2007 Toyota RAV4 Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Linkages › Tie rod assembly
  2
• Column
  2
• Electric power assist system
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  3314%
• 25k–50k
  9039%
• 50k–75k
  5524%
• 75k–100k
  2411%
• 100k–150k
  219%
• 150k+
  52%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 222,822.

while driving down the big bear mountain, the vehicle lost power steering i could not turn the wheel and hit the railing, thank god i didn't hit another car. The battery light was flashing steering locked up other dash lights came on. The mechanic could not give me any answers, Toyota says there is no recall on this and after reading other complaints about the 2007 Toyota RAV 4 i am shocked that the dealership has nothing to say and can not fix the problem, this is so dangerous and i am at a loss on how to fix the problem. who has to die for them to take this problem seriously!!!

My 2007 Toyota RAV4 has some clunky noise around 46,000 miles, but recently it is getting louder. It becomes a major concern for my family and me; therefore, I have brought it in to a car repair shop (Firestone) to have it diagnosed. The result came back to be the steering intermediate shaft and rack. I called Toyota dealership to have it repaired, but they said that if I only have a extended warranty they will repair it with free of charge and that the warranty only covers up to 36,000 miles. If not, they will charge another 130 some dollars to just diagnosed again, but will waive it once I do the repair with them. After doing a little research on the internet, it appears that more people has the same problem. It seems to be a wider problem for this type model of car. …

I receive letter by mail, about takada air bags, and thanks because dealers,never mention that part,and is unfair, special went buy a used car,and pay more money,,well receive a few months later a recall for compsuption motor oil, need to be done, and tried 2 or 3 times,but the advisor and tech,are mero worry about fixed uncover warranty repairs, because transmission goes bad,tow 140 to dealer,and make all kind ot tricks to make me paid,finally they admit to fixed but charge me $618.00 for alignment the 4 tires,replace rear seal, the intake fuel sys and use the word, per customer request,customer authorized, but never comment oh if you don't follow the tech recommends,warranty is going to avoid,decline the repair, and get service history and found they did all the work for the car recalls to,and I'm the only owner,but buy the car in 2015 with 80,000 miles and a lot of …

I was traveling down arrow hwy in the rain when my electrical system failed. I lost power from both my alternator and battery intermittently. I was coasting down to an approaching intersection when I made the descision to turn right at the intersection. The steering was so hard that I nearing hit the center divide. My windshield wipers were barely working and many of my dash icons were coming on randomly. Through it all, my engine continued to run and I made to the next street that turned into condos that had parking spaces. I shut my engine off and tried a restart. The engine,of course,did not start. After being hauled to the nearest Toyota dealer they diagnosed the problem as an alternator that shorted the battery. Having a little experience in this electrical area, I understand how this can happen but with proper design it could have been avoided. …

Audible clunk sound in the steering when turning the steering wheel. The driver can also feel a knock through the steering wheel. I am worried that this is a safety issue. This appears to be a common issue for this model and year (e.g., about 40 complaints of this kind have been filed for 2007 rav4s on carcomplaints.com). It appears to be related to the intermediate steering shaft; Toyota has for example issued TSB 0318 08 to address this problem. According to our Toyota dealership, it is due to a shaft tolerance that is too loose; the clunk sound would only be an annoyance, but not a safety concern. Given that the steering is critical for control and safe operations of the car, I feel that any noise in the steering might indicate a serious problem that needs to be addressed. …

Left front input seal has leaked fluid twice now. First time was 9/25/2012 @ 56,516 miles. Second time was on 1/12/2016 @ 101,753 miles. My independent auto repair service, coram precision auto of coram, ny went to Toyota to get the seal needed to fix the leak both times and asked Toyota parts counter if they knew of a recall and they said no. Then they asked why they had so many seals in stock if there had been no recalls. I am on this website and don't see any recalls either but I wonder if any complaints have been filed. Note: I have several recalls for my Toyota RAV4 for gas pedal and now for the 'rear differential coupling' which extends my warrantee until 2017 from Toyota and from NHTSA for my drivers side air bag in 2014 but can't find anything on this wed site. Please follow up with me on the seal problem and if the airbag needs to be replaced. …

Noticed clunking in steering when turning either right or left. Looked up problem on internet and found that it is a huge problem with these vehicles. According to internet there over 400,000 complaints. Called Toyota and was told there is a technical bulletin on the problem and it requires replacing steering shaft. I also read on the internet that vehicles who replaced the intermediate steering shaft often have to replace it again. This seems to me that Toyota can not fix the original problem and now it becomes the owners responsibility to keep on changing an intricate part to driving their vehicles. Why with so many failures hasn't your agency warned the public or is NHTSA saying there is no issue or safety concern. Please inform me that this issue is not a problem and I should not have to worry about it and I don't have to spend $800.00 to fix it.

I was just in a serious car accident where I lost steering and control of my vehicle. After reading online about the knocking in the steering from other owners, I believe I had the same problem. Although noone was seriously injured I am worried about other drivers safety. My car and two others were totaled. I have my car serviced for regular maintenance at the same Toyota dealer and I think that they should have noticed something with the steering and checked it . I just had a 50000 mile checkup. I really feel something is wrong here that alot of people are having the same problem and it can be fatal. I am lucky that I was not on the highway. My car did go into oncoming traffic though. I hope someone knows how to get ahold of me and help me with this problem. But just to say everyone else, please be careful.

When I back up on any kind of an incline, the car jerks and the steering wheel shakes. It feels like I have "hit" something it jerks so badly. If I let off the gas pedal, it stops the jerking but the minute I press the gas pedal again, it jerks again and makes a terrible noise. I can still back up but it feels like the underside of my car is falling out. It's been going on since I purchased it used 2 years ago. I kept thinking it was me until I googled it today and saw several other people have the same issue. I feel it's unsafe and Toyota needs to take care of it. My vehicle already qualified for the oil consumption issue and was repaired earlier this year. Needs to be a national recall and fixed properly.

Steering complaints in other RAV4 years