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.
Power Train · Steering
The power steering in my 2006 toyota rav4 went out suddenly when i was driving this month. I pulled over and turned off the motor. When the car started again the power steering was working. The toyota dealer had reports of this problem on this car from toyota. The power steering goes out suddenly. Toyota would not reimburse me the cost of fixing this safety defect. It costs about $1000. Had i been on a highway, i…
ODI 10285203
Steering
I noticed a clunking noise when turning my 2006 rav4 from right to left. I brought the vehicle to my mechanic who informed me that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. He indicates that this can become a very serious safety issue should it get worse. He further suggested that i return the vehicle to toyota as this should be covered under warranty. Toyota tells me that since i purchased this as a…
ODI 10282750
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav 4. The contact was driving 25 mph when the steering wheel failed to turn properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000 and the current mileage was 120,000. Updated 04/27/12*lj
ODI 10451818
Steering
I am original owner of 2006 toyota rav4 sport. There is a loud thump in the steering column when turning to the right or left, or turning the wheel while the car is stationary. The problem started a few months ago and is getting worse. The car has 38k and is several months out of warranty. *tr
ODI 10295713
Steering
The steering wheel makes a clunking noise when turning the wheel to the right or left. This happens when sitting still or when the vehicle is in motion there is a tsb for this item, but toyota will only replace it if the vehicle is still under warranty. This is a safety issue and should be a recall. Toyota has fixed the problem by redesigning the intermediate shaft and is aware that it is a safety issue but is…
ODI 10295107
Steering
Noticed a "clunking" noise from the steering column. Had the vehicle at the dealership for oil change and asked that they look into this noise. Mechanic said that there was a problem with the steering shaft and the intermediate shaft and that they should be replaced. There is also the danger that the car would lose the ability to steer if the problem were to get any worse, a safety danger. Since the service was not…
ODI 10278527
Steering · Wheels
My wife's 2006 rav4 has a "clunking" noise in the steering that is worrisome to us. It has been present and getting worse for seven or eight years, now. I noticed the noise as being faint but didn't think much of it until my stepson asked me one day what the noise was. It occurs when driving the vehicle and turning the steering wheel. It got progressively louder and when i mentioned it to the toyota dealer where we…
ODI 10850602
Steering
Steering intermediate shaft noise i own a 2006 toyota rav4 and now has about 65000 miles. There is a noticeable clunk noise (and feeling) while steering when the car is moving. The noise seems to be more evident in warmer days (summer time) and diminish during winter months. Toyota has issued a tsb (toyota service bulletin): st001-08 so they acknowledge that this is a common problem. Since this issue has been…
ODI 10339019
Steering
Took my vehicle to dealer for loose feeling in steering wheel on my 2006 toyota rav. The front steering shafts are bad due to poor design. Toyota issued service bulletin. No one contacted me about this issue. I took veh to shop. I have to pay the entire cost ($700) when will this become a recall, when people start dying to steering failure. I think you should make this a recall and make toyota pay for their poor…
ODI 10275706
Steering
There was an increasing loud noise and vibration through the steering column when i turned the wheel to the far right or left. I investigated toyota tsbs and found my 2006 rav4 has 2 detailed problems, one requires replacement of the connecting shafts and the other the entire steering rack. On inspection by the dealer it was determined i had the first problem, but because i was out of warranty, i would have to pay…
ODI 10308027
Steering
There is a loud "clunk" in steering and you can actually "feel" it in the turns. Mechanic feels it should be fixed (about $800) and checked with toyota to see fix. There is a recommendation, but no recall. What the heck?! Sounds like defective work to me - and this wasn't a cheap car. Does somebody have to die before they take care of this? I hope this isn't becoming toyota's policy. Waiting for toyota to take…
ODI 10349550
Steering
Steering wheel pops when turning left or right at slow speeds. Only seems to happen during warm weather. Multiple complaints found online, but no recalls by toyota. No deaths or injuries yet! *tr
ODI 10343792
Steering
I own a 2006 rav4. The steering column seems to have a problem, there is a regular clunking noise. *tr
ODI 10346445
Steering
My 2006 toyota rav4 has a clunking noise when turning. The dealer said i would need to replace the steering column for $300.00 if i wanted to eliminate the noise. I declined. They said it was not a safety issue. Now the power steering warning light has come on. *tr
ODI 10360951
Steering
We hear a continuous popping/clunking noise from our 2006 toyota rav4 when turning the steering wheel to the right or to the left. When this happens, a slight increase of the force is required to turn the steering wheel. This problem is well documented in toyota t-sb-0318-08: "some customers may hear a clunk, pop, or knock-type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. A new intermediate shaft has been…
ODI 10349753
Steering
2006 toyota rav-4 clicking in steering column since early 2009...after research found that it's actually a defect that toyota knows about and put out a service bulletin for (nhtsa item number: 10024291 service bulletin #: st001-08 ) , but refused to fix if problem was discovered after warranty expired (problem started about 1 month after my warranty expired)....next problem: water leak when raining on floor front…
ODI 10310566
Steering
My 2006 rav4 with 21k miles developed steering clunking sensation at slow speeds in august 2008. Brought it into the dealer and the steering shaft was replaced under warranty. Now in march 2009 with 25k miles it's slowly starting to developed same condition. It's scheduled for dealer service shortly but i'm concerned that there is a design flaw in the steering shaft assembly and a more permanent solution must be…
ODI 10263739
Steering
Steering intermediate shaft noise. Toyota tsb report number t-sb-0318-08. When turning the steering wheel you feel like something is loose and you hear and feel a banging noise. From what i read many people are having this issue on there rav4 model years 2006-7. Could this be a safety problem if left unfixed? *tr
ODI 10293592
Steering
A popping,knocking, clunking noise when turning the steering wheel, it can be heard and also felt when turning. Toyota has issued a tsb about the problem but the dealers refuse to do anything about it. There is only 22,000 miles on the vehicle, i also have a 2007 rav 4 with less than 20,000 miles on it. So far the popping noise has not started yet but i think it is only a matter of time because it has the same…
ODI 10344329
Steering
At around the beginning of the year, the steering column started knocking when turned left or right at low speeds. I brought it to a dealer and they seemed to be able to fix the problem by tightening something down in the steering assembly, but later the problem came back. I have since discovered that there are many consumer complaints about this problem, and the issue is addressed in toyota technical service…
ODI 10269745
Steering
I have 2006 toyota rav4. The steering has clunk issue when make turn. This caused sometime out of control when make turns. I talked to the dealer and this is known issue. *tr
ODI 10316789
Steering
Clanking when turning the vehicle at low speeds. Began to occur at approx 45,000 miles. Steering column feels loose when sounds appear. Is this dangerous?!?!? Dealer looking for service bulletin. Need recall. *tr
ODI 10268526
Electrical System · Steering
'model year: 2006 'make: toyota rav4 'model: 4 drive, 2 wd, v6 sport 'component: power steering system description: i bought the above car on 12/16/2006. After two years of driving, i started to notice that there is a tweaking sound on the steering wheel whenever i make a left or right turn of the vehicle at a slow speed. I have made a complain to capitol toyota at the beginning of 2009 and demand a fix without…
ODI 10345095
Frame And Members · Front · Steering
Since day one there was a knocking/popping sound coming from the steering column when turning the wheel at park and low speeds. I had taken the vehicle in to the dealer at least 3 times and finally, and ironically, the dealer acknowledged the noise. Previous trips yielded the ever present "could not duplicate". However steering adjustments via an alignment was attempted. Could not duplicate but tried something…
ODI 10253513
Steering
A noise came from steering wheel. This had been going on for sometime. Toyota replaced r&r steering intermediate shaft. Eventually steering wheel airbag had to be replaced due to severance of the spiral cable. No doubt these were related. Unknown to me at the time of the repair toyota issued a technical service bulletin on 2-8-08 covering this issue. They refused to reimburse me for the repair. The defective part…
ODI 10496156