I own a 2024 Toyota RAV4. At approximately 38,300 miles, an authorized Toyota dealership diagnosed a failed rack-and-pinion/steering rack assembly that required replacement. Before the repair, I began noticing a squeaking noise when turning the steering wheel. The noise became progressively louder over time. The symptoms continued to worsen until the vehicle was inspected by the Toyota dealership. The vehicle has been regularly maintained, and there was no collision or other known event that would explain this failure. The steering rack required replacement only about 2,200 miles beyond Toyota’s 36,000-mile basic warranty. Because the rack-and-pinion assembly is a critical steering component, I am concerned that this may represent a premature failure and potentially a safety issue if similar failures are occurring in other 2024 Toyota RAV4 vehicles. I am submitting this complaint so the issue is documented and can be compared with reports from other owners. I have dealership repair documentation confirming the diagnosis and replacement of the steering rack assembly.
Toyota RAV4 steering noise problems
197 of the 9,428 owner complaints about the Toyota RAV4 describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 197
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $700
- typical mileage
- 40,500
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 110Knocking 34Power steering loss 14Check engine light 5Warning lights 2Water leak 1Sudden acceleration 1Steering lock-up 1
What owners say
Steering wheel is making a buzzing noise when you turn the wheel towards the left or right while you’re driving. It will make the noise in park doing the same back and forth. I’m afraid that my power steering will go out while driving.
The electronic power steering in my vehicle has been acting difficult for approximately 3 weeks now. I had new tires, front end alignment, inspection of the rack and pinion and tie rods done thinking this was the issue. This did not help. The steering column makes a clicking noise when I turn the wheel while stopped like 2 pieces of plastic are rubbing together. The steering feels like it is fighting me while I’m trying to turn the wheel or even while I am going straight no matter at what speed. When making a turn I can remove my hands from the steering wheel and the wheel and tires will stay in that position and not correct itself. Overall, no matter what speed I am traveling (either at a red light or driving) there feels like a failure in the electronic power steering motor like something is fighting the wheels alignment, the steering wheel and the power steering motor. It feels like it’s an Indy car steering wheels needing complete resistance to keep the vehicle straight. I brought this to an independent mechanic that inspected everything and said it sounds like the federal safety agency campaign: 15V144000 and that I should have Toyota look at it. I just came back from DCH Wappingers Falls Toyota in NY and they wouldn’t even look at it and stated my VIN is not covered. I was told they don’t get paid for looking at something and they hardly get paid for recall issues. And, if I spoke to the service manager, she would tell me the same. I immediately called Toyota directly and opened a case and have the email proof. Toyota manufacturer representative told me the same thing and said “even though it sounds like the same recall, I’d have to pay out of pocket to she it fixed and hope to get refunded later.” To let me leave the dealership with this issue knowing I’m a single father with 2 kids is horrible. This issue needs to be looked at and I don’t know who to look at it or the money to fix it. I don’t know if I can download a video of this occurring. Please let me know.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while making a right or left turn, there was a loud popping sound coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the popping noise was progressively louder while steering to make a turn. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering linkage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
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!
I am hearing clicking noise from steering wheel when I make turns at low speed, specially while I am applying brake (and turning steering wheel). The noise sounds like something is touching inside the steering! But it is not constant. Maybe electric motor or a component in steering wheel.
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.
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.
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
Vehicle did have an official recall(steering shaft assembly) vehicle was repaired 2x's. Vehicle is experiencing same problem. Steering gets tight and knocks. Sent letter to toyota in california created case #[xxx] dealer refuses to repair *tt consumer stated there are 2 odi numbers #352270 and #1182873. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *ln
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.
- Risk
- A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB11 / 20TA11.
Recall number 20V373000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 15V144000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota RAV4 steering noise
Which Toyota RAV4 years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (89 complaints), 2007 (83 complaints) and 2008 (13 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix clunking or noise when steering on the Toyota RAV4?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $700 (median of 45 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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