Steering Column problems of the 2006 Toyota RAV4

Steering column cluncking noise year: 2006 make: Toyota model: Rav4/base issue: steering column cluncking noise. I just bought the car on the 12th of June but have seen other people online talking about it.

U-joint in steering column wearing out and making noise. Mechanic at dealership said common problem, but not at 21,000 miles. Estimated cost to repair approximately $400.

There is a knocking in the steering I took it to a garage they said it was a shaft in the steering column that Toyota had a bullentin out about it. I called Toyota and they said they have not heard of this problem but according to myself doing research there is a problem and I feel this is a safety issue.

2006 Toyota rav 4 sport has chronic problems with intermediate steering shaft. Low speed turning produces a clunking sound and unstable sensation in the steering column.

2006 Toyota rav 4 - steering - I have presented my vehicle for inspection at a local Toyota dealer service company last week on Tuesday, July 5th, 2011 for a noticeable "clunking" sound coming from the the steering column and front end. The service manager scheduled a 2nd visit for my vehicle on July 7th, in order for a service mechanic to test drive the car. He first told me that the unit would need to be "opened" and re-packed with grease to make the noise go away (without batting an eye). On the second service visit July 7th, the mechanic said the unit would require a rebuilding with at least $ 400. 00 of parts. This is the case after I brought the vehicle in with 43k original miles on it. After I had a third party look at the same issue, they said that it did not present a danger, however, new tires and a front end alignment were suggested to see whether any improvement would be noticeable. . Afterwards, I started my investigation of this matter, whereby, I now know that hundreds of cases have been previously reported, and, the manufacturer, Toyota, has "passed the buck" on the blame and repair, charging as much as $ 1,200 for the steering on the 2006 rav 4 model to be repaired. Sounds like a "scam" to me. Just because no one has gotten hurt yet, doesn't mean there isn't a problem here. Cars are controlled through the ability to "steer" the vehicle. In October 1976, I survived an accident in my brand new Ford granada, when the "suspension arm" nut was sheered off when taking a curve on a local road with the vehicle at 20-25 mph. Three people walked away from an accident that took out the whole front bumper, back to the driver's side door. As the car was repaired, Ford motor corp. Gathered all of the accident photos from the body shop, preventing disclosure of a potential problem (back before the "lemon laws" were put in place). Do not let this problem slip away. The lives of owner / operators + passengers are at stake !.

My 2006 Toyota Rav4 limited edition, I heard a clunking noise coming from the front steering column each time I turned the wheel right or left. The noise occurs only when you turn the steering and it is a clunking noise along with a vibration in the steering when you turn the wheel. This has been an ongoing problem and when I brought it up with the Toyota dealership the attendant said that it wasn't an issue. The problem isn't going away and the noise and clunky feeling when turning steering has been increasing. The problem started when the car was about 40k miles (out of warranty @ 36k). Few mechanics from other places looked at it and said it need to be fixed ASAP. I read blogs and noticed many of these vehicle have similar issues. I hope Toyota won¿t wait until an accident happen because of the problem.

2006 Toyota rav 4. Problem began on Jan. 2 2011. While slowly turning left I detected "clunking" sound in the steering column. Every time I turn left I hear this noise, and knowing Toyota has had some steering wheel problems in the past I became extra nervous. I went online and found quite quickly that this is a well-known problem with rav 4s but no recall can be issued until there are enough complaints, and owners are paying up to $1000 to get this fixed.

Clunking sound ( and feel) coming from steering column when turning either left or right, particularly at slower speeds. Clunking is worse in colder weather, but has been happening more often as time passes. No loss of steering ability - yet. Why is this not being addressed by Toyota? a simply internet search indicates it is a well known issue and yet Toyota will not take care of this. Dealership was not interested in speaking to me about this as the car was out of warranty, other than to fix the problem at my cost. Must we experience a serious accident to get Toyota's attention?.

Steering column making a clicking sound when turning the wheel at a slow speed going both forward and in reverse. Clicking has gotten more frequent and stronger over the past months.

The steering column 'clunks' when you turn the wheel. My vehicle has 85,000 miles, and I was recently informed by the dealership that I will need to get it repaired, but since there's no recall for this defect, I will have to pay for it myself! meanwhile, the clunking is getting worse. Toyota should recall this vehicle! there are many others who are experiencing this problem.

Clunking is heard and felt from the steering column when turning corners. This occurs about 80% of the time and is getting worse. Toyota has addressed that this problem is in the intermediate shaft of the steering column and needs to be replaced at a cost of $530 cdn.

The steering column clunks when you turn the wheel. My vehicle has 85,000 miles. The clunking is getting worse. Toyota should recall this vehicle! there are many others who are experiencing this problem.

When I turn, I can feel and hear the steering column "knock. " it has been gradually getting worse. I had the exact same problem about 1. 5 years ago and the walnut creek, CA service center had to replace some intermediate link in steering column. For this recent occurrence, the service center was going to charge $500 to fix the same problem they should have fixed on a permanent basis (at least more than 2 years). I am concerned based on other complaints that this might be a design flaw that could eventually result in a safety problem. Thank you.

I am original owner of 2006 Toyota Rav4 sport. There is a loud thump in the steering column when turning to the right or left, or turning the wheel while the car is stationary. The problem started a few months ago and is getting worse. The car has 38k and is several months out of warranty.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated when driving at least 35 mph and attempting a turning in either direction, there was a loud, abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised replacing the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 29,300.

There was an increasing loud noise and vibration through the steering column when I turned the wheel to the far right or left. I investigated Toyota tsbs and found my 2006 Rav4 has 2 detailed problems, one requires replacement of the connecting shafts and the other the entire steering rack. On inspection by the dealer it was determined I had the first problem, but because I was out of warranty, I would have to pay for it. This is a recall safety problem, which Toyota was in denial about. I escalated and pushed and managed to get them to cover the labor, but I still had to pay several hundred dollars for parts for something that should have instigated a recall. If I had the 2nd problem, it was 3 times as expensive. Many consumers have reported these issues, but Toyota ignores them. Just look at edmunds and other Toyota forums. You trust the steering design of car with your life. Toyota did not seem to care, only enough to let the dealers know there was an issue, not the consumer directly, nor step up repair it.

I own a 2006 Rav4. The steering column seems to have a problem, there is a regular clunking noise.

2006 Toyota rav-4 clicking in steering column since early 2009. . . After research found that it's actually a defect that Toyota knows about and put out a service bulletin for (NHTSA item number: 10024291 service bulletin #: st001-08 ) , but refused to fix if problem was discovered after warranty expired (problem started about 1 month after my warranty expired). . . . Next problem: water leak when raining on floor front passenger, leaked to back of vehicle causing mold damage (again Toyota refused to fix even though they were aware of issue. . . My husband researched and fixed it himself). Third problem, check engine light, vehicle stability control light, and 4wd light randomly come one (quite often). . . Have brought to mechanic and diagnostic test comes back with an error code. Mechanics have said it's most likely a computer malfunction (which I haven't investigated myself, but have been told is very expensive to fix or worse replace).

At around the beginning of the year, the steering column started knocking when turned left or right at low speeds. I brought it to a dealer and they seemed to be able to fix the problem by tightening something down in the steering assembly, but later the problem came back. I have since discovered that there are many consumer complaints about this problem, and the issue is addressed in Toyota technical service bulletin# st001-08. I brought the car into another dealer to be looked at today (5/22/09), and they informed me of the problem, which is a defective intermediate shaft assembly. Because the vehicle was out of its standard warranty, they would not fix the problem without charge, which they said was around $800 parts & labor. When I asked if it was possible if the shaft could fail completely at a later time, they said they didn't know. As the noises seem to be getting louder as time goes on, it indicates to me that the shaft interlocks are wearing out and there is a real possibility of failure down the line. With that said, I feel that this is a safety issue and the possibility of a recall should be considered.

Clanking when turning the vehicle at low speeds. Began to occur at approx 45,000 miles. Steering column feels loose when sounds appear. Is this dangerous?!?!? dealer looking for service bulletin. Need recall.

Since day one there was a knocking/popping sound coming from the steering column when turning the wheel at park and low speeds. I had taken the vehicle in to the dealer at least 3 times and finally, and ironically, the dealer acknowledged the noise. Previous trips yielded the ever present "could not duplicate". However steering adjustments via an alignment was attempted. Could not duplicate but tried something anyway? the ironic part about when the dealer acknowledged the noise is that the vehicle was 4000 miles past warranty. Funny how such an obvious thing can go unnoticed until warranty expires.

Had a clunking sound in steering column when turning and backing up. Steering shaft was replaced under warranty. Problem returned and repaired on Aug. 27,2012 at 73,852 miles and cost $720. I have been driving for 50 years and never had a car that had a steering problem like this. I was told that if I didn't have it repaired the steering column could lock up. I see there has been alot of complaints about this problem in 2006-2007 Rav4's can someone look into this?.

Klunking noise heard and thump felt in steering column while turning vehicle a slow speeds.

Clunking sound in the steering column, chipped paint on the hood, and a jumbled radio screen. Radio fixed, steering column ongoing, paint still chipping.

I have a loud knocking sound in the steering column of my Rav4 when I make low-turn speeds. I have had the car at the dealer three times and they have not been able to identify the problem. . Read more...

Clunking steering column when turning. Started at about 15k miles. Now 45k and noise much more pronounced. Read this is rod/shaft problem with 2006s, see that majority of complains filed w/ NHTSA relate to this issue. Why is Toyota not recalling? they claim not safety issue. Clunking noise while turning can't be good for future integrity of vehicle's steering. It's not a problem until there is a serious injury or death. Read Toyota recalled 2005s for same issue, and read no post-2006 models suffer same problem. Come on Toyota, fix this problem on 2006s.

Early on in ownership of the vehicle a light 'clunking' noise could be heard while turning the vehicle. Noise progressively became worse. I repeatedly reported the incident twice to the dealership - Toyota lake city, seattle, wa, prior to expiration of vehicle warranty. Every time I was advised the dealership staff was "unable to duplicate the issue". Currently, the noise is extremely loud, and there's a 'popping' feel in the steering column/steering wheel, coupled with a loud clunk. I'm concerned for my, and my family's safety, however I don't have $800. 00 to repair an item which shouldn't be having issues. Note: I have a 2010 Toyota Rav4 VIN#[xxx], which is beginning to experience the same issue as 2006 Toyota Rav4. I have researched this issue and Toyota is fully aware of the issue via TSB# st001-08. Toyota has developed a "new" steering shaft which remedies the issue. This should be a recall, for it impacts a large majority of the Rav4 owners - another Toyota issue which they know about, but try to hide! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact noticed a knocking sound from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the steering column and ecu motor needed to be replaced. There was a related service bulletin. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The contact was unable to drive the vehicle due to the failure. The current and failure mileages were approximately 60,000.

I am just another consumer worried that my 2006 Rav4 will somehow give out on my climb up a mountain as each week the steering column is getting worse, its to the point now where upon start and drive it is clanging and sounds as if it were ready to give out at any moment, I have a 2006 and have 50k on it, I drive quite a few miles on the job and wonder what the thought process is with Toyota, they know of the problem but seem to be waiting for a terrible disaster before they chalk it up as a recall hopefully it wont end in a tragic death before this is decided upon.

My 2006 Toyota rav 4 has steering problems. The steering column is loose and Toyota will not fix it. $1700 to fix it, don,t have money. Could come apart? there has been lots of complaints about the rav 4,they need to do a recall.