2008 Toyota RAV4 Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Rear
  3

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  410%
• 25k–50k
  37%
• 50k–75k
  1229%
• 75k–100k
  820%
• 100k–150k
  1332%
• 150k+
  12%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to drive in a straight line and would erroneously drift out of the lane. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear suspension was faulty and needed to be repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 16V596000 (Suspension) however, the failure occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.

My 2008 Toyota rav 4 had a recall for the rear lower control arms, the first recall was around jan. 12, 2013. (64,306) miles. At this time Toyota tightened the control arms to the correct torque and I believe completed alignment. About 1 yr later, on jan.17, 2014 (78,847) miles, the lower control arms where replaced, alignment was done, and epoxy was applied to the bolts for a permanent fix approved by Toyota. When having my brakes replaced at Toyota dealer on May 17, 2015 (101,475) miles, they informed me my rear alignment was out slightly. I was told the only way to fix this is to have the same job done, as was done in January 2014, at a cost of approx. $900.00. I was told I must have hit a pot hole?? This was a Toyota recall for a defect on their part with their parts. Obviously, the permanent fix didn't work. …

I would like to file a complaint about Toyota hampton dealership in town, lafayette, la. [phone] (service). My wife and I have called this number multiple times and have been transferred several times but reached nowhere. We have left multiple messages but don't receive any phone call back from them. My wife even went there to make an appointment but they simply told her that they don't have opening. This is regarding a safety recall for our car. I am hoping that this recall is not an emergency issue but the customer service we received at this dealership was very strange. Answering service is a joke and people working there have an issue with foreigners. All I am concerned with is that I want the recall issue to be taken care of and I am not going there to make friends. I could care less if they treat me like outsiders. …

Completed recall at dealership on 11/11/14 for rear lower suspension arm and the left wheel camber went in at -0*50 (well within specifications) and came out at -1*49 just barely within specifications( just noticed today because it failed an alignment test). Today, 2/2/15 (3 months and 2100 miles later) it is now not within specifications at -1*52. I complained to the service manager and was told that the fix to the rear lower suspension arm was a permanent fix and the car's rear alignment can no longer be changed because of the fix. I can't believe the dealership, as well as, Toyota would allow a permanent fix to a vehicle that was barely within specifications knowing that the fix was permanent. Now there is a high probably, that the tires on my car will not wear properly and the toe will be out as well.

Alignment on rear wheels cannot be performed because of safety recall performed by Toyota on my 2008 RAV4. The recall was to correct a safety issue on the rear lower suspension arms. The remedy for this issue does not allow for any adjustment to correct out of alignment on the rear of vehicle. This is an absurd correction of a problem. Why aren't all 2006-2011 RAV4 owners up in arms about the inability to align the rear of their vehicles? No RAV4 owner should accept the premature, uneven wearing of tires because Toyota cannot properly fix their manufacturing problem. Premature tire wear is not only costly to the consumer it also creates a potential safety issue with tire failure and impaired accident avoidance.

After second recall on rear suspension that occurred in November 2016, I had to replace my tires about 20K miles prematurely because of excessive wear on inside rim. When I went to have it aligned, I was told that the parts that would have been adjusted to align them had stickers on them identifying them as having been part of the recall and saying that they are now non adjustable. When I called Toyota, I was told that it was not their problem because I must have driven over a curb or a pothole before the epoxy had set in order for the car to come out of alignment. So apparently now if I drive over a pothole, instead of a >$100 alignment bill, I will have a $1000 bill to replace the rear suspension. Unacceptable.

NHTSA recall number: 16V596 recall date: August 10, 2016 manufacturer recall number: g0v quote "the remedy will involve the replacement of both suspension arms and encasing them in epoxy. An alignment will be performed, as well, and warning labels will be applied. " this is obviously unacceptable, as encasing them in epoxy will negate any ability to align the suspension for the remainder of the life of the vehicle. If this is occurring on this model how many others are identical, if no other model has issue, then issue new parts that have those design aspects incorporated.

A rod in the right rear suspension failed while driving. My mechanic informed me it was part replaced in a safety recall, and that the left side part was near failure as well. This recall occurred in 20124 and is labeled csj. My mechanic recommended I contact Toyota. Toyota told me there was no further action on this recall and the recall replacement warranty had expired. More importantly, they had no interest in the safety aspect; they did not seem concerned that parts on both sides had were failing and that this might be a safety hazard for others.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota RAV4. While driving at 65 MPH, the rear of the vehicle swayed left to right. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the bolt that attached the rear passenger's side tie rod to the vehicle had detached. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the bolt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13V383000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000. Updated 01/20/16

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13V383000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have all four tires replaced. The mechanic stated that the rear tires could not be aligned due to the epoxy from the recall remedy. As a result, the lower control arms needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Suspension complaints in other RAV4 years