Steering Failed problems of the 2007 Toyota RAV4

As daughter was entering freeway steering failed, rear-ended by 18 wheeler.

Tl-the contact owns a 2007 Toyota rav 4. The contact stated while driving 10 mph the steering wheel became difficult to turn, at the same time it slipped. The problem recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where the steering wheel shaft was replaced. The contact still experienced a failure. The dealer diagnosed it with the electric steering column failure. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. An.

Upon taking ownership of this pre-owned vehicle I noticed a clunking sound coming from the drivers side front of the vehicle, particularly while turning. I took the vehicle to my local dealership who ran a diagnostic and informed me that this problem was due to issues in the steering intermediate shaft and that it needed to be replaced. They indicated the "splines" were starting to wear and that delay in repair could see worsening of sound and potential issues with steering. Yet they also informed me there was no danger. While perhaps that was the case I felt that a steering failure was an immediate danger and had the vehicle repaired immediately. Price was approx. $420 for labor and parts. After researching this a bit I find that Toyota has recalled a similar part on some of it's other vehicles, such as the prius. It concerns me that this part is not recalled on the rav 4 or any other Toyota vehicle with the same problem.

Tl-the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the steering wheel failed without warning and the contact crashed into a guard rail. There were no injuries and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, where it was stated that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000. Kmj.

Dealer informed me yesterday that intermediate steering shaft needs to be replaced for the third time since manufacture. Shaft was replaced a couple of years ago at a cost of $880, of which I had to pay $500 as vehicle was out of warranty. Dealer downplayed whether this is a safety issue but insisted that I should pay $715 to replace the shaft which is making knocking noises when driven. This has to be a design and/or manufacturing defect and I've heard that other models in the line have also suffered similar steering issues. Can only hope it doesn't lead to steering failure.

At any speed, an audible "clunk" is present when steering wheel is turned right or left. Furthermore, one can feel a vibration in the steering wheel that exactly matches the "clunk" sound. During low speeds after starting the vehicle the noise and vibration is prominent any time the steering wheel is turned. At higher speeds, the sound is less prounounced, but a vibration and feeling of "looseness" in the steering is prominent. Since this vehicle is used as a family car with young children (and a pregnant woman) present, this noise/vibration combination is disturbing as we fear steering failure. I am not sure if this problem is related to Toyota's technical service bulletin st001-08 which matches the description of my problem. However, it is apparent that Toyota issued this TSB as a result of customer complaints and developed a procedure and replacement parts to cure such a problem.

Experienced knocking noises with vibration in the steering column when turning the steering wheel. Condition has worsened over the last year. I am concerned this could result in steering failure and an expected inability to turn the vehicle while driving.

Like thousands of other Toyota Rav4 owners, I have experienced a "clunking" noise and loose feel to the steering system of my vehicle. Toyota dealership diagnosed as steering intermediate shaft assembly needs to be replaced. Toyota is unwilling to repair this item at their expense even though they acknowledge that it is a defect according to thier own bulletins. Toyota has issued service bulletin #t-sb-0319-08" to tell the Toyota mechanics how to replace the defective steering shafts. Toyota should be made to issue a recall to repair this problem. This needs to be a mandated recall before people start getting injured due to steering failure! when contacting Toyota representatives, they also refuse to tell consumers what governmental agency to contact to file a complaint. They are clearly trying to avoid paying for this known defect!!!.

2007 Toyota Rav4. Steering collum failure. Toyota knows of this problem and has multiple servive bullitins on this item. This should be a recall item.

On 2007 and 2008 Toyota Rav4 vehicles, the steering intermediate shaft and steering gear assembly fail. Toyota has a technical service bulletin that describes the fix: TSB 0318-08 rev1. Drivers will begin to feel a "thunk" in the steering column, and my mechanic (at a Toyota dealership) informed me this would become a safety problem if left unfixed. This does not appear to be caused by any kind of driver error. Rather, it is a design flaw in the steering components. On my 2007 Rav4, this problem began at around 55,000 miles, and was fixed per the technical service bulletin referenced above.

Steering began experiencing a slight 'clunking' feel and noise. It progressively became worse. I finally took it to a Toyota garage for repair, as I was concerned the steering would fail, and was disturbingly surprised to find they had the part in stock. I use to work in automotive dealerships parts departments and we never stocked a part of this nature as it was an item that didn't normally wear out. Cost to replace it was around $500. I have since discovered that this item has a poor history that Toyota was aware of but didn't notify their customers.

My 2007 Toyota Rav4 ltd 4x4 has an audible and physical clunking in the steering column when turning at any speed in either direction. I began noticing the sound around 80,000 miles and then began feeling it around 90,000. I had it looked at my a qualified technician and was told my entire steering column has defective bushings that are a design flaw and the entire dual steering shaft would have to be replaced for $820. 00. I was also told it could be a safety hazard because the steering will no longer be functional when the bushing actually give out. I can only imagine what the hell would happen going 60 mph down the freeway on my daily commute when my steering fails. This is a known design flaw by Toyota, how on earth does this not qualify as a safety recall!!!?!?!?!?!.

2007 Toyota Rav4 has loud clunking noises and "catches" when turning the wheel left or right. Supposed to be a steering issue caused by a manufacturers defect, but Toyota not will not cover any repairs that cost upwards of $1,000. Dealer says this is a common problem but will not respond to complainants about it being a safety issue. If steering fails, will Toyota be responsible?.

I have an 07 Toyota rav and recently had to take it to the dealer because of a clunking sound in the steering. Was told by the service rep that the intermediate steering rod is failing. The splines are hitting the bottom assembly. Was also told that this is not a safety issue and is safe to drive. Cost was $415. 70 for parts and 178. 00 for labor. The issue is not the cost but concern that something (intermediate steering rod) in my steering is failing (when will it fail completely) and according to service rep. . . This is not a safety issue. Perhaps he should be turning the wheel, listening to the "clunking sound of the failing spines" and then thinking, "this is not a safety issue!".

Felt a looseness in the steering, a popping noise when making turns. Under warrenty, at approximately 33,000 miles, the intermediate steering shaft was replaced. At approximately 56,000 miles, the same problem recurred. Was advised by the local Toyota dealer the intermediate steering shaft had failed once again. Cost of replacement estimated at $628. 00. Called Toyota customer experience center and received a case manager. Case manager informed me the final offer Toyota would make is to pay the cost of the part, I would be responsible for the approximate $300. 00 labor costs. They would not guarantee future replacements should the part fail again. Clearly a safety issue that Toyota refuses to properly address.

Within approximately 2 years of the purchase of our new 2007 Toyota Rav4 we noticed a "clunking" sound and feel in the steering at slow speed. The problem was reported to the dealer, gettle Toyota of bradenton, florida, and was repaired under warranty. They referred to the parts replaced as intermediate steering shaft/ steering shaft assy. (the service writer seemed to know exactly what the problem was). The same apparent problem appeared again in approximately June of 2013 and is worse now in January 2014. It has become quite annoying and now both my wife and I wonder if this will become a safety concern, I. E. Leading to a steering failure. Our original decision to buy the Rav4 was primarily based on a very high safety rating after we were involved in a serious injury crash which destroyed our previous vehicle. We are becoming more and more disappointed with Toyota quality in general as our Rav4 approaches only 75,000 miles. I would request the recall of this vehicle for manufacturer-sponsored repairs to follow the already historical TSB of 2008 for this same problem in '06 and '07 Rav4s. Thank you for your attention.

I purchased a new 2007 Rav4 from Toyota of braintree in 2007. 1. In 2009 I could hear wind in the driver's window; I took the vehicle to be checked, Toyota service department said I was hearing things. 2. The driver's door caught fire (I had the keys with me) I had to spend $606. 01 to fix it, Toyota said there was water intrusion (I thought, it probably was, because of the air leak previously reported in 2009) 3. The steering wheel felt strange when I drove, I took it back for service, the diagnosis was steering shaft internal failure which needed to be replaced; I fought to get that fixed out of warranty. 5. On November 25, 2011 I was driving, the window fell in on me and on November 26, 2011, I had to have the driver's side window regulator replaced for $338. 30 7. Now, oil is leaking into the muffler. (I purchase oil frequently) this vehicle is only 4. 5 years old and should not have any of these major problems, when I purchased this Rav4, it was going to be my last vehicle purchase because Toyota advertises longevity of their products. I also know people who drive 1990 and 1995 Toyota products who have never had any of these problems. I was also treated very poorly during some of my repair visits. After the door caught on fire, I had a meeting with the owner of Toyota of braintree, [xxx] but his resolution was giving me $13,000. 00 for my vehicle (which I own) and me purchasing a brand new vehicle, which meant I would have a monthly payment. I did contact Toyota headquarters in California and filed a complaint and never received any resolution. Since then I received a letter from the national center for dispute settlement stating they can't help me. Thank you for any assistance, sincerely, Toyota Rav4 owner. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).