This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Toyota dealer.
5.5
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$676.00
Average Mileage:
41,134 miles
Total Complaints:
20 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (9 reports)
- replace steering shaft due to binding (6 reports)
- replace intermediate shaft (2 reports)
- mechanic recommended replace rack and pinion (1 reports)
- steering box column replaced (1 reports)
- steering olumn sleeves were replaced (1 reports)
steering problem
Search for Problems, Recalls & Defects
Find a good Toyota mechanic
A free service from MechanicAdvisor.comHelpful websites
- No one has added a helpful site for this 2006 RAV4 problem yet. Be the first!
2006Dec 31
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 3,000 miles
I bought this car brand new, paid almost $40,000 for the vehicle, a couple months later there was a clunking sound in the steering. Brought to Toyota Service several times for servicing, point out the problem but was never fixed nor grabbed any attention. In November 2009 brought to Toyota for servicing, the associate just decide to twist the steering and recorded the issue then and told it was going to cost me an enormous amount of money to fix. I argued with them so they decide to goodwill it and gave me a year warranty. Unfortunately, the sound came back in August 2011 and I brought it to their attention in late September, they told me it needs replacing of the steering shaft and i need to come up with $600.00. I am still screaming at them, as this seems to be a defect on these cars. Not sure how to approach this, still thinking about what to do and seeing that 18 people have this same problem, Toyota should make an effort to correct it.
2011Mar 01
RAV4 Limited V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
I'm a single mother of 2 with a tight budget. I bought the 06 Rav4 in February 2011 with 96k miles on it. It fit my budget and offered every feature I needed since I have two boys & very active in the outdoors. It sounded/looked excellant, test drove excellant,...thought miles were no issue as my history with Toyota was that they made very reliable vehicles. Husband once traded Toyota truck in with 400k miles and still ran like a champ!! I did not purchase extended warranty due to a tight budget & never had use for one in the past with Toyotas being such great vehicles - seemed like a waste of money. Toyota gives a standard 6mo/6k mile warranty anyways. Wouldn't you know, 1 month later, my Rav4 steering started making popping/klunking noises (could feel in steering wheel) at low speed turning both left/right. Also noticed the tranny acting funny - sometimes seems confused between 1st & 2nd gear (but that will be detailed in another complaint).
A month goes by & I decided to do some research regarding this popping sound. I found nearly 400,000 hits on google regarding Rav's having this problem. Not good! At the end of April I contacted dealership (Toyota of Yakima, WA). They said no recall was out for this steering issue. I commented on how popular this problem is, that the steering problem seems to be an epidemic. Service Dept said they do not know of steering epidemics in Rav4s. I managed to reproduce sound in dealership parking lot while mechanic was in the car with me. Service Mngr told me its purely a design flaw. Its safe to continue driving it, it will not worsen. Or I can replace the intermediate shaft. I seriously did not believe that the issue is safe & would not worsen. So I asked them to replace the shaft. Because of the 6mo warranty, they replaced the intermediate shaft for free. I doubted that would fix the problem from all the research I read on what fixed the issue for others (knuckle/ujoints/bearings,etc), but waited to say anything unless I heard the sound again. Drove it out of dealership - no sound. But when I got home, it made popping sound in driveway & on way to work next morning. Called dealership - they said to wait for grease to work itself in. Why wasn't I told this when I left dealership? I doubted this answer as I'm led to beleive replacing a part should be an immediate cure, right? I asked if they replaced anything with the shaft (bearing, ujoints, links, stabilizers, bushings, struts, etc). Service Mngr instantly had an attitude with me, telling me no - only the shaft, that their mechanics are highly qualified, get specialized schooling and know what their doing. I realize I'm not a mechanic by any means, I told him I'll drive it another week to see if the advice of "working the grease in" works. 1 week later it's not better, but same as before if not worse. I left a voicemail for my salesman to complain again how unhappy I am, he doesnt return it but 2 days later.
I am very upset about having these problems after only owning it for 3 months!! I remark possibly buying a lemon & returning it for something else. However because I commute 45 min to work daily.......I'm now beyond the 6k mile warranty (6700 miles post purchase, to be exact). Anything they do to my car now will more then likely be charged to me. The vehicle is going back to the service dept tomorrow morning (Fri 5/27/11) to see what could further be done for the steering and transmission. Then they will determine whether to charge me, pay for it themselves, or allow me to trade in (keep in mind salesman told me they could possibly add the mechanical costs against the vehicle value if I trade it in). I'm thoroughly disgusted with Toyota of Yakima, its sales & service....not to mention Toyotas Rav4. After this issue I'm never going to buy Toyota again nor recommend to anyone I know. What a disapointment and I see that I'm NOT alone. If the steering & tranny issue are not recalled....they should be. How many people need to be injured/killed for a recall to be activated? If its all blamed on poor design, its NO excuse either. What has Toyota become? Single mothers, or anyone for that matter......can NOT afford to spend thousands of dollars and always fear if the only vehicle they own will get them where they need to go. I am absolutely scared, worried, ashamed & extremely angry that I'm in this situation.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010May 01
RAV4 Limited V6
- Automatic transmission
- 40,000 miles
After two years of trying to get someone to listen, the noise is now unmistakable, as it clunks with the least effort. The dealer say it was my choice to "fix it" or "live with it" as it is not a safety concern. I have an extended warranty, but it does not cover the intermediate shaft. I called Toyota customer service, and was told they never heard of any problems with the RAV4 intermediate shaft....my response "try Goggling RAV4 intermediate shaft." I have been a loyal customer for over 20 years, never again will I buy Toyota...the consumer confidence is now gone by the constant Toyota denials over problems related to their vehicles.
2011Feb 01
RAV4 V4
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
My wife and I were exclusive Toyota buyers. Camry, Highlander, RAV4. Not anymore. My 2006 RAV4 lasted 5 years and I'm done. Clunk noise when turning, Toyota mechanic told me that's common with the 06-08 RAV4. Rack and pinion not built well, informed me it's a common problem with a price tag > $1000 to really solve it. After the alternator went out and the O2 sensor went bad I switched. Honda/Acura here I come. I have had my Acura RDX for bout a week now and love it. Doubt I will be going back!
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
2011Jan 10
RAV4 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 24,438 miles
This is my 9th Toyota since 1985- Never ever a problem- Thinking sound in steering of my 2006 Rav with less that 24,500 mileage told it was rack and pinion and would cost $1800 but since I was a consistent customer the dealership would pay 1/2. That was nice but the problem is this car has been well maintained, driven little and should not have had this occur as it has so few miles. Who can I contact about this problem and get some action. This is not my error, but I feel it is a RAV4 problem since I have been reading about it consistently. These autos should have been recalled...and they still have not done so. This will be my last Toyota, sorry to say but I am not so loyal that I will pay an exorbitant amount of money to fix something that should have been recalled.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 01
RAV4 Sport 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 36,000 miles
My Rav4 has the clunking noise when turning. The Dealer said that it's a u-joint binding and if I wanted it fixed it would cost $300.00 for a new steering column. They also said it was not a safety issue. The Toyota dealer seems to be real quick with dismissing problems. I don't think I'll be buying another Toyota.
2009Oct 01
RAV4 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING MAY BE A PRECURSOR TO A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THE REPORTED MODELS WITH THIS DESIGN ERROR. AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO OFFSET REPAIR COSTS SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM THAT TOYOTA OFFERS TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS.
2009Aug 26
RAV4 Limited V6
- Automatic transmission
- 36,300 miles
The problem started in 2008 but the clunking noise did not happen quite so often. It was also unpredictable so we thought it was just normal. almost a year later the clunking noise are more frequent and a friend told us to have it looked at... and we did. And warranty won't cover it since we were over 300 miles from 36000. Even though the problem started before it reached 36000. Since we did not report it sooner, warranty will not cover it. Let this be a lesson for you. We had to pay $840 for it and a year after having the shaft replaced the clunking noise is back.
2010Sep 13
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 31,200 miles
My RAV4 has been making a clunking noise for a couple of years now when I make a left turn. Recently, it started making the noise no matter which way I turn. After researching it on the internet and seeing that this is a common complaint, I took it in to Toyota. My mileage is 31,000+ but since it is a 2006, they say it isn't covered under the warranty.
I am not finished fighting. It is obviously a defect and Toyota needs to make good on it. Otherwise, it will be the last Toyota I buy and I have had several.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jan 01
RAV4 2.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 21,000 miles
2006 Toyota Rav4 should be recall to prevent further safety issues.
2010May 01
RAV4 V4
- Automatic transmission
- 34,000 miles
This is a common problem with Rav4 based on my internet search. Toyota should recall it.
2010Mar 19
RAV4 2 Wheel Drive 4 Cly
- Automatic transmission
- 30,000 miles
THe RAV 4 is driven by a little old lady (67 yrs. old) she is handicapped, and she my wife. I drive my van an hardly ever drive the RAV4. I notice GM had a recall for stirring clunking.The RAV4 was under a service agreement (oil changes,Etc,) and they did not catch the clunking at LIA of Wilbraham where we purchased the RAV4 new. I 'm getting the run around by Toyota/LIA of Wilbraham...I notice on-line there were 49 complaints for the same thing...people got it repaired and the cost range from $350-$650....I'm still paying on the loan for this KLUNKER and now they want me to piss-out another $650...well kiss my---
2009Oct 14
RAV4 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 76,000 miles
We thought that Toyota would hold up better to their name on parts such as steering shafts going bad. This vehicle was never in an accident involving the front end. This vehicle is a single female driver owner. I am very discouraged with Toyota not taking care of this problem for us. I believe this part should be recalled since I only had 76,000 miles on it when the dealer brought this problem to my attention. If they don't take care of it, we will not buy another Toyota.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 01
RAV4 Sport
- Automatic transmission
- 40,000 miles
Clunking noise in the steering column with slow turns, forward or in reverse. Called the dealer, said it was a "Service Bulletin" not a recall and NOT a defect! Hah! They said the only way they would cover is if I had every service done exactly as suggested by Toyota and had documentation of that! We're not done yet.... especially in lieu of what is now coming out about the issue and Toyota's quality issue.
Curious, does anyone know if this is a safety issue?
2009Sep 03
RAV4 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 36,012 miles
This seems to be a problem with this vehicle as I see I am not the first to report it. And of course it started right after the warranty ran out. I believe Toyota has a problem and there should be a recall.
2009Oct 02
RAV4 Sport 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 38,000 miles
I noticed clunking about seven months ago ,but thought it was a braking system working. Then a noise started to get more noticeable and I realized that I definitely got a problem . Plus in august 2009 while I was driving, my RAV4 started to smoke and spread oil . Then engine started to make strange sounds . I pulled over and found the big oil spot under the car. It was towed into a dealership .I was told that the oil line cracked .Was repaired under the warranty . They said no damage was done to the engine . But its disappointing.
2009Oct 13
RAV4 Limited 2.4L 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 42,400 miles
Noticed clunking in steering column. After a few months I started to feel the clunk on the steering wheel. Took the vehicle to the dealer with another problem and they replaced the sleeves for the steering. If they are having problems with as few miles on the vehicle I can't imagine what it will be like at say 100,000 miles. I think the quality in Toyotas is a thing of the past.
2009Jan 14
RAV4 Sport 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 15,000 miles
Clunking noise when steering. I've mentioned problem before when car was taken to the Toyota dealership for oil changes, but was told they did not find anything. Am taking the car in 10-5-09 to have noise checked again.
2007Dec 19
RAV4 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
Toyota told me that too bad i didn't bring the car in when it was still under warranty. Well, who would think that a car this new would break down already? And if there's a number of car owners complaining about the same problem, shouldn't this be recalled? Instead of them pretending as if they didn't know about the problem? If toyota was smart, they should avoid word of mouth and fix the defect instead of covering it up. I will for sure tell all the people i know, and i'm talking about a lot, to never buy a toyota again. Media is a good source!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Apr 14
RAV4 Sport 2.4L
Steering clunking noise got more noticeable after 55,000 miles. Toyota said they had few complaints about this issue - really?? Seems to be a pretty common complaint when I check online.
Too many issues with this vehicle overall, done with Toyota for now after we had 5 in the past 12 years.
Michael R.
Maple Ridge, BC, Canada
SEND A COMMENT »