Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
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 that the vehicle could not be aligned. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V596000 (Suspension). The vehicle was taken to a tire shop, and the contact was informed that the rear tie rods were welded, and an alignment was impossible. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 182,342.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while installing new tires on the vehicle, the mechanic stated that the wheel bearings fractured and that both front axles were rusted. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, and it was confirmed that the wheel bearings were fractured and that the front axles were rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted, and the contact left a message. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 179,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the sound was coming from the tires. The contact was informed that no issues were found. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Subframe rusted in half, the only way I found it was when we put new shocks on it. It peeled off about 1/2 the tread on a brand new tire. Dangerous, if passengers side rear tire would've broke loose it would throw rear of car into oncoming traffic!
While driving straight down the highway the there was a pop sound in the back of the vehicle and I was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. This lead to the RAV4 coming to a stop after impaling on guardrail from freeway speeds. Upon inspection it appeared that the rear left wheel was the cause and was at an angle instead of being perpendicular to the ground like the rest of the wheels.
Rear tie rod (suspension arm) disconnected while driving 60 MPH causing driver to lose control and spin off highway. Vehicle was serviced in February 2015 for the recall (13V383000) that addresses rear suspension arm adjustment.
We were driving 55mph on highway 168 in north carolina north towards virginia coming home from vacation in the outer banks, nc. We were driving in left lane passing a Jeep, pulling a small trailer, in the right lane when we heard a pop and the car started to swerve to the right. Our car struck the Jeep on the driver's side turning the Jeep so it ended up in front of us. Both vehicles finally came to a stop after I applied the brakes. After checking on the passengers (my wife, two children and our dog) in our car and Jeep passengers, I went to move the car at the request of the police and the driver's side rear tire collapsed in at the top at about a 45 degree angle. Thankfully nobody was hurt. After having the car put onto the flat bed tow truck by aaa, the aaa employee and I could see under the car and noticed the rear tie rod was completely separate in two pieces. …
Our 2007 RAV4 was serviced at a Toyota service center on 8/11/2015. The rear alignment was found to be outside of the specified range. The rear suspension arms (tie rods) were inspected and the alignment was adjusted last year as part of recall 13v-383. An epoxy was applied to make these parts non-adjustable and seal them to prevent corrosion that has LED to part failures. Both rear tie rods on our vehicle had actually been replaced in January 2012 after such a failure caused us to crash. Correcting the rear alignment now requires replacing these parts again and re-applying the epoxy from recall 13v-383, at the owner's expense. I was quoted $750 + tax ($660 on top of the usual $90 alignment charge). We have not yet had this fixed. I wrote to daniel c. Smith of NHTSA in June to point out this problem based on other reports, before realizing our vehicle would have the same issue. …
77000 mile lower control arms with bushings went bad ,lower ball joints bad inner & outer tie rods bad , sway bar end links ball joints bad.alignment & re-balanced tires after replacement .began swaying in road fighting steering on every bump with dipping of front end & vibration badly of car especially steering wheel , worn new tires on outsides .complete records in Toyota vehicle repair service site.total cost so far for the above is 158.00 plus 44.95 plus 1 week down time, due to all joints bad and vibrations and swaying around has caused the cv shafts to get loose good shake and not in to out sideways direction - up to down they have slight play and hear a clunk both ways (to be replaced when have money will be another 150 to 195 bucks and another day or 2 down time, not sure of front wheel bearings yet or the rear sway bar all them links , this is how bad the swaying got so needs …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving 35mph there was a clunking noise coming from the left rear of the vehicle. The vehicle became uncontrollable and suddenly spun out at a 180 degree and crashed into the curb. No injuries were reported. The air bags did not deploy and there was no warning light illuminating. The contact stated he inspects the vehicle and there was damages to both rims and rear tires, and the lower left control arm broke. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but the insurance company inspected the vehicle and stated it was the lower control arm and both rear rims and wheels of the vehicle. The contact stated he received a recall notice prior to the accident for recall NHTSA campaign id number: 12V373000 (suspension: rear). However, he did not take the vehicle in for inspection of the recall. …
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016.
Suspension › Rear
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tie rods and replace any that have rust or corrosion on the alignment adjustment threads.
Suspension › Rear
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose.
NHTSA investigations
Rear Suspension Arm Assembly Failure
In a letter dated August 1, 2012 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (Toyota) submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall No. 12V-373) to the NHTSA identifying a safety defect regarding possible separation of the Rear Suspension Arm No.
Suspension complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2007 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 125 complaints about the suspension of the 2007 Toyota RAV4, 12% of the model year's 1,004 complaints. The component named most often is rear (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Toyota RAV4 suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-596 (rear, Aug 12, 2016); NHTSA recall 13V-383 (rear, Aug 28, 2013); NHTSA recall 12V-373 (rear, Aug 2, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Toyota RAV4 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.