Steering Noise problems of the 2006 Toyota RAV4 - part 2

2006 Toyota rav 4 steering clunking noise. Car was purchased new and currently has 24,557 miles. The intermediate steering shaft is going out.

"clunking " noise coming from steering wheel when turning the when left and right under low speeds. This has been an intermittent problem which is becoming more pronounced, a TSB has been issued for this problem, but a recall should be in place due to the number of owners of rav 4's (2006) blogging and reporting this same issue .

2006 Toyota rav 4 with 23,500 miles. Steering knocking noise and clunking. Started at 20,000 miles approx. I went on line and found this to be a common complaint with rav owners yet there has been no recall. Why? I can't get a straight answer as to whether this is a noise problem or will be a steering problem.

This is an update of complaint 10243141. In August 2006, I purchased a new Toyota rav 4/l4 at 4x2. In August 2007 (mileage: 9,540), I took the vehicle to the car dealer because of a strange noise coming from the steering shaft assembly which had to be ordered (part # 45260-42090) and installed. In November 2007 (mileage: 11,989), I took the vehicle to the dealer due to the same noise. I was told there was nothing wrong. In December 2007 I took the car to the dealer again (mileage: 12,717) with still the same problem and noise. Dealer personnel determined a damaged steering shaft assembly which was ordered (part # 45260-42090) and installed for the second time. On October 13, 2008, (mileage: 21,152) the car was again making the same noise and taken to the dealer, where the steering shaft was again replaced. I was told that a different part had to be replaced (part # 45221-42070). On July 2, 2009, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for maintenance. I again reported the same noise coming from the steering wheel. The technician drove the vehicle and said everything was fine. On November 6, 2009, I took the vehicle to a different auto shop. The mechanic disassembled the steering wheel and identified the noise. He personally took the car to a different Toyota dealership and spoke to a technician. At that dealership, he was told that the noise is a normal condition and that Toyota personnel are aware of the noise but the company has not been able to identify the source or how to fix it. Also, he was told other Toyota vehicles have a similar problem. We are now in February 2010. My rav 4 (mileage: 35,983) has maintained the noise and has a funny feeling when turning the steering wheel. It feels like if the wheel will come out. Since this is a recurring problem, accepted by the Toyota dealer and confirmed by an independent mechanic, I feel I should update this complaint with the nhtsb. I would appreciate receiving some feedback from nhtsb in this regard.

My vehicle is making clunking noise in the steering column whenever I make turns. I am afraid it will get worse sooner or later. Mileage: 27,699.

2006 Toyota rav 4 with only 20,000 miles regardless of months in service, (incidentally garaged throughout the winters) developed a steering column noise that was heard by a friend. I took it to a dealer who told me outright that this was a problem that "has been around". The repairs will cost me several hundred dollars and from what I'm reading online there are a lot of these out there. So if there is a problem with the steering column why isn't there a recall, or isn't the steering of a vehicle a danger to myself or others. After all the other problems Toyota has had why has this issue not been addressed by NHTSA.

2006 Toyota Rav4 steering shaft clunking noise. It was noticed by the dealer and fixed under warranty last year. But less than 1 year later the noise is back and the dealer indicated it could be a defective parts; replacing it will cost 800, now out of warranty the owner need to pay for it. It's clearly a design issue with the original parts that should be recalled. Now I'm living with this noise and it appears it's getting worse.

Clunking noise in the steering column when making turns.

Clunking noise from steering shaft in low speed turning and backing. I was under the 36000 miles (32,000) but the 3 years on warranty had expired. 9 months ago. Toyota authorized the replacement of the "intermediate steering shaft" and all labor. I am very pleased with the service and I hope this permanently solves the problem.

Sept. 2009 my wife complained to me that there was a knocking noise that she could feel through the steering wheel when she turned the steering wheel left or right at slow speeds. It got louder and more pronounced over the last 30 days. I researched this online and found that there were many similar complaints. I then located Toyota's TSB st001-08 dated 2/8/08 "steering intermediate shaft noise" which perfectly describes the steering noise I have been experiencing. While I have only 21k miles on the Rav4, my 36 months ran out 3 months ago. The nearby Toyota dealership told me that they were quite aware of the situation but basically, yet politely said, "too bad, out of warranty. " considering this complaint seems to be a quite widespread issue, and one that involves the steering and control of the vehicle, I would argue that this rises to the level of a serious public safety concern and should merit a safety recall. Toyota can not guarantee that this steering noise will not deteriorate into a "loss of control" issue.

My wife's 2006 Rav4 has a "clunking" noise in the steering that is worrisome to us. It has been present and getting worse for seven or eight years, now. I noticed the noise as being faint but didn't think much of it until my stepson asked me one day what the noise was. It occurs when driving the vehicle and turning the steering wheel. It got progressively louder and when I mentioned it to the Toyota dealer where we have the vehicle serviced they basically blew us off and implied that it was our faulty driving. I have seen other complaints about this same problem from other rav 4 owners but Toyota doesn't seem to want to fix this very dangerous problem. The fix will cost from 5 to 7 hundred dollars. We were asked if we wnted to pay for the repair and we said no, that Toyota should issue a safety recall about this problem and they documented that we had turned down repairs to the steering column. Another cosmetic problem we experienced was the finish on the wheels corroding and flaking off so that now the wheels look terrible. This happened when the car was just out of warranty. Toyota told us that we must have used a "solvent" to clean the wheels therefore creating the problem ourselves. This same problem is also on the internet among rav 4 owners. Toyota doesn't want to fix any of these problems.

We hear a continuous popping/clunking noise from our 2006 Toyota Rav4 when turning the steering wheel to the right or to the left. When this happens, a slight increase of the force is required to turn the steering wheel. This problem is well documented in Toyota t-sb-0318-08: "some customers may hear a clunk, pop, or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. A new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this condition. " it shows that Toyota originally used defective intermediate shafts. "warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customers specific complaint. " Toyota will do nothing about the defective intermediate shaft if customer doesn't complain. The noise is caused by "shaft excessive play" according to Toyota. It may not cause audible noise in early stages so a customer can't hear it. Toyota can continue to ignore the defect until this condition aggravates to a certain point. Is it a safety concern that excessive shaft play may eventually lead to full or partial loss of steering? we have filed complain through bbb to Toyota but they decided to do nothing about it.

A popping,knocking, clunking noise when turning the steering wheel, it can be heard and also felt when turning. Toyota has issued a TSB about the problem but the dealers refuse to do anything about it. There is only 22,000 miles on the vehicle, I also have a 2007 rav 4 with less than 20,000 miles on it. So far the popping noise has not started yet but I think it is only a matter of time because it has the same components as the 2006 has.

¿model year: 2006 make: Toyota Rav4 model: 4 drive, 2 wd, v6 sport component: power steering system description: I bought the above car on 12/16/2006. After two years of driving, I started to notice that there is a tweaking sound on the steering wheel whenever I make a left or right turn of the vehicle at a slow speed. I have made a complain to capitol Toyota at the beginning of 2009 and demand a fix without charge, but their management insisted that they charge me a fee of $132. 00 for diagnostic and additional repair cost if they find out that problem is not within their warranty limits; please note that my car was within warranty at 42k miles. Frustrated and angry, I brought my car home without any service. A year later with 44. 3k miles, I began to notice additional problem with my car. This time, the check engine, viscous, and track lights get turned on. I brought my car to capitol Toyota again with my additional complaint. This time, they agreed to perform a diagnostic service without a fee of $132. 00, but they charge me for $1083. 00 to replace the power steering ecu computer which is out of range and causing the lights to be turned on, and $483. 00 for fixing the first, original power steering noise problem. They said that my vehicle is out of warranty. The only thing they can help cover for free of charge and within warranty at this time is to fix the cam timing oil valve which is sticking out to cause the engine light problem. I believe my Toyota has their design and manufacturing problems, and I have not ordered the ecu computer and steering wheel noise fixes that they recommended because I do not agree with the provided cost. I am expecting that they should fix these problems for me free of charge.

A noise came from steering wheel. This had been going on for sometime. Toyota replaced r&r steering intermediate shaft. Eventually steering wheel airbag had to be replaced due to severance of the spiral cable. No doubt these were related. Unknown to me at the time of the repair Toyota issued a technical service bulletin on 2-8-08 covering this issue. They refused to reimburse me for the repair. The defective part started to fail from the day I bought the car. Both of the issues are safety related items. Waiting for the steering to fail would be absurd. A look at the internet shows this was a widespread problem for this model year of the Rav4. Please issue a safety recall for the steering wheel problems for the 2006 Rav4.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact heard a thumping noise within the steering wheel of her vehicle. The failure only occurred while making turns. Over the past three weeks, the noise occurred more frequently. The dealer stated that the intermediate shafts needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired and the manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was 62,248 and failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

The steering column and/or steering wheel makes a clunk, pop and knock type noise when the steering wheel is turned left or right. This occurs at any speed and sometimes even when the vehicle is not moving. I am fearful that something in the steering mechanism might break while diving leaving the vehicle to continue on a course not under my control.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she heard a clunking noise from the steering wheel when turning. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The VIN was unavailable when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. The current mileage was approximately 20,900. Updated 7/26/10. Updated 09/16/10.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the steering rods made a noise at low speeds and when he made left and right turns. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the failure was a known defect but there were no related recalls. The contact was informed that he would be responsible for the repair costs. The VIN was unavailable when the complaint was filed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 55,000.

2006 Toyota rav 4. Consumer states issues with front steering, suspension and drive train the consumer stated the problems started with an abnormal noise in the steering system and continued with other problems associated with the steering, front suspension and drive train. Various front end components had been replaced 10 times. After the steering shaft was replaced for the second time in August of 2011, the vehicle is now performing as designed.

The following sequence of events describe the problem with my car. In August 2006, I purchased for my wife a new Toyota rav 4/l4 at 4x2. In August 2007 (vehicle mileage: 9,540), I had to take the vehicle to the car dealer because of a strange noise coming from the steering shaft assembly which had to be ordered (part # 45260-42090) and installed. In November 2007 (vehicle mileage: 11,989), I took the vehicle to the dealer due to the same noise. I was told there was nothing wrong. In December 2007 I took the car to the dealer once again (vehicle mileage: 12,717) with still the same problem and noise. Dealer personnel determined a damaged steering shaft assembly which was ordered (part # 45260-42090) and installed for the second time. We are now in September 2008 and my rav 4 (vehicle mileage: 20,855) is becoming noisy again with the same problem. I have no question in my mind tat the steering shaft assembly will have to be replaced for a third time. I have never been informed by Toyota that rav 4 vehicles have been recalled but have read online that other models such as the prius have been recalled with this problem.

I bought a new 2006 Toyota Rav4 v6 sport. After a year I got a clunking noise from the steering shaft when I was turning left or right at low speed. I had around 15,000 miles. I went to the dealer and they told me after the check up that is nothing wrong with the steering system. After a year my wife drove the car was surprised by the noise. She had a Nissan quest for 15 years and never experienced such a bad ride at low speed. I went back to the dealer and they gave me an estimate of about $1500 to fix it. Is out of warranty. Look like there is a problem generated by a bad engineering design and Toyota mfg. Knows about. Why they don't stay behind their product and recall it for replacement with a better design intermediate steering shaft?.

Toyota Rav4 steering column clunking noise.

Clunking noise in steering when turning left or right. Was occasional at first now is consistent. Brought in when under warranty when noise was inconsistent now that noise is consistent and warranty is up they won't pay for it.

Like many other 2006 Rav4 owners, I have experience the so-called "klunking" noise with the steering column. This appear to be a know problem (design flaw) with this model, yet Toyota fail to take full responsibility and initiative to correct the problem. Do we have to experience such catastrophic events as the "acceleration issue", before Toyota decide to do something about it?.

I complained about a clunking noise in the steering column during low speed turns. The dealer could not locate it and applied grease to the steering column stops, did not fix the problem. Of course this has been a constant problem almost from date of new purchase. The car is now out of warranty and there still is no fix for these clunking noises. I believe it is a poorly designed steering column and should be recalled by Toyota 2006 Rav4 sport 6cyl. Awd 41,500 mi.

I am hearing a clunk/noise when rotating my steering at very low speeds for the past few weeks. I took my vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis and was advised that the steering column needs to be replaced. Based on my research in the internet it looks like it is a very common issue with this model of Rav4's.

2006 Toyota Rav4 has a grinding/binding noise when turning the steering wheel. Consumer feel that this is perhaps a defect. The dealer determined the intermediate shafts were faulty.