general problems of the 2008 Toyota RAV4 - part 1

I have a Toyota Rav4 2008 2. 4 the motor is no leaking oil, no blue smoke but I put 4 quarts oil on 1. 000 miles,the comsuption oil is too much and the steering wheel column have problem and that is danger . I see on google the problem on this car Toyota Rav4 2008 2. 4 is came with factory problem on pistons and rings I call bernardi Toyota framingham,MA on 08/27/2022 and I talk a service guy the problem and he say the recall for my car expires on 2018 but I read on internet recall nver expires if the company o factory still on ,I did call to service on Toyota weslleyle,MA on 08/29/2023 and the service guy toll me the same my phone number 508 371 0039 . . . Jhordan my name thank you. Very much for help me.

I was starting to back out of my driveway and my steering wheel made a loud clunking noise and became free floating. The plastic air vent fell on my right foot. I did not attempt to drive the car after this incident. I had it towed to Toyota service. I was told that the steering bracket had come loose and that they had never seen anything like it before. I did some online research and found that this has happened many times with 2006, 2007 and 2008 Toyota rav 4 vehicles. I believe there are even case numbers for some of them. It was determined to be a failed weld each time! if this had happened to me over the summer, when I was driving in the mountains it cold have caused a serious or even fatal accident. I don't understand why this hasn't been recalled?! this is very dangerous for the unsuspecting people driving rav 4s! the repair estimate for this is over $5,000!.

The driveshaft welds that held the power steering motor to the vehicle frame failed. This caused steering wheel to be loose and unstable and the power steering motor to slam against the floor vent. It caused it to fall to the floor near the pedals where it could have obstructed the brake or accelerator pedal.

Making knockings/wobbling sound when steering wheel turning left or right while driving. Sound increases everyday with van driven. This problem started about 2 months ago. I reported this problem to Toyota coustomer service last week. This is very serious issue as a safety of a van. I have several problems with van it is lemon.

Tl- the contact owns a 2008 Toyota rav 4. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at various speeds, the steering wheel would persistently lean from the center without warning. The contact stated that he would have to constantly center the steering wheel while driving to keep the steering from slanting. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the steering issue was normal vehicle operation. The contact had yet to notify a dealer or manufacturer about the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000. Jo.

Steering intermediate shaft worn out : making clunking noise when turning either way also when reversing car Toyota technician found this defect/issue.

Very bad clunking / popping sound when I back up and turn my wheels. Seems to happen mostly when I first drive the SUV in the morning. Only has 96,000 miles on it.

(bp no dealer info) tl the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While pulling out of the driveway, the steering wheel started to make a clicking sound and the check engine and esc warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist motor needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 1709132080. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 39,800.

"takata recall" I had a wreck March 8, 2017 and I could not control the steering wheel and landed in some heavy bushes on a off ramp. When to the hospital with neck problems and put a report into my insurance. The car was in motion when the steering problem happen. On I-5 58 south bound off ramp near intersection with NW morgan street, grants pass, oregon happen so fast could not break.

The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While driving 40 mph, the steering seized and the vehicle crashed into a building. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The occupant sustained left and right broken arms, stitches, and a broken rotator cuff. Medical attention was received at west chester medical center. A police report was filed. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,000.

1st issue was repeated recall over lower arm suspension bar that was permanently glued, to remedy safety concern. Now intermediate steering arm is bad, and problems w car swaying, and tires feeling wobbly. Being told Toyota will not cover expenses to repair related suspension issue. $750. 00 car has only 53,000 miles. . . Many other Rav4 owners w same problem. Afraid to drive.

I bought my Toyota with 47316 miles, no warranty. At 49000 miles my power steering lite started intermittently coming on, at 60000 miles it comes on all the time . Took the vechile to local Toyota, was told by one gentleman he has seen this recently. Couldn't fix it as they have no programs for the issue. Told me to call Toyota, they may help me with this high price issue. Talk to two different employees at main number. I was told they wouldn't do anything since, I have not had Toyota do my maintenance. I explained to them, I have not had it long. But I have years of previous owners Toyota maintenance. Said it's not in my name, I can't control the steering wheel when the p/s light is on. Can take up to 16 true to get it off. Toyota reset it , code came right back. This car is not broke in . This is not right the cost we pay for this. Hope someone makes them make there issues right size.

Clunk in steering wheel when turning to the left or right.

There are have been 6 recalls to date since we purchased 2008 Rav4. Most recently, seatbelts were deemed unsafe in the rear, where we harness our children's carseats. This was in April 2016, and we have yet to be contacted about a remedy. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to push for a fix to this situation. We are frustrated that this car is a lemon, but not according to law, since the recalls are rolled out over the course of the last 6-8 years.

2008 rav 4 has less than 60k miles. Was experiencing a clunking noise when turning left or right at low speeds. Took my vehicle into the dealership and was told it needs a new steering shaft at a cost to me of $688. Upon researching this issue I have discovered that it has been an issue with this make, year and model for a long time. Would like to see a recall generated for this as Toyota owners should not have to bear the cost of faulty manufacturing.

On October 5 and 6, 2015 my 2008 Toyota Rav4 was in for service at piercey Toyota in milpitas to replace all four tires, front/back brakes and front shock absorbers, a total of $2,000. On October 8, 2015, while I was driving my car back from stanford lucile packard over dumbarton bridge, I have noticed that my brakes would not engage and I could not slow down my car. Just before this event, the abs, vsc, and slip warning lights all came on. The brake pedal felt very stiff and I was not able to do any repetitive pumping of the brake. I called 911 and requested assistance. When the front traffic came to a hold I had to use my emergency brake and my entire car slipped to the left. We almost got hit by the bus behind us. Some good samaritans saw what happened and helped me to get my car off the road. That day, my 9 yrs. Old son and I could have been killed. I request that Toyota investigates/recalls the brake light switch circuit that has malfunctioned. Piercey Toyota in milpitas investigated the incident on 10/09/15. They found c1249 open stop light switch circuit, c1223 abs system malfunction, my vehicle had intermittent brake light switch circuit malfunction. Piercey Toyota replaced brake light switch assembly.

Vehicle developed a clunk noise that could be heard and felt throughout the vehicle, especially in the steering system and especially during slow speed operation. The problem began in 8/2015 at ~45,000 miles. Vehicle also developed a loose feel in the steering and would pull to the right under hard acceleration. By 1/2016, the problem got noticeably worse. I then took the vehicle to a local auto repair shop for diagnosis/repair. After an hour or so of checking the entire suspension and steering system, the problem was diagnosed as a bad "steering intermediate shaft". The local shop owner stated he had replaced several of these same steering shafts on other Rav4s around the same vintage (2006-2010). I contacted my local Toyota dealership and the service agent also stated they had "several" incidents with this vintage of Rav4s and steering shaft problems but there was no recall and since the vehicle was out of the warranty period, Toyota would not cover the repairs. I then looked online to see if any other owners had the same problem and was shocked to see how many others have had the same issue with Rav4s of the same vintage and had similar results with local Toyota dealers. I believe this is a serious safety concern as eventually the steering shaft and/or shaft u-joint knuckles could fail due to this poor design and cause loss of control (steering) of the vehicle. Toyota does not seem to be taking this seriously, hopefully the NHTSA will.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While the vehicle was being serviced, it was discovered that the vehicle had a fractured steering rod. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,901.

Makes a clunking sound when I turn and I feel a "bump" in the steering wheel. I was charged $594. 45 at the dealership for the repair replace the intermediate steering shaft. After searching online, I found that there are many complaints about this problem. Please enforce a vehicle recall for this problem.

Requested steering shaft replacement during inspection (need attention soon). Thought that was odd. Went online and appears to be a problem with Toyota vehicles. Called Toyota 800 331-4331, they didn't care. Thought I file a complaint to get it recalled.

After being told I needed a steering intermediate shaft, I started investigating on the internet and come to realize there are hundreds of complaints on this issue dating back to 2007. When steering I hear a cracking sound and feel that it is a defect. All of the rav 4's are having the same problem, and this can really cause injury.

I hear a " thud noise " whenever I turn the steering wheel left or right, especially when getting in and out of a parking space.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. When the contact started the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer stated that the power steering control unit needed to be replaced. The repair was made and the steering operated normally. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 65,262.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that she heard a knocking noise while turning at various speeds and steering the vehicle became difficult. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

My alternator went in my vehicle but was discovered was disturbing. I had just had my oil changed 4 weeks prior and the vehicle was almost empty of oil. If the alternator had not failed my engine would have blown due to the lack of oil. The lack of oil is due to the piston assembly in my 2008 Toyota Rav4. This is a known problem with Toyota since they issued a technical service bulletin on Aug. 11 known as sb002411 and sb009411. Toyota said the problem was traced to the piston assembly, yet I have not received any notification from Toyota regarding this issue. There isn't any recall. This repair is only covered for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first. In my situation, the financial burden of this repair is on myself ($4-$5k). This is the second issue with Toyota rav 4 where it should be a recall. My prior issue was the steering intermediate shaft which was making a clucking sound and if not addressed the I could lose control of the vehicle, that financial burden was $800. Both should be a recall by Toyota.

Every time I make a turn (right or left), I hear this knocking sound on my steering wheel. It feels like something is about to break. I just noticed this right after I replaced the battery.

I was making a slow speed turn when, without warning, it became very difficult to steer, as if the power steering quit working. As I accelerated the steering started working again. A few days later it happened again and this time the battery warning light came on. Both times this happened it almost caused a collision. I ended up taking it to the dealer and learned the alternator was going bad. An alternator on a four year old vehicle with 60k miles should last longer. I've since learned, from safety sites, that this is a common safety issue with the rav as the steering is electrically powered. There is also some indication the alternators are failing too soon.

I have a 2008 Toyota Rav4 and it has had a whining sound when idling or accelerating for a week. Today I was driving it and the power steering quit while I was driving it. I could barely steer it, if my wife was driving, she could not have turned the vehicle. Many of the warning lights came on- brake light (checked the parking brake), abs, srs, battery, vsc, maintenance, and slip indicator lights. Also the radio quit working, all at once. New battery installed last month. We have owned this vehicle since new from the dealership, had 2 recalls fixed for air bag sensor and floor mats, but no other problems until this.

2008 (started at 20,000 miles, 1 year out of warranty) Toyota rav 4 started a clunking noise in the drive shaft when turning the wheel. We took it in for service and the dealer said they could not duplicate the problem. It's a constant sound! why they said this is unexplainable. It's been non stop since and getting worse. We read on the internet this is common problem for rav 4 owners. We will be taking it back in again and will probably be told the same thing. I also understand there is a tag issued for this problem by Toyota also. The repair is averaged to be $800 and some dealers are willing to share in the repair cost. This should be Toyota's 100% responsibility!.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While driving approximately 35 mph and turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a thumping noise and noticed a hesitation in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technicians stated the intermediate steering shaft had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.

While driving the steering becomes ttight does not smoothly go into a curve as if the steering needs to be lubricated throws off the vehicle because I have to jerk the wheel. I am afraid I'm going to have a crash due to this.

Number 1 -- I am very happy with my Rav4. It was a cold evening after dark and I left work. The battery had failed. Not a problem, I got a jump and the car started. I let it sit and obtain some charge. What was very unusual were the number of systems that could fail whenever a power surge was needed, say from the power steering, power brakes, etc. The power surge would lead to a lights out, or loss of steering, or engine temporarily stalling, etc. It recovered each time after the surge was over (good news). I am reporting this because if the battery failure had occurred at speed I could have easily lost control of the car. I view myself as very lucky. The battery was the original battery supplied with the car. I have not yet returned it for re-cycling. It it would be helpful to you for safety study reasons I can make it available.

2008 Toyota rav 4 limited has had handling issues on the freeway with stability. This has happened a couple of times. Dealer says that "nothing is wrong. " previous time this occurred, vehicle returned handling differently. Considering the computer brain running this car, we believe they reset the computer. This is happening again. We are taking it in again.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that when trying to stop at a stop sign, the brake pedal would not move down as he tried to depress it and he could not steer the vehicle. He continued moving forward until the vehicle collided with a guardrail. The contact was slightly injured and a police report was taken. He contacted the dealership and was told that no one could inspect the vehicle until it was repaired at the body shop. The vehicle was at the body shop at the time of the complaint. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer to-date. The current and failure mileages were 18,561.

Dangerous torque steer on 2008 Toyota Rav4 4x4. Has been an issue since vehicle was new. Dealer twice has told me it is normal for this vehicle and the sienna is even worse. You can lose control of vehicle while accelerating to pass.