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
Had a clunking sound in steering column when turning and backing up. Steering shaft was replaced under warranty. Problem returned and repaired on aug. 27,2012 at 73,852 miles and cost $720. I have been driving for 50 years and never had a car that had a steering problem like this. I was told that if i didn't have it repaired the steering column could lock up. I see there has been alot of complaints about this…
ODI 10474506
Steering
I have 2006 rav4 sport with 52k miles on it that is making a clunking noise when i turn at low speeds. There is technical service bulletin about this issue: st001-08 for steering. I can live with the noise but i want to know if this will be a safety issue. I do not want to lose steering control if i do not have this replaced since the warranty for the vehicle expired at 36k or 36 months. *tr
ODI 10248651
Steering
Toyota rav4, 2006, steering intermediate shaft noise, vehicle does not keep the direction properly. *tr
ODI 10334743
Steering
At the end of 2008 i took my 06" rav4 in for it's pre-paid maintenance and told the service attendant that my steering wheel was making a strange noise when i was turning. I said maybe it just needs steering fluid. He got in and turned the wheel a couple of times and said he felt it would be fine. I mentioned the noise at each of the following appts. And was told basically the same thing. Well now my car is out of…
ODI 10312450
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact heard a thumping noise within the steering wheel of her vehicle. The failure only occurred while making turns. Over the past three weeks, the noise occurred more frequently. The dealer stated that the intermediate shafts needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired and the manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was 62,248 and failure…
ODI 10247334
Steering
Steering intermediate shaft noise / loose when making turns. The shaft has not "failed" yet, however it is a safety concern. Repair has not been made yet, parts are backordered. Vehicle out of warranty by 3650 miles, so far toyota will only pay half. *tr
ODI 10242878
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. While driving various speeds and making left or right turns, the contact hears a strange noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the steering intermediate shaft needed to be replaced and a wheel alignment needed to be performed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The vin was unknown. The current mileage was 45,000 and failure mileage was 43,000.…
ODI 10254781
Steering
The steering column and/or steering wheel makes a clunk, pop and knock type noise when the steering wheel is turned left or right. This occurs at any speed and sometimes even when the vehicle is not moving. I am fearful that something in the steering mechanism might break while diving leaving the vehicle to continue on a course not under my control. *tr
ODI 10282748
Steering
Klunking noise heard and thump felt in steering column while turning vehicle a slow speeds. *tr
ODI 10286356
Steering
My 2006 toyota rav4/ sport has steering clunking. There have been recalls for the same problem in other years of toyota rav4's. I feel that with all the complaints that i have been reading about with the same year and model that a recall needs to be issued before someone else dies. *tr
ODI 10329825
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The steering wheel made a loud noise while driving at various speeds and making left and right turns. The dealer was unable to diagnose or recreate the failure on four occasions. He will notify the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 48,000.
ODI 10289378
Steering
Steering shaft goes bad on 2006 toyota rav4's and some camry's and toyota won't recall it. I feel a clunking noise whenever i make a turn and was told that it's worn out. After 3 yrs of purchasing a brand new car? And the same thing is happening with a number of other toyota owners with the same models. And i was told eventually, if it goes unattended that i could lose control of the vehicle! And that too bad i…
ODI 10272448
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she heard a clunking noise from the steering wheel when turning. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The vin was unavailable when the complaint was filed. The…
ODI 10335025
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the steering rods made a noise at low speeds and when he made left and right turns. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the failure was a known defect but there were no related recalls. The contact was informed that he would be responsible for the repair costs. The vin was unavailable when the complaint was filed. The current and failure…
ODI 10331228
Steering
My new 2006 toyota rav 4 was in for repairs in february of 2008. The intermediate steering shaft had to be replaced at 39,817 miles, just after the 36,000 mile warranty had expired. Every time the steering wheel was turned the steering made a loud clunking sound. It got worse in a couple of weeks and the dealer said it was worn. I asked why after only 39,817 miles and they could not explain. Now i have 81,000 miles…
ODI 10312970
Equipment · Steering · Structure
Clunking sound in the steering column, chipped paint on the hood, and a jumbled radio screen. Radio fixed, steering column ongoing, paint still chipping. *tr
ODI 10293436
Steering
I purchased a new 4 cylinder 2006 toyota rav 4 in april 2006. At about 30,000 miles i noticed a subtle clunking noise when making right turns at a slow speed. When the sound continued to increase and also occurred when turning the steering wheel to the right when the car was not moving, i took it to the local toyota dealer. I have now done so 2 times . The mechanics assigned to evaluate the situation agreed that…
ODI 10252959
Steering
This defect is with regard to my 2006 toyota rav4. Turning the steering wheel at low speed causes multiple loud clunking sounds, and the steering wheel vibrates along with clunk. It's almost like a ratcheting behavior on the shaft connecting the steering wheel to the steering mechanism. This defect began at approximately 40,000 miles. The car has 83,000 miles and the clunking is becoming more pronounced. There is at…
ODI 10359941
Steering
Clunking steering column when turning. Started at about 15k miles. Now 45k and noise much more pronounced. Read this is rod/shaft problem with 2006s, see that majority of complains filed w/ nhtsa relate to this issue. Why is toyota not recalling? They claim not safety issue. Clunking noise while turning can't be good for future integrity of vehicle's steering. It's not a problem until there is a serious injury or…
ODI 10363580
Steering
I have a 2006 rav4 6 cylinder. Within the last few months i have begun to notice the knocking/creaking noise when making turns at slow speeds. I have asked the dealer to look at it when it was in for service but of course they could not hear the problem. Have found many people with this dreaded "knocking" noise when turning and according to those people, the steering shaft needs replaced. *tr
ODI 10212875
Electric Power Assist System · Steering · Suspension
2006 toyota rav 4. Consumer states issues with front steering, suspension and drive train *tgw the consumer stated the problems started with an abnormal noise in the steering system and continued with other problems associated with the steering, front suspension and drive train. Various front end components had been replaced 10 times. After the steering shaft was replaced for the second time in august of 2011, the…
ODI 10466106
Steering
The following sequence of events describe the problem with my car. In august 2006, i purchased for my wife a new toyota rav 4/l4 at 4x2. In august 2007 (vehicle mileage: 9,540), i had to take the vehicle to the car dealer because of a strange noise coming from the steering shaft assembly which had to be ordered (part # 45260-42090) and installed. In november 2007 (vehicle mileage: 11,989), i took the vehicle to the…
ODI 10243141
Steering
Get a clunking in steering,, took it to dealer bad intermediate steering shaft.. They have a tsb on it,, but wont fix due to it currently being out of warranty, am concerned about steering issues and causing a accident. Toyota has been aware of this issue and wont recall,, has to think steering probs can be a major risk hazard,, since they knew about it in 2008 read forums.. And seems to be a major widespread issue…
ODI 10482065
Steering
I bought a new 2006 toyota rav4 v6 sport. After a year i got a clunking noise from the steering shaft when i was turning left or right at low speed. I had around 15,000 miles. I went to the dealer and they told me after the check up that is nothing wrong with the steering system. After a year my wife drove the car was surprised by the noise. She had a nissan quest for 15 years and never experienced such a bad ride…
ODI 10248773
Steering
TOYOTA RAV4 STEERING COLUMN CLUNKING NOISE. *TR
ODI 10332617