2007 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

MASTER WINDOW POWER SWITCH CAUGHT A FIRE IN AUGUST 2011. IT HAD BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS SINCE JULY 2009. TOYOTA WOULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE TO MANY MILES. HOW DOES A POWER WINDOW STOP WORKING ON A 2007 RAV4 WHEN IT ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. FAULTY MASTER POWER SWITCH. IT HAD A BURN HOLE THE SIZE OF A DIME. I'M GLAD I TOOK A PICTURE OF IT. THE FIRST TIME I SAW SMOKE WAS JUNE 2011. I WAS SO AFRAID TO DRIVE THE FIRE TRAP I TRADED IT IN FOR A NEW CAR. THE RAV4 WAS PAID OFF NOW I HAVE A CAR LOAN AT 19.9%. *KB

ON AUGUST 29, 2011, 19 YEAR-OLD SUBJECT WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ACROSS AN INTERSECTION WHEN SUBJECT WAS STRUCK ON DRIVER SIDE BY A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. SUBJECT WAS STRUCK BY A MOTORIST THAT ACCORDING TO POLICE OFFICER REPORT, RAN A RED LIGHT. SUBJECT WAS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT WITH GREEN LIGHT WHILE DRIVING A WHITE 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH APPROXIMATELY 104,299 MILES. SUBJECT PURCHASED RAV4 VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA IN APRIL OF 2011. SUBJECT PURCHASED 2007 RAV4 ON ACCOUNT OF THE AIRBAG SAFETY FEATURES (HEAD, SIDE, FRONT, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS) TO PROTECT SUBJECT FROM INJURY. ON AUGUST 29, 2011, SUBJECT 2007 RAV4 SUSTAINED DAMAGE FROM ROCKER PANEL TO ROOF AND FROM FRONT LEFT BUMPER TO DOORS. STRUCTURAL, SUSPENSION, WHEEL, AND STEERING COMPONENTS WERE ALSO DAMAGED AS PER THE APPRAISER'S DAMAGE ESTIMATE FOLLOWING THE AUGUST 29, 2011 ACCIDENT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. A LETTER WAS SENT TO TOYOTA. CALLS WERE MADE TO TOYOTA TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AND TOYOTA DENIED CLAIMS OF ANY WRONGDOING OR DEFECT. SUBJECT WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA DECLINED TO INSPECT VEHICLE. RECENT NOTICES OF RECALLS RECEIVED ALONG WITH TOYOTA SENDING EMAILS TO SUBJECT TO TRY TO PURCHASE SUBJECT RAV4 LENDS CREDIBILITY TO SUBJECT ASSERTION THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND PROTECTED SUBJECT FROM INJURY DURING THE AUGUST 29, 2011 INCIDENT. THE AIRBAG FEATURES FAILED SUBJECT AND FAILED TO PROTECT SUBJECT FROM INJURY ON AUGUST 29, 2011. 2007 RAV4 WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY GEICO AND LIBERTY MUTUAL. THIS ACCIDENT TOTALED A RAV4 AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. GIVEN INADEQUATE ATTENTION WAS GIVEN TO SUBJECT AND INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER BY TOYOTA, SUBJECT SEEKS INVESTIGATION AND REMEDY FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED THAT SRS AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLES DRIVER AIRBAG IS INOPERATIVE. TOOK INTO TOYOTA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IT HAD A BAD SPIRAL CABLE/CLOCK SPRING, AND AIRBAG MODULE ACTUATOR. WAS QUOTED REPAIR PRICE OF $ 1297.00. WHEN I CALLED THEM BACK ASKING FOR THE 2 ERROR CODES READ IN DIAGNOSTICS, A DIFFERENT SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED IT WAS ONLY 1 CODE, B1801, WHICH IS FOR SPIRAL CABLE, AND NOT AIRBAG ACTUATOR TOO. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE, AND REPAIRED BY TOYOTA, SINCE MY DRIVER'S AIRBAG IS INOPERATIVE. *TR

EXPERIENCED KNOCKING AND POPPING NOISE WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CONDITION WORSENED OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW WEEKS AND EVENTUALLY BECAME CONSTANT. THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING RACK AND NOT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY PER T-SB-0308-08 "STEERING RACK NOISE". I'M CONCERNED THIS MIGHT BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

QUOTED FROM TOYOTA SERVICE INVOICE " AIR BAG LIGHT ON: 140603 B1801 STORED AIR BAG LIGHT ON. FOUND OPEN CIRCUIT IN SPIRAL CABLE REC REPLACING " ( $530). *TR

THIS TOYOTA RAV4 BEGAN HAVING CLUNKING WITH STEERING THE VEHICLE RIGHT AND LEFT DIRECTLY AFTER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE CLUNKING WORSENED SO IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A REPLACEMENT PART THAT WAS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS RAV4 WITH THE STEERING COMPONENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DESCRIBED THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL IF IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A FACTORY DEFECT? THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT QUOTED ME A $3500 CHARGE FOR REPAIR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT I NEED TO PAY AN ENORMOUS COST FOR A FACTORY DEFECT THAT IS ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOYOTA HAS ISSUED T-SB-0318-08 BULLETIN WITH A PROCEDURE TO REPAIR AN INADEQUATELY DESIGNED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT LONG-TERM SAFETY AND LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF THIS REPAIR IS NOT DONE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL AND OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY OF THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, VEHICLE MAKES A THUMPING NOISE. THE THUMPING NOISE SEEMS TO COME FROM THE STEERING SHAFT. I FEAR LOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING. APPARENTLY, TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OF THE VEHICLE, AND TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. I FEAR THIS DEFECT IN THE STEERING WILL IMPACT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I FEAR COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING. *TR

WATER APPEARS IN THE FRONT OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A RAINSTORM, SEEMS WORSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WATER APPEARS TO PERSIST AND DRIP FOR DAYS AFTER THE RAINSTORM FROM BELOW THE DASHBOARD. CONCERN IS THAT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY MAY BE COMPROMISED, ESPECIALLY AFTER REPEATED OCCURRENCES. *TR

NO ACCIDENT HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT CONCERNED ABOUT POPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN MAY BECOME AN ISSUE AT SOME POINT. TOYOTA SAYS VEHICLE IS SAFE BUT CONTINUOUS POPPING SOUND IN STEERING COLUMN HAS US CONCERNED. THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED IN 2009 AND TOYOTA REPLACED PARTS IN STEERING COLUMN TO FIX IT. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS OUT ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM, IN 2011 PROBLEM HAS RETURNED, WELL THE WARRANTY IS OUT AND TO FIX PROBLEM IS A LARGE OUT OF POCKET COST.

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I HAVE OBSERVED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BETWEEN OIL CHANGES THE OIL LAMP GLOWS SHOWING THERE IS MORE THAN NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION. TOYOTA DEALERS HAVE RUN TESTS BUT HAVE FAILED TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM OR SUGGEST A SOLUTION. *TR

2007 TOYOTA RAV4. STEERING COLUMN FAILURE. TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS MULTIPLE SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS ITEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *KB

I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND TOYOTA HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN DEALING WITH IT; STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND IS COVERED UNDER TWO NUMBERS; ST001-08 AND LATER T-SB-0318-08. THE SHAFT IS COMING APART AND MAKES NOISE PARTICULARLY AT LOW SPEED. ACCORDING TO REPORTS IT AFFECTS THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES. I FIRST BECAME AWARE OF MY PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD THE NOISE WAS NOTHING; THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT REPORTED IN THEIR SYSTEM. LATER I FOUND OUT WHAT THIS ISSUE WAS AND THAT THEY KNEW. SINCE THEN I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET IT FIXED BUT THEY WANT $800 TO FIX WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING/DESIGN DEFECT. THEY RECENTLY OFFERED TO FIX IT FOR $600; NOT MUCH OF AN OFFER SINCE MY LOCAL MECHANIC WILL DO IT FOR THE SAME PRICE. SINCE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE WITH ISSUES AND I WOULD ASSUME POSES A SAFETY ISSUE I WOULD EXPECT THEM TO DO A GENERAL RECALL. I HOPE YOU CAN FORCE THEM TO DO SUCH. *KB

AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, I SAW A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS DOOR PANEL AND IT SMELLED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. AFTERWARDS, THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW SWITCH WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD ONLY LET DOWN (VERY SLOWLY) BUT WOULDN'T GO BACK UP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SHOWED ME THAT THE MAIN POWER WINDOW SWITCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD A HOLE BURNED INTO IT THE SIZE OF A DIME. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. PRIOR TO THIS THE PASSENGER WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2010 AND NOVEMBER 2010. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENTS STILL NEVER TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM OF THE PASSENGER WINDOW SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY WORKING. IN FACT, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO I WAS JUST AT THE DEALERSHIP COMPLAINING THAT I WAS STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW SWITCH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INTERMITTENTLY WORKING. I NEVER GUESSED THAT MY CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE! NOW I'M A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING MY VEHICLE! UPDATED 11/17/11 *BF UPDATED 06/06/12 *JS

AT AROUND 60,000 MILES, MY 2007 RAV4 BEGAN MAKING A VERY LOUD THUMPING, KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND SHAFTS EVERY TIME I TURNED THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE ISSUE WAS NOTICEABLY WORSE AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE IMPACT COULD BE FELT AS A TREMOR THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. BY 70,000 MILES, I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY DRIVING AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 35MPH. THE PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. ALL THREE ADVISED THAT THE ISSUE SHOULD BE REPAIRED URGENTLY AS IT IS AN IMMEDIATE DRIVER SAFETY CONCERN. FURTHER RESEARCH CONFIRMS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH 2006-2008 YEAR RAV4S. TOYOTA RECOGNIZES THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILURES ARE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT THE ISSUE OF TWO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS. THIS FLAW IS COVERED BY WARRANTY FOR VEHICLES UNDER 3 YEARS OF 36,000 MILES, BUT COSTS OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR (AT THE OWNER''S COST) OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE OBVIOUSLY RELATES TO A DESIGN/MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION DEFICIENCY WITH THIS MODEL. OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ALREADY LISTED ON NHTSA SITE. ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM CLEARLY AFFECT THE ABILITY TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THUS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA IS KNOWINGLY IMPOSING RISK ON ITS DRIVERS UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS DEALT WITH, BY A MANDATORY RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SB0318-08 DESCRIBES A STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FAILURE THAT IS WIDESPREAD (BASED ON INTERNET SEARCH) FOR THE 2007 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE TSB ALSO INDICATES THAT A NEWLY DESIGNED PART IS REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA HAS WAITED THE 3 YEAR - 36 MONTHS WARRANTY TO EXPIRE IN ORDER TO CHARGE ITS CUSTOMERS TO FIX THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT - AT A COST OF OVER $1,000. GIVEN THE EXTENT OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE RECOGNITION BY TOYOTA THAT FAILURES OCCUR FREQUENTLY AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT VIA A NEWLY DESIGNED PART - A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED SO OWNER'S CAN HAVE THIS PART REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER INTRUSION THROUGH THE FRESH AIR INTAKE UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, CAUSING THE CARPET TO BECOME MOIST AND GROW MOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE GASKET WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND A PLASTIC SEALANT WOULD HAVE TO BE INSTALLED AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS DONE ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) THE SRS WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE FUSES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2007 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS DISTINCTIVE CLUNKING, CLACKING AND BANGING SOUNDS WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. NOTICED IT AT 37,204 MILES, RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. HAS TSB ON THIS PROBLEM WHICH REVEALS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT DEFECT AND NEW VERSION AVAILABLE FOR FIX. WEB CHECK ALSO REVEALS EPIDEMIC EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CONFIRM PROBLEMS WHICH THEY DID. CALLED TOYOTA BUT THEY WILL DO OR PAY NOTHING SINCE VEHICLE IS PAST WARRANTY. WHAT DOES WARRANTY HAVE TO DO WITH THIS? THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. I AM VERY ANGRY AT TOYOTA AND IT'S STANCE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. A MANDATORY RECALL NEEDS TO BE ENACTED. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT IS CAUSING ISSUES WITH WHEELS WHEN TURNING. I HAVE READ A BUNCH OF OTHERS COMPLAINTS. PLEASE HAVE TOYOTA RECALL THIS PART AND REPLACE THERE IS A CLUNKING IN MY STEERING WHEN I TURN THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT AT ANY SPEED. THE STEERING FEEL AS THEIR IS LOOSENESS CAUSING NON ACCURATE TURNING AND WOBBLESNESS. JAN 14, 2013 - WESLEY CHAPEL , FL - STEERING TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THERE WAS A LOUD STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. BULLETIN OUT ON THIS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. A NEW SHAFT IS GOING TO RUN $400.00 PLUS AT LEAST AN HOUR OF LABOR. THIS MEAN THAT IT IS GOING TO COST EACH OWNER OF THIS RAV4 MODEL AT LEAST $500.00. TOYOTA HAS PUT A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS VERY PROBLEM. THE BULLETIN # IS TSB-0318-08 REV1. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOME MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR DESIGN PROBLEM AT THE BASIS OF THIS PROBLEM. VIEW DETAILS NOV 14, 2010 - HOWELL, NJ - STEERING AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES WE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. AT 69,457 MILES WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. HE INFORMED US THE STEERING SHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $456.00 WITH A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AFTER ASKING ABOUT A POSSIBLE STEERING DEFECT I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL MAINTENANCE. WITHOUT A REPAIR I AM AFRAID I MIGHT LOOSE MY STEERING. *TR

EXPERIENCED KNOCKING AND POPPING NOISE WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CONDITION WORSENED OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW WEEKS AND EVENTUALLY BECAME CONSTANT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REACH THE PEDAL BECAUSE THE PEDAL WAS MODIFIED TOO SHORT, RESULTING IN THE CONTACT'S FOOT SLIPPING FROM THE PEDAL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ORDER A NEW PEDAL, BUT THE PEDAL WOULD BE THE SAME SIZE AS THE PEDAL THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,127 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,277.

2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXPECTED RECALL CONCERNING REAR TIE RODS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SOMETIME AROUND JUNE 2011, SHE BEGAN TO HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE; SOMETIMES FROM THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES FROM THE RIGHT. FINALLY, IN DECEMBER 2011, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS CONFIRMED THERE WAS A NOISE, BUT THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. IN MAY 2012, THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE, ONLY PERIODICALLY. ON MAY 3, 2012, AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE NOISE BECAME EVEN LOUDER. HOWEVER, THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, GOING BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE ROAD AND DOING A COMPLETE 360 DEGREE TURN. SHE FINALLY MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP IN A SAFETY ZONE. THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS BENT IN AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE AND ALMOST OFF THE VEHICLE. ON MONDAY MAY 7, 2012, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE LEFT REAR TIE ROD SNAPPED AND THE RIGHT ONE WAS IN A WEAKENED CONDITION AND BOTH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

this is a follow up email regarding my car 2007 toyota rav 4 FWD 4 cylinder ; oil consumption of this model is too much 1 quart every 250 - 300 miles. Toyota already know and acknowledge the problem but with my case when I went to the dealer they just told me that it passed the test. If NHTSA will help us voice our concern maybe toyota will consider this to become a recall

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AFTER A GUN SHOT LIKE NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND SOMETHING FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DETACHED ALONG WITH PART OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES, BUT THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2007 TOYOTA RAV4 STEERING. *TR

CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING. TOYOTA WILL NOT ASSIST IN REPAIRING COSTS BEING CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR ON 2007 RAV4 WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. IT STAYS IN A SEMI-DOWN POSITION WHERE IT BLOCKS FORWARD VISION AND ALSO REPRESENTS A HAZARD TO THE HEAD AND EYES WHEN GETTING INTO/OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

2007 TOYOTA RAV4 REAR SPEED SENSORS CAN ABRUPTLY FAIL DURING POOR CLIMATE, CAUSING FAILURE TO THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FAILURE OF THIS PART IS COMMON, WHICH IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE POOR. *TR

CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING MECHANISM. REPLACED LOWER AND MIDDLE STEERING SHAFT AND FRONT AND REAR END LINKS. *TR

REPLACED LOWER AND MIDDLE STEERING SHAFT. REPLACED STABILIZER BAR CONTROL END LINKS, FRONT AND REAR AND STRUTS.

DRIVER OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, CAR BEGAN TO SKID AND INTERMITTENT WARNING BEEP CAME ON. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND UPON EXITING AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, DRIVER SAW THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS SLANTED INWARD APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREES. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND DRIVER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIE ROD HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN. ALL OTHER TIE RODS APPEARED NORMAL. TIE ROD WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. FAILURE OCCURRED AT 43,500 MILEAGE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE RAV4 IN APRIL 2011 AND AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 WHEN THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED.THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE BATTERY LIGHT DID NOT COME ON, FIRST THE RADIO QUIT PLAYING AND THEN THE CAR WENT DEAD AS I WAS MOVING IN TRAFFIC. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS VERY STRESSFUL BEING STRUCK IN TRAFFIC. THANKS TO SOME KIND LADIES, THE CAR WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE WAY. WE SUSPECTED IT WAS A BATTERY MALFUNCTION, ALTHOUGH THE BATTERY WAS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD. WE TOOK THE BATTERY TO PLACE OF PURCHASE AND THEY TRIED TO CHARGE IT, IT WOULD NOT CHARGE SO THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THIS TIME THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN THE RADIO WENT OUT AND THE CAR DIED. THIS WAS EXTREMELY STRESSFUL AS TRAFFIC WAS SPEEDING BEHIND ME AND I WAS AFRAID I WOULD GET REAR ENDED. ONCE AGAIN THERE WERE TWO FEMALES THAT HELPED ME PUSH THE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC. ONCE AGAIN THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER THIS TIME THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATING, I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE RAV 4 'S ELECTRICAL STEERING AND THE FACT THAT IT PULLS TO MUCH POWER. THERE IS NOT REASON WHY THE CAR SHOULD JUST QUIT WHILE YOUR DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. IT IS HARD TO TRUST THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPS IN TRAFFIC AND WILL NOT START AGAIN. *TR

ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTING INSIDE MASTER WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH. I WAS CLEANING MY CAR WITH THE IGNITION ON BATTERY POWER (IN ORDER TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO). AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES I NOTICED A BURNT PLASTIC SMELL, CONSIDERABLE SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SMALL TONGUE OF FLAME FROM THE SAME PLACE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS (LATER FOUND TO BE) THE WHITE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW MASTER CONTROL, WHERE THE PHYSICAL WINDOW SWITCH MEETS THE CIRCUIT BOARD. I WAS NOT TOUCHING ANY WINDOW OR OTHER CONTROLS AT THE TIME OR WITHIN 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE. THE FIRE STOPPED RAPIDLY AFTER I TOOK THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLES, POPPED OFF THE MASTER SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH A SCREWDRIVER AND THEN SMOTHERED THE CONTROLS WITH A WET TOWEL. ALL THE VEHICLE'S WINDOWS WERE INOPERABLE AFTER THAT. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND REPORTED THAT THEY WERE 'MYSTIFIED' AS TO THE CAUSE. THE SERVICE MANAGER'S WORDS WERE: 'I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN MY 25 YEARS WORKING ON CARS.' THE PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO THE MASTER SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND COST $422 TO REPLACE. TOYOTA REFUSED TO PAY FOR THIS. *TR

2007 TOYOTA RAV4, SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, EVEN THOUGH FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING FORWARD AND THROUGH A STOP LIGHT. AS VEHICLE WAS PULLING FORWARD SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, ONLY THEN DID THE VEHICLE'S MOTION STOP. ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV TO VERY HIGH RPMS FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THE RPMS THEN CAME BACK DOWN TO NORMAL. DROVE VEHICLE 10 MILES TO GET HOME TERRIFIED THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT IN. THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER THE RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS WERE FIXED. THE LIGHT REMAIN ON. THE ATTENDANT TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WOULD BE ALRIGHT AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE LIGHT. SIX MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $447.00 TO REPAIR. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND WOULD HAVE TO ORDER IT. I TOOK IN AGAIN ABOUT SEVEN TO EIGHT MONTHS LATER I ASK THEM TO CHECK IT AGAIN TO MAKE SURE IT WAS ALRIGHT TO TRAVEL IN WHICH I TRAVEL ALOT. THE GUY NEVER TOLD ME THAT WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I CALL TOYOTA AND TOLD THEM I HAVE BEEN RIDING AROUND WITH A DANGEROUS CAR AND NO ONE THERE TOOK THE TIME TO TELL ME IT IS A PROBLEM AND MY FAMILY WAS IN DANGER. I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF WHAT TO DO NEXT. I ONLY DEAL WITH KEITH PIERSON TOYOTA JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IF THE STEERING SHAFT WAS NOT REPLACED, THE VEHICLE COULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. IT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND THERE HAS BEEN A REPAIR @ A TOYOTA DEALER I ALSO WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE BUT I NEED TO GET A GASKET FIXED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THERE NEEDS TO BE A TEST DONE OF HOW MUCH OIL WAS BURNING WHICH I THINK IS A BUNCH OF CRAP BECAUSE THEY KNOW A PROBLEM DOES EXISTS AND TOYOTA NEGLECTS TO FIX IT. IN THE PAST FEW YEARS I HAVE BEEN GETTING OIL ADDED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH AND MY VEHICLE ALSO SHAKES VERY BADLY WHILE WAITING AT LIGHTS OF JUST SITTING STILL. ALSO, A FEW YEARS AGO MY DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I WAS ACCUSED OF DOING IT WHICH I TRIED TO TELL THE STAFF AT TOYOTA OF BRAINTREE WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT I WOULD NOT BURN UP MY CAR BUT THEY KEPT INSISTING I DID HORRIBLE THINGS TO MAKE THE DOOR CATCH FIRE, LIKE POURING WATER IN THE DOOR RIDING WITH THE WINDOW DOWN IN POURING RAIN PUTTING LIT MATCHES IN IT. THAT WAS HORRIBLE I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET OVER $600.00 THEN FIGHT TO GET MY MONEY BACK AFTER 2 YEARS. WHEN I CONFRONTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME TO COME IN AND THEY WOULD ACCOMMODATE ME; THEY WANTED ME TO GIVE BACK MY VEHICLE GET ANOTHER ONE AND HAVE A PAYMENT, WHICH I DIDN'T DO BECAUSE THAT IS NOT RIGHT TO SELL A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. MY VEHICLE WAS PAID OFF IN 2 YEARS AND THIS IS THE SERVICE I GET FROM TOYOTA? ANOTHER PAYMENT? NO! THEN THE DRIVE SHAFT/SEAL NEEDED REPLACING, AND THEN THE WINDOW FELL OUT $300 + WHICH WAS ANOTHER OUT OF POCKET COST. NOW, I AM TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH THIS VEHICLE AFTER ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS AND I BROUGHT IT NEW. IN LIGHT OF THAT, I HAVE DECIDED THAT I WILL NOW GO TO THE MEDIA TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY HELP I CAN GET BECAUSE THIS IS NOT FAIR THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT STAND UP TO ITS PRODUCTS AGAIN, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AT NO COST TO MYSELF ASAP BECAUSE I HAVE PUT TOO MUCH MONEY IN A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS

JUST LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 2007 RAV4 I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A DISTINCTIVE KLUNKING NOISE AROUND 35,000 MILES. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE SIDE..... MY PROBLEM WAS THAT IT WAS MAKING CRACKING NOISE ALL THE TIME, WHEN TURNING OR ESPECIALLY PARKING THE CAR.... ALSO A PROBLEM WITH MY DRIVER VISOR FLAP NOT STAYING IN UPWARD POSITION IT WAS HANGING DOWN HALFWAY AND FACES FORWARD. I HAD TO PAY 75 DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT, WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. SINCE SO MANY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 OWNER ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS IT SHOULD BE ELEVATED TO A RECALL STATUS!!! *TR

MY WIFE STARTED VEHICLE IN GARAGE TO WARM IT UP WHEN SHE SMELLED SMOKE. SHE THEN NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW/POWER LOCK SWITCH AREA. SHE POURED HER CUP OF COFFEE ON THE FLAMES TO EXTINGUISH THEM. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE MASTER WINDOW SWITCH WHICH HAD BURNT UP. *TR

UNEXPLAINED/UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION: WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RACED. IF MY FOOT HAD NOT ALREADY BEEN ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD HAVE SURGED FORWARD. I KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATION HAD STOPPED. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE. *TR

BRAKE BOOSTER BROKE DOWN AND REPAIR WILL COST ABOUT $1,120 DOLLARS. MY CAR IS 2007. I NEED TO DO THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR THE CAR, AND I CAN NOT PAY, AT THE SAME TIME, I CANNOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT CAR, I WILL LOST MY JOB. I NEED HELP. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS BEEN REPAIR AT WONDERS TOYOTA DEALER ALHAMBRA CA. *TR

THE VEHICLE DROPS POWER UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE UNDER 60MPH. TACH SHOWS LOSS OF RPM'S AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL THE VEHICLE RESPONDING TO THAT LOSS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING DISPLAYED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CABIN STARTED SMOKING THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW MASTER CYLINDER SWITCH FAILED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE WINDOW SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

THE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING, POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED. DEALER SAYS IT IS A INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, AND ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR IT, IT IS NOT COVERED OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER QUOTED A PRICE OF $350, FOR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND $ 700. IF BOTH SHAFTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT BUT INSTEAD THE SPEED INCREASED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,900. UPDATED 3/21/11 *CN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. UPDATED 08/22/11

2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH ASSEMBLY RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOW WOULD ROLL UP. *JB

AT ANY TIME DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUMN CAN MAKE AN AUDIBLE CLUNK WHEN TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. IT GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE WORRY IS THAT THE STEERING JOINT COULD COMPLETELY DISLOCATE DISABLING CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM DOCUMENTED IN A TSB BY THE MANUFACTURER. TYPICAL REPAIR COSTS CAN EXCEED $800. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND GASKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY VOICE MAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,110 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,400.

ON 2007 AND 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 VEHICLES, THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY FAIL. TOYOTA HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT DESCRIBES THE FIX: TSB 0318-08 REV1. DRIVERS WILL BEGIN TO FEEL A "THUNK" IN THE STEERING COLUMN, AND MY MECHANIC (AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP) INFORMED ME THIS WOULD BECOME A SAFETY PROBLEM IF LEFT UNFIXED. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY ANY KIND OF DRIVER ERROR. RATHER, IT IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE STEERING COMPONENTS. ON MY 2007 RAV4, THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AT AROUND 55,000 MILES, AND WAS FIXED PER THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REFERENCED ABOVE. *TR