Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,226 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Toyota RAV4 steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Toyota RAV4:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2014 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #13

Sep 192023

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My daughter was exiting the the freeway on off ramp and turning right. The car lost electrical power without any warnings on dash or notification. When she tried to turn the steering wheel she was unable to due to loss of power steering. She ended up crossing a median and was able to turn the wheel enough to pull into the suicide lane. She noticed the hood was smoking so she shut off the car and exited the vehicle. Soon the car engine area was in flames. Fire department put out the fire and police made and incident report. The car is unusable.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #12

Apr 052023

RAV4

  • miles
I purchased a 2014 RAV4 this past April from a private owner in Daytona Beach, Fla. Everything seemed to be fine and checked out on the test drive both me and my husband took for a spin. I noticed once I got it on the road and onto the highway the sterling wheel seemed very stiff, and I could hear a slight clicking noise. My husband thought it needed new tires since the ones on vehicle were pretty worn. Well, we replaced four tires, and the problem is still there. As I drove the car, I realized it was difficult to drive and keep in a lane. I feel the car as it is is dangerous to drive and it is NOT a comfortable car to drive. I have owned three other Toyota's two Camry's and a Rav 4. I would still be driving my Rav 4 if it weren't for an elderly man hitting my car and it was totaled by the insurance. I looked at several vehicles before I came across this Rav 4. I wish I never did, big mistake.. I always praised Toyota because of the dependability of the vehicles' I don't feel that way anymore. I have been in touch with Toyota Motor Corp., and they offered me NOTHING. I don't qualify for a Recall or extended warranty even though it is a safety issue. What the Toyota dealer here in Florida offered me was a repair bill for $30.00 which I cannot afford to have fixed right now. So now I'm stuck with a car that I'm afraid to drive because it has a mind of its own and I am afraid I could end up in a ditch. Thank You Toyota I will never buy again. I am very disappointed in Toyota and the lack of support from Toyota Corp. This has definitely changed my mind about Toyota. I should have bought American, and it would have cost less. Very unhappy Customer not that Toyota cares.

- Silver Springs, FL, USA

problem #11

Oct 302022

RAV4

  • miles
As I drive the multimedia system reboots on its own. Also as I was exiting the freeway coming off a curvy ramp, the car shut down as I was driving and the steering wheel locked for a second and then it came back to life. As this happened the dashboard lit up as if it was in accessory mode. Luckily there was not a lot of traffic on the ramp. Also about 5 months ago i had it repaired at the dealer because of a torque converter extended recall

- Hamtramck, MI, USA

problem #10

Aug 152022

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering and brakes quit working while driving. Able to safely get off road. Took to Toyota Service Department. Per invoice "improperly installed battery caused everything to melt" battery installed by AAA in March 2020. Size 35 battery. Extensive damage.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #9

Aug 292021

RAV4

  • miles
The first thing that happened was while driving in the day my dash board lights shut off and back on three different times with in 5-7 minutes. Then the next day while driving down the road by vehicle electrical dash board system shut itself off and came back while I was driving. The warning symbol for the electrical steering power flashed on and my steering wheel locked up as I was turning and caused me not to be able to steer normally. Also, my air conditioning shut off and back on during these incidents.

- Albertville , MN, USA

problem #8

Aug 152021

RAV4

  • 74,800 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the power steering assist message displayed, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The next day the vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined, and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V144000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 74,800.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #7

Jul 012021

RAV4

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while making a right turn at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. During the failure, the instrument panel flashed approximately 4-5 times before going black. The contact stepped out to look under the hood and noticed a small fire. The police department was contacted and arrived and put out the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away and deemed a total loss. The contact was not injured. Medical attention was not needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #6

Mar 302016

RAV4

  • 20,700 miles
At the first time, I drove this car to pick my daughter up from her school. When I waited for my daughter, I wasn't turn off the engine, just stepped on the break until my daughter got on about one minute. And then I released the break wanted to move on. I couldn't turned the steering wheel and the car just move straight. I restarted my car again and the car could move normally. At the second time, when I was waiting at a traffic light, my car sunddenly shaked about four seconds and then the engine off automatically and the streering wheel couldn't turned too. When I restarted the car and it could move again.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #5

Nov 092015

RAV4

  • 9,800 miles
While making a turn under 10 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated with the foot off the accelerator pedal. This has happened 3 times with 2 trips to the dealership right after. Dealer could not find anything wrong. Only a quick reaction onto the brake pedal stopped the car from hitting something. 2 of the times the vehicle was turning up a slight hill. This needs to be investigated since Toyota can't find an issue, a un-experienced driver may not react fast enough to prevent an accident.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #4

Oct 192015

RAV4

  • 16,000 miles
On 10/19/2015 the electronic steering system warning panel activated, locking my steering column and preventing the start of the Rav4. Towing company arrived, experienced/witnessed same event. Rav4 towed to dealership. 10/20 dealership stated "no repairs performed vehicle operating as designed." 10/20/2015 the customer representative stated "there was no electronic footprint in the memory card, indicating this event took place." No action by dealership. Reported to general manager and Toyota co. Toyota case #1510220162. Toyota stated they will not be making any repairs because the VIN is not part of recall number 15V144000 dated 3/13/2015. Dealership and corporation stated the vehicle must present the issue at the shop or on the road (at this point there will be a crash) before they will take any action.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #3

Feb 142015

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is an ongoing intermittent problem. I notice it while moving slowly and turning. The steering has a spot where it is harder to turn. It feels like the power steering momentarily stalls. I told the dealership at the first service appointment and they couldn't find anything.

- Chowchilla, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 012014

RAV4

  • 300 miles
While driving my brand new Toyota 2014 Rav4, they were the following: 1. the car was vibrating slightly and the car was stuck in first gear. 2. the ?check engine" light came on along with the AWD drive and traction control lights. 3. the steering wheel was becoming firm along with the brake pedal. Remember, this was all while the car was still running. 4. I managed to pull over and turn off the car. 5. I tried to restart the vehicle, but the car would not start and would only use the battery. 6. I tried to start the car for the third time, but stopped when I could smell burning rubber. I was very nervous when this happened. Moreover, I have lost confidence, trust, and a sense of safety in this vehicle. Basically, I no longer feel safe and secure in this car. My experience yesterday 09/01/2014 was terrifying, I was afraid that somebody was going to hit me from behind. When the vehicle started to shut down I was scared for my friends life and mine. I had no choice but to stop the car as much as I could to the side safely and put on my hazard lights on, and call for help. There was no shoulder I had to stop on a busy road, where cars drive over the speed limit. When I was buying the vehicle they were my best buddy offering you water, pizza, after the deal shaking hands 20 times, when you go back its like we are very busy. Toyota care will take care of it, don't really want to know you! at the moment it is at the dealership being checked! lets see what happens.

- Hudson, NH, USA

problem #1

May 082014

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 142 miles
New car dunlop tires have severe road hazard. Every small road condition magnifies into great steering problem.

- Northport, FL, USA

Not what you are looking for?