Steering Column Problems of Toyota RAV4 - part 2

My 2007 Toyota Rav4 is making an unsettling clunking noise when making right hands turns. This same problem has been reported by countless Toyota Rav4 and camry owners, and Toyota has even issued a service bulletin acknowledging defective parts in the steering column. Clearly this is not a part that should wear out in a 4 year old vehicle with 40k miles, and is a Toyota design flaw. Quoted repair cost is ~$800, but this should be a recall item given the number of owners it is impacting. Its only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured due to defective steering components.

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2006 Toyota rav 4 sport has chronic problems with intermediate steering shaft. Low speed turning produces a clunking sound and unstable sensation in the steering column.

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I began hearing a clunk in my steering column approximately 3 weeks ago. I purchased my 2007 rav 4 at the end of January 2008. It has only 40,000 miles on it. . Read more...

Steering started creating occasional mild noise while turning at around 49000. At 53000 during maintenance service at burlington Toyota, ontario I reported this incident along with a metallic noise when the brake pedal is pressed. They mentioned not to be able to reproduce the problem and hence did not make any fix. They refused to deal to brake noise and mentioned that my brake pad will last for much longer time and reason may be a little bit of rust. They will have to charge me for any further diagnosis even though it was within the warranty period. Later I have escalated this to Toyota canada, as another Toyota dealer found that the shaft inside the steering column is cracked. Toyota canada claims that to be a wear and tear and refused to cover that as my warranty was over even though I have reported this problem when my vehicle was within warranty period. Today November 10th, newspapers publish that more than 500,000 Rav4 are recalled for steering. I called the dealer and they mentioned, this recall is only for 2006 Rav4 and not for 2009. I strongly feel that Toyota Rav4 2009 has the same issue. I could not find an ontario site. So I could not enter my province and zip code below.

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I have a 2007 Toyota Rav4. There is a major problem with these in the steering column and Toyota has a technical service bulletin dealing with it; steering intermediate shaft and is covered under two numbers; st001-08 and later t-sb-0318-08. The shaft is coming apart and makes noise particularly at low speed. According to reports it affects thousands of these vehicles. I first became aware of my problem when the vehicle was under warranty but was told the noise was nothing; this incident was not reported in their system. Later I found out what this issue was and that they knew. Since then I have made multiple attempts to get it fixed but they want $800 to fix what appears to be a manufacturing/design defect. They recently offered to fix it for $600; not much of an offer since my local mechanic will do it for the same price. Since there are thousands of these with issues and I would assume poses a safety issue I would expect them to do a general recall. I hope you can force them to do such.

2006 Toyota rav 4 - steering - I have presented my vehicle for inspection at a local Toyota dealer service company last week on Tuesday, July 5th, 2011 for a noticeable "clunking" sound coming from the the steering column and front end. The service manager scheduled a 2nd visit for my vehicle on July 7th, in order for a service mechanic to test drive the car. He first told me that the unit would need to be "opened" and re-packed with grease to make the noise go away (without batting an eye). On the second service visit July 7th, the mechanic said the unit would require a rebuilding with at least $ 400. 00 of parts. This is the case after I brought the vehicle in with 43k original miles on it. After I had a third party look at the same issue, they said that it did not present a danger, however, new tires and a front end alignment were suggested to see whether any improvement would be noticeable. . Afterwards, I started my investigation of this matter, whereby, I now know that hundreds of cases have been previously reported, and, the manufacturer, Toyota, has "passed the buck" on the blame and repair, charging as much as $ 1,200 for the steering on the 2006 rav 4 model to be repaired. Sounds like a "scam" to me. Just because no one has gotten hurt yet, doesn't mean there isn't a problem here. Cars are controlled through the ability to "steer" the vehicle. In October 1976, I survived an accident in my brand new Ford granada, when the "suspension arm" nut was sheered off when taking a curve on a local road with the vehicle at 20-25 mph. Three people walked away from an accident that took out the whole front bumper, back to the driver's side door. As the car was repaired, Ford motor corp. Gathered all of the accident photos from the body shop, preventing disclosure of a potential problem (back before the "lemon laws" were put in place). Do not let this problem slip away. The lives of owner / operators + passengers are at stake !.

Experienced knocking and popping noise with vibration in the steering column when turning the steering wheel. This condition worsened over the course of a few weeks and eventually became constant.

My 2006 Toyota Rav4 limited edition, I heard a clunking noise coming from the front steering column each time I turned the wheel right or left. The noise occurs only when you turn the steering and it is a clunking noise along with a vibration in the steering when you turn the wheel. This has been an ongoing problem and when I brought it up with the Toyota dealership the attendant said that it wasn't an issue. The problem isn't going away and the noise and clunky feeling when turning steering has been increasing. The problem started when the car was about 40k miles (out of warranty @ 36k). Few mechanics from other places looked at it and said it need to be fixed ASAP. I read blogs and noticed many of these vehicle have similar issues. I hope Toyota won¿t wait until an accident happen because of the problem.

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota rav 4. The contact was driving 30 mph when an abnormal clunking noise was exhibited from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the steering shaft would need to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that if the steering shaft was not replaced, the vehicle could become difficult to control and could result in a crash. The failure mileage was 50,000.

At any time during the life of the vehicle, the steering column can make an audible clunk when turning either left or right at low speeds. It gets progressively worse over time. The worry is that the steering joint could completely dislocate disabling control of the car. It is a well known problem documented in a TSB by the manufacturer. Typical repair costs can exceed $800.

2006 Toyota rav 4. Problem began on Jan. 2 2011. While slowly turning left I detected "clunking" sound in the steering column. Every time I turn left I hear this noise, and knowing Toyota has had some steering wheel problems in the past I became extra nervous. I went online and found quite quickly that this is a well-known problem with rav 4s but no recall can be issued until there are enough complaints, and owners are paying up to $1000 to get this fixed.

Popping and clunking sound and feel in steering wheel noticeable more at low speeds. Obviously this is a common problem and one that Toyota is fully aware of to the point of issuing service bulletin in 2008 addressing the concern. The solution is a re-design of the column components. This information was not passed on to vehicle owners as apparently Toyota realized many failures would occur or be noticed beyond the original warranty period. This deserves a recall. A known design flaw in a safety component should not cost the consumer $700 to $1000 to repair. Nor should it take a number of accidents or loss of one life before action is taken.

Steering did not feel right - grinding and bumping through steering column.

Clunking sound ( and feel) coming from steering column when turning either left or right, particularly at slower speeds. Clunking is worse in colder weather, but has been happening more often as time passes. No loss of steering ability - yet. Why is this not being addressed by Toyota? a simply internet search indicates it is a well known issue and yet Toyota will not take care of this. Dealership was not interested in speaking to me about this as the car was out of warranty, other than to fix the problem at my cost. Must we experience a serious accident to get Toyota's attention?.

Clunking-grinding sound in steering column when steering wheel is turned rav4 does not track on highway as it did before. . . Likes to wander, always correcting the steering. Dealer states there is a TSB to correct this problem at my expense.

I would like to file a complaint which some of the Rav4 owners were experiencing as I browse through the internet I found a lot of complaints about this. I'm not sure if everybody filed a complaint about this. My car is only 38 months old and bought it brand new. I have 37000 mi on it. What I noticed is a clicking sound when I'm turning slowly to the right or left, mostly when I'm parking. I brought it to the dealership service center and they diagnosed that the steering column shaft is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced. They said it's a safety issue if not taken care of because the steering wheel might get stucked.

When moving at low speeds and the steering wheel is turned, clunking sounds are heard. The first time it was reported to Toyota, it was dismissed as being a result of the cold weather. Warmer weather and subsequent research indicates this is a problem with the steering column; a problem Toyota is aware of, but has not responded to proactively.

Steering column making a clicking sound when turning the wheel at a slow speed going both forward and in reverse. Clicking has gotten more frequent and stronger over the past months.

An obvious "clunking" sound became evident right after the expiration of the warranty. In addition to the sound a "looseness" within the steering column is also evident. Research shows thousands of these reported. Dealers have been replacing parts to no avail and to much cost. The problem can be easily heard at low speeds especially when turning in or out of driveways, intersections, etc.

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, she heard an abnormal sound from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the intermediate steering shaft would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.

The steering column 'clunks' when you turn the wheel. My vehicle has 85,000 miles, and I was recently informed by the dealership that I will need to get it repaired, but since there's no recall for this defect, I will have to pay for it myself! meanwhile, the clunking is getting worse. Toyota should recall this vehicle! there are many others who are experiencing this problem.

Clunking is heard and felt from the steering column when turning corners. This occurs about 80% of the time and is getting worse. Toyota has addressed that this problem is in the intermediate shaft of the steering column and needs to be replaced at a cost of $530 cdn.

There is a chronic clicking/clunking sound on the steering column as it is turned left or right as the vehicle is stationary or in motion. Might become a safety issue over the short or long term. Do we need to wait until an accident or death happens before this issue is looked at?.

The steering column clunks when you turn the wheel. My vehicle has 85,000 miles. The clunking is getting worse. Toyota should recall this vehicle! there are many others who are experiencing this problem.

Steering column has a catch in it when turning. . . Toyota knows about this . . But their has not been a recall on it. . .

2007 Toyota Rav4 steering column (intermediate shaft). This is a known manufacturing defect by Toyota and they have issued a TSB in 2008. Only have 16. 5k mi. (low). Dealer will not cover under warrant (bought in sept. 2006).

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that a knocking noise was exhibited from the steering column whenever making a left or right turn, regardless of the speed. The vehicle was never taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 35,000. The VIN was not available.

Steering column clunking sound when ever you turn the steering wheel left or right or going at speeds of 25-35 and 55-70. The noise was narrowed down to the steering column assembly.

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I have a 2007 Toyota Rav4 4wd v6 limited that had a defectively designed steering shaft. In early 2009, I began to notice a loud "clunk" when my vehicle turned slowly (fwd or back from a stop) or when I entered or exited my driveway. Quick research revealed others with this condition on 2006 and 2007 Rav4s, it was likely a defective steering shaft. . Improperly engineered at the joint, and it was wearing/loosening. Toyota had apparently issued a t-sb-0318-08 to replace the shaft when owners complained. I took my Rav4 in for service to check, and it was confirmed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. However, my mileage exceeded the 36,000 mile warranty, and despite numerous diplomatic attempts on my part, Toyota denied coverage on the basis of mileage, despite my argument of a safety defect. I argued that this loosening/defective steering shaft could break and cause a loss of steering control at highway speeds. I was ignored numerous times through regional and national Toyota "customer service" channels. My local dealer was friendly, buy unable to convince Toyota to help. I finally decided to have the steering column repaired at my expense, fearing for the safety of my steering, and Toyota could not assure me that the steering was safe without the repair (they refused to comment). I told them I would be reporting this to the nhtsb, and they did not seem to care. I spent over $500 to replace a defectively designed steering shaft, and I hope others with this issue are reporting this to hold Toyota accountable for potential safety defects.

When I turn, I can feel and hear the steering column "knock. " it has been gradually getting worse. I had the exact same problem about 1. 5 years ago and the walnut creek, CA service center had to replace some intermediate link in steering column. For this recent occurrence, the service center was going to charge $500 to fix the same problem they should have fixed on a permanent basis (at least more than 2 years). I am concerned based on other complaints that this might be a design flaw that could eventually result in a safety problem. Thank you.

I have been very disappointed with problems arise with the steering column this problem has been noticeable concerns for many customer who have owned rav 4 and Toyota has done nothing to resolve or even letting the customers be aware of this problem. It starts off as a clunk sound when you turn right or left or when you are backing up, it started for around 32,000 but dealer could not find the problem until I pushed the issue. By that time it was just pasted the warranty (37000 miles).

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that every time the vehicle made a turn in any direction it made a clanking sound in the steering column. The vehicle was not inspected at the time of the complaint since the manufacturer stated that it was not under warranty. There was a technical service bulletin for the steering gear shaft, number st001-08. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 36000 and the current mileage was 55000.

I am original owner of 2006 Toyota Rav4 sport. There is a loud thump in the steering column when turning to the right or left, or turning the wheel while the car is stationary. The problem started a few months ago and is getting worse. The car has 38k and is several months out of warranty.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated when driving at least 35 mph and attempting a turning in either direction, there was a loud, abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised replacing the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 29,300.

There was an increasing loud noise and vibration through the steering column when I turned the wheel to the far right or left. I investigated Toyota tsbs and found my 2006 Rav4 has 2 detailed problems, one requires replacement of the connecting shafts and the other the entire steering rack. On inspection by the dealer it was determined I had the first problem, but because I was out of warranty, I would have to pay for it. This is a recall safety problem, which Toyota was in denial about. I escalated and pushed and managed to get them to cover the labor, but I still had to pay several hundred dollars for parts for something that should have instigated a recall. If I had the 2nd problem, it was 3 times as expensive. Many consumers have reported these issues, but Toyota ignores them. Just look at edmunds and other Toyota forums. You trust the steering design of car with your life. Toyota did not seem to care, only enough to let the dealers know there was an issue, not the consumer directly, nor step up repair it.