Steering Noise problems of the 2007 Toyota RAV4 - part 2

TSB st001-08 steering gear box shaft . I have a severe clunking noise on my 2007 Toyota Rav4. The noise appears whenever I move the steering wheel even a little bit and continues indefinitely. I have had this noise for almost one year and it is getting worse. According to other Rav4 owners, Toyota knows about this problem, but they refuse to repair it without charging the owners. The vehicle was under warranty when the noise started and now it is no longer under warranty and is no longer covered (the vehicle was purchased 3 years ago and has less than 30,000 miles on it). When I took the car into the local Toyota dealership on June 1, 2010 for an annual inspection, the car was still under warranty and the mileage was only 26496 (I purchased it on June 16, 2007). I mentioned to the dealership that there was a clunking noise in the steering, but there was no mention of any problems. I am unable to pay for any repairs on this vehicle, and do not feel like I should have to because it was faulty while under warranty, and Toyota knows about it but refuses to repair it (it is a huge problem, one that affects 2006 and 2007 Toyota Rav4 vehicles).

Knocking noise in steering column of 2007 Toyota rav 4. Happens when truck is moving and turning either left or right.

2007 rav 4sport has clunking sound when turning. Noticed it around 30,000 miles, & is one of the maintenance items the dealer is supposed to check every 5000 mile service which I have done since the vehicle was new. (inspect steering linkage and boots). My vehicle now has 46,000 miles on it, & I had asked the dealer if there was a problem , & he acted like he had not ever heard of a clunking noise in the steering, but came up with a $590. 00 repair price & told me it was unsafe. He would not cover the defect because it was only covered until 36,000 miles. I came home & got on the internet, & there are similar complaints everywhere. Please help?.

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact heard a knocking noise coming from the steering column while driving various speeds and whenever attempting a turn. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

2007 Toyota Rav4 has a binding and thumping noise in the steering column when the steering wheel is turned to the left or right.

There is a clunking/knocking noise in steering shaft. Only normal use on this vehicle on city streets. A failure in the steering shaft could cause death at highway speeds for obvious reasons. Toyota has acknowledged the problem by issuing t-sb-0318-08, but refuses to issue a safety recall or pay for repair after warranty expires. This is a manufacturing defect and they acknowledge this by the fact that they have changed the part used here (new pn 45221-42070). This is serious and affects all 06-08 Rav4 suvs. Just search for "steering clunk Rav4" if you want evidence.

Hear a popping noise when turning steering wheel left or right. Only hear it when turning at slower speeds.

2007 Rav4 steering clunking noise.

Hearing a clucking noise from steering column for last couple of years. It was getting worse and increased frequency so we took it to the local Toyota dealer. Service dept personnel said they had replaced other steering shafts but no recall on our Rav4's year. 2001 & 02's and other years have recalls. Searched on-line and there are numerous other posts with this same problem on 2006 & 07 Rav4s. Why is Toyota not acknowledging this problem. Others have stated the steering will evidently go out. Definite major safety problem. $800+ cost to fix.

Popping noise in steering at low speeds, indicating possible eventual failure of steering function. Toyota has been nonresponsive to customer complaints, though this is clearly a design failure that frequently shows just as vehicle exceeds warranty. Government pressure is required for Toyota to issue a recall before this nuisance issue becomes a safety issue.

Knocking noise in steering.

I recently had to replace the steering shaft on my 2007 Toyota Rav4. My car was making popping noises when steering left and right. Come to find out it was the steering shaft. My car was above the mileage and out of the manufactures warranty. Since there was a TSB they said they would temporarily fix it by lubing it. The actual replacement of the steering shaft on my car cost me over $755. 08 out of pocket. I had absolutely no choice but to pay this since I am not sure if it would have been safe to even continue driving my car. I know of one complaint on this exact same issue and I think it is ridiculous that we consumers should have to pay this out of our own pockets. Toyota should be issuing a recall for this.

2007 Toyota rav 4 - clunking and popping noise when I turn the steering wheel. I was advised by my service manager to replace steering shaft but was not covered under warranty since there is not a recall. The problem has been occurring for approx a year now with no resolution. The noise is getting worse and happening more often. I hope we do not have a major problem with the steering before a recall is done.

Steering column in 2007 Toyota Rav4. Problem is s manufacturing defect that will not be corrected if the car is out of warranty. Makes a very loud noise whenever steering wheel is turned and has a tendency to "wander" to side of road.

Several years ago I noticed a popping noise when the steering wheel was turned. I thought it was in the steering wheel because I frequently used the tilt and telescope features to let me use my work laptop while in the car. (I am a retired hospice nurse. ) I just figured it was aging from overuse. However, last week I took the 2007 Rav4 in to my tire dealer and asked them to check the alignment while they did some other work. The mechanic was sharp and told me that he had first thought the same thing about the steering wheel being the source of the noise, but investigated further and found it was the "intermediate shaft" of the steering system. He told me there was a technical service bulletin about it. I've looked up the TSB's and they are 0318-08 and st001-08, and they describe my car exactly. I have an appointment tomorrow-2-3-12-to have a local dealer look at it. The car has 69659 miles on it now, but only 49882 when I retired in may of '10 and it was maybe a year before that (at 33842 miles) that the noise started. This has certainly not been the car our '96 rav was. I call it my bad luck car for various reasons and it appears it still is. The tire mechanic said the repair was about $400.

There is a popping noise in the steering while making turns. The Toyota service dealer identified it as the "intermediate steering shaft, a recurring problem with the 07-08 rav. " he said the cost to replace it would be $650. 72. I asked him it was covered by Toyota, and he said no. I asked if it was a safety hazard, and he said, "the steering could potentially fail while you're driving. " I have five children and don't want my steering to fail while I'm driving. Since this is a known problem on 07-08 rav's, I am requesting that it be turned into a national safety recall for Toyota to fix. Thank you for your time and consideration! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I have 2 Toyota Rav4s - both have the same problem, the steering column is making a "clunking" noise when turning the steering wheel at low speeds. It appears that this is a problem that many, many other Toyota Rav4 owners have experienced and Toyota has issued t-sb-0318-08 bulletin with at procedure to repair an inadequately designed intermediate steering shaft. There are concerns about long-term safety and losing control of the vehicle if this repair is not done. Toyota should be compelled to issue a safety recall and owners should be notified immediately.

Toyota Rav4 2007. I've been hearing unusual sound when I turn steering wheel specially from parking position. Toyota elk grove CA said this is normal. I don't think this is normal. Any noise while turning steering wheel is not normal because turning steering wheel doesn't suppose to produce noise.

I noticed a 'clunking sound' when I turn my steering wheel either direction on my Toyota rav 4 2007 vehicle. This is Toyota very well known issue and they have done nothing about it. If you want proof check below link that how many people have same problem. Please do somthing about this and reply to my email. . Read more...

I have a 2007 rav 4. In Aug 2008 it started making a clunking noise at low speeds. I took it to the dealer and part of the steering column was replaced under warranty. The noise went away. Now it is oct. 2010 and the noise is back but vehicle is no longer under warranty. Searching 07 rav 4 clunking noise in steering column I realize that this is a very common problem and a safety issue.

Knocking and banging noises when steering wheel is turned in either direction. Sometimes when going over minor bumps in the road. Most noticeable at slow speeds.

Steering noise-whether turning left or right you can hear and feel a noise(clanking sound). The feel is on the steering column and wheel. This vehicle has 10,000 mi. But the problem has been there since 6,000 mi. . Tire pressure is good, I check it once a week.

Large steering noise when car is turned at certain speeds, which is well characterized by other son my 2007 Rav4. . Read more...

Knocking/popping noise in steering when trun left or right. Sometime happens when make a u-turn.

Clunking noise when steering either right or left, noticeable at slower speeds. This has been a problem since it was new but we were told it was the left front strut. On our last service we were told it involved the steering. Note: rav's front bumper had been repaired, before vehicle was delivered to us. We were told it was minor damage just needed repainting. . This vehicle has 64,000 original miles.

Clicking noise in steering shaft. I had mentioned this to the dealer in numerous occasion the month after my warranty wore out they mentioned yes there is a problem and several vehicles have been brought in for this problem its called the steering shaft which makes a clicking noise and sometimes becomes stuck. The dealer headquarter Toyota (horrible servicer) failed to take responsibility and I contacted the Toyota and they said they would not cover the part even though there is recalls in japan for this same situation. I am not able to cover this expensive part and so im waiting to see if the recalls comes to the us before there is an accident.