Problems with 2006 Toyota RAV4 STEERING

Clunking noise in steering wheel when turning right at slow speeds mostly. sometimes when turning left. clunks 2 or 3 times on the turn ,while making the right turn mostly..it does this all the time now .i took my car to a toyota dealer a couple of weeks ago and had a mechanic ride with me .. i could not duplicate problem more then a couple of times, but the mechanic couldn't hear it. he said to bring it back if it continues. toyota has no bulletins on this problem for the rav4, however they have service bulletins on the prius and the highlander models on this same problem.. i mentioned this to the dealer, he said they weren't related?? thank you for your interest. *jb

I bought a new 2006 toyota rav4 v6 sport. after a year i got a clunking noise from the steering shaft when i was turning left or right at low speed. i had around 15,000 miles. i went to the dealer and they told me after the check up that is nothing wrong with the steering system. after a year my wife drove the car was surprised by the noise. she had a nissan quest for 15 years and never experienced such a bad ride at low speed. i went back to the dealer and they gave me an estimate of about $1500 to fix it. is out of warranty. look like there is a problem generated by a bad engineering design and toyota mfg. knows about. why they don't stay behind their product and recall it for replacement with a better design intermediate steering shaft? *tr

Toyota rav4 steering column clunking noise. *tr

Clunking noise in steering when turning left or right. was occasional at first now is consistent. brought in when under warranty when noise was inconsistent now that noise is consistent and warranty is up they won't pay for it. *tr

Toyota tsb-0308-08 for a steering clunk on 2006 and later toyota rav4's should be a recall, before steering goes out in these vehicles. the tsb indicates that "beefed up" steering shafts have been produced to solve the problem. but many cars are now "out of warranty" because the dealers claimed not to be able to hear the noise. now that many of these cars are out of warranty, the cost to fix is excessive. toyota needs to address and fix this problem on all affected vehicles before there is a fatality from it. any toyota forum on the internet has scores of complaints from rav4 owners, and stories of indifference on the part of the toyota dealers. problem: steering audible clunk and the fell of the clunk, while turning left of right at low speeds. *tr

Like many other 2006 rav4 owners, i have experience the so-called "clunking" noise with the steering column. this appear to be a know problem (design flaw) with this model, yet toyota fail to take full responsibility and initiative to correct the problem. do we have to experience such catastrophic events as the "acceleration issue", before toyota decide to do something about it? *tr

Early on in ownership of the vehicle a light 'clunking' noise could be heard while turning the vehicle. noise progressively became worse. i repeatedly reported the incident twice to the dealership - toyota lake city, seattle, wa, prior to expiration of vehicle warranty. every time i was advised the dealership staff was "unable to duplicate the issue". currently, the noise is extremely loud, and there's a 'popping' feel in the steering column/steering wheel, coupled with a loud clunk. i'm concerned for my, and my family's safety, however i don't have $800.00 to repair an item which shouldn't be having issues. note: i have a 2010 toyota rav4 vin#[xxx], which is beginning to experience the same issue as 2006 toyota rav4. i have researched this issue and toyota is fully aware of the issue via tsb# st001-08. toyota has developed a "new" steering shaft which remedies the issue. this should be a recall, for it impacts a large majority of the rav4 owners - another toyota issue which they know about, but try to hide! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

When i make a turn at slower speeds there is a loud clunk coming from the tires and i feel it in the steering wheel. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. the contact noticed a knocking sound from the steering column. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the steering column and ecu motor needed to be replaced. there was a related service bulletin. the contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. the contact was unable to drive the vehicle due to the failure. the current and failure mileages were approximately 60,000.

My 2006 rav 4 has had a series of front end problems dating from jan 2007 to april 2009. it had been in the shop 9 times (warranty work) with numerous parts being replaced before toyota had their southern california rep come and look at it. they ended up replacing just about all of the front end component parts except the steering. that was the 10th time the car was in. now after 21 months the sound is back and i can even feel vibration knock in the steering. this car was purchased new in july 2006. mileage at the first sign of trouble was 4847. mileage in april 2009 was 26737. current mileage is 41800. i don't feel safe driving this car with the feeling that something is going to break while i'm making a sharp turn. *tr

In june 2006, i purchased a new 2006 toyota rav 4 sport. great vehicle. i drive 100 miles a day round trip to work. as of 1/12/07, there are 15,725 miles on the vehicle. around 12,500 miles, i noticed a strange grinding noise coming from the steering when making a hard right or left turn (turning into a parking place or my driveway). i talked with the toyota dealer and the first attempt was to heavily lubricate the steering as i was told everything was dry. the car had been serviced for an oil and lube every 4,000 miles. this did not resolve the issue. i was told that i needed a new rack and pinion steering unit. the dealer forgot to order the part. after a week and a half, i called to find out that the part was on back order as there have been a number of problems with the vehicle's steering. when i asked if i was safe driving 100 miles a day, at speeds of 70 mph on the florida turnpike, i was told to drive the vehicle at a safe speed of 40 mph. (i informed the dealer that i would be killed on the florida roads if i drove that slow. - they agreed.) again, i asked if i was safe. then i was told that although the part was on backorder, that they would see what they could do. i was called within an hour and told that the part would be in within a week. the new rack and pinion unit and gears were installed yesterday. additionally, a recommended wheel alignment was done, and it feels as if the front brakes were adjusted. the vehicle feels good, but the crunching noise is still there. does toyota have a problem with the steering on these vehicles? if so, i am really disappointed. i traded my chrysler for the toyota so that i would not have to go to the dealer for service all of the time. the real question is: am i safe????? *nm

The intermediate steering shaft has been loose since 30,000 miles on my 2006 toyota rav 4. there was a service bulliten out, but the mechanic claimed that he could not reproduce the problem. it causes inconsistant steering when backing up and turning. i am concerned that this could cause a complete loss of steering capability at high speeds. this has been a widely reported problem with the toyota rav 4 and toyota will not replace the part.

Tl* - the contact stated that his 2006 toyota rav4 accelerated while his foot was on the brake. the contact took the vehicle to dealer and the computer was replaced. on 12/27/06 the contact stated he was involved in an accident. while his foot was on the brake and he was stopped at a light, the vehicle lurched forward and struck the vehicle in front of him. the contact heard a loud noise before the incident. the failure mileage on the vehicle was 94000. the contact was able to drive the vehicle. there was damage to the front of the vehicle. the dealer told the contact that the front end damage will need to be repaired before they can diagnose errors in the computer. the contact has a police report and a repair invoice from the first incident. *nm when making turns left or right the consumer indicated that the steering wheel felt hard. the dealer ordered a power steering computer. *nm updated 02/16/07.*jb

I am just another consumer worried that my 2006 rav4 will somehow give out on my climb up a mountain as each week the steering column is getting worse, its to the point now where upon start and drive it is clanging and sounds as if it were ready to give out at any moment, i have a 2006 and have 50k on it, i drive quite a few miles on the job and wonder what the thought process is with toyota, they know of the problem but seem to be waiting for a terrible disaster before they chalk it up as a recall hopefully it wont end in a tragic death before this is decided upon. *tr

Toyota, 2006 rav4 ... loose steering arms. causing clunking noises while turning at low speed. don't know if this gets bad enough to fall apart while driving? toyota has a tsb out on this. many many complaints on this topic online. toyota wants $800. to fix this problem. i think they should do a recall on these cars. also vehicle has a 2 to 3 second hesitation if trying to accelerate during a lane change or something similar. this is a safety issue. my car does this also .. and numerous complains with this issue on line. should be a recall for this. toyota won't acknowledge there is a problem with this. *tr

Intermediate steering linkage makes a popping noise. condition has been addressed under tsb st 001-08: however this condition has grown steadily worse and we fear may lead to steering failure. toyota dealer will not repair under 36,000 mile warranty as 36 months have elapsed since our purchase of this new car. please add our complaint to your data base with the hope that toyota can be forced to issue a recall for this factory steering defect. *tr

My 2006 toyota rav 4 has steering problems. the steering column is loose and toyota will not fix it.$1700 to fix it, don,t have money. could come apart? there has been lots of complaints about the rav 4,they need to do a recall. *tr

I complained about a clunking noise in the steering column during low speed turns. the dealer could not locate it and applied grease to the steering column stops, did not fix the problem. of course this has been a constant problem almost from date of new purchase. the car is now out of warranty and there still is no fix for these clunking noises. i believe it is a poorly designed steering column and should be recalled by toyota 2006 rav4 sport 6cyl. awd 41,500 mi. *tr

Clunking noise coming from front end any time i do a slow turn. sounds as though something in the steering mechanics is slipping out of joint. *tr

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. *tr

I am hearing a clunk/noise when rotating my steering at very low speeds for the past few weeks. i took my vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis and was advised that the steering column needs to be replaced. based on my research in the internet it looks like it is a very common issue with this model of rav4's. *tr

When first driving my new 2006 toyota rav4, i noticed at slow speeds it would sometimes accelerate when i hit the brake. i attributed this to big feet and a new car where i did not yet master the relative positions of the pedals. i started driving with two feet, just as i was taught as a teenager in drivers ed. occasionally, this has happened again in the ensuing 3 years. until this unintended acceleration problem came to light in 2010, i thought it was just "operator error." now, i am beginning to think there is some defect - maybe it's hardware linkages, but i suspect there is a software problem in the electronic computer of the car. i also had the steering mid-shaft problem after warranty and screamed until they fixed it under warranty for $50. there was also a "runaway" fuel pump service bulletin i made them cover as well. i have worked with toyota quality engineers since the 1980s and am disgusted by their responses reported in this odi site. toyota's claim to fame was there quality and customer focus. looks like the current generation of toyota people have lost this, and that points directly to top management there. shame, shame, shame. as they say in japanese, they are "on shirazu" (do not understand their obligation to their customers). *tr

While making a turn of a highway exit, my steering wheel locked, on the 4th day of owning my brand new vehicle. not only was i talked down to and treated rudely by toyota staff, i was dismissed, as if this was not a serious concern. toyota did fix the vehicle, and assured me that this would not happen again. only a few months later, my car was back at toyota, will rotten struts, on a 6 month old vehicle. again the struts were replaced, but there was no help from toyota will acknowledging that this vehicle was clearly faulty and dangerous to drive. 2 years to the month of purchase, the steering wheel locked on me again while driving, this time toyota replaced the computer, being sure to state a different reason for the same issue, to insure that my vehicle did not qualify for the lemon law. now, less that 2 years after the 2nd instance, the steering wheel locked for a 3rd time while driving. i am very lucky to be alive, and that in all 3 instances there were no other vehicles in close proximity to me, and i was on an open road, where i was able to come to a stop before seriously injuring myself or others. after this many repeat serious issues, i can't understand how no one at toyota cares to further look into the recall of this vehicle or replacement of. if i had actually crashed or god for bid been seriously injured, i'm sure that my claims would have been taken seriously. why does someone have to die, before toyota can take responsibility for a defaulted vehicle? *tr