Unsafe defects malfunction

- Norwalk, CT, USA

Toyota defects malfunctioning

- Norwalk, CT, USA

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.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Steering column clunking noise when turning the wheel. On-going issue since December 2015.

- Arlington, VA, USA

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.

- Mt Gilead, OH, USA

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.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

Good afternoon, Toyota defects and malfunctions. Please, improve safety performance. Thank you for helping.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

Hear clunk type noise when turn in the steering wheel left or right

- San Francisco, CA, USA

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.

- Missoula, MT, USA

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.

- Crawfordsville, IN, USA

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.

- Chantilly, VA, USA

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).

- Troy, VT, USA

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.

- Coamo, PR, USA

Steering clunking noise and looseness.

- Bronx, NY, USA

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.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

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.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

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!

- Arlington, TX, USA

Clunking noises when turning steering wheel either sitting stationary or moving.

- Catawissa, PA, USA

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)

- Duffield, VA, USA

My Rav4 makes an annoying knocking/popping sound when I turn the steering wheel at low speeds.

- Albany, CA, USA