2009 Toyota RAV4 steering problems

“We were informed of safety recalls for our Toyota Rav 4 2009 . We called the local Toyaota dealership for the recalls and was told on the phone after we dropped it off that they did the inspection to make sure the recalls could be completed and informed us that they could ,but they needed to keep overnight because they had to order the parts. Prior to dropping the vehicle off the car was able to be driven and no known issues were visible. Received call following told to come pick it up and that they officially refused to perform the recalls repairs. They stated that excessive structural damage and unsafe to drive to this degradation. Because the structural rust is directly in the exact suspension components targeted by this safety recalls. The vehicle cannot be remedied under standard recall procedures. By refusing the repair without providing an alternative solution The manufacture is failing its federal obligation to remedy a known safety defect. The vehicle is currently trapped in a regularity deadlock. It can not legally or safely be repaired. It is now deemed unsafe to be driven period. When the dealership gave the vehicle back, They wanted us to sign off…”

“THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED I JERKED IT TO THE RIGHT TO GET IT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING UP HILL WHEN THE CAR FINALLY DISABLED, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WHEN HE PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY CHILD I'VE PAID 140.00 FOR AND INSPECTION NOW I'M TAKING IT TO THE SF TOYOTA MECHANIC.”

“STEERING COLUMN CREAKS AND STICKS. AT TIMES IT DOES NOT RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO SERVICED MY CAR FOR TIRES TODAY ALMOST HIT A RETAINING POST DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE STICKING OF THE STEERING IN ONE POSITION AND HAD TO FORCIBLY RETURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. I AM NOT FEELING SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND KNOW THAT THIS ISSUE IS IMPACTING THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL EMITTED A LOUD THUMPING NOISE AND FELT LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD OR MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,192.”

“AT 47,500 MILES, STEERING STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN WHEEL TURNED ALL THE WAY TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. USUALLY IT OCCURRED WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL BACK TO CENTER BUT NOT ALWAYS. TENDED T HAPPEN IN A PARKING LOT OR WHEN A SHARP TURN WAS REQUIRED. DEALER REPAIRED AT A COST OF ALMOST $700. CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPAIR. (COST OF REPAIR COVERED UNDER EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN WHICH WAS PURCHASED WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED.) THIS TYPE OF SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT UNDER 50,000 MILES OR EVEN EVER.”