Driveshaft Problems of Toyota RAV4

When I first bought this used car with around 90000 miles it started vibrating which led to discovering drive shaft replacement. One year later it needs another drive shaft at 118000. Doesnt get driven much in winter. Noticed car shifted into a lower gear while descending down a steep hill while I was traveling at a higher rate and had to apply brakes quickly to match the lower gear. I felt this could have caused a problem in car handling or drive train repair. The repair is expected to cost $550 to replace this second drive shaft. Parts dealer said he sold lots of these. I think something is wrong.

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Rear differential is making a loud rumbling noise in the beginning of 1st, and 2nd gear. Brought it in to Toyota and they said it was not leaking and I went into the shop and also looked at it myself and it wasn't leaking. Did the rear dif service like Toyota recommended because the car has been super reliable and I would like to keep it that way. I have done 2 rear dif services before and had no problems. Right when they did the service a couple days later it started making the rumbling noise again and is now leaking and made a puddle in my driveway. I took a look at it myself and all plugs are tightened but it is now leaking from the coupling where the driveshaft connects and the drivers side axle seal. They want me to pay 1000 dollars for a whole new coupling assembley that is refurbished not including the ds axle seal and labour. I will post picture below of the problem.

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The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle vibrated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (vic's auto service located at 3400 south park Ave, buffalo, NY 14219; (716) 822-3404) where it was diagnosed that the entire drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.

From parked, as the vehicle accelerated, vehicle response resembled having parking brake on, and a grinding noise emanated from the rear axle, center. Drove under 20 mph to Toyota dealer, which diagnosed the problem as the driveshaft/differential coupler, with metal shavings around the driveshaft where it enters the differential coupler. Told the vehicle is unsafe to drive, as the rear wheels could lock up, and cause an accident. Repair costs: parts $1,300 plus tax; labor - 3 hours ($400). Toyota issued service bulleting tbs 0080-13, and special policy adjustment wab 2190.

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Drive shaft broke.

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The contact owns a 2007 Toyota rav-4. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, he would hear a loud clunking noise in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where the contact was advised that the drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 59,000.

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!.

Steering wheel "clunks" at relatively low speeds - clunking increases over time. Concern is if steering fails as a result. Toyota's fix is to replace intermediate driveshaft and an alignment. Apparently this is a pervasive problem on a number of Rav4 model years (based on hundreds of postings on internet discussion sites, at least one of which claims failed steering resulting in multicar crash). Per these online discussions, some Toyota dealers have stated it is a serious safety issue, some have not. Given this problem has existed for a number of years (Toyota has two service memos issued on the problem and even developed new replacement parts), if the NHTSA has investigated this issue and determined there is no consumer safety issues, is that conclusion available to the public? would appear this would be proper to disclose, as consumers get very concerned with a potential loss of steering and its potential crash ramifications.

In cold weather driveshaft freezes, causing vehicle to stop. Vehicle slams to a halt after a knocking sound is heard from the universal joints.

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