2006 TOYOTA RAV4 Steering Problems

For several months the 2006 Rav4 with only 118k miles had been experiencing intermittent failure of power steering while driving at speeds between 5-20mph. These failures resulted in the steering wheel to become extremely difficult if not impossible to turn while the car is driving. In each incident, this resulted in stopping the car and putting on emergency lights until we can safely turn off the car and hopefully the issue goes away several minutes later. This issue has proven to be very dangerous when in traffic with no place to pull over and with the steering tightening up, it is not even possible to pull over in most cases. Four different mechanical shops tried to replicate the issue and none were able to determine the root cause nor replicate it consistently. This issue has been happening more frequently now and the car cannot be taken out safely. As [XXX] drivers, this is not safe by any means and Toyota should consider this a critical safety recall and cover towing costs to move this. There are no signs of instrument lights or any leaks coming from the car. This seems to be entirely a malfunction of steering components. With regard to incidents resulting from this, my mother is the primary driver, she is [XXX] old and injured her wrist trying to move the steering wheel to a safe location. Her wrist is still in pain several days later. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while making a right or left turn, there was a loud popping sound coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the popping noise was progressively louder while steering to make a turn. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering linkage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Mileage: 86,000

While my son was driving me the vehicles steering wheel locked and he was unable to steer the vehicle. It caused us to go off the road down a steep hill and wreck. I’ve never had any problems with this vehicle so it was completely unexpected. If there had been anyone in our path we wouldn’t of been able to stop from hitting them. It has not been inspected but there are witnesses to the accident

Clunking noise when turning steering wheel right or left. Numerous complaints from 006 RAV 4 owners. Fear that my steering will fail and cause an accident or Death. The issue is a defective intermediate steering shaft. Toyota will not issue a recall and will only repair if vehicle is still under warranty. How many complaints, accidents, or deaths will it take for this manufacturer to do the right thing???

FOR SOME TIME THERE HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED BY MECHANICS, INCLUDING ONE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STATIONARY, BUT I BELIEVE MY SON SAID IT HAS HAPPENED TO HIM WHILE IN MOTION.

Mileage: 180,000

I BOUGHT A USED 2006 RAV4 3.5 L V-6, AFTER A MONTH A BOUGHT IT. I NOTICED WHEN I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT I HEARD A CLUNK SOUND. I FOUND OUT THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS THE PROBLEM. THIS COMMON TO MOST RAV4, DEALERSHIP IT'S NORMAL BUT TO ME IT DOESN'T FELL NORMAL WHEN I'M DRIVING, IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS WILL COME OUT OR BROKE OFF. KIND OF SCARY THING TO FEEL WHEN DRIVING. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE COULD HURT OR DIE.

VEHICLE DID HAVE AN OFFICIAL RECALL(STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY) VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED 2X'S. VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM. STEERING GETS TIGHT AND KNOCKS. SENT LETTER TO TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA CREATED CASE #[XXX] DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR *TT CONSUMER STATED THERE ARE 2 ODI NUMBERS #352270 AND #1182873. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *LN*JB

Mileage: 140,000

STEERING FROZE UP WHILE LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY AND P/S LIGHT CAME ON. SHUT ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE. I RECALL AT LEAST ONE OTHER TIME THAT STEERING LOCKED UP TEMPORARILY WHILE AT A STOP. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AS MANUAL RECOMMENDS. DIAGNOSTIC SHOWS DTCS U0105 AND U0121. FOUND TAB ST005-06 RELATED TO THIS ISSUE AND "UPDATED POWER STEERING ECU AVAILABLE". DIAGNOSTIC $150, PARTS AND LABOR $1600+ CLEARY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE REQUIRING A RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THERE ARE MANY MORE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.

Mileage: 125,600

STEERING 'CLUNKS' AND CAR WON'T TURN AT LOW SPEEDS/STATIONARY, RADIO MOMENTARILY CUTS OUT AND DASH LIGHTS FLASH. CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FURTHER AFTER A FEW SECONDS. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, SO FAR ONLY AT LOW SPEEDS/WHILE PARKING OR LEAVING A PARKING SPACE.

HEAR CLUNK SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING. CHECK WITH TOYOTA SUNNYVALE DEALER, THEY SAID THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TODAY THE CAR DID NOT STALL BUT ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT LAND AND ON A STRAIGHT ROADS I GLIDED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. I COULD NOT START THE CAR SO I JUMPED STARTED THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO GET OFF NEXT EXIT AND PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN!!!! I READ ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ON TOYOTA VEHICLES. I AM CHECKING THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND BATTERY BUT WANT TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A RECALL. THERE WERE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE WHILE SEARCHING THE INTERNET. I UNDERSTAND THAT BATTERIES AND ALTERNATORS DO GO BAD BUT LOSS OF STEERING WHILE MOVING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD I BEEN IN A CURVE IN THE ROAD. I HAD PREVIOUS CARGO IN THE CAR TOO.....MY 22 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER!!! PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 149,231

STEERING POPS WHENEVER I MAKE A TURN.

Mileage: 98,000

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SHE COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. LUCKILY SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED BY MILTON RUBEN TOYOTA AT THE COST OF $1134.00.

Mileage: 110,000

AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES QUICK ACCELERATION ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH AND YOU LOSE ALL STEERING , IT LOCKS UP THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES , TO MY SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SHE WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NOT A CORNER WHEN IT HAPPENED SHE WOULD'VE SHOT STRAIGHT OFF THE ROAD . THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS I HAVE LOOKED IT UP AND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE RAV4S AND SEVERAL OTHER TOYOTA'S. IF I KNEW THIS ISSUE WAS A PROBLEM I WOULD NOT OF PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER.

Mileage: 204,000

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2015 WITH THE NOISE/ISSUE ALREADY OCCURRING. IT IS A POPPING/CLICKING WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT WITH STEERING WHEEL. HAD DIAGNOSIS DONE AT REPAIR SHOP. IT IS THE INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT THAT IS WORN/DEFECTIVE. TOYOTA HAS HAD KNOWN TSB'S ON THIS PART SINCE 2008, BUT REGARDLESS OF SAFETY CONCERNS, REFUSES TO REPLACE OR REIMBURSE.

Mileage: 65,000

I HEAR A RIDDLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE EACH TIME I START THE CAR. CLICK SOUND WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL.

TOYOTA DEFECTS

TAKATA RECALL, NOISE FROM RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. VERY, VERY LOUD NOISE.ALSO, HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICING, A SERVICE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PENDING A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

VEHICLE FRAME CHASSIS CORROSION UNSAFE DEFECTS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE PROGRESSING FROM THE AREA OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, REVERSING, OR MAKING A TURN. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS REQUIRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ALSO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT PROVIDED NO SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

GOOD DAY ' PLEASE: APPRAISE UNSAFETY DEFECTS. THANKFUL.

UNSAFE DEFECTS MALFUNCTION

TOYOTA DEFECTS MALFUNCTIONING

Mileage: 121,300

WHILE SITTING IN SLOW 5-10MPH TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE AIRBAG DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME (FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS AT A TIME). A FEW MILES LATER, OTHER WARNING LIGHTS (VSC, SLIP, ABS, ENGINE, BATTERY) ALL ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 12 HOURS LATER. THE ALTERNATOR IS A YEAR OLD AND THE BATTERY, TIRES, ALIGNMENT, AND ENGINE COILS ARE ALL BRAND NEW. AFTER HALF A DOZEN CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP, COME TO FIND OUT, THE PROBLEM IS THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE POWER STEERING... A PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED AND RECALLED FOR 2014-15 MODEL YEAR RAV4S. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW, AND IT IS INSULTING AND NEGLIGENT THAT TOYOTA IS PRETENDING THIS ISN'T A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS.

Mileage: 128,000

STEERING COLUMN CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE DECEMBER 2015.

Mileage: 54,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL EMITTED A LOUD METAL NOISE WHILE TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

MY WIFE'S 2006 RAV4 HAS A "CLUNKING" NOISE IN THE STEERING THAT IS WORRISOME TO US. IT HAS BEEN PRESENT AND GETTING WORSE FOR SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS, NOW. I NOTICED THE NOISE AS BEING FAINT BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL MY STEPSON ASKED ME ONE DAY WHAT THE NOISE WAS. IT OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND WHEN I MENTIONED IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE WE HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED THEY BASICALLY BLEW US OFF AND IMPLIED THAT IT WAS OUR FAULTY DRIVING. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM OTHER RAV 4 OWNERS BUT TOYOTA DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE FIX WILL COST FROM 5 TO 7 HUNDRED DOLLARS. WE WERE ASKED IF WE WNTED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND WE SAID NO, THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DOCUMENTED THAT WE HAD TURNED DOWN REPAIRS TO THE STEERING COLUMN. ANOTHER COSMETIC PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED WAS THE FINISH ON THE WHEELS CORRODING AND FLAKING OFF SO THAT NOW THE WHEELS LOOK TERRIBLE. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. TOYOTA TOLD US THAT WE MUST HAVE USED A "SOLVENT" TO CLEAN THE WHEELS THEREFORE CREATING THE PROBLEM OURSELVES. THIS SAME PROBLEM IS ALSO ON THE INTERNET AMONG RAV 4 OWNERS. TOYOTA DOESN'T WANT TO FIX ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 30,000

GOOD AFTERNOON, TOYOTA DEFECTS AND MALFUNCTIONS. PLEASE, IMPROVE SAFETY PERFORMANCE. THANK YOU FOR HELPING. *TR

HEAR CLUNK TYPE NOISE WHEN TURN IN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ON THE RAV4 IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN CAN DEGRADE INTO A STEERING HAZARD.

Mileage: 15,000

STEERING COLUMN CLUNCKING NOISE YEAR: 2006 MAKE: TOYOTA MODEL: RAV4/BASE ISSUE: STEERING COLUMN CLUNCKING NOISE. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ON THE 12TH OF JUNE BUT HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE TALKING ABOUT IT.

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.

Mileage: 40,000

1/30/14 RECALL PART - REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM REPAIRED BY HANDY. SHORTLY AFTER (1-3 MONTHS) I NOTICED SWERVE/SWAY DURING HARD RIGHT TURNS. I SUSPECTED BAD OR UNDERINFLATED TIRE ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR. CHECKED ALL TIRE INFLATION AND LUG NUT TIGHTNESS BUT THE SWERVE/SWAY CONTINUED. ON 10/16/14 I HAD (4) NEW SNOW TIRES INSTALLED AT SUMNER TIRE IN NEWPORT/DERBY, VT. I THOUGHT IT WOULD ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM BUT THE SWERVE/SWAY CONTINUED. ON 10/21/14 I HAD LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORM A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT MAKE THE ADJUST BUT CONFIRMED DRIVERS SIDE REAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. ON 1/16/15 I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT HANDY TO RESOLVE THIS AND OTHER ISSUES. HANDY OFFERED FREE LABOR IF I PAID $309.43 FOR PARTS TO REPLACE THE FAILED RECALL. WITHIN A FEW DAYS I CONTACTED NATIONAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE TO [XXX]. REF #CAN'T BE ENTERED AS IT FLAGS AS A SS NUMBER. [XXX] CALLED BACK TO STATE THAT HANDY SHOULD BE CONTACTING ME BY END OF THE WEEK CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. RECEIVED A ON-LINE SURVEY ONLY IN WHICH I MADE CLEAR THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A FAILED RECALL ITEM THAT WAS NOT FIXED PROPERLY. I CALLED NATIONAL C.S. AGAIN TWO WEEKS LATER TO REPORT THAT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CONTACT FROM HANDY. AFTER THAT CALL, STILL NO CONTACT WAS RECEIVED. I CALLED HANDY (3) TIMES ASKING TO SPEAK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, [XXX] , WHO WAS ALWAYS BUSY. I FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM A SERVICE TECHNICIAN, [XXX], WITH A LOWER OFFER FOR THE COST OF THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL OF $226.03. I CALLED HANDY BACK STATING THAT I FELT THEIR OFFER WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND THAT I WOULD BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB FOR ASSISTANCE. MY POINT IN ALL OF THIS IS THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PART AND THE RECALL FAILED AND SHOULD NOT BE REPAIRED AT THE CONSUMER'S COST. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE AS WELL AND LIMITS THE USE OF MY VEHICLE FOR LONG TRIPS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 100,000

PROBLEMA CON SISTEMA DE FRENO.AL FRENAR EL AUTO RAV4 EL PEDEDAL DE FRENO PIERDE PRECION BAJA HASTA EL FONDO . CUAL HAY QUE ESTAR APLICANDO VARIAS VECES EL PEDAL FRENO PARA MANTENER PECION EN EL FRENADO DE EL AUTO. EL COSUMO DE ACEITE EXSESIVO.EN EL MOTOR .EL CONTROL DEL VOLANTE SONIDO FUERTE AL GIIRAR. *TR

STEERING CLUNKING NOISE AND LOOSENESS. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

I BROUGHT MY 2006 RAV4 TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR TWO DIFFERENT RECALL NOTICES INCLUDING THE SUSPENSION AND AIRBAG. UPON INSPECTION, THEY NOTIFIED ME THE WATER PUMP NEEDED REPLACING AND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKETS WERE LOOSE. THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND TRIED TO TELL ME THAT IT IS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR & TEAR. MY LAST VEHICLE I HAD FOR OVER 190,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. UPON RESEARCHING, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY AS FAILURE TO FIX IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. PREVIOUSLY I HAVE BROUGHT THE LOUD POPPING NOISE TO VARIOUS TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN TOLD OF THIS ISSUE IN 9 YEARS. THIS ISSUE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IF IS WASN'T FOR THE RECALL ON THE AIRBAG. ANYTHING THAT APPEARS TO BE A "COMMON" ISSUE IN A VEHICLE THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY TOYOTA AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE COST IS ESTIMATED AT $600+ TO REPAIR. *TR

U-JOINT IN STEERING COLUMN WEARING OUT AND MAKING NOISE. MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP SAID COMMON PROBLEM, BUT NOT AT 21,000 MILES. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR APPROXIMATELY $400. *JS

Mileage: 21,000

I HAVE HAD AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH MY 2006 RAV 4 AND A "CLUNKING" NOISE WHILE STEERING. WE HAD THIS REPAIRED ONCE WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2006. BUT THE EXACT SAME FEEL AND NOISE HAS RETURNED. THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKS WHEN YOU TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, AND YOU CAN FEEL THE "CLICKING" IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WITH YOUR FEET IN THE CAR. AFTER DOING BASIC RESEARCH ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS SPECIFIC MODEL OF RAV 4 HAS NOT ONLY HAD MANY RECALLS, BUT THIS STEERING ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD. THANKS! *JS

Mileage: 98,000

CLUNKING NOISES WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL EITHER SITTING STATIONARY OR MOVING. *TR

Mileage: 88,200

MY RAV4 MAKES AN ANNOYING KNOCKING/POPPING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. *JS

Mileage: 39,000

I NOTICE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN THE WHEELS TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT GOING AT A LOW SPEED. I LOOKED ON GOOGLE SEARCH ABOUT CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING . THERE WAS A LOT OF TOYOTA RAV 4 OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY TOYOTA DEALER HE SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH RAV 4'S . I CALLED TOYOTA COMPLAINT LINE AND THEY TOLD MEN A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS OUT ON THE PROBLEM BUT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. I KNOW FROM BEING AN AUTO MECHANIC THAT WHEN YOU HAVE LOOSE PLAY IN THE STEERING THAT IT WILL DEVELOP INTO A DANGER DRIVING MY CAR. PLEASE REQUIRE TOYOTA TO HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ON THE STEERING . THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

Mileage: 45,000

LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4; HE HOPING THAT TOYOTA CAN BE FORCED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION AND REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPAIRING STEERING SHAFT (FULL DOCUMENT NOT IMAGED). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED PER TOYOTA TSB-0130-12, BECAUSE OF WHINING NOISE BUT HE WAS INFORMED THE TSB WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. IT WAS CONFIRMED, THAT AN INTERNAL NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. *JB

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 60 MPH AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT. CAR MADE A NOISE AND ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON LIKE IT WAS SLIDING ON ICE, NO BAD WEATHER THAT DAY. COULD NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL AND SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 0 AND WOULD NOT WORK THE REST OF THE JOURNEY. MADE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND IT WAS "THE COLD WEATHER" THAT PROBABLY CAUSED IT. THEY RAN A FEW TESTS BUT NOTHING WAS DONE TO THE CAR. NO ANSWERS TO MY PROBLEM AND NOTHING HAPPENED SINCE. BUT NOW I AM WORRIED BECAUSE OF THE RECENT RECALL AND MAKES ME THINK THIS INCIDENT WAS RELATED. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

EXPERIENCING A "CLUNKING" OR "THUMPING" NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN OR STEERING ASSEMBLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. FROM MY CHECK OF THIS PROBLEM ON VARIOUS WEBSITES/CUSTOMER FORUMS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA RAV4. *TR

Mileage: 58,100

WHEN BACKING THE CAR OUT AND TURNING THE STEERING, THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE THAT OCCURS. IT MOSTLY OCCURS FROM A COLD START. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS, BUT THE DEALER WON'T COVER IT. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A POPPING SOUND. IT WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THAT CAR AND MADE THE EXHAUST SOUND REALLY LOUD. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE CENTERPIPE THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MATERIAL OF THE CENTERPIPE AND CATALYTIC WAS RUSTED AND THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED IT ON ME AND THAT I DROVE THE CAR OFF ROADING. I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR HAS NEVER GONE OFF ROADING, GARAGED, AND WELL MAINTAINED. OTHER 2006 RAV4 OWNERS HAVE CITED THE SAME ISSUE STATING THAT THE MATERIAL AND CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE CENTERPIPE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE OF POOR QUALITY. THE SEAMS OF THE CENTERPIPE JUST COMPLETELY CAME UNDONE. WHEN SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY. WHEN TALKING TO THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY FOR EMISSIONS, THEY SAID THAT TOYOTA SHOULD COVER IT. THIS CENTERPIPE ISSUE BECAME A LARGER ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND THE VSC, CHECK ENGINE, AND 4WD LIGHTS ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DISCUSS WHAT THE ISSUE MAY BE. OTHER OWNERS STATED THAT THE IGNITION COILS WERE OF POOR QUALITY AND TOYOTA HAS ISSUED REPLACEMENTS. TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CAR SEEMS TO BE DRIVING VERY CLUNKY AND DOES NOT DRIVE AS WELL AS USUAL. THE CAR VIBRATES AND DRIVES VERY SLOWLY. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DROPPED A CYLINDER. THE ENGINE SOUNDS VERY CLUNKY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC, AND 4WD LIGHTS TURN ON SOLID EACH OF THESE INSTANCES. SINCE THEN THE TIRE PRESSURE HAS TURNED ON AND GONE BAD. HAD TO GET THAT REPLACED. NOW ALL 3 LIGHTS ARE BACK ON AND WILL NEED TO FIND OUT WHY. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

WHEN BACKING THE CAR OUT AND TURNING THE STEERING, THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE THAT OCCURS. IT MOSTLY OCCURS FROM A COLD START. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A POPPING SOUND. IT WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THAT CAR AND MADE THE EXHAUST SOUND REALLY LOUD. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CAR SEEMS TO BE DRIVING VERY CLUNKY AND DOES NOT DRIVE AS WELL AS USUAL. THE CAR VIBRATES AND DRIVES VERY SLOWLY. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DROPPED A CYLINDER. THE ENGINE SOUNDS VERY CLUNKY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

FRONT LEFT CLUNKING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, TOLD BY DEALER ISSUE IS IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING. DEALER DID NOT SOUND CONFIDENT WHEN STATING IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. HAVE READ ABOUT MULTIPLE 2006 RAV4 OWNERS HAVING DEFECTIVE STEERING. *TR

Mileage: 93,853

12/22/2010 @ 44,169 MILES THE STEERING KNOCKED WHEN TAKING TIGHT TURNS. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. 9/16/2011 @ 50,131 MILES THE ALTERNATOR BEARINGS GAVE WAY AND THE WATER PUMP WAS SEEPING FLUID. THE ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. 12/16/13 @ 63,336 MILES THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VEHICLE STABILITY LIGHT AND 4WD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED, THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND THE SUV NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 44,169

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2013 WHEN MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS (AGES 2 & 4) WERE COMING HOME FROM SHOPPING. OUR VEHICLE EXPERIENCE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, ENDANGERING THE LIVES MY WIFE AND MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SHE LOST CONTROL. LUCKILY, SHE WAS NOT MOVING VERY FAST AND WAS ABLE TO STOP QUICKLY AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE ON-RAMP TO AN INTERSTATE 71 WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH AND THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED 20 SECONDS LATER, MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED IN A RAV 4 WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL. WE CANNOT EVEN FATHOM THE POTENTIAL OUTCOME IF THAT FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH TRUCKS ETC. WE TOOK THE RAV INTO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY DEEMED THE ACCIDENT TO BE CAUSED BY THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM. THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM WAS RECALLED IN THE FALL/WINTER OF 2012, WHERE WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED IN NOV. 2012 WITH THE SO CALLED "CLIP". *TR

Mileage: 97,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMEDIATE AND ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE STEERING SHAFT. AS A RESULT, PART OF THE STEERING SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,635 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. ...UPDATED 11-12-13 *BF UPDATED 11/18/2013 *JS

Mileage: 70,635

ON 5/30/13 I PURCHASED THE ABOVE 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 FROM PIONEER VALLEY SALES PO BOX 254 S DEERFIELD, MA 01373 AND PICKED IT UP ON 6/3/13. THE VEHICLE HAD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. ON 6/10/13 I BROUGHT IT TO CHERRY RUM AUTOMOTIVE 451 BERNARDSTON RD. GREENFIELD, MA. 01301 FOR MY MECHANIC TO INSPECT. HE REMOVED THE STEERING SHAFT COVERS AND ASCERTAINED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE WAS A TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM (TSB3462). HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING IT. I TRIED TO GET PIONEER VALLEY SALES TO REPAIR IT FOR OVER A MONTH AND THEY REFUSED TO. I CONSIDERED THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAD CHERRY RUM AUTOMOTIVE REPLACE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. I PAID THEM $571.70 FOR THIS. I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I LOOK FORWARD TO TOYOTA REIMBURSING ME FOR THIS EXPENSE. *TR

Mileage: 55,478

HEARD A CLUNK-TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. WAS TOLD THIS WAS A STEERING SHAFT NOISE (STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE T-SB-0318-08). CALLED DEALER TO SEE IF THIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT. ASKED IF PROBLEM UNDER A RECALL AND ALSO FOUND OUT IT WASN'T. ASKED DEALER IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE CAR AS IS SINCE NOT UNDER A RECALL AND DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT MAKE A COMMENT ON SAFETY CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. ------I FEEL ANYTHING LINKED TO STEERING IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA SHOULD INITIATE A RECALL OVER THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 68,182

I HAVE HAD A CLUNKING NOISE IN MY FRONT END SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WHEN MAKING TURNS. THEY COULD NEVER HEAR IT TILL NOW AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT IS A PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL COST $748.74 TO FIX!!! NOISE IN THE STEERING SHAFT. IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL AND NO-CHARGE. *TR

AFTER BUYING THE CAR IN 2006, A COUPLE YEARS LATER I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH A CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. TOYOTA SAID IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PROBLEM. THEY REPLACES THE PART 3 TIMES AND THE NOISE CAME AGAIN AFTER SOME MONTHS. I CALLED TOYOTA THEY DID NOT HELP, THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND IN BETWEEN ONE THING AND THE OTHER ONE ALMOST A YEARS PASSED AND THEY DID NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND THE ARE THOUSAND OF PEOPLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVED THAT THIS MAY BE A HAZARDOUS DEFECT THAT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Mileage: 13,000

WHILE DRIVING ON A SUBURBAN NJ ROAD AT AROUND 30-40MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL OUT OF THE BLUE. THE CAR VEERED INTO THE LEFT LANE, I ATTEMPTED TO RIGHT THE CAR AND SIMULTANEOUSLY HIT THE BREAKS. THE ABS RESPONSE KICKED IN, AND THE CAR VEERED DRASTICALLY TO THE RIGHT, GOING OFF THE ROAD, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK, AND FINALLY COMING TO A STOP IN THE WOODS. THE REPAIR SHOP DISCOVERED THAT THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENT WAS A BROKEN TIE ROD OF THE BACK RIGHT WHEEL, THAT HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR A WHILE BECAUSE THE SLEEVE ENCASING HAD RUSTED OVER. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR TOTALLED $10,000, AND THE SHOP WOULD HAVE TOTALED THE CAR IF THE MILAGE HADNT BEEN SO LOW. *TR

Mileage: 43,116

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT POPPING; TECHS SAY THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS WORN OUT. THERE IS ONLY 56,333 MILES ON THIS TOYOTA RAV4 2006. THERE HAS BEEN OTHERS SINCE AT LEAST 2010 THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO REASON WHY A CAR OF THIS AGE AND LOW MILEAGE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SHAFT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AS THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU BEFORE AND EVEN PEOPLE HAVE CALLED YOU ABOUT IT. THANK YOU, *TR

Mileage: 56,069

I WAS DRIVING BY 88 ST AND 94 AVE IN MIAMI, FLORIDA WENT THROUGH THE TRAIN TRACKS, AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE, LIKE AN EXPLOSION, AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND MOVE TO THE LEFT LANE, THANK GOD THERE WAS NO CARS COMING, SO I FINALLY CONTROL THE VEHICLE, I LOOK FOR A REASON OF THE EXPLOSION, AND THEN DRAG...LITERALLY TO A SHOPPING PLAZA, WHERE I NOTICED THE TIRE BEHIND ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS ALMOST SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. I CALLED MY SON, AND HE SEND A TOW TRUCK, LATER A MECHANIC WOULD TELL ME THAT THE INNER TIE ROD BROKE. I NOTICED MONTHS BEFORE THAT THE CAR MADE FUNNY NOISES FROM THE SUSPENSION. I CALLED THE DEALER SENT AN E-MAIL TO TOYOTA USA WARNING THEM, THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE DEALER. THEY DIDN'T CARE WHAT I SAID TO THEM, I WENT THREE TIMES TO THEM, TOYOTA USA INSISTED TO GO TO THE DEALER. THREE YEARS LATER TOYOTA USA SENT ME A WARNING BROCHURE ABOUT THE INNER-TIE ROD PROBLEM AND HOW TO DO THE ALIGNMENT ON THE RAV 4 BUT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT DOING THIS PROCEDURE. I DID THE ALIGNMENT FOR THE RAV 4 IN A PLACE THAT HAS ALL THE CERTIFICATIONS, IN MY OPINION THE RAV-4 HAS A DEFECT INVOLVING THE SUSPENSION ( AFTER SHOCKS) AND THE INNER-TIE RODS, I HOPE THIS HELPS FIND THE REASON OF THIS PROBLEM. AND HOW TO GET REIMBURSED FOR ALL THE EXPENSES THAT I WENT THROUGH THIS.. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

STARTED NOTICING "CLUNKING" SOUND WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK AND HE WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY STEERING SHAFT ISSUE AND SAID IT COULD ALSO IINVOLVE RACK AND PINION BUT THAT COULD NOT BE VERIFIED WITHOUT FURTHER LABOR.

Mileage: 78,000

I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN TOYOTA'S RELIABLE VEHICLES TILL I BOUGHT MY RAV4. LATELY I HAVE HAD THE UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE OF HAVING TO REPLACE ALL SIX COILS WITH NEW ONES, BECAUSE TOYOTA MAID A BAD DESIGN FOR THE 2006 RAV4. AND NOW I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS BECAUSE THEY ARE BAD TOO. TOYOTA PLEASE HELP WITH COVERING THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR. *TR

Mileage: 84,000

I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND IN MY STEERING EACH TIME I TURN. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS JUST TOLD I NEEDED TO GET IT REPAIRED. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT SEVERAL OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVE NO INFORMATION REGARDING SAFETY BUT FEEL THAT SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM TOYOTA NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL AND HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED. WE SHOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL TRAGEDY HAPPENS BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN. *TR

OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 2 MONTHS I HAVE HEARD A QUIET POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT TIRE AREA WHEN I MAKE TURNS. I ACTUALLY VISITED A TOYOTA DEALER 1/8/2013 BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOWER SUSPENSION ARM RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. THEY "INSPECTED" AND PUT A STICKER ON, AND A WORTHLESS CLAMP (MIGHT AS WELL BEEN A PAPERCLIP) ON THE THE TIE ROD. ON 2/27/13, I TOOK A FEW CO-WORKERS TO LUNCH AND THEY NOTICED A LOUD POP EVERY TIME I TURNED A CORNER OR HIT ANY UNEVEN SPOT IN THE ROAD. WHEN I PULLED INTO MY PARKING SPOT AT WORK I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE REAR RIGHT TIRE AND IT WAS SLANTED ONLY SLIGHTLY. LATER IN THE DAY, I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND HEARD A VERY SEVERE POP AND THE TIRE MADE A WHOOSHING NOISE AS IT WAS MAKING CONTACT WITH THE TIRE WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF SERVICE AT THIS POINT. I GOT MY VEHICLE TOED TO A NEARBY SHOP, AND THEY FOUND THAT THE TIE ROD ON THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WAS BENT SEVERELY. THE MECHANIC THAT WAS INSPECTING MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A DEALER, AND AGREED THAT THE "FIX" TOYOTA DEVELOPED FOR THIS RECALL ISSUE WAS WORTHLESS, AND AGREED THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF THIS HAD FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE BENT TIE ROD, AND VISITED THE SHOP TO SEE FOR MYSELF THIS AFTERNOON. I TRULY THINK THAT TOYOTA'S FIX SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO REPLACE EVERYONE'S TIE RODS. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE STILL AT RISK! I PLAN TO SUBMIT MY CHARGES TO TOYOTA FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 102,512

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD NOISE WHENEVER THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. ..UPDATED 03/18/13 *BF

Mileage: 50,000

THE RAV4 HAS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR IN WHICH IT WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE VISOR FREQUENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING ABRUPTLY DROPS TO A STRAIGHT-DOWN POSITION. IN THIS POSITION IT IMPAIRS FORWARD VISIBILITY, AND FOR TALL DRIVERS IT CAN BLOCK THE VIEW OF THE ROAD COMPLETELY. THERE IS ALSO A WIDELY-REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING (THERE ARE 166 REPORTS ON THIS SITE AT THE TIME OF MY FILING) WHICH IS NOTICED IN THE FORM OF A KNOCKING OR CLUNKING NOISE WHICH CAN ALSO BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MANY OWNERS, INCLUDING ME, ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD BE A PRECURSOR TO A STEERING COMPONENT FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

A NOISE CAME FROM STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SOMETIME. TOYOTA REPLACED R&R STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. EVENTUALLY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERANCE OF THE SPIRAL CABLE. NO DOUBT THESE WERE RELATED. UNKNOWN TO ME AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON 2-8-08 COVERING THIS ISSUE. THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEFECTIVE PART STARTED TO FAIL FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. BOTH OF THE ISSUES ARE SAFETY RELATED ITEMS. WAITING FOR THE STEERING TO FAIL WOULD BE ABSURD. A LOOK AT THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS WAS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL YEAR OF THE RAV4. PLEASE ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS FOR THE 2006 RAV4. *TR

Mileage: 46,499

STEERING MECHANISM WAS NOT SMOOTH IN MOVEMENT AND MADE POPPING NOISE. IT APPEARS BY SEARCHING ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD SAME TROUBLE. FORTUNATELY, WE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. WE HAD REPAIR PERFORMED AT ADAMS TOYOTA LEE'S SUMMIT, MO. DEALERSHIP REPLACED DEFECTIVE LOWER STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. REPAIR WAS CORRECTIVE AND COST $262.85 BEFORE TAXES. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 64,559

WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, I HEAR A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. A MECHANIC I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RECENTLY FOUND THAT THE STEERING SHAFT IS FAILING. THIS IS THE SECOND STEERING SHAFT THAT HAS GONE BAD; I HAD THE FIRST ONE REPLACED 4 YEARS AGO WITH A SUPPOSEDLY IMPROVED VERSION. EVIDENTLY, WHATEVER CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE DESIGN DID NOT PREVENT THE SAME PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING. I STARTED TO HEAR THE SAME NOISE APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AFTER HAVING THE REPLACEMENT INSTALLED. *TR

GET A CLUNKING IN STEERING,, TOOK IT TO DEALER BAD INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT.. THEY HAVE A TSB ON IT,, BUT WONT FIX DUE TO IT CURRENTLY BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, AM CONCERNED ABOUT STEERING ISSUES AND CAUSING A ACCIDENT. TOYOTA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND WONT RECALL,, HAS TO THINK STEERING PROBS CAN BE A MAJOR RISK HAZARD,, SINCE THEY KNEW ABOUT IT IN 2008 READ FORUMS.. AND SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR WIDESPREAD ISSUE NOTJUST MINE..WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BEFORE THIS IS BROUGHT TO LIGHT? *TR

Mileage: 16,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV4, CONSUMER STATED WITHIN 3 1/2 MONTHS AFTER OIL, TOTAL OIL LEAKAGE OCCURRED. THE PISTONS, RINGS AND GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON FEB 2, 2012 THE CONSUMER HAD AN OIL CHANGED. ON JUNE 1, 2012 THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DIPSTICK WAS COMPLETELY DRY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE OIL LEAK WAS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND NOT JUST SUDDENLY WITHIN 3 1/2 MONTHS. THE TECHNICIANS WHO PERFORMED THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3-4 MONTHS SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THE SHORTAGE OF OIL, ESPECIALLY ON FEB 2, 2012. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *JB

Mileage: 69,300

THERE IS A KNOCKING IN THE STEERING I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THEY SAID IT WAS A SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT TOYOTA HAD A BULLENTIN OUT ABOUT IT. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BUT ACCORDING TO MYSELF DOING RESEARCH THERE IS A PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 6,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, SHARPLY HE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STRING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY OR THE STEERING WOULD FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. ...UPDATED11/21/12 *BF UPDATED 11/30/2012 *JS

Mileage: 71,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT 5 MPH OR BELOW, OR WHEN IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD EXHIBIT LOUD CLUNKING NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/1/12 *CN UPDATED 11/1/2012 *JS

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY SLUGGISH AND THE STEERING MADE A CRACKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Mileage: 59,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING AND THUMPING NOISE HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,956.

Mileage: 75,956

STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND RATTLES OVER BUMPS. TOYOTA SAID NO CREDIT FOR OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. COST TO REPAIR WITH REDESIGNED PARTS IS $1,900. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY MAINTAINED AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY STEERING PROBLEMS. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS. TOYOTA SAID THIS IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM BUT THE LOOSE STEERING FEELING DOES NOT INSPIRE CONFIDENCE. TOYOTA SAID I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING WITH THE PROBLEMS AND THAT IT WOULD ONLY BE AN ANNOYANCE. THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT. TOYOTA HAS REDESIGNED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THIS IS EVIDENCE THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

EARLY ON IN OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE A LIGHT 'CLUNKING' NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE. NOISE PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. I REPEATEDLY REPORTED THE INCIDENT TWICE TO THE DEALERSHIP - TOYOTA LAKE CITY, SEATTLE, WA, PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF VEHICLE WARRANTY. EVERY TIME I WAS ADVISED THE DEALERSHIP STAFF WAS "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE". CURRENTLY, THE NOISE IS EXTREMELY LOUD, AND THERE'S A 'POPPING' FEEL IN THE STEERING COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL, COUPLED WITH A LOUD CLUNK. I'M CONCERNED FOR MY, AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY, HOWEVER I DON'T HAVE $800.00 TO REPAIR AN ITEM WHICH SHOULDN'T BE HAVING ISSUES. NOTE: I HAVE A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4 VIN#[XXX], WHICH IS BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE AS 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND TOYOTA IS FULLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE VIA TSB# ST001-08. TOYOTA HAS DEVELOPED A "NEW" STEERING SHAFT WHICH REMEDIES THE ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, FOR IT IMPACTS A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE RAV4 OWNERS - ANOTHER TOYOTA ISSUE WHICH THEY KNOW ABOUT, BUT TRY TO HIDE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 11,500

HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING AND BACKING UP. STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM RETURNED AND REPAIRED ON AUG. 27,2012 AT 73,852 MILES AND COST $720. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 50 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A CAR THAT HAD A STEERING PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I DIDN'T HAVE IT REPAIRED THE STEERING COLUMN COULD LOCK UP. I SEE THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN 2006-2007 RAV4'S CAN SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS? *TR

Mileage: 34,168

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. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

THERE WAS A RUMBLE IN THE REAR @ 40 MPH. I HAD MAPLEWOOD TOYOTA CHECK IT 2-3 TIMES, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HEAR IT, CAR WAS FINE; THEY CHECKED THE TRANS OIL ONCE AND SAID IT WAS FINE. IT'S A CLOSED SYSTEM-YOU NEVER NEED TO CHANGE ITS OIL. (I HAD ASKED THIS QUESTION SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND THEY ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT I NEVER NEEDED TO CHANGE THE TRANS OIL & THE MANUAL DOES NOT LIST IT EITHER). THEY TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND CHECKED IT GOOD-SAID THAT 1ST GEAR WAS GOING, BUT IT WAS FINE TO DRIVE-COME BACK WHEN I COULDN'T STAND THE NOISE AND THEY'D PUT IN A NEW TRANS FOR $4,500. I WAS GOING OUT OF TOWN, THEY SAID OK, CAR WILL BE FINE. SINCE THE RUMBLE WAS SO LOUD, 3 DAYS LATER I GOT A SECOND OPINION AT A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST'S SHOP RECOMMENDED TO ME BY SEVERAL FRIENDS. THEY PUT IT UP ON A RACK AND TESTED IT WITH A STETHOSCOPE TYPE DEVICE. THEY SAID THAT THE BEARING WAS VERY BAD AND THAT I SHOULD NOT TAKE THE CAR OUT OF TOWN OR DRIVE IT AS IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD STOP AT ANY TIME. THEY REPLACED M,W/S, U240/24E 00-UP (CORK); FILTER; BUSHING, A40 SERIES PUMP; TC, RAV4, MED STALL, INK 14; CENTER GEAR BEARING, ETC. WHEN THE TOYOTA TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE TRANS OIL, I REALIZED THAT IT WAS NOT "A CLOSED SYSTEM"! ALSO, THE OIL WAS BLACK AND I NOW KNOW THAT IT SHOULD BE RED. I THINK I SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGING THE TRANS OIL ALL ALONG AND MY TRANSMISSION PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. I THINK THEY SHOULD ORDER A RECALL ON ALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS - AND PAY FOR THE WORK THAT I HAD TO HAVE DONE BEFORE MY CAR FAILED ON A FREEWAY SOMEWHERE. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST FOREVER, ESPECIALLY SINCE HALF OF THE MILES HAVE BEEN FREEWAY MILES AND I DRIVE MY CAR VERY GENTLY. I JUST PUT IN NEW BRAKE PADS FOR THE FIRST TIME RECENTLY AND THERE WAS STILL 20-30% LEFT ON THEM. PREVIOUSLY I HAD TO PAY TOYOTA $400 TO REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN-ANOTHER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 107,000

STEERING HAS CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEED AND CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FORUMS ARE FULL OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE WHICH POINT TO "INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT". ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN NO FATALITIES CONNECTED TO THIS-IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ON THE LARGE SCALE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA. WHAT HAPPENED TO TOYOTAS CULTURE OF HONOR? *TR

Mileage: 84,000

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM. WHEN ON SLOW SPEED. THE STEERING MAKES CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING BOTH DIRECTION. SOMETIME IT MAKES YOU FEEL IT IS SO LOOSE THAT THE WHEEL NOT TURNING AT ALL. WHAT HAPPEN IF I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND THE WHEEL WON'T BE ABLE TO TURN. MANY MANY HAVE COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NOT A SINGLE SOLUTION. IT MUST BE THE PROBLEM OF THE DESIGN OR DEFECTIVE MATERIALS!! *TR

Mileage: 50,000

WE JUST HAD OUR 2006 RAV4 STATE INSPECTION TODAY AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE FRONT INNER TIE ROD REPLACED SINCE IT HAS BECOME UNSTABLE. THEY SAID THIS CANNOT BE REPLACED BY ITSELF SINCE IT IS ATTACHED TO THE STEERING RACK, SO WE WILL NEED ENTIRE RACK REPLACED, RESULTING IN $2400 IN REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SAID THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR SAFETY REASONS, SINCE IT CAN GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT AT ANY TIME. WE'VE ALSO HEARD KNOCKING WHEN WE TURN THE CAR FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND HAVE ASKED ABOUT IT, BUT NEVER BEEN GIVEN AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. THE DEALERSHIP NOW SAYS THIS COULD BE THE CAUSE. IF THIS IS A PROBLEM OF INTEGRITY WITH THE PART AND NOT A WEAR & TEAR ISSUE THEN I THINK THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL SINCE IT IS A FAULT OF THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

Mileage: 136,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH FRONT STEERING, SUSPENSION AND DRIVE TRAIN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS STARTED WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND CONTINUED WITH OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING, FRONT SUSPENSION AND DRIVE TRAIN. VARIOUS FRONT END COMPONENTS HAD BEEN REPLACED 10 TIMES. AFTER THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AUGUST OF 2011, THE VEHICLE IS NOW PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. *JB

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH FRONT STEERING, SUSPENSION AND DRIVE TRAIN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS STARTED WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND CONTINUED WITH OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING, FRONT SUSPENSION AND DRIVE TRAIN. VARIOUS FRONT END COMPONENTS HAD BEEN REPLACED 10 TIMES. AFTER THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AUGUST OF 2011, THE VEHICLE IS NOW PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. *JB

HEARD ABNORMAL MECHANICAL RATTLE FROM THE FRONT END GOING OVER ROUGH STREETS IN SAN FRANCISCO. TOOK VEHICLE IN SUSPECTING SUSPENSION ISSUE TO CAPITOL TOYOTA OF SAN JOSE. DIAGNOSIS WAS STEERING RACK HAS A KNOWN PART ISSUE, INTERNAL TO ITS DESIGN, NOTHING THE DEALER COULD DO, AS FACTORY DID NOT ALLOW THEM TO OPEN THE PART UP, ONLY REPLACE IT. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO TELL ME IF THE CAR WAS SAFE OR NOT TO DRIVE. SAID ONLY THING THEY COULD SO WAS REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING RACK AT $2000 +, WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. THEY SAID IF I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY WOULD SWAP IT OUT, AND THIS IS DONE ALL THE TIME FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR! THIS CAR IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND NOT DRIVEN OFF-ROAD. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD POSE A THREAT IF THE STEERING WERE TO LOCK UP/FAIL WHILE DRIVING, YET TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND SAYS ITS WEAR AND TEAR. AT 70K MILES? THIS PART SHOULD LAST 200K. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ONLINE OF ISSUES WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. ONE SUCH REPORT: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/TSB/2006/TOYOTA/RAV4/STEERING TSB NUMBER: 00506NHTSA NUMBER: 10020124TSB DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2007DATE ADDED TO FILE: JULY 24, 2006 FAILING COMPONENT: STEERING SUMMARY: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING: MIL ON DTC U0105 & U0121. *TR

Mileage: 70,162

INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FAULTY AFTER FIRST COUPLE YEARS OF OWNING VEHICLE. CLUNKING NOISE AND CLICKING FEEL WHEN TURNING VEHICLE. TOYOTA DID NOT WANT TO COVER REPAIR. OWNERS HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED WHICH WASN'T CHEAP. NOW, AFTER 6 YRS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, I FEEL IT STARTING AGAIN. THEY SAID THIS WAS DANGEROUS IF LEFT UNFIXED. IT COULD LEAD TO STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA SINCE IT'S A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR FOR THE VEHICLE OWNERS TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS WHEN ALL WE WANTED WAS A SAFE AND RELIABLE VEHICLE. *JS

Mileage: 84,986

MY RAV4 BEGAN MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED AS A STEERING COLUMN ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB ABOUT IT, BUT DOES NOT COVER THE REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A DESIGN FLAW (AND SAFETY ISSUE) ON THEIR PART. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL. SEE TOYOTA TSB ST001-08. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING SHAFT THAT RESULTS IN AN AUDIBLE THUMP THAT IS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING 90 DEGREE CORNERS AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT RATHER PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES, TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS, ETC. MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER LUBED THE STEERING SHAFT AT 87,169 MI, AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN IN 11K MILES. I KNOW THAT TOYOTA HAS RECALLED SEVERAL VEHICLES IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO FOR STEERING-RELATED PROBLEMS, AND I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2006 RAV4 SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR UPDATED 06/25/2012 *JS

Mileage: 98,600

I HAVE 2006 RAV4 WITH STEERING CLUNKING NOISE. I SPOKE WITH MY LOCAL DEALER IN ATLANTIC CITY NJ AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NOT RECALL. I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR SOMETHING WHAT IS FACTORY PROBLEM. I THINK TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD ALSO INITIATE A RECALL FOR THE STEERING PROBLEMS. *TR

PURCHASED A 2006 RAV4 SPORT 4WD V6 BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2006 AND THE CAR WAS DOING GREAT UP UNTIL LAST YEAR (2011) WHEN I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL STARTING MAKING THIS STRANGE CLICKING NOISE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2011 AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION MAKING THE NOISE AND THAT OVER TIME I COULD POSSIBLY LOSE STEERING. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST OVER $2,000 TO FIX. I ASKED IF I COULD JUST DRIVE IT UNTIL THE PROBLEM WORSENED AND THEY SEEMED TO SAY THAT WAS PROBABLY OK THAT IT WOULD COST THE SAME TO FIX SO I LET IT GO. FAST FORWARD ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS (APRIL 2012) AND NOW MY CAR IS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I TURN RIGHT (AS DESCRIBED BY ALMOST EVERYONE ELSE ON THE WEB WITH THIS PROBLEM). I BROUGHT IT BACK IN AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AND THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN PUT OUT FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD STILL COST THE SAME PRICE TO FIX AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS INSANE HOW TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH SO MANY OTHERS AND REFUSE TO FIX IT. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A FAULTY PART ON ALL RAV4'S AROUND 2006-2007 (MAYBE MORE?). MOST COMPANIES WILL REALIZE THEY USED A FAULTY PART TO MAKE A PRODUCT AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE TO KEEP THE CUSTOMER HAPPY. THAT IS NOT THE CASE HERE. I CALLED TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE LINE AND SPOKE TO A NASTY PERSON WHO SPOKE VERY CONDESCENDINGLY TO ME. HE KEPT TRYING TO AVOID THE ISSUE AT HAND AND EVENTUALLY JUST SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO BECAUSE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HE FILED THE COMPLAINT WITH THE REST OF EVERYONE ELSE AND WENT ON HIS WAY. I AM PRETTY SADDENED BY THIS SINCE THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY JUST WENT THROUGH A PAINFUL TIME HOW CAN THEY TURN AROUND AND ACT LIKE THIS TO LOYAL CUSTOMERS? *TR

Mileage: 70,000

IN 2010, I COMPLAINED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER TWO YEARS THE NOISE BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE AND THE TOYOTA MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE LOWER INTERMITTENT STEERING SHAFT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY DUE TO WORN-OUT SPLINES. CORRECTION: REPLACE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ($359.--). I DECLINED REPAIR SINCE I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THE 2006 AND 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 MODEL AND A RECALL WOULD WARRANTED. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF STEERING. THE MECHANIC DID NOT THINK SO. *TR

Mileage: 44,502

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 04/27/12*LJ

Mileage: 52,000

INTERMEDIATE STEERING LINKAGE MAKES A POPPING NOISE. CONDITION HAS BEEN ADDRESSED UNDER TSB ST 001-08: HOWEVER THIS CONDITION HAS GROWN STEADILY WORSE AND WE FEAR MAY LEAD TO STEERING FAILURE. TOYOTA DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY AS 36 MONTHS HAVE ELAPSED SINCE OUR PURCHASE OF THIS NEW CAR. PLEASE ADD OUR COMPLAINT TO YOUR DATA BASE WITH THE HOPE THAT TOYOTA CAN BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS FACTORY STEERING DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 500

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? *TR

Mileage: 17,000

THERE'S A WEIRD CLICKING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM MY STEERING WHEN TURNING. I WAS MAKING A U-TURN (NOT EVEN 5MPH) WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT AND HAS HEARD IT ALMOST EVERYDAY SINCE. ITS TERRIFYING WHILE DRIVING TO THINK THAT MY STEERING CAN FAIL. MY MECHANIC WILL LET ME KNOW IF IT CAN BE FIXED AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST. I HAVE TO SAY... I'M CONSIDERING TRADING THAT SUCKER IN. *TR

Mileage: 28,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

Mileage: 20,000

STEERING MAKES A "BUMPING" SOUND WHEN IT IS TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION. MY SON COMMENTED THAT HE NOTICED IT IN 2010. LAST WEEK MY MECHANIC MENTIONED IT AND SAID THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED. ANOTHER MECHANIC AT THE SAME SHOP ALSO MENTIONED IT TO ME AFTER HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

WHILE MAKING A TURN OF A HIGHWAY EXIT, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, ON THE 4TH DAY OF OWNING MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE. NOT ONLY WAS I TALKED DOWN TO AND TREATED RUDELY BY TOYOTA STAFF, I WAS DISMISSED, AS IF THIS WAS NOT A SERIOUS CONCERN. TOYOTA DID FIX THE VEHICLE, AND ASSURED ME THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. ONLY A FEW MONTHS LATER, MY CAR WAS BACK AT TOYOTA, WILL ROTTEN STRUTS, ON A 6 MONTH OLD VEHICLE. AGAIN THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THERE WAS NO HELP FROM TOYOTA WILL ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS CLEARLY FAULTY AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. 2 YEARS TO THE MONTH OF PURCHASE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON ME AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, THIS TIME TOYOTA REPLACED THE COMPUTER, BEING SURE TO STATE A DIFFERENT REASON FOR THE SAME ISSUE, TO INSURE THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LEMON LAW. NOW, LESS THAT 2 YEARS AFTER THE 2ND INSTANCE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED FOR A 3RD TIME WHILE DRIVING. I AM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, AND THAT IN ALL 3 INSTANCES THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ME, AND I WAS ON AN OPEN ROAD, WHERE I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP BEFORE SERIOUSLY INJURING MYSELF OR OTHERS. AFTER THIS MANY REPEAT SERIOUS ISSUES, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW NO ONE AT TOYOTA CARES TO FURTHER LOOK INTO THE RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE OR REPLACEMENT OF. IF I HAD ACTUALLY CRASHED OR GOD FOR BID BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED, I'M SURE THAT MY CLAIMS WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY. WHY DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE, BEFORE TOYOTA CAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFAULTED VEHICLE? *TR

Mileage: 100

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN, BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Mileage: 54,000

CLINKING AND GRINDING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US IT WAS THE STEERING SHAFT IS WORN AND WOULD COST BETWEEN $800- $1000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS NOT COVERED SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. *TR

Mileage: 51,000

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS A CLUNK NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT SLOW OR NO SPEED. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE VERY HIGH I WAS TOLD BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT WOULD COST CLOSE TO $800 TO REPAIR. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. I WORK FOR VW AND KNOW THAT WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THIS MANY VEHICLES AND A STEERING CONCERN THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE ALREADY. IS IT REALLY GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER " GAS PEDAL " INCIDENT TO MAKE THEM TAKE CARE OF IT? *TR

Mileage: 40,000

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. *KB

Mileage: 51,000

HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL. ARRANGED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER. DEALER SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE COMPLETE STEERING RACK AND STEERING SHAFT WITH "AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT". $2.563.64. I WAS NOT ADVISED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF NOT REPLACED. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD IT WAS TOO BAD THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I UNDERSTAND OTHERS WITH 2006 & 2007 RAV4S HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE. SAFETY ISSUE? NO RECALL! *KB

Mileage: 26,600

HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL. ARRANGED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER. DEALER SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE COMPLETE STEERING RACK AND STEERING SHAFT WITH "AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT". $2.563.64. I WAS NOT ADVISED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF NOT REPLACED. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD IT WAS TOO BAD THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I UNDERSTAND OTHERS WITH 2006 & 2007 RAV4S HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE. SAFETY ISSUE? NO RECALL! *KB

Mileage: 26,600

I TOOK MY 2006 RAV4 INTO THE LEITH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RALEIGH, NC FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RECALL. SERVICE MANAGER CALLS ME AND SAID THAT THERE IS A BANGING VIBRATION AND NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. (THIS DID NOT EXIST BEFORE.) THE MANAGER SAID THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND THAT FAILURE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS REPAIR IS NEARLY $400 AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL NOR MY NOW EXPIRED WARRANTY. WHEN I NEXT DROVE THE RAV4 THE BANGING WAS SO STRONG THAT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COULD FEEL IT. I CALL TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM, WHO CONFIRMED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BUT SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ABOUT THEM PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED AND THAT TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE WOULD CONTACT ME AS TO WHAT FURTHER WOULD BE DONE. AFTER WAITING MORE THAN 60 DAYS FOR TOYOTA TO CALL ME, I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AGAIN ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT NOTHING MORE WOULD BE DONE. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR, BUT NONE WAS AVAILABLE. I WAS TOLD THAT A SUPERVISOR WOULD CALL ME BACK WITHIN 24 HOURS. 30 HOURS LATER TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE LEFT A PHONE MESSAGE FOR ME TO CALL THEM BACK. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE CAUSED THIS RAV4 TO LOOSE POWER AND STOP WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE BATTERY GOES DEAD ABOUT EVERY TWO MONTHS. *TR

Mileage: 64,443

THERE IS A VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER AND FEELS LIKE STEERING IS BEING AFFECTED. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

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 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 ! *TR

Mileage: 42,900

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 WITH STEERING SHAFT ISSUES. THE SHAFT MAKES GRINDING/KNOCKING NOISES WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME OF THIS ISSUE AND STATED THAT I SHOULD REPLACE THE SHAFT. I ARGUED THAT TOYOTA SHOULD COVER THE COSTS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT CONCUR. I STARTED RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE AND DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. THEY HAVE EVEN ALREADY DEVELOPED A NEW INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THEY RECOGNIZE THIS AS A DESIGN/ENGINEERING ISSUE. FURTHERMORE, THIS DEFECT COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IN MY OPINION, MERITS A RECALL. *TR

TOYOTA RAV4 STEERING NOISE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

STEERING COLUMN ON TOYOTA 2006 RAV 4 SHOWING SIGNS OF BAD U-JOINT/THRUST COLLAR BEARING. CAR HAS 43,000 MILES AND MAKES LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING. TOYOTA HAS A TSB BUT SAYS IT IS NOT YET A SAFETY ISSUE SO NO REFUND AND NO PRICE CUT ON $500 REPAIR. IF STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT FAILS WHAT HAPPENS TO STEERING??? *TR

Mileage: 44,000

LIKE MANY OTHER 2006 RAV4 OWNERS, I HAVE EXPERIENCE THE SO-CALLED "CLUNKING" NOISE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS APPEAR TO BE A KNOW PROBLEM (DESIGN FLAW) WITH THIS MODEL, YET TOYOTA FAIL TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND INITIATIVE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DO WE HAVE TO EXPERIENCE SUCH CATASTROPHIC EVENTS AS THE "ACCELERATION ISSUE", BEFORE TOYOTA DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? *TR

Mileage: 25,000

TOYOTA RAV4 MAKES POPPING AND CLUNKING NOISE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THIS IS DUE TO LOOSENESS IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SPLINES AND JOINTS (TOTAL COST:$468; PART NUMBERS 45221-42071 [STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT] AND 45260-42090 [STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY]). THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. IT IS A PRODUCT DEFECT IN STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AS EVIDENT BY THE TSB ISSUED BY TOYOTA. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

TOYOTA TSB-0308-08 FOR A STEERING CLUNK ON 2006 AND LATER TOYOTA RAV4'S SHOULD BE A RECALL, BEFORE STEERING GOES OUT IN THESE VEHICLES. THE TSB INDICATES THAT "BEEFED UP" STEERING SHAFTS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BUT MANY CARS ARE NOW "OUT OF WARRANTY" BECAUSE THE DEALERS CLAIMED NOT TO BE ABLE TO HEAR THE NOISE. NOW THAT MANY OF THESE CARS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY, THE COST TO FIX IS EXCESSIVE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY FROM IT. ANY TOYOTA FORUM ON THE INTERNET HAS SCORES OF COMPLAINTS FROM RAV4 OWNERS, AND STORIES OF INDIFFERENCE ON THE PART OF THE TOYOTA DEALERS. PROBLEM: STEERING AUDIBLE CLUNK AND THE FELL OF THE CLUNK, WHILE TURNING LEFT OF RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THE FAILURE BUT NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,106. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN UPDATED 01/05/2012 *LN *TR

Mileage: 38,106

CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END ANY TIME I DO A SLOW TURN. SOUNDS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IN THE STEERING MECHANICS IS SLIPPING OUT OF JOINT. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO NORMAL WEAR. WE UNDERSTAND THAT MANY RAV 4 AND OTHER TOYOTA MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR FAILURES AND MUST BE REPLACED. IS THIS A POSSIBLE RECALL ISSUE. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF UPDATED 07/26/11 STATUS UPDATE 08/30/11. *JB STAUS UPDATE 10/06/11. *JB

Mileage: 32,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 63,607

MY 2006 RAV 4 HAS HAD A SERIES OF FRONT END PROBLEMS DATING FROM JAN 2007 TO APRIL 2009. IT HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP 9 TIMES (WARRANTY WORK) WITH NUMEROUS PARTS BEING REPLACED BEFORE TOYOTA HAD THEIR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REP COME AND LOOK AT IT. THEY ENDED UP REPLACING JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE FRONT END COMPONENT PARTS EXCEPT THE STEERING. THAT WAS THE 10TH TIME THE CAR WAS IN. NOW AFTER 21 MONTHS THE SOUND IS BACK AND I CAN EVEN FEEL VIBRATION KNOCK IN THE STEERING. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2006. MILEAGE AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE WAS 4847. MILEAGE IN APRIL 2009 WAS 26737. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 41800. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR WITH THE FEELING THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK WHILE I'M MAKING A SHARP TURN. *TR

Mileage: 26,737

WE HAD THE TOYOTA DEALER CHECK A NOISE IN THE STEERING ON A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THEY DIAGNOSED THE NOISE AS NOISE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF TOYOTA WARRANTY, TSB ST001-08, THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE. WE CONTACTED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE AND THEY ALSO REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE INDICATED THAT THE PART WOULD HAVE TO PHYSICALLY BREAK BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE INDICATES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES YET DUE TO THE DEFECT. WHEN AN ISSUE INDICATES A POSSIBLE FAILURE WE LIKE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BEFORE DAMAGE OCCURS.*LN

Mileage: 79,000

ON MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4, I CAN HEAR AND FEEL A CLUNKING OR POPPING NOISE AND SENSATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. THE FEEL IS AS IF THE LINKAGE(S) IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAVE SOME INTERFERENCE OR HAVE BECOME PREMATURELY WORN TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE RUBBING ON EACH OTHER AND PRODUCE A POPPING SENSATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. THE POPPING NOISE/SENSATION OCCURS EVERY TIME I TURN THE CAR THROUGH TURNS GREATER THAN ABOUT 45 DEGREES, LEFT OR RIGHT. THE SENSATION STARTED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 67,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, HE WOULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT BUSHING HAD DRIED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Mileage: 48,000

HEARD A NOISE IN MY STEERING COLUMN . TOOK CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE NOISE. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE UNIVERSAL STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS AN ITEM THAT TOYOTA RECALLED IN OCTOBER 20, 2008 FOR THIS PROBLEM 2006 - 2008 RAV 4'S. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY TOLD ME MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE RECALL AND I WAS OVER THE 36 MONTHS TIME FRAME. HOWEVER I ONLY HAD 30,000 MILES ON MY CAR AT THE TIME AND JUST STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AS THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE OCCURRED IN ANY OF THE VIN #'S OF THOSE YEARS. I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY RECALLED THE OTHER VIN #'S FOR. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE CONTACT MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

Mileage: 56,000

MY STEERING HAS DEVELOPED A SERIOUS KNOCKING. INITIALLY IT WAS LIGHT BUT IS NOW RAPIDLY INCREASING SPECIFICALLY WHEN MAKING SHORT TURNS LIKE EXITING MY GARAGE AND/OR BACKING UP. THE CAR HAS 47000 MILES AND I DON'T THINK A DEFECT LIKE THIS SHOULD HAPPEN. IT CERTAINLY IS NOT PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE. CHECKING THE WEB I NOTICE THAT MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I WONDER WHY TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THE MODEL TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS- AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS - DEFECT.

CLUNKING STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING. STARTED AT ABOUT 15K MILES. NOW 45K AND NOISE MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED. READ THIS IS ROD/SHAFT PROBLEM WITH 2006S, SEE THAT MAJORITY OF COMPLAINS FILED W/ NHTSA RELATE TO THIS ISSUE. WHY IS TOYOTA NOT RECALLING? THEY CLAIM NOT SAFETY ISSUE. CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING CAN'T BE GOOD FOR FUTURE INTEGRITY OF VEHICLE'S STEERING. IT'S NOT A PROBLEM UNTIL THERE IS A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. READ TOYOTA RECALLED 2005S FOR SAME ISSUE, AND READ NO POST-2006 MODELS SUFFER SAME PROBLEM. COME ON TOYOTA, FIX THIS PROBLEM ON 2006S. *TR

2006 RAV4 STEERING CLUNK. *TR

Mileage: 39,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV4. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE HAS A WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE ECM COMPUTER IS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO AN ASSOCIATED RATTLING SOUND. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS REGARDING THE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF CLOSE TO TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. ALSO, THE TIRES WERE LEAKING AIR. *JB

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. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TOYOTA 2006 RAV4 4 CYL AUTOMATIC 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS FREQUENT CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. AFTER SEARCHING FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS ONLINE I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OTHERS HAVE HAD REGARDING "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE RAV4". IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS NOT COVERED ONCE OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT SEEMS THERE IS A REAL CONCERN THAT FAILURE OF THE PART COULD LEAD TO A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 23,000

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN FOR $300.00 IF I WANTED TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE. I DECLINED. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. NOW THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

OUR 2006 RAV4 HAS A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN YOU TURN. WE TOOK IT IN FOR 90K SERVICE AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A STEERING ROD/SHAFT ISSUE THAT WOULD COST $2000 TO REPLACE. WE ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT REPAIR AND WANTED TO SHOP FOR OTHER PRICING, AND THEY SAID WE COULD BUT TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE AT ANY TIME. I'VE READ ABOUT SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS AND HOW THIS IS A TOYOTA DEFECT AND NOT A DRIVER FAULT, SO I'M CONCERNED WHY THIS HASN'T YET BEEN RECALLED. I SAW THERE WERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2005 AND EARLIER MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, WHY IS IT NOW NOT BEING ADDRESSED SINCE IT COULD CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AND SAFETY ISSUES? *TR

Mileage: 95,000

THIS DEFECT IS WITH REGARD TO MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEED CAUSES MULTIPLE LOUD CLUNKING SOUNDS, AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES ALONG WITH CLUNK. IT'S ALMOST LIKE A RATCHETING BEHAVIOR ON THE SHAFT CONNECTING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE STEERING MECHANISM. THIS DEFECT BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS 83,000 MILES AND THE CLUNKING IS BECOMING MORE PRONOUNCED. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE TOYOTA TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THE DEFECT: #ST001-08. IT DESCRIBES A NEW SERIES OF PARTS REDESIGNED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. WHEN I BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, THEY SAID PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER AND TOYOTA ISN'T OFFERING A RECALL OR ASSISTANCE IN COVERING THE COST OF THE REPAIR. AS IT REQUIRES REDESIGNED PARTS, IS A PREVALENT DEFECT, AND DIRECTLY INVOLVES THE STEERING INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE, I WOULD CONTEND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED CARS AND REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE AND WITHOUT DELAY. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 WITH 23,500 MILES. STEERING KNOCKING NOISE AND CLUNKING. STARTED AT 20,000 MILES APPROX. I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH RAV OWNERS YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. WHY? I CAN'T GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER AS TO WHETHER THIS IS A NOISE PROBLEM OR WILL BE A STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE 2006 RETURNED TO DEALER IN MARCH 2008; APPROX 32K MILES. COMPLAINED TO SERVICE REP. OF "CLUNK" SOUND IN THE STEERING MECHANISM DURING LOW SPEED OPERATION. TECH STANDING NEARBY STATED, IN EFFECT, "THEY DO THAT ALOT". (HE IS NOW PROBABLY UNEMPLOYED) DEALER REPLACED (AT THEIR COST) THE STEERING SHAFT, PART #45260-42090. IN AUGUST 2010, APPROX 70K MILES; VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR STATE INSPECTION WITH, AGAIN, COMPLAINT OF "CLUNK" NOISE IN STEERING MECHANISM AT LOW SPEED. THE STATE INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED; DEALER FOUND NO FAULT WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM. ON 09/28/10; 72K MILES, VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY DOOR LATCH AND COMPLAINT SAA. "CLUNK" DEALER REPLACED STEERING SHAFT, PART #45221-42070 *THE TWO PARTS ARE BOTH PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN; BUT ARE NOT THE SAME COMPONENT THE FIRST SHAFT REPLACED WAS A "LOWER SHAFT" THE PART REPLACED ON 09/28 IS THE "INTERMEDIATE SHAFT" ALTHOUGH TOYOTA HAS ISSUED "SERVICE BULLETINS"CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN SHAFT FAILURES; THE COMPANY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN EXISTING DESIGN FLAW AN INTERNET "GOOGLE" SEARCH FOR CLUNKING NOISES IN THE 2006 RAV4 RETRIEVES MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. (NOT EXACTLY EVIDENCE I WOULD WANT TO WALK INTO A COURTROOM WITH) I SUGGEST THAT THE ONLY REASON THERE HAVE NOT BEEN A RASH OF STEERING RELATED ACCIDENTS IS THAT THE CONSUMER CAN IDENTIFY THE NOISE AND CORRECT THE DEFECT PRIOR TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I AM CERTAIN THAT A REVIEW OF VEHICLE REPAIR HISTORIES OF THIS VEHICLE WILL REVEAL AN ALARMINGLY HIGH INCIDENCE OF FAILURE FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV-4 MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURN A CORNER. AT FIRST, IT WAS ONLY WHEN I TURNED TO THE LEFT. NOW THE NOISE IS WORSE AND IT MAKES THE NOISE NO MATTER WHICH WAY I AM TURNING. I HAVE REPORTED IT EVERY TIME I TAKE MY VEHICLE IN TO TOYOTA FOR SERVICING, BUT THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS 31,000+ MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 31,566

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. *TR

WHEN SLOWLY TURNING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE IS A CLUNKING IN THE WHEEL AS YOU TURN. MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS BEING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING, I DON'T KNOW WHY A RECALL HASN'T BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA TO QUESTION THIS; HOWEVER I HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV4 CLUNKING/POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. DEALER SAYS I NEED INTERM. STEERING SHAFT, CLAMPS AND HOSE FOR A TOTAL OF $597.49. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, WHY NO RECALL? GEAR SHIFTER AND GEAR SHIFTER SLIDE BECAME PROBLEMATIC AT 49,000 MILES BUT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV-4 WITH 27,000 MILES DEVELOPED A CLUNKING, GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS SO SEVERE THAT I EVEN CHECKED THE WHEELS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE NOT LOOSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER, TANSKY TOYOTA, 6300 SAWMILL RD., DUBLIN, OH 43017, ON JULY 13, 2010 FOR SERVICING. THEY DISCOVERED A BROKEN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT [PART #45221-42071] ON THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH THEY REPLACED AT A COST OF $439.50. WHILE MY CAR HAD ONLY 27,334 MILES, I TOOK DELIVERY ON 8/25/06 SO IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. TOGETHER WITH WHEEL ALIGNMENT, THE TOTAL COST TO ME WAS $523.00. THE SERVICE STAFF ACTED AS IF THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF SUCH A FAILURE, BUT AFTER CHECKING THE NHTSA WEBSITE, I FOUND A NUMBER OF REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR 2006 RAV-4'S. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS IN 2008 TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW TO REPAIR IT. TO DATE, TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. SINCE THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO EITHER A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR POOR ENGINEERING, I ASKED FOR MY DEALER TO COVER MY EXPENSES FOR THE REPAIR, BUT AFTER A MONTH WITH MULTIPLE MEETINGS WITH THEIR SERVICE MANAGER, THE DEALER HAS NOT REIMBURSED ME. WHILE I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, I CONSIDERED STEERING COLUMN FAILURE TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE; ONE REQUIRING A RECALL TO PROTECT OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 27,334

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS STEERING PROBLEMS. THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE AND TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX IT.$1700 TO FIX IT, DON,T HAVE MONEY. COULD COME APART? THERE HAS BEEN LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RAV 4,THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

THERE IS A LOUD "CLUNK" IN STEERING AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY "FEEL" IT IN THE TURNS. MECHANIC FEELS IT SHOULD BE FIXED (ABOUT $800) AND CHECKED WITH TOYOTA TO SEE FIX. THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION, BUT NO RECALL. WHAT THE HECK?! SOUNDS LIKE DEFECTIVE WORK TO ME - AND THIS WASN'T A CHEAP CAR. DOES SOMEBODY HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY TAKE CARE OF THIS? I HOPE THIS ISN'T BECOMING TOYOTA'S POLICY. WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO TAKE ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

WE HEAR A CONTINUOUS POPPING/CLUNKING NOISE FROM OUR 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, A SLIGHT INCREASE OF THE FORCE IS REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN TOYOTA T-SB-0318-08: "SOME CUSTOMERS MAY HEAR A CLUNK, POP, OR KNOCK-TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. A NEW INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION." IT SHOWS THAT TOYOTA ORIGINALLY USED DEFECTIVE INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. "WARRANTY APPLICATION IS LIMITED TO CORRECTION OF A PROBLEM BASED UPON A CUSTOMER'S SPECIFIC COMPLAINT." TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IF CUSTOMER DOESN'T COMPLAIN. THE NOISE IS CAUSED BY "SHAFT EXCESSIVE PLAY" ACCORDING TO TOYOTA. IT MAY NOT CAUSE AUDIBLE NOISE IN EARLY STAGES SO A CUSTOMER CAN'T HEAR IT. TOYOTA CAN CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE DEFECT UNTIL THIS CONDITION AGGRAVATES TO A CERTAIN POINT. IS IT A SAFETY CONCERN THAT EXCESSIVE SHAFT PLAY MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO FULL OR PARTIAL LOSS OF STEERING? WE HAVE FILED COMPLAIN THROUGH BBB TO TOYOTA BUT THEY DECIDED TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Mileage: 27,000

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH 33,167 MILES. THE IGNITION KEY IS ABOUT TO FALL APART. ALL THE COVERS FOR THE PUSH BUTTONS ON THE KEY ARE FALLING APART. THIS JUST STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED THE KEY WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST $250.00 TO REPLACE. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV4 STEERING SHAFT CLUNKING NOISE. IT WAS NOTICED BY THE DEALER AND FIXED UNDER WARRANTY LAST YEAR. BUT LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER THE NOISE IS BACK AND THE DEALER INDICATED IT COULD BE A DEFECTIVE PARTS; REPLACING IT WILL COST 800, NOW OUT OF WARRANTY THE OWNER NEED TO PAY FOR IT. IT'S CLEARLY A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE ORIGINAL PARTS THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. NOW I'M LIVING WITH THIS NOISE AND IT APPEARS IT'S GETTING WORSE. *TR

Mileage: 34,000

ON JULY 20TH OF 2010 I TOOK MY 2006 RAV 4 TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ST. AUGUSTINE FL CONCERNING A NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN I MADE A TURN. CONCERNS I HAVE THIS WITH EXPERIENCE INCLUDE TOYOTA STATES THEY HAVE A SMART TEAM TO QUICKLY REACT TO CUSTOMERS. I TOOK MY RAV INTO THE DEALERSHIP AT 1PM ON THE 20TH AND AT 5 PM THEY LET ME KNOW THEY WOULD NEED TO KEEP MY RAV OVERNIGHT BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT INTERNAL FAILURE. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HOWEVER THESE 2 DAYS OF FAULTY PRODUCT COST ME $262.52 WHEN I HAD ONLY A$50.00 DEDUCTIBLE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD SPLIT THE COST OF THE RENTAL CAR AS THE COVERAGE ONLY COVERED A RENTAL IF THE REPAIR TOOK OVER 6 HOURS. IT TOOK OVER 6 HOURS TO EVEN FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN WITH THE SMART TEAM. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AS I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BE DONE AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE STEERING REPAIR. IN MY EXPERIENCE IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AS PART OF THE REPAIR IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE COST. A DOCTOR IS NOT ALLOWED TO CHARGE EXTRA TO STITCH YOU BACK UP AFTER OPENING YOU FOR A SURGERY. IS THIS STEERING SHAFT INTERNAL FAILURE THE SAME ISSUE I CAME HOME TO WY AND SAW ON THE NEWS? IF SO SHOULD THIS NOT BE COVERED AS PART OF THE RECALL ~ ~ (TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2010--A FEDERAL GRAND JURY IN NEW YORK ASKED TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS RELATED TO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING RELAY RODS IN TOYOTA 4RUNNERS (1990-1995), PICKUPS (1989-1995) AND T100 TRUCKS (1993-1998). THE SUBPOENAS, MAILED TO TOYOTA'S U.S. SUBSIDIARIES ON JUNE 29, COME SHORTLY AFTER A NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) INVESTIGATION INTO WHETHER TOYOTA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY OF A STEERING ROD DEFECT IN A TIMELY FASHION, AS REQUIRED BY LAW.) *TR

Mileage: 55,538

I OWN A 2006 RAV4. THE STEERING COLUMN SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM, THERE IS A REGULAR CLUNKING NOISE. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

TL* 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.

Mileage: 29,300

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS DEVELOPED A VERY DISTINCT CLUNKING SOUND AND FEEL WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I NEVER DRIVE THE CAR, AND NOTICED IT IMMEDIATELY WHEN I HAD TO DRIVE IT A WEEK AGO. I QUESTIONED MY HUSBAND, WHO SAID IT HAD FELT LIKE THAT "FOREVER"!! WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT IT ACTUALLY IS QUITE A PROBLEM! CAR NOW HAS 90-K MILES. LAST SUMMER (AT A HAIR OVER 60-K) THE WATER PUMP WENT - OUT OF WARRANTY. VERY POOR DESIGN, AS THE ENGINE MUST BE PULLED TO REPLACE THE PUMP TO THE TUNE OF $1,600!!!! MY HUSBAND IS NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO QUESTIONING THE DEALER ABOUT THE STEERING. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

'MODEL YEAR: 2006 'MAKE: TOYOTA RAV4 'MODEL: 4 DRIVE, 2 WD, V6 SPORT 'COMPONENT: POWER STEERING SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: I BOUGHT THE ABOVE CAR ON 12/16/2006. AFTER TWO YEARS OF DRIVING, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THERE IS A TWEAKING SOUND ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHENEVER I MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN OF THE VEHICLE AT A SLOW SPEED. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAIN TO CAPITOL TOYOTA AT THE BEGINNING OF 2009 AND DEMAND A FIX WITHOUT CHARGE, BUT THEIR MANAGEMENT INSISTED THAT THEY CHARGE ME A FEE OF $132.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND ADDITIONAL REPAIR COST IF THEY FIND OUT THAT PROBLEM IS NOT WITHIN THEIR WARRANTY LIMITS; PLEASE NOTE THAT MY CAR WAS WITHIN WARRANTY AT 42K MILES. FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY, I BROUGHT MY CAR HOME WITHOUT ANY SERVICE. A YEAR LATER WITH 44.3K MILES, I BEGAN TO NOTICE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. THIS TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE, VISCOUS, AND TRACK LIGHTS GET TURNED ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO CAPITOL TOYOTA AGAIN WITH MY ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT. THIS TIME, THEY AGREED TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE WITHOUT A FEE OF $132.00, BUT THEY CHARGE ME FOR $1083.00 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING ECU COMPUTER WHICH IS OUT OF RANGE AND CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO BE TURNED ON, AND $483.00 FOR FIXING THE FIRST, ORIGINAL POWER STEERING NOISE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE ONLY THING THEY CAN HELP COVER FOR FREE OF CHARGE AND WITHIN WARRANTY AT THIS TIME IS TO FIX THE CAM TIMING OIL VALVE WHICH IS STICKING OUT TO CAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MY TOYOTA HAS THEIR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS, AND I HAVE NOT ORDERED THE ECU COMPUTER AND STEERING WHEEL NOISE FIXES THAT THEY RECOMMENDED BECAUSE I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE PROVIDED COST. I AM EXPECTING THAT THEY SHOULD FIX THESE PROBLEMS FOR ME FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

A POPPING,KNOCKING, CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, IT CAN BE HEARD AND ALSO FELT WHEN TURNING. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERS REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THERE IS ONLY 22,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I ALSO HAVE A 2007 RAV 4 WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT. SO FAR THE POPPING NOISE HAS NOT STARTED YET BUT I THINK IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BECAUSE IT HAS THE SAME COMPONENTS AS THE 2006 HAS. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH 87000 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING STARTED MAKING CLUNKING NOISE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. BASED ON MY RESEARCH MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. HERE'S ONE OF MANY LINKS REGARDING PEOPLE'S COMPLAIN ON THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE START INVESTIGATE ON THIS ISSUE AND THANKS! *TR

STEERING WHEEL POPS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS. ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN DURING WARM WEATHER. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE, BUT NO RECALLS BY TOYOTA. NO DEATHS OR INJURIES YET! *TR

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 DEVELOPED A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT WAS GETTING WORSE. AT 59,000 MILES I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND GOT THE NEWS THAT IT NEEDED TO HAVE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED. THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT BY TOYOTA AND THEY NEVER NOTIFIED ME, WHILE I HAD THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. THE TSB WENT OUT A YEAR BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN AT THE SAME DEALERS FOR REPAIR BEFORE. I'M TOLD IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE (WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE) AND THAT IT WILL COST ME $650 TO REPLACE. TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THIS FOR OWNERS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT! *TR

Mileage: 59,000

CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING TURNS. *TR

Mileage: 22,000

MY VEHICLE IS MAKING CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHENEVER I MAKE TURNS. I AM AFRAID IT WILL GET WORSE SOONER OR LATER. MILEAGE: 27,699. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 AND NOW HAS ABOUT 65000 MILES. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE CLUNK NOISE (AND FEELING) WHILE STEERING WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. THE NOISE SEEMS TO BE MORE EVIDENT IN WARMER DAYS (SUMMER TIME) AND DIMINISH DURING WINTER MONTHS. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB (TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN): ST001-08 SO THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SINCE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED SIGNIFICANTLY, THIS TSB SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL. I DO NOT WISH TO PAY FOR A SERVICE FOR A PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA NEW ABOUT SINCE THE BEGINNING. WE SHOULD NOT CARRY THE BURDEN OF PAYING FOR TOYOTA'S INCOMPETENCE IN MANUFACTURING SAFE VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AT LOWER SPEEDS, AND IN PARK WHEN JUST TURNING THE WHEEL. ALSO CAN FEEL THE CLICKS BY TOUCHING THE STEERING SHAFT. IF POSSIBILITY OF STEERING WHEEL SEPARATING IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT. TOYOTA KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM (TSBST001-08). TOYOTA REFUSING TO ADMIT DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 28,500

CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING - STARTED AT 30,000 MILES WITH SLIGHT SOUND CONTINUED TO WORSEN OVER TIME NOW "CLUNK" IS FELT WHEN TURNING. SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO BREAK. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

TURNED ON THE CAR, POWER STEERING LIGHT TURNED ON WITH COMPLETE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING FUNCTION. CAR WAS PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, RESTARTED, AND COMPLETE RETURN OF POWER STEERING FUNCTION. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,900. UPDATED 7/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/10

Mileage: 15,000

TOYOTA RAV4, 2006, STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE, VEHICLE DOES NOT KEEP THE DIRECTION PROPERLY. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

I AM HEARING A CLUNK/NOISE WHEN ROTATING MY STEERING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BASED ON MY RESEARCH IN THE INTERNET IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL OF RAV4'S. *TR

Mileage: 34,300

TOYOTA RAV4 STEERING COLUMN CLUNKING NOISE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND ECU MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RELATED SERVICE BULLETIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

THERE IS A CLUNKING-TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING SHAFT ON MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING RODS MADE A NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN HE MADE LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN DEFECT BUT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES REGARDLESS OF MONTHS IN SERVICE, (INCIDENTALLY GARAGED THROUGHOUT THE WINTERS) DEVELOPED A STEERING COLUMN NOISE THAT WAS HEARD BY A FRIEND. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO TOLD ME OUTRIGHT THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT "HAS BEEN AROUND". THE REPAIRS WILL COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS AND FROM WHAT I'M READING ONLINE THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE OUT THERE. SO IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL, OR ISN'T THE STEERING OF A VEHICLE A DANGER TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. AFTER ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS TOYOTA HAS HAD WHY HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY NHTSA. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4/ SPORT HAS STEERING CLUNKING. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER YEARS OF TOYOTA RAV4'S. I FEEL THAT WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL THAT A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DIES. *TR

MY 06 RAV EXPERIENCED A CRACKING/GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE FAR LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED. I WAS TERRIFIED!!! I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND AT THE TIME MY CAR HAD JUST CAME OUT OF WARRANTY 15DAYS EARLIER BUT I DIDN'T LET THAT STOP ME. AFTER SOME BACK AND FORTH WITH THE DEALER AND THE REGIONAL MANAGER MY STEERING WAS FIXED. THERE WAS A TSA REPORT PUT OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT NO ACTUAL RECALL WHICH I THINK THERE SHOULD BE BUT I SENT OUT BLAST EMAILS AND TEXT TO MY FRIENDS ETC TO LET PEOPLE KNOW. I'VE NOTICED THAT THEY'RE MORE WOMEN DRIVING RAVS THAN MEN AND THE THOUGHT OF A MOTHER AND CHILD IN AN ACCIDENT OVER SOMETHING THAT COST $600 PER VEHICLE TO FIX IS UPSETTING. PEOPLE TURN DOWN THE MUSIC AND LISTEN TO YOUR CARS!!! *TR

Mileage: 12,000

"CLUNKING " NOISE COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING THE WHEN LEFT AND RIGHT UNDER LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH IS BECOMING MORE PRONOUNCED, A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT A RECALL SHOULD BE IN PLACE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF OWNERS OF RAV 4'S (2006) BLOGGING AND REPORTING THIS SAME ISSUE . *TR

Mileage: 50,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 STEERING CLUNKING NOISE. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND CURRENTLY HAS 24,557 MILES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS GOING OUT. *TR

Mileage: 21,000

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE (STEERING GEAR/LINKAGE) ON 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, YOU WILL HEAR A CLUNK OR KNOCKING-TYPE NOISE. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

NOTICEABLE CLUNK HEARD AND FELT IN STEERING 2006 RAV4 DURING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. NUMEROUS SIMILAR REPORTS--NO RECALL--DESPITE SAFETY ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE REPORT. IN AN EARLIER RECALL, 2006 PRIUS STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY BECOME LOOSE CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL . *TR

Mileage: 72,000

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN LOOSE SINCE 30,000 MILES ON MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLITEN OUT, BUT THE MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. IT CAUSES INCONSISTANT STEERING WHEN BACKING UP AND TURNING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS HAS BEEN A WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA RAV 4 AND TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART.

Mileage: 32,000

WHEN FIRST DRIVING MY NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV4, I NOTICED AT SLOW SPEEDS IT WOULD SOMETIMES ACCELERATE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE. I ATTRIBUTED THIS TO BIG FEET AND A NEW CAR WHERE I DID NOT YET MASTER THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PEDALS. I STARTED DRIVING WITH TWO FEET, JUST AS I WAS TAUGHT AS A TEENAGER IN DRIVERS ED. OCCASIONALLY, THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE ENSUING 3 YEARS. UNTIL THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM CAME TO LIGHT IN 2010, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST "OPERATOR ERROR." NOW, I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THERE IS SOME DEFECT - MAYBE IT'S HARDWARE LINKAGES, BUT I SUSPECT THERE IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER OF THE CAR. I ALSO HAD THE STEERING MID-SHAFT PROBLEM AFTER WARRANTY AND SCREAMED UNTIL THEY FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY FOR $50. THERE WAS ALSO A "RUNAWAY" FUEL PUMP SERVICE BULLETIN I MADE THEM COVER AS WELL. I HAVE WORKED WITH TOYOTA QUALITY ENGINEERS SINCE THE 1980S AND AM DISGUSTED BY THEIR RESPONSES REPORTED IN THIS ODI SITE. TOYOTA'S CLAIM TO FAME WAS THERE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER FOCUS. LOOKS LIKE THE CURRENT GENERATION OF TOYOTA PEOPLE HAVE LOST THIS, AND THAT POINTS DIRECTLY TO TOP MANAGEMENT THERE. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME. AS THEY SAY IN JAPANESE, THEY ARE "ON SHIRAZU" (DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATION TO THEIR CUSTOMERS). *TR

Mileage: 1,000

WHEN I MAKE A TURN AT SLOWER SPEEDS THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK COMING FROM THE TIRES AND I FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

I HAVE 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE STEERING HAS CLUNK ISSUE WHEN MAKE TURN. THIS CAUSED SOMETIME OUT OF CONTROL WHEN MAKE TURNS. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

MY NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 WAS IN FOR REPAIRS IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 39,817 MILES, JUST AFTER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. EVERY TIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED THE STEERING MADE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. IT GOT WORSE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THE DEALER SAID IT WAS WORN. I ASKED WHY AFTER ONLY 39,817 MILES AND THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN. NOW I HAVE 81,000 MILES AND THE SOUND IS BACK AND THE SHAFT HAS TO BE REPLACE FOR ANOTHER $4-5 HUNDRED DOLLARS. I HAVE HAD CARS WITH 250,000 MILES ON THEM AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A STEERING SHAFT. NOW I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 IN LESS THEN 80,000 MILES. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS COVERING UP. *TR

Mileage: 39,817

AT THE END OF 2008 I TOOK MY 06" RAV4 IN FOR IT'S PRE-PAID MAINTENANCE AND TOLD THE SERVICE ATTENDANT THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE WHEN I WAS TURNING. I SAID MAYBE IT JUST NEEDS STEERING FLUID. HE GOT IN AND TURNED THE WHEEL A COUPLE OF TIMES AND SAID HE FELT IT WOULD BE FINE. I MENTIONED THE NOISE AT EACH OF THE FOLLOWING APPTS. AND WAS TOLD BASICALLY THE SAME THING. WELL NOW MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY NOW KNOW THAT IT IS THE PROBLEM REFERRED TO AS SERVICE BULLETIN DATED 10-20-2008. THEY ESTIMATED THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,001.00 AT MY EXPENSE. I FEEL THEY PUT OF THE DIAGNOSIS UNTIL AFTER MY WARRANTY RAN OUT INTENTIONALLY SO TOYOTA WOULD NOT HAVE TO FIX IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ASAP BEFORE INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

THIS IS AN UPDATE OF COMPLAINT 10243141. IN AUGUST 2006, I PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA RAV 4/L4 AT 4X2. IN AUGUST 2007 (MILEAGE: 9,540), I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CAR DEALER BECAUSE OF A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WHICH HAD TO BE ORDERED (PART # 45260-42090) AND INSTALLED. IN NOVEMBER 2007 (MILEAGE: 11,989), I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE SAME NOISE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IN DECEMBER 2007 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN (MILEAGE: 12,717) WITH STILL THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOISE. DEALER PERSONNEL DETERMINED A DAMAGED STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS ORDERED (PART # 45260-42090) AND INSTALLED FOR THE SECOND TIME. ON OCTOBER 13, 2008, (MILEAGE: 21,152) THE CAR WAS AGAIN MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE STEERING SHAFT WAS AGAIN REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT A DIFFERENT PART HAD TO BE REPLACED (PART # 45221-42070). ON JULY 2, 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE. I AGAIN REPORTED THE SAME NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TECHNICIAN DROVE THE VEHICLE AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON NOVEMBER 6, 2009, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT AUTO SHOP. THE MECHANIC DISASSEMBLED THE STEERING WHEEL AND IDENTIFIED THE NOISE. HE PERSONALLY TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO A TECHNICIAN. AT THAT DEALERSHIP, HE WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE IS A 'NORMAL CONDITION' AND THAT TOYOTA PERSONNEL ARE AWARE OF THE NOISE BUT THE COMPANY HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OR HOW TO FIX IT. ALSO, HE WAS TOLD OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM. WE ARE NOW IN FEBRUARY 2010. MY RAV 4 (MILEAGE: 35,983) HAS MAINTAINED THE NOISE AND HAS A FUNNY FEELING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FEELS LIKE IF THE WHEEL WILL COME OUT. SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, ACCEPTED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER AND CONFIRMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, I FEEL I SHOULD UPDATE THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSB. I WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING SOME FEEDBACK FROM NHTSB IN THIS REGARD. *TR

Mileage: 9,540

2006 TOYOTA REV 4 WITH 27,000 MILES WITH A STEERING SHAFT WEARING OFF. THIS COULD CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT BREAKS DOWN ON THE ROAD. A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

TOYOTA TSB ST001-08 - - OWNERS MAY HEAR A CLUNK, POP, OR KNOCK TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. THE TSB REPLACES 2 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS WITH "REDESIGNED" SHAFTS. THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE SHAFTS WILL ONLY BE COVERED BY STANDARD 36 MONTH/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS THIS NOISE, AND THERE IS ALSO A PULSE IN THE WHEEL WHEN IT OCCURS (SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK). WILL THIS EVER BECOME A POSSIBLE RECALL? IS THERE A HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS? *TR

Mileage: 25,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV-4 CLICKING IN STEERING COLUMN SINCE EARLY 2009...AFTER RESEARCH FOUND THAT IT'S ACTUALLY A DEFECT THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT AND PUT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10024291 SERVICE BULLETIN #: ST001-08 ) , BUT REFUSED TO FIX IF PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED (PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED)....NEXT PROBLEM: WATER LEAK WHEN RAINING ON FLOOR FRONT PASSENGER, LEAKED TO BACK OF VEHICLE CAUSING MOLD DAMAGE (AGAIN TOYOTA REFUSED TO FIX EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE AWARE OF ISSUE...MY HUSBAND RESEARCHED AND FIXED IT HIMSELF). THIRD PROBLEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT, AND 4WD LIGHT RANDOMLY COME ONE (QUITE OFTEN)...HAVE BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSTIC TEST COMES BACK WITH AN ERROR CODE. MECHANICS HAVE SAID IT'S MOST LIKELY A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION (WHICH I HAVEN'T INVESTIGATED MYSELF, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX OR WORSE REPLACE). *TR

Mileage: 21,000

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT TOYOTA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPAIR THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE PROBLEM THAT PLAGUES THIS VEHICLE. (T-SB-0318-08 OCTOBER 20, 2008). IF THE VEHICLE WERE UNDER WARRANTY, TOYOTA WOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES AT NO COST. OUR CAR STARTED TO SHOW THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS PROBLEM AFTER 3 YEAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY PROGRESS TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE. THIS CONCERN IS NOT ONLY FOR MY CAR'S OCCUPANTS, BUT ALSO FOR OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WHO I MAY RUN INTO DUE TO THIS STEERING PROBLEM. IN LIFT OF THE RECENT TOYOTA RECALLS, I WOULD HOPE THE NHTSA WOULD RECALL THE EFFECTED VEHICLES AND FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

"2006 TOYOTA RAV-4" REFERENCE---T-SB-0318-08---CLUNK/ POP/KNOCK WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. "TOYOTA" RECOMMENDED SOLUTION---REPLACE STEERING WHEEL "INTERMEDIATE SHAFT LINKAGE" WITH IMPROVED PARTS. ---"WARNING"--- DEFECTIVE "MECHANICAL LINKAGE" BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEEL MECHANISM IS A "SERIOUS DANGER" AND COULD, OR HAS BEEN THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATHS! SHOULD THIS PROBLEM BE INCLUDED AS ANOTHER "TOYOTA RECALL"? *TR

Mileage: 51,775

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT. TOYOTA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPAIR THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE PROBLEM THAT PLAGUES THIS VEHICLE. (PLEASE SEE T-SB-0318-08 OCTOBER 20, 2008). IF THE VEHICLE WERE UNDER WARRANTY, TOYOTA WOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES AT NO COST. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND HER CAR STARTED TO DEVELOP THIS PROBLEM AFTER 3 YEAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY PROGRESS TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE. THIS CONCERN IS NOT ONLY FOR MY WIFE, BUT ALSO FOR ALL AMERICAN'S WHO HAVE THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. IN LIFT OF THE RECENT TOYOTA RECALLS, I WOULD HOPE THE NHTSA WOULD RECALL THE EFFECTED VEHICLES AND FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 HAD THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAIL AROUND 33K MILES. TOYOTA REPLACED IT UNDER A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN WHILE IN WARRANTY. IT IS NOW AT 67K MILES AND THE SHAFT IS BAD AGAIN. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 12 MONTHS SINCE THEY REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SERVICE TECH COULD NOT TELL ME THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION WITHOUT THE CHANCE OF LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

I HAVE A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS. THEY HAVE A BULLETIN ON THIS, BUT SAYS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON MY CAR, PROBLEMS LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T BE SHOWING UP THIS SOON. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN COULD FAIL AND I WOULD LOOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. WHY WOULD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS NOT BE COVERED BY SOME KIND OF SAFETY RECALL. SINCE THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM, THEN TOYOTA IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 28,166

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. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING SHAFT IN LOW SPEED TURNING AND BACKING. I WAS UNDER THE 36000 MILES (32,000) BUT THE 3 YEARS ON WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED.9 MONTHS AGO. TOYOTA AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE "INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT" AND ALL LABOR. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE SERVICE AND I HOPE THIS PERMANENTLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SITTING STILL OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS ITEM, BUT TOYOTA WILL ONLY REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. TOYOTA HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REDESIGNING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND IS AWARE THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IS ATTEMPTING TO NOT PAY BY DELAYING UNTIL OWNERS ARE OUTSIDE OF THEIR WARRANTY AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE FOR THE PART. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE. TOYOTA TSB REPORT NUMBER T-SB-0318-08. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL YOU FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE AND YOU HEAR AND FEEL A BANGING NOISE. FROM WHAT I READ MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE ON THERE RAV4 MODEL YEARS 2006-7. COULD THIS BE A SAFETY PROBLEM IF LEFT UNFIXED? *TR

Mileage: 32,000

CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CHIPPED PAINT ON THE HOOD, AND A JUMBLED RADIO SCREEN. RADIO FIXED, STEERING COLUMN ONGOING, PAINT STILL CHIPPING. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 V6. I HAVE UNDER 21,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND MY MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY EXPIRED IN AUGUST. FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW I'VE BEEN HEARING A LOUD, CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER I MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TODAY AND WAS TOLD I HAD A STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM, WHICH WOULD COST OVER $400 TO FIX. I HAPPEN TO CHECK THIS OUT ON THE WEB AND REALIZED THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT'S GOING ON? DID TOYOTA ISSUE A RECALL? *TR

2006 RAV4 UNSAFE TO DRIVE!!! LE BRUN TOYOTA, CANADAIGUA, NY, MADE ME PAY TO EXCHANGE LEMON WITH ONLY 150-200 MILES 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, THEY MADE ME PAY AN ADDITIONAL 7K TO TRADE FOR THE V-6 I HAVE NOW, BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION ACCELERATED DOWNHILL, ON BOTH 4CYL AND V-6, IT STILL DOES IT THOUGH NOT AS SEVERE, STILL SCARY AT TIMES. RECENTLY,MY STEERING WENT OUT ON THE EXIT RAMP LUCKILY AND LOCKED A FEW TIMES, IT NOW MAKES A THUMP AND CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT, NEXT TIME I WON'T BE SO LUCKY. REALLY LOUD NOISE FROM REAR ALSO. ANTIFREEZE SMELL INSIDE CAR TOO.H.E.L.P. *TR

Mileage: 100,203

2006 RAV4 HAS A FAULTY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT THAT TOYOTA HAS PUT OUT A TECH BULLETIN ON BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR FIX THE PROBLEM IF THE CAR IS PAST ITS 3YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. I THINK IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE OF TOYOTA TO BE AWARE OF A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT WANT TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION! *TR

Mileage: 43,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR RECREATE THE FAILURE ON FOUR OCCASIONS. HE WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Mileage: 25,000

SEPT. 2009 MY WIFE COMPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE THAT SHE COULD FEEL THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS. IT GOT LOUDER AND MORE PRONOUNCED OVER THE LAST 30 DAYS. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I THEN LOCATED TOYOTA'S TSB ST001-08 DATED 2/8/08 "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE" WHICH PERFECTLY DESCRIBES THE STEERING NOISE I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. WHILE I HAVE ONLY 21K MILES ON THE RAV4, MY 36 MONTHS RAN OUT 3 MONTHS AGO. THE NEARBY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE QUITE AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT BASICALLY, YET POLITELY SAID, "TOO BAD, OUT OF WARRANTY." CONSIDERING THIS COMPLAINT SEEMS TO BE A QUITE WIDESPREAD ISSUE, AND ONE THAT INVOLVES THE STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, I WOULD ARGUE THAT THIS RISES TO THE LEVEL OF A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD MERIT A SAFETY RECALL. TOYOTA CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS STEERING NOISE WILL NOT DETERIORATE INTO A "LOSS OF CONTROL" ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 21,300

KLUNKING NOISE HEARD AND THUMP FELT IN STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING VEHICLE A SLOW SPEEDS. *TR

Mileage: 45,924

THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 WENT OUT SUDDENLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS MONTH. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE MOTOR. WHEN THE CAR STARTED AGAIN THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING. THE TOYOTA DEALER HAD REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THIS CAR FROM TOYOTA. THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT SUDDENLY. TOYOTA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME THE COST OF FIXING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. IT COSTS ABOUT $1000. HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 31,700

ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY RAN OUT, I NOTICED A THUMP OR KNOCK WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL OF MY 2006 RAV4. IT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. I SEARCHED ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS. *TR

Mileage: 30,600

I'VE HAD THE KNOCK/POP WHEN TURN ON LOW SPEED DEALER SAID NEEDS REPLACE STEERING SHAFT. *TR

Mileage: 39,000

THE STEERING COLUMN AND/OR STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNK, POP AND KNOCK TYPE NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED AND SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING. I AM FEARFUL THAT SOMETHING IN THE STEERING MECHANISM MIGHT BREAK WHILE DIVING LEAVING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE ON A COURSE NOT UNDER MY CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 19,200

I NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING MY 2006 RAV4 FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE INDICATES THAT THIS CAN BECOME A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD IT GET WORSE. HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT I RETURN THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA AS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. TOYOTA TELLS ME THAT SINCE I PURCHASED THIS AS A "CERTIFIED USED" VEHICLE, DUE TO THE 50K MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT IS NOT COVERED. I CONSIDER THIS DEPLORABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. I SEE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE FOR THIS VEHICLE ON THIS SITE AND SINCE I ONLY KNOW OF THIS COMPLAINT FORUM AS I AM IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE UNKNOWN BY THE ODI. DUE TO THE SAFETY NATURE OF THIS ISSUE, I REQUEST THAT AN INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED AND A RECALL MANDATED. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

NOTICED A "CLUNKING" NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THAT THEY LOOK INTO THIS NOISE. MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO THE DANGER THAT THE CAR WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER IF THE PROBLEM WERE TO GET ANY WORSE, A SAFETY DANGER. SINCE THE SERVICE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY, I TOOK IT TO MY PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. HE AGREED THAT THE TWO PARTS SHOULD BE CHANGED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE ON 7/24/09. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN GROUP. *TR

Mileage: 55,744

TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR LOOSE FEELING IN STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2006 TOYOTA RAV. THE FRONT STEERING SHAFTS ARE BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. TOYOTA ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN. NO ONE CONTACTED ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I TOOK VEH TO SHOP. I HAVE TO PAY THE ENTIRE COST ($700) WHEN WILL THIS BECOME A RECALL, WHEN PEOPLE START DYING TO STEERING FAILURE. I THINK YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL AND MAKE TOYOTA PAY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN, NOT THE CONSUMER. *TR

STEERING SHAFT GOES BAD ON 2006 TOYOTA RAV4'S AND SOME CAMRY'S AND TOYOTA WON'T RECALL IT. I FEEL A CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER I MAKE A TURN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S WORN OUT. AFTER 3 YRS OF PURCHASING A BRAND NEW CAR? AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WITH THE SAME MODELS. AND I WAS TOLD EVENTUALLY, IF IT GOES UNATTENDED THAT I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE! AND THAT TOO BAD I DIDN'T BRING IT IN WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY! WHO WOULD THINK THAT A BRAD NEW CAR WOULD DO THIS? AND NOW THEY WANT US TO PAY ARM AND LEG TO FIX?! *TR

Mileage: 32,000

AT AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED KNOCKING WHEN TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SEEMED TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY TIGHTENING SOMETHING DOWN IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY, BUT LATER THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND THE ISSUE IS ADDRESSED IN TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN# ST001-08. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO ANOTHER DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT TODAY (5/22/09), AND THEY INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS A DEFECTIVE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS STANDARD WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGE, WHICH THEY SAID WAS AROUND $800 PARTS & LABOR. WHEN I ASKED IF IT WAS POSSIBLE IF THE SHAFT COULD FAIL COMPLETELY AT A LATER TIME, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW. AS THE NOISES SEEM TO BE GETTING LOUDER AS TIME GOES ON, IT INDICATES TO ME THAT THE SHAFT INTERLOCKS ARE WEARING OUT AND THERE IS A REAL POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE DOWN THE LINE. WITH THAT SAID, I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

CLANKING WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS. BEGAN TO OCCUR AT APPROX 45,000 MILES. STEERING COLUMN FEELS LOOSE WHEN SOUNDS APPEAR. IS THIS DANGEROUS?!?!? DEALER LOOKING FOR SERVICE BULLETIN. NEED RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

MY 2006 RAV4 WITH 21K MILES DEVELOPED STEERING CLUNKING SENSATION AT SLOW SPEEDS IN AUGUST 2008. BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IN MARCH 2009 WITH 25K MILES IT'S SLOWLY STARTING TO DEVELOPED SAME CONDITION. IT'S SCHEDULED FOR DEALER SERVICE SHORTLY BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION MUST BE APPLIED BY TOYOTA, HOPEFULLY THE DEALER WILL DO THAT. *TR

Mileage: 21,000

2006 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS A GRINDING/BINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER FEEL THAT THIS IS PERHAPS A DEFECT. *NJ THE DEALER DETERMINED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS WERE FAULTY. *JB

TOYOTA, 2006 RAV4 ... LOOSE STEERING ARMS. CAUSING CLUNKING NOISES WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEED. DON'T KNOW IF THIS GETS BAD ENOUGH TO FALL APART WHILE DRIVING? TOYOTA HAS A TSB OUT ON THIS. MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS TOPIC ONLINE. TOYOTA WANTS $800. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THESE CARS. ALSO VEHICLE HAS A 2 TO 3 SECOND HESITATION IF TRYING TO ACCELERATE DURING A LANE CHANGE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY CAR DOES THIS ALSO .. AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINS WITH THIS ISSUE ON LINE. SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. TOYOTA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS, THE CONTACT HEARS A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

Mileage: 43,000

I AM JUST ANOTHER CONSUMER WORRIED THAT MY 2006 RAV4 WILL SOMEHOW GIVE OUT ON MY CLIMB UP A MOUNTAIN AS EACH WEEK THE STEERING COLUMN IS GETTING WORSE, ITS TO THE POINT NOW WHERE UPON START AND DRIVE IT IS CLANGING AND SOUNDS AS IF IT WERE READY TO GIVE OUT AT ANY MOMENT, I HAVE A 2006 AND HAVE 50K ON IT, I DRIVE QUITE A FEW MILES ON THE JOB AND WONDER WHAT THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS WITH TOYOTA, THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM BUT SEEM TO BE WAITING FOR A TERRIBLE DISASTER BEFORE THEY CHALK IT UP AS A RECALL HOPEFULLY IT WONT END IN A TRAGIC DEATH BEFORE THIS IS DECIDED UPON. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

SINCE DAY ONE THERE WAS A KNOCKING/POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AT PARK AND LOW SPEEDS. I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND FINALLY, AND IRONICALLY, THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE NOISE. PREVIOUS TRIPS YIELDED THE EVER PRESENT "COULD NOT DUPLICATE". HOWEVER STEERING ADJUSTMENTS VIA AN ALIGNMENT WAS ATTEMPTED. COULD NOT DUPLICATE BUT TRIED SOMETHING ANYWAY? THE IRONIC PART ABOUT WHEN THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE NOISE IS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 4000 MILES PAST WARRANTY. FUNNY HOW SUCH AN OBVIOUS THING CAN GO UNNOTICED UNTIL WARRANTY EXPIRES. *TR

Mileage: 5

I PURCHASED A NEW 4 CYLINDER 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 IN APRIL 2006. AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES I NOTICED A SUBTLE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS AT A SLOW SPEED. WHEN THE SOUND CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND ALSO OCCURRED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING, I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. I HAVE NOW DONE SO 2 TIMES . THE MECHANICS ASSIGNED TO EVALUATE THE SITUATION AGREED THAT THERE WAS THE CLUNKING NOISE AND GAVE ME THE TOYOTA T-SB-0318-08. SINCE THE SITUATION HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WEAR ON PARTS. WE DRIVE ON MOUNTAIN ROADS WITH MANY CURVES. ARE WE SAFE? DOES TOYOTA HAVE PLANS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Mileage: 30,000

I BOUGHT A NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 V6 SPORT. AFTER A YEAR I GOT A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT WHEN I WAS TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED. I HAD AROUND 15,000 MILES. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME AFTER THE CHECK UP THAT IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. AFTER A YEAR MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR WAS SURPRISED BY THE NOISE. SHE HAD A NISSAN QUEST FOR 15 YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A BAD RIDE AT LOW SPEED. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT $1500 TO FIX IT. IS OUT OF WARRANTY. LOOK LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM GENERATED BY A BAD ENGINEERING DESIGN AND TOYOTA MFG. KNOWS ABOUT. WHY THEY DON'T STAY BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND RECALL IT FOR REPLACEMENT WITH A BETTER DESIGN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT? *TR

Mileage: 15,000

I HAVE 2006 RAV4 SPORT WITH 52K MILES ON IT THAT IS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURN AT LOW SPEEDS. THERE IS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE: ST001-08 FOR STEERING. I CAN LIVE WITH THE NOISE BUT I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS WILL BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL IF I DO NOT HAVE THIS REPLACED SINCE THE WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE EXPIRED AT 36K OR 36 MONTHS. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL OF HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHILE MAKING TURNS. OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS, THE NOISE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,248 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE OF EVENTS DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. IN AUGUST 2006, I PURCHASED FOR MY WIFE A NEW TOYOTA RAV 4/L4 AT 4X2. IN AUGUST 2007 (VEHICLE MILEAGE: 9,540), I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE CAR DEALER BECAUSE OF A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WHICH HAD TO BE ORDERED (PART # 45260-42090) AND INSTALLED. IN NOVEMBER 2007 (VEHICLE MILEAGE: 11,989), I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE SAME NOISE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IN DECEMBER 2007 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ONCE AGAIN (VEHICLE MILEAGE: 12,717) WITH STILL THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOISE. DEALER PERSONNEL DETERMINED A DAMAGED STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS ORDERED (PART # 45260-42090) AND INSTALLED FOR THE SECOND TIME. WE ARE NOW IN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND MY RAV 4 (VEHICLE MILEAGE: 20,855) IS BECOMING NOISY AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NO QUESTION IN MY MIND TAT THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. I HAVE NEVER BEEN INFORMED BY TOYOTA THAT RAV 4 VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT HAVE READ ONLINE THAT OTHER MODELS SUCH AS THE PRIUS HAVE BEEN RECALLED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 9,540

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE / LOOSE WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE SHAFT HAS NOT "FAILED" YET, HOWEVER IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN MADE YET, PARTS ARE BACKORDERED. VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3650 MILES, SO FAR TOYOTA WILL ONLY PAY HALF. *TR

Mileage: 39,500

CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. WAS OCCASIONAL AT FIRST NOW IS CONSISTENT. BROUGHT IN WHEN UNDER WARRANTY WHEN NOISE WAS INCONSISTENT NOW THAT NOISE IS CONSISTENT AND WARRANTY IS UP THEY WON'T PAY FOR IT. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

I COMPLAINED ABOUT A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DURING LOW SPEED TURNS. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE IT AND APPLIED GREASE TO THE STEERING COLUMN STOPS, DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. OF COURSE THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM ALMOST FROM DATE OF NEW PURCHASE. THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE STILL IS NO FIX FOR THESE CLUNKING NOISES. I BELIEVE IT IS A POORLY DESIGNED STEERING COLUMN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA 2006 RAV4 SPORT 6CYL. AWD 41,500 MI. *TR

Mileage: 500

I HAVE A 2006 RAV4 6 CYLINDER. WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE THE KNOCKING/CREAKING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AT SLOW SPEEDS. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO LOOK AT IT WHEN IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE BUT OF COURSE THEY COULD NOT HEAR THE PROBLEM. HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS DREADED "KNOCKING" NOISE WHEN TURNING AND ACCORDING TO THOSE PEOPLE, THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF MY RAV4 WHEN I MAKE LOW-TURN SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AMONG RAV4 CAR OWNERS THIS PROBLEM IS VERY WELL IDENTIFIED, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS URL: HTTP://RAV4WORLD.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=5820&POSTDAYS=0&POSTORDER=ASC&START=0 THAT DISCUSSION THREAD ALONE HAS ALMOST 150 MESSAGES ON THIS TOPIC, BUT MOST TOYOTA DEALERS CAN'T FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS LIKE A REAL PROBLEM, AND TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE A TSB OUT ON THIS, BUT IF THEY DO, I CAN'T FIND ONE. BECAUSE IT MAKES A LOT OF NOISE IT SEEMS DANGEROUS, BUT THE DEALER I'VE TAKEN IT TO HAS SAID "DON'T WORRY, IT WON'T GET YOU IN AN ACCIDENT OR LEAVE YOU STRANDED." IF THEY CAN'T IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN MAKE THAT STATEMENT. THANK YOU. *JB

Mileage: 28,000

CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS MOSTLY. SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING LEFT. CLUNKS 2 OR 3 TIMES ON THE TURN ,WHILE MAKING THE RIGHT TURN MOSTLY..IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME NOW .I TOOK MY CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND HAD A MECHANIC RIDE WITH ME .. I COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM MORE THEN A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT THE MECHANIC COULDN'T HEAR IT. HE SAID TO BRING IT BACK IF IT CONTINUES. TOYOTA HAS NO BULLETINS ON THIS PROBLEM FOR THE RAV4, HOWEVER THEY HAVE SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE PRIUS AND THE HIGHLANDER MODELS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM.. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, HE SAID THEY WEREN'T RELATED?? THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. *JB

Mileage: 13,500

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 2006 TOYOTA RAV4 ACCELERATED WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. ON 12/27/06 THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND HE WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 94000. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT END DAMAGE WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THEY CAN DIAGNOSE ERRORS IN THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT HAS A POLICE REPORT AND A REPAIR INVOICE FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT. *NM WHEN MAKING TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT HARD. THE DEALER ORDERED A POWER STEERING COMPUTER. *NM UPDATED 02/16/07.*JB

Mileage: 9,400

IN JUNE 2006, I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4 SPORT. GREAT VEHICLE. I DRIVE 100 MILES A DAY ROUND TRIP TO WORK. AS OF 1/12/07, THERE ARE 15,725 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. AROUND 12,500 MILES, I NOTICED A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEN MAKING A HARD RIGHT OR LEFT TURN (TURNING INTO A PARKING PLACE OR MY DRIVEWAY). I TALKED WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THE FIRST ATTEMPT WAS TO HEAVILY LUBRICATE THE STEERING AS I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS DRY. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED FOR AN OIL AND LUBE EVERY 4,000 MILES. THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT. THE DEALER FORGOT TO ORDER THE PART. AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF, I CALLED TO FIND OUT THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AS THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. WHEN I ASKED IF I WAS SAFE DRIVING 100 MILES A DAY, AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT A SAFE SPEED OF 40 MPH. (I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT I WOULD BE KILLED ON THE FLORIDA ROADS IF I DROVE THAT SLOW. - THEY AGREED.) AGAIN, I ASKED IF I WAS SAFE. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER, THAT THEY WOULD SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO. I WAS CALLED WITHIN AN HOUR AND TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD BE IN WITHIN A WEEK. THE NEW RACK AND PINION UNIT AND GEARS WERE INSTALLED YESTERDAY. ADDITIONALLY, A RECOMMENDED WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS DONE, AND IT FEELS AS IF THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE FEELS GOOD, BUT THE CRUNCHING NOISE IS STILL THERE. DOES TOYOTA HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ON THESE VEHICLES? IF SO, I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED. I TRADED MY CHRYSLER FOR THE TOYOTA SO THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ALL OF THE TIME. THE REAL QUESTION IS: AM I SAFE????? *NM

Mileage: 12,500