We were informed of safety recalls for our Toyota Rav 4 2009 . We called the local Toyaota dealership for the recalls and was told on the phone after we dropped it off that they did the inspection to make sure the recalls could be completed and informed us that they could ,but they needed to keep overnight because they had to order the parts. Prior to dropping the vehicle off the car was able to be driven and no known issues were visible. Received call following told to come pick it up and that they officially refused to perform the recalls repairs. They stated that excessive structural damage and unsafe to drive to this degradation. Because the structural rust is directly in the exact suspension components targeted by this safety recalls. The vehicle cannot be remedied under standard recall procedures. By refusing the repair without providing an alternative solution The manufacture is failing its federal obligation to remedy a known safety defect. The vehicle is currently trapped in a regularity deadlock. It can not legally or safely be repaired. It is now deemed unsafe to be driven period. When the dealership gave the vehicle back, They wanted us to sign off and yes we refused because they told us it was inspected and was going to be repaired. When they did the inspection it is known that they have to bang , wrench and or pull on these parts to check to see if recall can be completed. Which they told us it could. When the vehicle was picked up we immediately noticed that the steering wheel was no longer in the correct position and that it was making an extreme screeching sound. We did not reach back out to the dealership as we feel they definitely caused more damage and already treated us poorly. We are requesting that the federal safety agency intervenes to compel Toyota to provide an alternative remedy. Either structural vehicle replacement or a KB buyback to remove this 100% unsafe vehicle from the road. because the structural rust is directly impacting the exact components .
2009 Toyota RAV4 suspension problems
55 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 65,730. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 55
- of this car's complaints
- 17%
- typical mileage
- 65,730
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Front1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Toyota RAV4 suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Toyota RAV4 suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
- Risk
- Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0V for Toyota vehicles and GLK for Lexus vehicles. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V‑383, in which some vehicles were only inspected, sealed, and did not have both arms replaced. The affected vehicles were previously recalled under 13V‑383, but did not have both rear suspension arms replaced at that time. Those vehicles need to have both arms replaced as part of this recall remedy.
Recall number 16V596000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
- Risk
- Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tie rods and replace any that have rust or corrosion on the alignment adjustment threads. All of the rear tie rods will then be encased in an epoxy to prevent future environmental damage. Due to limitations in parts, the recall remedy will be launched in phases from September 2013 through mid-April 2014. All owners will receive notification of the recall, with most receiving second notifications when parts are available in their area. IMPORTANT: This recall supersedes Toyota and Lexus recall 12V‑373. All vehicles that have been inspected and remedied under the previous recall need to be re-inspected and have the appropriate remedy applied.
Recall number 13V383000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
- Risk
- Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to prevent improper servicing in the future. The recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331 or Lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987.
Recall number 12V373000 · Recall details
What 2009 Toyota RAV4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Repairs of the control arms indicated on recall the federal safety agency 16V‑596 were never done on my vehicle after the recall was issued in 2016. Smart motors Toyota in Madison confirmed that the replacement of the control arms was never done on my vehicle, but they are showing no open recalls on my vehicle in their system due to this being a re-recall. From what I've read many vehicles were incorrectly marked "complete" after the 2012 inspection, but the 2016 update (G0V) was issued specifically because those earlier inspections were found to be insufficient. I am entitled to this repair through Toyota due to this recall as Toyota has confirmed my vehicle was recalled and this repair was never completed. My rear control arms are showing signs of failure consistent with the re-recall.
My son was looking to get his new tires aligned, and was informed by the mechanic that he would need to replace both side rear lower control arms, as Toyota had performed a safety recall GOV, resulting in the arms being epoxied, and therefore cannot be adjusted/ aligned. I contacted Toyota customer experience center (800 331 4331 - 1/16/2024) and she could not even call up the original recall. My question is: How can Toyota permanently remove a vehicle feature (adjustability of the suspension arms), and then require car owners to bear the brunt of re-installing the arms when you need to align your tires? This "solution" is totally unfair. I just purchased a new set of tires, and based on Toyota's "solution" I need to pay out of pocket to replace the control bars and/or damage my tires and have to replace them early. I was not able to find any other information on this issue on the web, and was wondering if Toyota had done anything to address this issue?
My rear passenger suspension has multiple part damage. Rear shock bracket failure and other parts.
The rear lower suspension arms recall notice solution was replacement of arms if needed and than sealed with epoxy. Labels were applied stating the arm is no longer adjustable. The vehicle no longer can routinely get a wheel alignment at a market expense. The Toyota company suggests for further alignments go to a Toyota dealership and have a alignment done for 900.00 dollars every time you need a alignment. This is not a safe solution. This only makes owners go to their dealerships and give them thousands of more dollars for taking away a routine adjustable maintenance capability with this permanent one time fix.
My problem is upon inspection of the vehicle I was told a recall (16v596000) for my rear suspension arms was available and I needed to have it done as the back end nuts couldn't be adjusted. I called a dealership and was told this was taken care of 3 years ago, yet the problem still remains.
Auto burning excessive oil and coolant box stays full to top car is stationary
Susp recal 13v‑383, my veh has temp rear susp arms, dealer not willing to perfom permanent repair and replace caution stickers still on rear tierod/cntrl arms, known safety issue please help my # [xxx] noticed upon inspection no incident yet. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The rear suspension arm bolts on my rav 4 rusted out and failed. They were supposed to be replaced as part of a recall, but the dealership failed to do that. Because the bolts failed, I am being asked to pay for new rear lower suspension arms and an alignment.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. While the contact's daughter was driving 35 MPH, a loud wobbling noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle also shook. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The driver was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the roadway and stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as included in a recall. The contact was advised to call a toyota dealer. The vehicle was not repaired by the independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to tejas toyota (19011 us-59, humble, tx 77338, (281) 446-0271) where it was diagnosed that the failure was not related to a recall; however, the suspension arm was loose along with the bolts. The rear suspension arms were replaced, an alignment was completed, and the arms were locked with epoxy. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v383000 (suspension) on september 22, 2015. The manufacturer was notified and a case was opened. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v596000 (suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. *tt
Questions about the 2009 Toyota RAV4 suspension
Does the 2009 Toyota RAV4 have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 55 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 17% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota RAV4 suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 65,730 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Toyota RAV4 suspension?
Yes, 3 recalls: 16V596000, 13V383000, 12V373000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Toyota RAV4 have bad suspension?
The Toyota RAV4 model years with the most suspension complaints are 2007 (125 complaints), 2010 (101 complaints) and 2008 (81 complaints).
Other 2009 Toyota RAV4 problems
Acceleration 99Engine 35Brakes 31Transmission 28Steering 26Electrical 19Body 17Airbags 13Fuel system 10Wheels 10Seat belts 7Tires 7Visibility 7Seats 4Driver assistance 2
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