Toyota RAV4 Complaints (2007)

1,004 consumer complaints on file.

#10369616December 8, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SLOW DOWN IT ACCELERATED INTO AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATE THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS A PART OF ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368349November 30, 2010
STEERING
2007 TOYOTA RAV4 (46K MILES) STEERING MAKES POPPING AND CRACKING SOUND DURING STOPPED AND LOW SPEED TURNS. TOYOTA ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IN OCTOBER 2008 ALLOWING FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ONLY IF CUSTOMER COMPLAINED. IT APPEARS TOYOTA WAS BETTING THE PART FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AFTER THE 3 YEAR 36K MILE WARRANTY. TOYOTA REDESIGNED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. A STEERING COMPONENT DEFECT APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WOULD WARRANT A RECALL. TOYOTA QUOTED A $480 REPAIR COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368050November 28, 2010
STEERING
I RECENTLY REPLACE BOTH INTERMEDIATE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT IN MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 DUE TO EXCESSIVE CLICKING NOISE AND DISTURBING FEEDBACK ON STEERING WHEEL. CAR HAS 49K MILES ON IT, NOTICE THE ISSUE AROUND 45K MILES BUT UNFORTUNATELY A LOCAL MECHANIC MISDIAGNOISED THE PROBLEM AS A TIE ROD ISSUE. AS THE NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL FEEDBACK BECAME MORE SERIOUS, I WENT TO DEALER FOR EVALUATION. GIVEN THE DANGERS AROUND LOSS OF STEERING WHEEL AND POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS CRASH, I BELIEVE THIS WEAR AND TEAM ON THE STEERING SHAFT IS WAY TO PREMATURE AT THIS AGE. I HAVE NEVER HAD STEERING WHEEL DEFECT IN OVER 8 CARS I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 30 YEARS ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 4 YEARS OLD. PART REPLACED INCLUDED BOTH STEERING WHEEL SHAFT AND ASSEMBLY AT TOYOTA DEALER WITH NEW PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367972November 27, 2010
STEERING
THERE IS A CHRONIC CLICKING/CLUNKING SOUND ON THE STEERING COLUMN AS IT IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT AS THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. MIGHT BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE OVER THE SHORT OR LONG TERM. DO WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH HAPPENS BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS LOOKED AT? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366372November 16, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. HOURS LATER, HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE BATTERY WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. WHENEVER HE WOULD MAKE A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO MADE A "CLANKING" NOISE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365850November 15, 2010
STEERING
KNOCKING AND BANGING NOISES WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. SOMETIMES WHEN GOING OVER MINOR BUMPS IN THE ROAD. MOST NOTICEABLE AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366210November 14, 2010
STEERING
AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES WE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. AT 69,457 MILES WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. HE INFORMED US THE STEERING SHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $456.00 WITH A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AFTER ASKING ABOUT A POSSIBLE STEERING DEFECT I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL MAINTENANCE. WITHOUT A REPAIR I AM AFRAID I MIGHT LOOSE MY STEERING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363423October 31, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LAST NIGHT, MY RAV4 BATTERY DIED DUE PRESUMABLY TO THE REAR DOOR LIGHT GETTING ACCIDENTALLY TURNED ON. UPON JUMP STARTING THE CAR, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. I DROVE IT HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THEN, THIS MORNING, THE BATTERY WAS NOT QUITE UP HIGH ENOUGH TO START THE CAR, SO I JUMP STARTED IT AGAIN. IT STARTED, BUT A FEW HUNDRED FEET AWAY, I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKE ASSIST. IT REQUIRED EVERY OUNCE OF FORCE I COULD MUSTER TO TURN THE VEHICLE AROUND AND GET IT BACK TO MY HOUSE. THANKFULLY, THIS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS NEAR MY HOUSE AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT OR THE CHP WOULD HAVE BEEN SCRAPING ME OFF A BRIDGE POST. THE RAV4 CANNOT REALISTICALLY BE STEERED BY AN AVERAGE PERSON WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST BECAUSE OF THE GEARING RATIO, MAKING THIS A VERY SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. IF A VEHICLE CANNOT SAFELY OPERATE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT OPERATE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT, BECAUSE THE BATTERY PLAYS AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN POWER SMOOTHING, AND BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKE PUMPS ARE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED, A LOW BATTERY CAN RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKE PUMPS WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL FUNCTIONAL. THIS CAN EASILY RESULT IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE BARRELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 80 MPH. I BELIEVE THAT FIXING THIS PROBLEM REQUIRES A FUNDAMENTAL REDESIGN OF THE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PUMPS TO ADD ADDITIONAL CAPACITORS SO THAT THE BATTERY IS NOT PLAYING SUCH A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SMOOTHING OUT THE PULSATING DC FROM THE ALTERNATOR ALONG WITH THE ADDITION OF SENSOR HARDWARE TO DETECT A LOW BATTERY CONDITION AND ACTIVATE AN INDICATOR LIGHT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. IDEALLY, THE STEERING GEARBOX SHOULD ALSO BE REDESIGNED WITH A LOWER GEAR RATIO SO THAT IT DOES NOT BECOME UNDRIVEABLE. WITHOUT THESE FIXES, THE 2007 RAV4 IS FUNDAMENTALLY UNSAFE. THIS DESIGN FLAW PROBABLY ALSO AFFECTS MOST OTHER LATE MODELS OF TOYOTA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362874October 29, 2010
STEERING
2007 TOYOTA RAV4. HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT MORE AT SLOW SPEED. TOOK TO THE DEALER LAST OCT 15 AND REPLACED STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY CHARGE $520.00 FOR LABOR AND PARTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362032October 27, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2007 TOYOTA RAV4. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD AFTER HITTING THE BRAKE. HE STATED WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE IT WOULD REV UP TO 2,000 RPM. HE TRIED TO GET IT DOWN BELOW 2,000 RPM BY HITTING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT IT HAD NO EFFECT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362633October 27, 2010
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH A FENCE AND THEN AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE STILL IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE CRASH. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10361385October 20, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, HE HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND; THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. UPDATED 01/11/2011*LJ UPDATED 03/02/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359991October 11, 2010
STEERING
AN OBVIOUS "CLUNKING" SOUND BECAME EVIDENT RIGHT AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY. IN ADDITION TO THE SOUND A "LOOSENESS" WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN IS ALSO EVIDENT. RESEARCH SHOWS THOUSANDS OF THESE REPORTED. DEALERS HAVE BEEN REPLACING PARTS TO NO AVAIL AND TO MUCH COST. THE PROBLEM CAN BE EASILY HEARD AT LOW SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING IN OR OUT OF DRIVEWAYS, INTERSECTIONS, ETC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359869October 9, 2010
STEERING
2007 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH APPROX 65,000MILES REQUIRING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACEMENT IN STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART IN TOYOTA CARS AS IT IS DOCUMENTED FREQUENTLY ONLINE BY TOYOTA OWNERS. A SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN SENT TO DEALERS RE THIS SITUATION. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT ALL TOYOTA OWNERS ARE AT RISK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359260October 5, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A 2007 RAV 4. IN AUG 2008 IT STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE NOISE WENT AWAY. NOW IT IS OCT. 2010 AND THE NOISE IS BACK BUT VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. SEARCHING 07 RAV 4 CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN I REALIZE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358966October 3, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. 1ST INCIDENT: MINOR INCIDENT ON A WED/THURS THAT I INITIALLY THOUGHT WAS JUST THE BRAKES GOING SOFT AND MENTALLY THOUGHT TO WATCH THEM TO SEE IF THEY MIGHT NEED REPLACED. 2ND MORE SERIOUS INCIDENT SUNDAY, 19SEP10: CRUISE CONTROL ON IN A 55MPH ZONE, TAPPED BRAKE GOING INTO 45MPH ZONE, USED PEDAL UNTIL NEEDING TO BRAKE FOR FULL STOP AT INTERSECTION. STARTED BRAKING AND ENGINE STARTED REVVING - HUBBY SAYS TAC REACHED 2500/3500 RPM. I WAS BUSY TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. GOT VEHICLE STOPPED AND MANAGED TO AVOID ACCIDENT. ENGINE RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO NORMAL. DROVE HOME, PARKED AND TOOK TO TOYOTA NEXT DAY. DEALER LOOKED CAR OVER AND RAN DIAGNOSTICS FOR 1.5 WKS - CALLED IN FIELD REP WHO LOOKED SOME MORE. I DROVE AROUND FOR AN HOUR WITH THE MASTER MECHANIC - COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE TO REPLICATE. SAME CIRCUMSTANCES FOR BOTH INCIDENTS. DEALER NOR I COULD REPLICATE IN DEALER'S PRESENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358604October 1, 2010
SEATS
AFTER GOING THROUGH A PUDDLE A PLASTIC HOSE BELOW DRIVER SEAT BROKE. I REPLACED IT FROM A DEALER FOR $178. AFTER A MONTH OR SO CHECK ENGINE, VSC AND 4WD LIGHTS CAME ON. CHECKED WITH DEALER AND SEEMS SOME PROBLEM WITH THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER. AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS AROUND $1200. I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS MUCH DAMAGE JUST BY DRIVING THE CAR IN A PUDDLE? VERY BAD QUALITY FROM TOYOTA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358616October 1, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS A PRONOUNCED CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDANT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE TWO INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS IN THE VEHICLE IN WHICH BOTH WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 12/16/11*LJ UPDATED 01/20/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356335September 19, 2010
STEERING
KNOCKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN OF 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. HAPPENS WHEN TRUCK IS MOVING AND TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355947September 16, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I BOUGHT A NEW 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 AT THE END OF THE MODEL YEAR. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SHOOK AND MADE NOISES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND SAID IT SCORED THE DRUM AND THEY HAD TO BE TURNED AT 33,000 APPROX MILES, UNDER WARRANTY AS IT WAS DEFECTIVE PARTS. BUT THE REAR BRAKES WERE SUPPOSE TO BE FINE. THIS IS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER AND AT 47,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH EVERY 5000 MILE OIL CHANGE AND TOLD THEY WERE GOOD. LAST WEEK I WAS GOING DOWN A STEEP GRADE AND THE BRAKES WERE A MAJOR PROBLEM AND I COULD HARDLY STOP MY CAR, THE BRAKES GRABBED, THE CAR SHOOK AND WAS HARD TO STEER AND I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES, ETC.. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE REAR BRAKES ARE NOT ONLY BAD BUT SCORED THE DRUMS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM HAVING TO PAY OVER $200.00 FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, PLUS I HAD A PASSENGER AND IT WAS SCARY. I HAVE HAD SPECIAL DRIVER TRAINING SO I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND, THANK GOD, BUT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND THE DEALER HAS SO FAR TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY. TOYOTA IS WAITING FOR A REPLY???FROM THE DEALER. I FEEL THIS SHOULD ALL BE REPORTED FOR SAFETY AND CONSUMER AWARENESS REASONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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