Power Steering Pump problems of the 2006 Toyota RAV4

There was a rumble in the rear @ 40 mph. I had maplewood Toyota check it 2-3 times, they said they couldn't hear it, car was fine; they checked the trans oil once and said it was fine. It's a closed system-you never need to change its oil. (I had asked this question several times over the years and they always told me that I never needed to change the trans oil & the manual does not list it either). They took it for a drive and checked it good-said that 1st gear was going, but it was fine to drive-come back when I couldn't stand the noise and they'd put in a new trans for $4,500. I was going out of town, they said ok, car will be fine. Since the rumble was so loud, 3 days later I got a second opinion at a transmission specialist's shop recommended to me by several friends. They put it up on a rack and tested it with a stethoscope type device. They said that the bearing was very bad and that I should not take the car out of town or drive it as it was not safe to drive and could stop at any time. They replaced m,w/s, u240/24e 00-up (cork); filter; bushing, a40 series pump; tc, Rav4, med stall, ink 14; center gear bearing, etc. When the Toyota technician checked the trans oil, I realized that it was not "a closed system"! also, the oil was black and I now know that it should be red. I think I should have been changing the trans oil all along and my transmission probably would not have failed. I think they should order a recall on all these transmissions - and pay for the work that I had to have done before my car failed on a freeway somewhere. A transmission should last forever, especially since half of the miles have been freeway miles and I drive my car very gently. I just put in new brake pads for the first time recently and there was still 20-30% left on them. Previously I had to pay Toyota $400 to repair the steering column-another defect that should be a recall.

2006 Toyota rav 4 has developed a very distinct clunking sound and feel when turning the steering wheel. I never drive the car, and noticed it immediately when I had to drive it a week ago. I questioned my husband, who said it had felt like that "forever"!! when I searched online I was shocked to see that it actually is quite a problem! car now has 90-k miles. Last summer (at a hair over 60-k) the water pump went - out of warranty. Very poor design, as the engine must be pulled to replace the pump to the tune of $1,600!!!! my husband is not looking forward to questioning the dealer about the steering.

I brought my 2006 Rav4 to the Toyota dealership for two different recall notices including the suspension and airbag. Upon inspection, they notified me the water pump needed replacing and that the steering column brackets were loose. They said this is a common problem and tried to tell me that it is caused by normal wear & tear. My last vehicle I had for over 190,000 miles and never had this problem. Upon researching, this seems to be a common problem. I was told this problem needs to be fixed immediately as failure to fix it could result in loss of steering control. Previously I have brought the loud popping noise to various Toyota dealerships and have never been told of this issue in 9 years. This issue would not have been caught if is wasn't for the recall on the airbag. Anything that appears to be a "common" issue in a vehicle that can result in loss of steering is a serious safety issue and should be recalled and fixed by Toyota at no cost to the consumer. The cost is estimated at $600+ to repair.

When first driving my new 2006 Toyota Rav4, I noticed at slow speeds it would sometimes accelerate when I hit the brake. I attributed this to big feet and a new car where I did not yet master the relative positions of the pedals. I started driving with two feet, just as I was taught as a teenager in drivers ed. Occasionally, this has happened again in the ensuing 3 years. Until this unintended acceleration problem came to light in 2010, I thought it was just "operator error. " now, I am beginning to think there is some defect - maybe it's hardware linkages, but I suspect there is a software problem in the electronic computer of the car. I also had the steering mid-shaft problem after warranty and screamed until they fixed it under warranty for $50. There was also a "runaway" fuel pump service bulletin I made them cover as well. I have worked with Toyota quality engineers since the 1980s and am disgusted by their responses reported in this odi site. Toyota's claim to fame was there quality and customer focus. Looks like the current generation of Toyota people have lost this, and that points directly to top management there. Shame, shame, shame. As they say in japanese, they are "on shirazu" (do not understand their obligation to their customers).