2007 Toyota RAV4 problems
Owners have filed 1,240 complaints about the 2007 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 22% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine at 15.7%.
Complaints1,240
Crashes72
Fires56
Injuries54
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Steering 22.0% · 273
Engine 15.7% · 195
Suspension 10.4% · 129
Vehicle speed control 8.1% · 101
Air bags 8.1% · 101
Electrical system 6.1% · 76
Power train 4.3% · 53
Engine and engine cooling 3.4% · 42
Severity
Of those complaints, 72 describe a crash, 56 describe a fire and 54 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 25 model years of the Toyota RAV4 in this data, 2007 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filing volume has held steady, 20 in the last three years against 23 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 65,000 miles.
In owners' own words
2007 Toyota rav 4 - clunking and popping noise when I turn the steering wheel. I was advised by my service manager to replace steering shaft but was not covered under warranty since there is not a recall. The problem has been occurring for approx a year now with no resolution. The noise is getting worse and happening more often. I hope we do not have a major problem with the steering before a recall is done. Steering · reported at 25,000 miles
There is a loud "klunk" in steering in the turns. Toyota dealers does not care about this problem. There is a recommendation, but no recall. I feel unsafe and its sounds like defective to me - my Toyota RAV4 07 only 3 years old with 40000 miles. Does somebody have to die before they take care of this? I just want those big guys in japan know about this problem and fix it. I am waiting for Toyota to take action. Steering · reported at 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 222,822. Steering · reported at 222,822 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…