Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| TSB-0318-08 REV1 | 10/20/2008 | 10034224 | Toyota: steering intermediate shaft noise. may hear a clunk, pop, or knock type noise when turn in the steering wheel left or right. a new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this condition. *pe | 10/27/2010 | |
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||||
| TSB-0157-12 | 08/25/2012 | 10046300 | Toyota: procedural information provided for rear tie rod adjustment to assure proper sequence of tightening and use whenever performing toe adjustment during wheel alignment. models 2006-11 rav4. *pe | 10/03/2012 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 12/21/2012 | 37370 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 12/21/2012 | 37370 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 10/18/2012 | 33000 | 1 | |
| There is a clunking noise when the steering wheel is turned to the left or right. *tr | |||
| 10/18/2012 | 33000 | ||
| There is a clunking noise when the steering wheel is turned to the left or right. | |||
| 05/15/2012 | 20000 | 1 | |
| 2008 (started at 20,000 miles, 1 year out of warranty) toyota rav 4 started a clunking noise in the drive shaft when turning the wheel. we took it in for service and the dealer said they could not duplicate the problem. it's a constant sound! why they said this is unexplainable. it's been non stop since and getting worse. we read on the internet this is common problem for rav 4 owners. we will be taking it back in again and will probably be told the same thing. i also understand there is a tag issued for this problem by toyota also. the repair is averaged to be $800 and some dealers are willing to share in the repair cost. this should be toyota's 100% responsibility! *tr | |||
| 05/15/2012 | 20000 | ||
| 2008 (started at 20,000 miles, 1 year out of warranty) toyota rav 4 started a cluking noise in the drive shaft when turning the wheel. we took it in for service and the dealer said they could not duplicate the problem. it's a constant sound! why they said this is unexplainable. it's been non stop since and getting worse. we read on the internet this is common problem for rav 4 owners. we will be taking it back in again and will probably be told the same thing. i also understand there is a tag issued for this problem by toyota also. the repair is averaged to be $800 and some dealers are willing to share in the repair cost. this should be toyota's 100% responsibility! | |||
| 11/17/2012 | 48255 | 1 | |
| Happy holidays & hanukkah! bob bridge took advantage of my age & background. they charged me $1280 out the door for tsb recall service. it's unfair & absurd 4 me paying toyota's design flaws. can you please help me get in touch with portland regional office so they can start reimbursement to me? bob bridge is milking both me & toyota district managers. they took 14 days to put in new steering shaft and offered zero in-depth report on failure & steering shaft's warranty. rushed through the job and left me dying battery & alternator. t-sb-0318-08 (steering shaft recall) steering now feels hard since they didn't refill power steering reservoir. my alternator & battery was left as is with diminishing capacity. i will only pay $150 out the door labor for this tsb service, the rest will be paid by toyota's district office. when can you send me my check? *tr | |||
| 11/24/2012 | 36500 | 1 | |
| Every time i make a turn (right or left), i hear this knocking sound on my steering wheel. it feels like something is about to break. i just noticed this right after i replaced the battery. *tr | |||
| 11/17/2012 | 48255 | 1 | |
| Happy holidays & hanukkah! bob bridge took advantage of my age & background. they charged me $1280 out the door for tsb recall service. it's unfair & absurd 4 me paying toyota's design flaws. can you please help me get in touch with portland regional office so they can start reimbursement to me? bob bridge is milking both me & toyota district managers. they took 14 days to put in new steering shaft and offered zero in-depth report on failure & steering shaft's warranty. rushed through the job and left me dying battery & alternator. t-sb-0318-08 (steering shaft recall) steering now feels hard since they didn't refill power steering reservoir. my alternator & battery was left as is with diminishing capacity. i will only pay $150 out the door labor for this tsb service, the rest will be paid by toyota's district office. when can you send me my check? *tr | |||
| 11/24/2012 | 36500 | 1 | |
| Every time i make a turn (right or left), i hear this knocking sound on my steering wheel. it feels like something is about to break. i just noticed this right after i replaced the battery. *tr | |||
| 11/17/2012 | 48255 | ||
| Happy holidays & hanukkah! bob bridge took advantage of my age & background. they charged me $1280 out the door for tsb recall service. it's unfair & absurd 4 me paying toyota's design flaws. can you please help me get in touch with portland regional office so they can start reimbursement to me? bob bridge is milking both me & toyota district managers. they took 14 days to put in new steering shaft and offered zero in-depth report on failure & steering shaft's warranty. rushed through the job and left me dying battery & alternator. t-sb-0318-08 (steering shaft recall) steering now feels hard since they didn't refill power steering reservoir. my alternator & battery was left as is with diminishing capacity. i will only pay $150 out the door labor for this tsb service, the rest will be paid by toyota's district office. when can you send me my check? | |||
| 11/24/2012 | 36500 | 1 | |
| Every time i make a turn (right or left), i hear this knocking sound on my steering wheel. it feels like something is about to break. i just noticed this right after i replaced the battery. *tr | |||
| 11/17/2012 | 48255 | ||
| Happy holidays & hanukkah! bob bridge took advantage of my age & background. they charged me $1280 out the door for tsb recall service. it's unfair & absurd 4 me paying toyota's design flaws. can you please help me get in touch with portland regional office so they can start reimbursement to me? bob bridge is milking both me & toyota district managers. they took 14 days to put in new steering shaft and offered zero in-depth report on failure & steering shaft's warranty. rushed through the job and left me dying battery & alternator. t-sb-0318-08 (steering shaft recall) steering now feels hard since they didn't refill power steering reservoir. my alternator & battery was left as is with diminishing capacity. i will only pay $150 out the door labor for this tsb service, the rest will be paid by toyota's district office. when can you send me my check? | |||
| 11/24/2012 | 36500 | ||
| Every time i make a turn (right or left), i hear this knocking sound on my steering wheel. it feels like something is about to break. i just noticed this right after i replaced the battery. | |||
| 02/10/2010 | 49500 | 1 | |
| Steering column clunking sound when ever you turn the steering wheel left or right or going at speeds of 25-35 and 55-70. the noise was narrowed down to the steering column assembly. *tr | |||
| 02/10/2010 | 49500 | ||
| Steering column klunking sound when ever you turn the steering wheel left or right or going at speeds of 25-35 and 55-70. the noise was narrowed down to the steering column assemly. | |||
| 07/01/2008 | 9934 | 1 | |
| I have experienced a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel at low or no speeds for much of the time i have owned the car. it was reported and checked while under warranty. the dealer made an adjustment but did not record it in their service records. now, at 42,159 miles, the noises have become more frequent and i can feel it while turning the wheel. today, the dealer found a technical service bulletin for intermediate shaft noise and are recommending replacement of the shaft. checking the web i have found that there have been many complaints on this with 2006 - 2008 rav4's including numerous reports to the nhtsa. it is a known safety issue. i contacted toyota today and was told there is no recall on the vehicle for it and the car is out of warranty. i will have to pay the cost for the shaft replacement. since this is a known safety problem, i feel there should be a recall on it and toyota should take care of the repairs at no cost. *tr | |||
| 07/01/2008 | 9934 | ||
| I have experienced a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel at low or no speeds for much of the time i have owned the car. it was reported and checked while under warranty. the dealer made an adjustment but did not record it in their service records. now, at 42,159 miles, the noises have become more frequent and i can feel it while turning the wheel. today, the dealer found a technical service bulletin for intermediate shaft noise and are recommending replacement of the shaft. checking the web i have found that there have been many complaints on this with 2006 - 2008 rav4's including numerous reports to the nhtsa. it is a known safety issue. i contacted toyota today and was told there is no recall on the vehicle for it and the car is out of warranty. i will have to pay the cost for the shaft replacement. since this is a known safety problem, i feel there should be a recall on it and toyota should take care of the repairs at no cost. | |||
| 10/01/2012 | 65000 | 1 | |
| I was making a slow speed turn when, without warning, it became very difficult to steer, as if the power steering quit working. as i accelerated the steering started working again. a few days later it happened again and this time the battery warning light came on. both times this happened it almost caused a collision. i ended up taking it to the dealer and learned the alternator was going bad. an alternator on a four year old vehicle with 60k miles should last longer. i've since learned, from safety sites, that this is a common safety issue with the rav as the steering is electrically powered. there is also some indication the alternators are failing too soon. *tr | |||
| 10/01/2012 | 65000 | ||
| I was making a slow speed turn when, without warning, it became very difficult to steer, as if the power steering quit working. as i accelerated the steering started working again. a few days later it happened again and this time the battery warning light came on. both times this happened it almost caused a collision. i ended up taking it to the dealer and learned the alternator was going bad. an alternator on a four year old vehicle with 60k miles should last longer. i've since learned, from safety sites, that this is a common safety issue with the rav as the steering is electrically powered. there is also some indication the alternators are failing too soon. | |||
| 12/07/2009 | 17000 | 1 | |
| Slipping brakes, requiring frequent checkups and replacement popping noise in the steering wheel ( which after two years of complaining, i was informed is a defective steering shaft ) sudden acceleration increasing noise from under the vehicle jumping when the vehicle is place in reverse. *tr | |||
| 12/07/2009 | 17000 | ||
| Slipping brakes, requiring frequent checkups and replacement popping noise in the steering wheel ( which after two years of complaining, i was informed is a defective steering shaft ) sudden acceleration increasing noise from under the vehicle jumping when the vehicle is place in reverse | |||
| 08/11/2012 | 70000 | 1 | |
| I have a 2008 toyota rav4 and it has had a whining sound when idling or accelerating for a week. today i was driving it and the power steering quit while i was driving it. i could barely steer it, if my wife was driving, she could not have turned the vehicle. many of the warning lights came on- brake light (checked the parking brake), abs, srs, battery, vsc, maintenance, and slip indicator lights. also the radio quit working, all at once. new battery installed last month. we have owned this vehicle since new from the dealership, had 2 recalls fixed for air bag sensor and floor mats, but no other problems until this. *tr | |||
| 08/11/2012 | 70000 | ||
| I have a 2008 toyota rav4 and it has had a whining sound when idling or accelerating for a week. today i was driving it and the power steering quit while i was driving it. i could barely steer it, if my wife was driving, she could not have turned the vehicle. many of the warning lights came on- brake light (checked the parking brake), abs, srs, battery, vsc, maintenance, and slip indicator lights. also the radio quit working, all at once. new battery installed last month. we have owned this vehicle since new from the dealership, had 2 recalls fixed for air bag sensor and floor mats, but no other problems until this. | |||
| 01/11/2012 | 23000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. the contact stated that the steering wheel had become stiff and hard to maneuver. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced and advised the contact not to drive until the repairs were complete. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 23,000 and the current mileage was 25,500. | |||
| 01/11/2012 | 23000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. the contact stated that the steering wheel had become stiff and hard to maneuver. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced and advised the contact not to drive until the repairs were complete. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 23,000 and the current mileage was 25,500. kmj | |||
| 01/11/2012 | 23000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. the contact stated that the steering had become very stiff and hard to maneuver. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced and advised not to drive until the repairs were done. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 23,000 and the current mileage was 25,500. pm | |||
| 11/01/2011 | 60000 | ||
| The steering started feeling loose and there is a pronounced clunk any time you turn the wheel either when stopped or moving. dealer says the steering column is worn and needs to be replaced. deeler claims itis not a safety issue, but i can not see how a steering issue can not be a safety issue. | |||
| 10/01/2011 | 39000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. while driving approximately 35 mph and turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a thumping noise and noticed a hesitation in the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the technicians stated the intermediate steering shaft had to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 39,000. | |||
| 10/01/2011 | 39000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. while driving approximately 35 mph and turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a thumping noise and noticed a hesitation in the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the technicians stated the intermediate steering shaft had to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 39,000. rvk | |||
| 10/01/2011 | 39000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. while driving at approximately 35 mph and turning the steering wheel the contact heard a thumping noise and noticed a hesitation in the steering of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic. the technicians stated the intermediate steering shaft would have to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 39,000. ds | |||
| 12/22/2010 | 54640 | ||
| Number 1 -- i am very happy with my rav4. it was a cold evening after dark and i left work. the battery had failed. not a problem, i got a jump and the car started. i let it sit and obtain some charge. what was very unusual were the number of systems that could fail whenever a power surge was needed, say from the power steering, power brakes, etc. the power surge would lead to a lights out, or loss of steering, or engine temporarily stalling, etc. it recovered each time after the surge was over (good news). i am reporting this because if the battery failure had occurred at speed i could have easily lost control of the car. i view myself as very lucky. the battery was the original battery supplied with the car. i have not yet returned it for re-cycling. it it would be helpful to you for safety study reasons i can make it available. | |||
| 05/06/2010 | 22400 | ||
| 2008 toyota rav 4 limited has had handling issues on the freeway with stability. this has happened a couple of times. dealer says that nothing is wrong. previous time this occured, vehicle returned handling differently. considering the computer brain running this car, we believe they reset the computer. this is happening again. we are taking it in again. | |||
| 02/16/2010 | 18561 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. the contact stated that when trying to stop at a stop sign, the brake pedal would not move down as he tried to depress it and he could not steer the vehicle. he continued moving forward until the vehicle collided with a guardrail. the contact was slightly injured and a police report was taken. he contacted the dealership and was told that no one could inspect the vehicle until it was repaired at the body shop. the vehicle was at the body shop at the time of the complaint. the contact had not spoken with the manufacturer to-date. the current and failure mileages were 18,561. | |||
| 01/02/2010 | 17000 | 2 | |
| I was driving in a snow storm at approximately 20miles/hr.the road had not been plowed recently, so there was some snow that had accumulated, but it was certainly passable and i was driving a 4 wheel,toyota, rav 4, 2008, in excellent upkeep. all of a sudden the car started drifting to the right, when i tried to slowly correct the direction of the vehicle, the steering would not work. i could not move the wheel, the brakse did not work, everything in the car froze. i was helpless and had to watch as the car slowly drove itself off the side of the road into a deep ditch. half way through this harrowing time span a beeping noise came on(the vehicle stability control system?), but only after the car was incapacitated for what seemed like minutes. i was on a straight away and there were no hills at this location. the vehicle traveled approximately 300+ feet, as evidenced by the track marks left in the snow. luckily the ditch was filled with snow, so i did not crash into a tree or roll over. the snowpack stopped the car and it ended up tilted on its right side, buried almost to the top of the passenger window. when i tried to open the right window to crawl out, it was inoperable. i was towed out of the ditch and because of the soft snow cover there was no damage to the car. i have also had 1 other steering problem with the car when it did not respond as expected(although the steering wheel was not frozen) and i subsequently side swiped a car i was passing while driving in a parking garage. i am an excellent new england driver with a stellar driving record. this car has been a disaster the infrequent times i it. it usually sits in the garage, since i prefer my 109,000 mile, reliable, 2001, mercury mountaineer; after experiencing the first steering event with the rav4, which i know was not my fault. i drove the rav 4 during the second incident because i thought it would be safer, being a new car! ha *tr | |||
| 06/01/2009 | 1 | ||
| Steering wanders - 2008 toyota rav4 with electronic-assisted. steering wanders slightly from the day it was purchased. *tr | |||
| 01/27/2010 | 22000 | 1 | |
| Dangerous torque steer on 2008 toyota rav4 4x4. has been an issue since vehicle was new. dealer twice has told me it is normal for this vehicle and the sienna is even worse. you can lose control of vehicle while accelerating to pass. *tr | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 07/08/2012 | 78712 | 1 | |
| At around 9:30 am on july 8, i was on i-15 in s. utah when my right rear tie rod failed. very scary and i was lucky i did not end up rolled over in the ditch, hit another vehicle, or get hit by another vehicle. i had no idea why my car was so suddenly out of control. i originally thought i had blown a front wheel. there was no previous warning, such as a shimmy or vibration or any steering issues at all. i asked the tow truck to take me to the toyota dealer which was about 50 miles away. however, he convinced me that it was simple to replace the tie rod and since my rav4 was a 2008, aftermarket parts would be easy to get from napa. it was a sunday, so i ended up getting the car dropped off at goodyear in cedar city, since i would need an alignment after the new tie rod was put in. on monday morning i found out you can only get the tie rod part from the dealer and they did not have any in stock, so had to wait until wednesday to get it fixed. after it was fixed, they were not able to do an exact alignment and said it was off by a mm. fyi - there was no rust on the broken tie rod. *tr | |||
| 11/17/2011 | 76000 | 1 | 09/20/2007 |
| Cpsc#i1210211a. 2008 toyota rav4. consumer stated while driving on interstate 93 one of the rear tie rods fell apart, causing him to swerve back and forth across four lanes. *ln the consumer stated the cost to replace the tie rod was $500. the mechanic informed the consumer the failure was due to wear and tear. | |||