2017 Toyota RAV4 Steering Problems

While driving on or around 6/5/25, an active recall on my vehicle caused damage to my battery connections causing my vehicle to completely shut off while driving on an highway exit ramp. I almost lost complete control of the vehicle. Thankfully, the vehicle turned back on and I was able to get the vehicle to safety. I had to get the car towed and repaired. The repair was directly related to the damage from an active recall issue being open without remedy for over 3 years on my vehicle. When I asked Toyota for reimbursement of under $200 they refused. This is a safety issue beyond the recall and I am concerned this is going to happen to someone else and there are going to be deaths. Toyota needs to stand by their recall too and may the financial aspect correct with me. Other members of the public need to be aware of the issues beyond their recall that can affect their cars and that Toyota is requiring them to be responsible for the damage that was caused while waiting on a remedy to the recall.

NHTSA ID

11681378

Incident

Jun 5, 2025

The EPS system light came up creating a very dangerous driving situation, unable to turn the wheel. Car was taken to the dealer. Replaced computer assy.. Replaced negative terminal voltage sensor. Dealer stated that problem was taken care off. Problem persisted, brought car back three times. Keeps doing the same thing , warning light coming on , wheel no moving. First time it happened was on November 2024. At this time and date ( 5/6/2025) the car is located at the Toyota dealer in Hollywood Florida, being evaluated again.

NHTSA ID

11659619

Incident

Nov 5, 2024

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN JULY OF 2023. THERE HAD BEEN A PERSISTANT CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN THE ROAD IS BUMPY ALONG WITH SOME STABILTY OR SWAYING FEELING. I HAD IT INSPECTED BY INDEPENDANT MECHANICAL SHOPS. I WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE SHOCK ABSORBERS AND THE STABILIZER LINKS WHICH I DID. THE RT REAR SHOCK ABOSBORBER WAS BAD. MARCH OF 2024 I TOOK A ROAD TRIP TO FLORIDA. FIRST LONG TRIP SINCE REPLACING THE PARTS. ON THE DRIVE DOWN I WAS BY MYSELF AND FELT AS THOUGH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS SWAYING BACK AND FORTH A LOT WORSE THAN BEFORE CHANGING THE PARTS LISTED ABOVE. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE CONDITION OF THE ROADS. ON THE WAY HOME MY SON WAS FOLLOWING ME IN HIS VEHCLE. HE HAD TOLD ME THAT WHEN THE "SWAYING" FEELING IS HAPPENING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING SEPARATE TO THE FRONT. THE CLUNKING SOUND IS STILL THERE AND THAT STABILITY ISSUE SEEMS TO HAVE WORSEN SINCE CHANGING THE SUSPENSION PARTS PREVIOUSLY LISTED. THERE WAS A POINT IN DRIVING HOME IN THE RAIN WHERE I DEFINITELY FELT THE ABITLITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. I WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED FURTHER. I'VE READ INFORMATION ON A TOYOTA FORUM THAT THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. I DO HAVE VIDIO AND YOU CAN SEE MY BODY ROCKING BACK AND FORTH IN THE DRIVER SEAT WHILE IT'S HAPPENING AND THE HOOD SWAYING BUT AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD IT.

NHTSA ID

11582995

Incident

Mar 23, 2024

POWER STEERING IS LOCKING UP, NOT WANTING TO TURN.

NHTSA ID

11541236

Incident

Aug 27, 2023

As I drive about 70 MPH, the ABS and the brake lights come on and the car is momentarily out of control. As I grabbed the tearing and reduce the speed dramatically, the system correct itself and I am able to continue driving at a very low speed.

NHTSA ID

11520601

Incident

May 4, 2023

Car will not start. Doesn't seem to be the battery. Got a jump start but same warning light illuminated.

NHTSA ID

11509205

Incident

Feb 26, 2023

Although just aligned, steering consistently pulls to the right.

NHTSA ID

11484726

Incident

Sep 12, 2022

The driver owned a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact called on behalf of her son who was driving approximately 35 MPH when he lost control of the steering due to the functionality of the steering wheel and accidentally crashed into a pole. There were no warning lights. The 2 front and 1 side air bag deployed. The police and fire and ambulance arrived on the scene. The driver was transported to the hospital where he received a CT scan for his injury. There was a police report. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000

NHTSA ID

11465436

Incident

Apr 19, 2022

Mileage

76,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster failed, which caused the speedometer and RPM gauge to be inoperable. Additionally, the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel was locked up. The failure occurred on four separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and Toyota of Brookfield (20655 W Capitol Dr, Brookfield, WI 53045) however, the dealers could not duplicate the failure. Toyota of Brookfield informed the contact that there was a Manufacturer's Campaign Number: 21TG01 (Electrical System) associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at Toyota of Brookfield. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11445128

Incident

Dec 27, 2021

Mileage

30,000 mi

WATER PUMP LEAK I BELIEVE STARTED AROUND 21,000 MILES.ALONG WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE PADS I COMPLAINED OF RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF CAR WITH SQUEALING NOISE POSSIBLE DRIVE BELT OR DIRTY ROTOR. AT ONE POINT BOTH FRONT ROTORS SLIGHTLY WARM TO TOUCH AFTER 45 MIN CITY DRIVE HOME, ANOTHER TIME RIGHT ROTOR HOT AND LEFT SLIGHTLY WARM. THEY REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS NOT CHECKING CALIPERS OR HOSE AND JUST PUT ON BRAKE PADS AND SAID RIGHT TIRE WORN AND REPLACED BOTH AND SAID IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AFTER A FEW DAYS TOYOTA REP AND TOLD HIM THE SAID INTERMITTENT SQUEALING SOMEWHAT GRIND NOISE WAS BACK. NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY I REPORTED TO CORPORATE AND WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO DO DIAGNOSTIC CHECKING CALIPERS AND FOUND NOTHING. AROUND 50,000 MILES I FOUND POWDER NEXT TO DRIVE BELT. THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A LEAKING WATER PUMP AND REPLACED MY PUMP AND DRIVE BELT. 41/2 MONTHS LATER THE CAR HAD SAME SQUEALING NOW RUBBER SOUND ADDED, STEERING STIFFER AND HISSING SOUND CAME FROM FRONT OF ENGINE AT LIGHT. TOOK IN AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN ENTIRE DAY 8 HRS. I DROVE AWAY AND BY THIRD LIGHT SQUEALING FOR 25 MINS AND NEIGHBORS HEARD ME COMING,ONE COUPLE REPORTED LOUD AT FRONT RIGHT TIRE. I REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY TO [XXX] AT PRECISION THAT MY CAR WAS WORSE AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT IS NOW HAPPENING AS NEIGHBOR REPORTED BUT NO RETURN CALL. THIS CAR SOUND TYPICALLY HAPPENS AT BRAKING AT LIGHT AND HITTING GAS AT LIGHT ON CITY STREETS DRIVE AT 40-50 MILES PER HR.BUT USUALLY AT LIGHTS CAN HEAR. CALLED [XXX] AFTER LEFT SHOP CAR RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS SQUEAK WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL ONLY ONE DAY DID I HEAR TWO DIFFERENT SOUNDS WHIRRING NOISE AND HISSING SOUND 3 DAYS APART AT LIGHT STOPPED 3 WEEKS MY CAR, JUMPED FORWARD AT A STOP I'VE HAD IT ALIGNED NEW TIRES & STILL INTERMITTENT NOISE NOW WORSE DEC 2019 CHANGED WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT /SPRAYED ENGINE DOWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11325390

Incident

Feb 8, 2020

AIR PRESSURE SEEMS WRONG AND THE CAR SHAKES SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. I HIT POTHOLES ALL OVER THIS TOWN BUT IT CAN'T BE HELPED.

NHTSA ID

11057714

Incident

Dec 12, 2017

Mileage

2,225 mi

AS I WAS APPROACHING THE MAIL BOX AREA IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO TURN INTO THE PARKING AREA IN FRONT OF THE FOUR METAL MAILBOXES AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN "PARK" WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD AND JUMPED THE SIX-INCH, BRICK-PAVER CURB. I CRASHED INTO THE MAILBOX STRUCTURE, COMPLETELY UPLIFTING THE BASE THAT WAS BOLTED INTO THE CONCRETE AND HIT A WOOD TRASH CONTAINER HOLDER. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER BUT MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP AND I ALSO COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING. I CONTINUED UP A HILL (AT 45-50 MPH) CONSISTING OF TALL GRASS, WILDFLOWERS, ROCKS, ETC., ACROSS A WALKING PATH OF WOODCHIPS AND MULCH, THEN DOWN THE HILL (STILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE) GRAZING THE BRANCHES AND LEAVES OF A SMALL TREE BEFORE COMING OFF THE SIX-INCH CURB AND BACK ONTO THE STREET, WHERE I HIT A LIGHT POST. I MANAGED TO LIFT THE PARKING BRAKE, SLAM ON THE BRAKE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID

11013006

Incident

Jul 5, 2017

Mileage

4,712 mi