2008 TOYOTA RAV4 Steering Problems
69 NHTSA complaints on file
Steering Issues in the 2008 TOYOTA RAV4
69 steering complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. Of these, 5 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 5 resulted in injury.
69
Complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Injuries
1
Deaths
All Steering Complaints
I have a toyota rav4 2008 2.4 the motor is no leaking oil, no blue smoke but i put 4 quarts oil on 1.000 miles,the comsuption oil is too much and the steering wheel column have problem and that is danger .i see on Google the problem on this car toyota rav4 2008 2.4 is came with factory problem on pistons and rings I call bernardi toyota framingham,ma on 08/27/2022 and i talk a service guy the problem and he say the recall for my car expires on 2018 but i read on Internet recall nver expires if the company o factory Still on ,I did call to service on toyota weslleyle,ma on 08/29/2023 and the service guy toll me the same My phone number [XXX] .. [XXX] my name Thank you.very much for help me INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was starting to back out of my driveway and my steering wheel made a loud clunking noise and became free floating. The plastic air vent fell on my right foot. I did not attempt to drive the car after this incident. I had it towed to Toyota Service. I was told that the steering bracket had come loose and that they had never seen anything like it before. I did some online research and found that this has happened many times with 2006, 2007 and 2008 Toyota RAV 4 vehicles. I believe there are even case numbers for some of them. It was determined to be a failed weld each time! If this had happened to me over the summer, when I was driving in the mountains it cold have caused a serious or even fatal accident. I don't understand why this hasn't been recalled?! This is very dangerous...
The driveshaft welds that held the power steering motor to the vehicle frame failed. This caused steering wheel to be loose and unstable and the power steering motor to slam against the floor vent. It caused it to fall to the floor near the pedals where it could have obstructed the brake or accelerator pedal
Making knockings/wobbling sound when steering wheel turning left or right while driving. Sound increases everyday with van driven. This problem started about 2 months ago. I reported this problem to Toyota Coustomer Service Last week. This is very serious issue as a safety of a Van. I have several problems with Van It is Lemon
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO REMAIN CENTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO MANUALLY CORRECT THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE STEERING ISSUE WAS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO NOTIFY A DEALER OR MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING, A ROCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND WHILE IDLING, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF MELBOURNE (24 N. HARBOR CITY BOULEVARD, MELBOURNE, FL 32935, (321) 426-9420) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 90906975. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
WHEN TURNING LEFT THERE IS A CLICK OR CLUCK SOUND. ONLY TURNING LEFT NOT RIGHT HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 2008. NOW SEATING AT 92K MILES. NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT
I AM HAVING A STEERLING NOISE ISSUE WHEN BACKING UP OR MOVING FORWARD THERE'S A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AREA THAT I CAN FEEL IN THE WHEEL. I FEEL IT IN THE WHEEL WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY OR UNEVEN SURFACES AS WELL AS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND IDLING WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LOCKS. THIS VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED MY AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC WHO FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM BUT DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND THERE WAS ABNORMAL MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,600.
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WORN OUT : MAKING CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING EITHER WAY ALSO WHEN REVERSING CAR TOYOTA TECHNICIAN FOUND THIS DEFECT/ISSUE
VERY BAD CLUNKING / POPPING SOUND WHEN I BACK UP AND TURN MY WHEELS. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOSTLY WHEN I FIRST DRIVE THE SUV IN THE MORNING. ONLY HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT.
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 RAV 4 AND I MADE A TURN & ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL LITERALLY BECAME FREE FLOATING. I CAN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL 8 TO 12 INCHES UP AND DOWN WITH NO RESISTANCE. I CAN ALSO MOVE IT 6 TO 8 INCHES LEFT TO RIGHT WITH NO RESISTANCE. IT'S NOT GUIDED IN ANY WAY, YOU CAN MOVE IT AROUND IN A LARGE CIRCULAR MOTION. I WAS ABLE TO STILL STEER SOMEWHAT. THE COLUMN STILL SEEMS TO BE ATTACHED TO SOMETHING. WHEN YOU DO STEER, IT MAKES A HORRIBLE POPPING SOUND. THE DEALERSHIP SAID: A FRAME WELD DID GIVE OUT FOR THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY IS EVERYTHING BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE STEERING ASSEMBLY IS MOUNTED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REINFORCEMENT BAR. THIS IS A LARGE BAR THAT RUNS THE LENGTH OF YOUR DASHBOARD. THIS BAR HAS...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO MAKE A CLICKING SOUND AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1709132080. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,800. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE VSC LIGHT COMES ON AND CHECK ENGINE. NOW THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DOES NOT WORK CORRECT THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. UPDATED 7/17/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED LEFT AND RIGHT BROKEN ARMS, STITCHES, AND A BROKEN ROTATOR CUFF. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED AT WEST CHESTER MEDICAL CENTER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. *LN *TR
I BOUGHT MY TOYOTA WITH 47316 MILES, NO WARRANTY. AT 49000 MILES MY POWER STEERING LITE STARTED INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON, AT 60000 MILES IT COMES ON ALL THE TIME . TOOK THE VECHILE TO LOCAL TOYOTA, WAS TOLD BY ONE GENTLEMAN HE HAS SEEN THIS RECENTLY. COULDN'T FIX IT AS THEY HAVE NO PROGRAMS FOR THE ISSUE. TOLD ME TO CALL TOYOTA, THEY MAY HELP ME WITH THIS HIGH PRICE ISSUE. TALK TO TWO DIFFERENT EMPLOYEES AT MAIN NUMBER. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING SINCE, I HAVE NOT HAD TOYOTA DO MY MAINTENANCE. I EXPLAINED TO THEM, I HAVE NOT HAD IT LONG. BUT I HAVE YEARS OF PREVIOUS OWNERS TOYOTA MAINTENANCE. SAID IT'S NOT IN MY NAME, I CAN'T CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE P/S LIGHT IS ON. CAN TAKE UP TO 16 TRUE TO GET IT OFF. TOYOTA RESET IT , CODE CAME RIGHT BACK....
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE COULD BE HEARD. THE CONTACT WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A STEERING COLUMN FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 06/23/17*LJ *AS
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAD A WRECK MARCH 8, 2017 AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL AND LANDED IN SOME HEAVY BUSHES ON A OFF RAMP. WHEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NECK PROBLEMS AND PUT A REPORT INTO MY INSURANCE. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE STEERING PROBLEM HAPPEN. ON I-5 58 SOUTH BOUND OFF RAMP NEAR INTERSECTION WITH NW MORGAN STREET, GRANTS PASS, OREGON HAPPEN SO FAST COULD NOT BREAK.
I HAVE 106.700 MILES ON MY CAR AND I START HEAR CLICKING AND KNOCKING NOISES INSIDE ON MY RACK AND PINION WHEN MY CAR IS NOT IN MOTION AND I TURN MY WHEEL I HEAR THIS NOISE ALSO WHEN II HIT POTHOLES I FEEL SOMETHING LOOSE IN MY STEERING WHEEL AS FAR AS IM SEARCHIG MANY PEOPLE OF TOYOTA RAV4 OWNERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM, TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE THIS AS A RECALL
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE AND SCAREY TO DRIVE. WAS TOLD IT IS THE STEERING AND THAT TOYOTA IS VERY AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR CAR, HOWEVER SINCE NOBODY HAS DIED YET IT IS NOT BEING RECALLED. THE STEERING IS SOMETIMES UNRELIABLE AND I NEVER KNOW IF IT WILL STEER WHERE I WANT IT TO OR NOT. I AM AFFRAID TO DRIVE IT, TOYOTA TELLS ME ITS SAFE. I AM NOT WILLING TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO DIE BECAUSE OF TOYOTA GREED TO NOT RECALL AND FIX THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS TURNING ANY DEGREE EITHER WAY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
1ST ISSUE WAS REPEATED RECALL OVER LOWER ARM SUSPENSION BAR THAT WAS PERMANENTLY GLUED, TO REMEDY SAFETY CONCERN. NOW INTERMEDIATE STEERING ARM IS BAD, AND PROBLEMS W CAR SWAYING, AND TIRES FEELING WOBBLY. BEING TOLD TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER EXPENSES TO REPAIR RELATED SUSPENSION ISSUE. $750.00 CAR HAS ONLY 53,000 MILES... MANY OTHER RAV4 OWNERS W SAME PROBLEM. AFRAID TO DRIVE.
THERE ARE HAVE BEEN 6 RECALLS TO DATE SINCE WE PURCHASED 2008 RAV4. MOST RECENTLY, SEATBELTS WERE DEEMED UNSAFE IN THE REAR, WHERE WE HARNESS OUR CHILDREN'S CARSEATS. THIS WAS IN APRIL 2016, AND WE HAVE YET TO BE CONTACTED ABOUT A REMEDY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO PUSH FOR A FIX TO THIS SITUATION. WE ARE FRUSTRATED THAT THIS CAR IS A LEMON, BUT NOT ACCORDING TO LAW, SINCE THE RECALLS ARE ROLLED OUT OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 6-8 YEARS.
CLUNK IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.
I HEAR A " THUD NOISE " WHENEVER I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.
VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CLUNK NOISE THAT COULD BE HEARD AND FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND ESPECIALLY DURING SLOW SPEED OPERATION. THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN 8/2015 AT ~45,000 MILES. VEHICLE ALSO DEVELOPED A LOOSE FEEL IN THE STEERING AND WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. BY 1/2016, THE PROBLEM GOT NOTICEABLY WORSE. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR. AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF CHECKING THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT". THE LOCAL SHOP OWNER STATED HE HAD REPLACED SEVERAL OF THESE SAME STEERING SHAFTS ON OTHER RAV4S AROUND THE SAME VINTAGE (2006-2010). I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE AGENT ALSO STATED THEY HAD "SEVERAL" INCIDENTS WITH THIS VINTAGE OF RAV4S AND STEERING SHAFT PROBLEMS BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND SINCE THE VEHICLE...
2008 RAV 4 HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES. WAS EXPERIENCING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING SHAFT AT A COST TO ME OF $688. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE, YEAR AND MODEL FOR A LONG TIME. WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL GENERATED FOR THIS AS TOYOTA OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF FAULTY MANUFACTURING.
HAVING JUST EXITED I-95, I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO PULL UP TO THE CURB AT THE PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT TO PICK UP A PASSENGER. UPON DOING SO, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A LOUD POP OR CLUNK SOUND, AND THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY LURCHED APPROXIMATELY 6-8" TO THE LEFT - AND NEARLY OUT OF MY HANDS - ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE CROWD AT THE CURB. AFTER THIS SOUND OCCURRED, THE STEERING WHEEL (AS IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT IN 2013) WAS STILL OPERATIONAL, HOWEVER WAS ABLE TO MOVE APPROXIMATELY 6 - 9" UP, DOWN, RIGHT, OR LEFT WHILE STILL REMAINING OPERABLE. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, I WAS ASKED IF I HAD BEEN IN A FRONT-END COLLISION (ANSWER, "NEVER"), AS A FACTORY WELD HAD FAILED THAT KEEPS THE STEERING COLUMN ATTACHED TO A SAFETY ROD IN THE DASH. REPAIRS ARE EXPECTED TO...
ON OCTOBER 5 AND 6, 2015 MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 WAS IN FOR SERVICE AT PIERCEY TOYOTA IN MILPITAS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES, FRONT/BACK BRAKES AND FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS, A TOTAL OF $2,000. ON OCTOBER 8, 2015, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR BACK FROM STANFORD LUCILE PACKARD OVER DUMBARTON BRIDGE, I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN MY CAR. JUST BEFORE THIS EVENT, THE ABS, VSC, AND SLIP WARNING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT VERY STIFF AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO ANY REPETITIVE PUMPING OF THE BRAKE. I CALLED 911 AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE FRONT TRAFFIC CAME TO A HOLD I HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MY ENTIRE CAR SLIPPED TO THE LEFT. WE ALMOST GOT HIT BY THE BUS BEHIND US. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND HELPED ME TO...
I HAVE A 2008 RAV4. IN 2010, I EXPERIENCED A "CLUNKING" OR "THUNKING" SENSATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN ON LOW SPEED TURNS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT A FAULTY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS THE CAUSE AND REPLACED IT. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN IN 2012 AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AGAIN. IN 2015, I HAD STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH HAD A SIMILAR FEEL (A "THUNK" OR "CLUNK" FEELING WHEN TURNING). THIS TIME THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND RELATED PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND CHARGED ME $2,400 FOR THE REPAIR.
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO GO IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE ELECTRIC STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND STEERING COLUMN MOTOR ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL COST WAS $3,300. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON COMPLAINT AND, CONSIDERING THE COST INVOLVED, SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED BY THE NHTSA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FRACTURED STEERING ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,901.
CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
WE RECENTLY TOOK OUR RAV4 IN FOR RECALL WORK. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO DO A COMPLIMENTARY INSPECTION ON MY RAV4. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT HAD NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE. NOW, THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS SQUEALING ON TIGHTER THAN REGULAR CORNER TURNING. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. THE DISTURBING, MORE CONSTANT COMPLIANT IS THAT THE POWER STEERING ON MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WILL FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN SUDDENLY FAIL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE SINCE MOST OF THE DRIVERS ON THE ROAD ARE USED TO POWER STEERING AND MAY NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO IF THE POWER STEERING SHOULD SUDDENLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I AM NOT BLAMING THE DEALERSHIP OR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY GAVE US A HEADS-UP ON WHAT WE HAD NO IDEA WAS ABOUT TO BECOME...
MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN I TURN AND I FEEL A "BUMP" IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS CHARGED $594.45 AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIR REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ENFORCE A VEHICLE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT,DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM WITH SENSOR LOCATED AT COLUMN. COST TO ME $1260.00. *TR
CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING SHAFT THAT IS BOTH AUDIBLE AND FELT THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. OCCURS TURNING BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT, GOING FORWARD OR REVERSE, BUT NOT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. *TR
REQUESTED STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT DURING INSPECTION (NEED ATTENTION SOON). THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. WENT ONLINE AND APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES. CALLED TOYOTA 800 331-4331, THEY DIDN'T CARE. THOUGHT I FILE A COMPLAINT TO GET IT RECALLED. *TR
AFTER BEING TOLD I NEEDED A STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, I STARTED INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET AND COME TO REALIZE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE DATING BACK TO 2007. WHEN STEERING I HEAR A CRACKING SOUND AND FEEL THAT IT IS A DEFECT. ALL OF THE RAV 4'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THIS CAN REALLY CAUSE INJURY. *TR
I WENT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING AND I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. A YEAR LATER, AT A ROUTINE CHECKUP, THEY SAID THEY HEARD THE SOUND AND IT WAS A DAMAGE STEERING SHAFT AND RACK & PINION. A YEAR LATER THE SAME SOUND, BUT ONLY THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE YEAR AFTER THAT, THE NOISE AGAIN AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT AND RACK AND PINION. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE THE RACK AND PINION. I READ ON INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THROUGHOUT RAV4 2008, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE AND THE STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,262. UPDATED 9/8/14*CN
VEHICLE MAKES NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURN. DIAGNOSED WITH RACK & PINION PROBLEMS BY THE TOYOTA DEALER AT 20, 070 MILES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND STEERING THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
MY ALTERNATOR WENT IN MY VEHICLE BUT WAS DISCOVERED WAS DISTURBING. I HAD JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED 4 WEEKS PRIOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST EMPTY OF OIL. IF THE ALTERNATOR HAD NOT FAILED MY ENGINE WOULD HAVE BLOWN DUE TO THE LACK OF OIL. THE LACK OF OIL IS DUE TO THE PISTON ASSEMBLY IN MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA SINCE THEY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON AUG. 11 KNOWN AS SB002411 AND SB009411. TOYOTA SAID THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO THE PISTON ASSEMBLY, YET I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM TOYOTA REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL. THIS REPAIR IS ONLY COVERED FOR 60 MONTHS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IN MY SITUATION, THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THIS REPAIR IS ON MYSELF ($4-$5K). THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WITH TOYOTA RAV 4 WHERE IT SHOULD BE A...
I TOOK MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND SHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. RESEARCHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, IT WAS EVIDENT THAT MANY RAV4 OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME SITUATION. THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY RAV4S. A SO CALLED DEPENDABLE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE REACHING 100,000 MILES. CERTAINLY, TOYOTA MUST CLEARLY KNOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD ADDRESS IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAN DISRUPT THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE HAD BUCKLED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ONE OF THE TIE ROD BOLTS WAS MISSING AND HAD CAUSED THE TIE ROD TO BECOME BENT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V373000 (SUSPENSION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECOMES TIGHT DOES NOT SMOOTHLY GO INTO A CURVE AS IF THE STEERING NEEDS TO BE LUBRICATED THROWS OFF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO JERK THE WHEEL.I AM AFRAID I'M GOING TO HAVE A CRASH DUE TO THIS. *TR
I HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY FIANCE AT WORK AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL DROPPED ROUGHLY 8 INCHES HITTING MY LEG. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE MOVED 8 TO 12 INCHES UP AND DOWN WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE. IT CAN ALSO MOVE BE MOVED 6 TO 8 INCHES LEFT TO RIGHT WITH NO RESISTANCE. IT'S NOT GUIDED IN ANY WAY, YOU CAN MOVE IT AROUND IN A LARGE CIRCULAR MOTION. THE CAR AMAZINGLY ENOUGH STILL STEERS. THE STEERING ASSEMBLY IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AS WELL AS THE RACK AND PINION. THOUGH WHEN YOU DO ATTEMPT TO STEER, IT MAKES A HORRIBLE POPPING SOUND, WHICH MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THE SHAFT IS NO LONGER IN A FIXED POSITION. UPON INVESTIGATION IT LOOKS LIKE A FACTORY WELD HAS FAILED. FOR A 2008 RAV4, THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY IS MOUNTED TO THE...
RESISTANCE IS FELT AT INTERVALS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. STEERING FEELS LOOSE, UNRESPONSIVE AND DANGEROUS. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND AN UPGRADED PART EXISTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. HAD COMPLAINT ESCALATED TO TOYOTA CORPORATE REGIONAL MANAGER. WAS ONLY OFFERED 15% OFF REPAIR AT DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CREATED BY A DEFECTIVE PART. THANK YOU. *TR
THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR
Other 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 Problem Areas
Engine
137 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
92 complaints
Suspension
79 complaints
Air Bags
50 complaints
Power Train
30 complaints
Unknown Or Other
29 complaints
Electrical System
26 complaints
Seat Belts
18 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
16 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
16 complaints
Service Brakes
14 complaints
Structurebody
14 complaints
Air Bagssidewindow
8 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
8 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
7 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
7 complaints
Visibilitywiper
7 complaints
Equipment
6 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
6 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
5 complaints
Tires
5 complaints
Visibility
5 complaints
Wheels
5 complaints
Seats
4 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
3 complaints
Exterior Lighting
3 complaints
Service Brakes Electric
3 complaints
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
3 complaints
Structure
3 complaints
Suspensionrear
3 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
2 complaints
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
2 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
2 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
2 complaints
Air Bagssensoroccupant Classification
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
1 complaint
Equipment Adaptivemobility
1 complaint
Fuel System Other
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkages
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
1 complaint
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
1 complaint
Service Brakes Air
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
1 complaint
Steeringcolumn
1 complaint
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
1 complaint
Structurebodydoor
1 complaint
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
1 complaint
Visibilityglass Siderear
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
1 complaint
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
1 complaint