2006 Toyota RAV4 Steering Problems
- 218
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 218 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 50 records
- steering shaft · 36 records
- steering column · 30 records
- clunking noise · 29 records
- noise steering · 17 records
- turning steering · 15 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 87 |
| 1–30k mi | 52 |
| 60–100k mi | 32 |
| 100–150k mi | 11 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Steering feels loose and rattles over bumps. Toyota said no credit for outside of warranty. Cost to repair with redesigned parts is $1,900. Vehicle has been exceptionally maintained and should not have any steering problems. I am original owner and have all service records. Toyota said this is not a safety problem but the loose steering feeling does not inspire confidence. Toyota said i could continue driving with…
ODI 10475729
Steering
After buying the car in 2006, a couple years later i started having issues with a clucking noise in the steering wheel. Toyota said it was the intermediate shaft problem. They replaces the part 3 times and the noise came again after some months. I called toyota they did not help, they want me to pay for the repairs and in between one thing and the other one almost a years passed and they did not resolved the…
ODI 10542029
Steering
Steering has clunking noise when turning at slow speed and can be felt in the steering wheel. The forums are full of complaints on this issue which point to "intermediate steering shaft". Although there have been no fatalities connected to this-it is a safety issue and on the large scale it should be recalled by toyota. What happened to toyotas culture of honor? *tr
ODI 10469938
Steering
We just had our 2006 rav4 state inspection today and the dealership told us we needed to have the front inner tie rod replaced since it has become unstable. They said this cannot be replaced by itself since it is attached to the steering rack, so we will need entire rack replaced, resulting in $2400 in repairs. The dealership also said this should be replaced within the next couple of months for safety reasons,…
ODI 10466581
Engine · Steering
2006 toyota rav4, consumer stated within 3 1/2 months after oil, total oil leakage occurred. The pistons, rings and gasket had to be replaced. On feb 2, 2012 the consumer had an oil changed. On june 1, 2012 the oil warning light illuminated and the dipstick was completely dry. The consumer believed the oil leak was over a period of time and not just suddenly within 3 1/2 months. The technicians who performed the oil…
ODI 10482981
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that when driving at 5 mph or below, or when in park, the steering wheel would exhibit loud clunking noises. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The current mileages were approximately 95,000. The vin was…
ODI 10479779
Steering
Heard abnormal mechanical rattle from the front end going over rough streets in san francisco. Took vehicle in suspecting suspension issue to capitol toyota of san jose. Diagnosis was steering rack has a known part issue, internal to its design, nothing the dealer could do, as factory did not allow them to open the part up, only replace it. Dealer was unable to tell me if the car was safe or not to drive. Said only…
ODI 10465719
Power Train · Steering
There was a rumble in the rear @ 40 mph. I had maplewood toyota check it 2-3 times, they said they couldn't hear it, car was fine; they checked the trans oil once and said it was fine. It's a closed system-you never need to change its oil. (i had asked this question several times over the years and they always told me that i never needed to change the trans oil & the manual does not list it either). They took it for…
ODI 10470631
Steering
There is a defect in the steering shaft that results in an audible thump that is felt through the steering wheel when turning 90 degree corners at low speeds. This does not happen on the highway, but rather pulling into parking spaces, turning at intersections, etc. My local toyota dealer lubed the steering shaft at 87,169 mi, and the problem is back again in 11k miles. I know that toyota has recalled several…
ODI 10458557
Steering · Visibility/Wiper
The rav4 has a well-known problem with the driver's side sun visor in which it will not stay in place. The visor frequently and without warning abruptly drops to a straight-down position. In this position it impairs forward visibility, and for tall drivers it can block the view of the road completely. There is also a widely-reported problem with the steering (there are 166 reports on this site at the time of my…
ODI 10496648
Steering
Intermediate shaft faulty after first couple years of owning vehicle. Clunking noise and clicking feel when turning vehicle. Toyota did not want to cover repair. Owners have to pay to get it fixed which wasn't cheap. Now, after 6 yrs of owning the vehicle, i feel it starting again. They said this was dangerous if left unfixed. It could lead to steering wheel malfunction and loss of vehicle control while driving.…
ODI 10462255
Steering
Intermediate steering shaft problem. When on slow speed. The steering makes clunking noise when turning both direction. Sometime it makes you feel it is so loose that the wheel not turning at all. What happen if i am driving on the road and the wheel won't be able to turn. Many many have complaint with the same issue and not a single solution. It must be the problem of the design or defective materials!! *tr
ODI 10468076
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel made a loud noise whenever the wheel was turned. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 55,000. ..updated 03/18/13 *bf
ODI 10498064
Steering
There's a weird clicking/grinding noise coming from my steering when turning. I was making a u-turn (not even 5mph) when i first heard it and has heard it almost everyday since. Its terrifying while driving to think that my steering can fail. My mechanic will let me know if it can be fixed and how much it will cost. I have to say... I'm considering trading that sucker in. *tr
ODI 10444060
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the steering failed. The contact stated that the steering was very sluggish and the steering made a cracking sound. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated the problem was getting progressively worse. The failure mileage was 59,000 and the current mileage was 69,000.
ODI 10479394
Steering
Purchased a 2006 rav4 sport 4wd v6 back in the summer of 2006 and the car was doing great up until last year (2011) when i noticed the steering wheel starting making this strange clicking noise. I brought the car in back in october of 2011 and they told me it was the rack and pinion making the noise and that over time i could possibly lose steering. They told me it would cost over $2,000 to fix. I asked if i could…
ODI 10456302
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the intermediate steering column failed while driving 35 mph. In addition, the vehicle exhibited a noise from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the noise was coming from the intermediate steering column, but there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified who…
ODI 10430849
Steering
Clinking and grinding coming from the steering wheel. The dealership informed us it was the steering shaft is worn and would cost between $800- $1000 to repair. This is not covered since the warranty has expired. The dealership reported it's a common problem. I feel this is a safety issue and needs to be looked at. *tr
ODI 10428225
Steering
2006 toyota rav 4 sport has chronic problems with intermediate steering shaft. Low speed turning produces a clunking sound and unstable sensation in the steering column. *kb
ODI 10425670
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the steering wheel would exhibit an abnormal clicking sound when turned. The failure recurred whenever the steering wheel was turned. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 29,000.
ODI 10443480
Steering
I own a 2006 toyota rav 4 with steering shaft issues. The shaft makes grinding/knocking noises when turning the vehicle. The dealership notified me of this issue and stated that i should replace the shaft. I argued that toyota should cover the costs, but they would not concur. I started researching the issue online and discovered a technical service bulletin (tsb) for this exact issue. They have even already…
ODI 10408723
Steering
2006 toyota rav 4 - steering - i have presented my vehicle for inspection at a local toyota dealer service company last week on tuesday, july 5th, 2011 for a noticeable "clunking" sound coming from the steering column and front end. The service manager scheduled a 2nd visit for my vehicle on july 7th, in order for a service mechanic to test drive the car. He first told me that the unit would need to be "opened" and…
ODI 10412143
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine servicing, a service mechanic at the dealer noticed an abnormal noise. The vehicle was diagnosed and the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was…
ODI 10948822
Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
I took my 2006 rav4 into the leith toyota dealership in raleigh, nc for the accelerator pedal recall. Service manager calls me and said that there is a banging vibration and noise coming from the steering column when the steering wheel is turned. (this did not exist before.) the manager said there is a technical service bulletin on the manufacturers defective design and that failure to correct the problem could…
ODI 10418008
Steering
TOYOTA RAV4 STEERING NOISE. *TR
ODI 10402494