Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 6 | 4% | 74,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2020 | 10 | 2% | 22,000 miles |
| 2019 | 16 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% | 15,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 21,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% | 36,000 miles |
| 2011 | 16 | 6% | 75,000 miles |
| 2010 | 101 | 25% | 52,000 miles |
| 2009 | 55 | 17% | 66,000 miles |
| 2008 | 81 | 14% | 75,000 miles |
| 2007 | 125 | 12% | 92,000 miles |
| 2006 | 73 | 10% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% | 128,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% | 150,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% | 96,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% | 120,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% | 59,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
* The suspension camber is extremely off from the factory * The tires are wearing abnormally, causing the steel mesh to become exposed while the tire still appears healthy from the outside * Yes, the problem has been reproduced, and is widespread * Yes, it's been inspected by the dealership, and Toyota corporate is doing everything they can to deny fixing it. * There were no warnings, and despite almost a dozen visits to dealerships for service, no one brought it up until I was outside the warranty coverage time.
2024 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD, VIN [redacted]. Steering defect appeared at approximately 12,000 miles (April 2025). Vehicle pulls significantly to the right, requiring constant steering correction. Driver must continuously hold left side of steering wheel to maintain straight path. If steering wheel released, vehicle immediately drifts right. Pull is constant and especially noticeable at highway speeds. THREE REPAIR ATTEMPTS FAILED: June 2025 (14,715 miles): Two wheel alignments performed same day - both failed to correct pull. November 2025 (16,091 miles): Replaced blown passenger rear shock absorber - pull persisted. December 2025 (16,819 miles): Performed 10+ wheel alignments. Toyota Corporate Technical Assistance filed case #53530239 and instructed ABS/SAS reset - failed. Technicians documented "rear suspension binding" but did not mechanically repair. …
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was swaying back and forth. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle became inoperable and failed to properly switch lanes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front and rear wheel alignment had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
Car loses traction over minor imperfections in the road. When braking and dropping speeds to 20-30 MPH, car will lose traction over imperfection in the road, causing the ABS to engage. The car shutters and grinds/vibrates until traction is regained. With an AWD system, a minor 6-inch drop in the road due to a pot hole or dip should not cause traction to be lost. The car consistently loses traction when braking and 1 tire runs over imperfection in the road (pot hole, dip, uneven pavement, etc.). If car drives over speed bump (which keeps tires aligned), car does not lose traction. Issue is only present if 1 tire different than the other 3 which shows instability of the vehicle. Issue has been verified by manufacturer and has shown up in the car log. Dealer said that the car recorded a loss of traction 4 times in the last month. …
I went to get my car aligned and new tires as i noticed the rear tire was completely bald on the inside rear. I was advised by the tire shop that they cannot adjust the rear camber. So i took it to the dealership and they advised me that itis not adjustable and they would need to do another alignment and place shims to get the adjustment right. This was a brand new car when i got it. Always up to date on all the services. I also looked it up and its being said on a-lot of websites that a bunch of these vehicles was shipped out of alignment. They will not fix it without me paying for one of their mistakes because they say its maintenance. Maintenance is not modifying a vehicle to get the alignment correct. It has to be a safety issue because someone is going to have a tire fly apart because of tremendous early wear
Driving home at [redacted] on [redacted] from Winters CA to Davis CA with a temperature of 55 degrees F and some rain in the area. The sunroof exploded. A large bang happened. Pulled over nothing hit the sunroof, and the glass was protruding outward (not inward which would have happened if the glass was hit from an object from above). The sunroof was part of the new car when we purchased it.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and turning right onto a main road, there was a loud clicking noise coming from under the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the noise was intermittent. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V286000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, there was water leaking from the sunroof. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that front alignment was needed, and that the roof rails needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,782.
Related recalls (4)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota RAV4 years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (125), 2010 (101), 2008 (81), 2006 (73) and 2009 (55) model years. Suspension complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Toyota RAV4 suspension problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 20V-286 (lower arm, May 20, 2020); 16V-596 (rear, Aug 12, 2016); 13V-383 (rear, Aug 28, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota RAV4 suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear (12 mentions), followed by the front (5).
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.