until crashing into a parked vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where it was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer examined the vehicle, and stated that there was no failure. The failure and current mileages were 22,900. Updated 08/22/11*lj the consumer suffered a shoulder injury trying to exit the vehicle. Updated 06/22/12
2009 toyota rav4 safety issues *gr the consumer stated the steering wheel developed a vibration. The vehicle was examined. However the mechanic stated nothing was wrong. The tires were balanced, but the problem still continued.
Electronic power steering (eps) and fuel gauge problems: I bought my brand new 2009 toyota rav4 sport v6 4x2 on may 09, 2009 in houston texas. It was on dec. 13, 2009 that I was traveling on interstate highway I-10 from houston to new york city. I was in the middle lane of I-10 between exit 775a and 776a. I was traveling at 65 MPH. Suddenly, I heard a "click" from the dash board and the eps warning light came on and then I lost the electronic power steering, I felt my steering wheel so hard and could not turn it. I realized that I was in the very dangerous driving situation. I tried to calm down and put my foot firmly on the brake pedal and started slowing down my car. It took me almost ten minutes to move my car to the road shoulder and stopped. I called mr. Zhu - a manager of sales department at my toyota dealership in houston texas immediately and reported this incident. He found me a phone number of the service department at fred haas toyota nearby and asked me to call them and get my car towed and checked. I called the number a couple of times however, nobody was there then. I tried to restart car engine for five times or more, I finally solved the eps problems. I called mr. Zhou again, and told him that nobody was there answering my phone call. I asked him for the address of the fred haas toyota. I drove my sick car for 30 minutes very carefully to fred haas toyota; unfortunately, the service department was closed on sunday. I called mr. Zhu again and told him about it. Then I drove my car back to houston on interstate I-45, after 15 minutes driving, the same problems happened again... ...after that my fuel gauge was not read correctly, it showed only 1/2 fuel of my fuel tank after I filled it up. Moving straight forward and making turns should not be an issue. I believe eps problems are more serious than the gas pedal problem, because this effects immediately and directly. I have been worrying about my safety driving my car since I experienced the dangers!
I was traveling on I-94 from madison, wi to minneapolis, mn in late december. The interstate was in good driving condition -- no ice, snow, or rain. It was a nice day with little wind and temperature in the mid-20's. I was in the left lane, passing a slower car in the right lane. I was traveling at 75 MPH with cruise control on. Just as I pulled ahead of the other car, my 2009 toyota rav4 pulled violently to the left. I thought we might roll, but then the car stabilized and I was able to maintain control. There was no obvious external cause for the lurch to the left. It felt like a blowout, but we stopped to check the tires and they were fine. It couldn't have been wind sheer because there was very little wind. There were no potholes in the road. At the time I thought the car to my right might have hit a rock or something and sent it sliding into my path. I suppose that's a possibility, but I didn't see anything behind me in the rear view mirror, so I think it's unlikely. I'm wondering if a malfunction of the electronic stability control occurred there has been no recurrence.
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