Problems · by component

2009 Toyota RAV4 suspension problems

55 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota RAV4 cite suspension, 17% of all 327 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
55
17% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the suspension

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2026Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11739536
“Repairs of the control arms indicated on recall NHTSA 16V-596 were never done on my vehicle after the recall was issued in 2016. Smart motors Toyota in Madison confirmed that the replacement of the control arms was never done on my vehicle, but they are showing no open recalls on my vehicle in their system due to this being a re-recall. From what I've read many vehicles were incorrectly marked "complete" after the 2012 inspection, but the 2016 update (G0V) was issued specifically because those earlier inspections were found to be insufficient. I am entitled to this repair through Toyota due to this recall as Toyota has confirmed my vehicle was recalled and this repair was never completed. My rear control arms are showing signs of failure consistent with the re-recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2026SuspensionODI 11735702
“My son was looking to get his new tires aligned, and was informed by the mechanic that he would need to replace both side rear lower control arms, as Toyota had performed a safety recall GOV, resulting in the arms being epoxied, and therefore cannot be adjusted/ aligned. I contacted Toyota customer experience center (800 331 4331 - 1/16/2024) and she could not even call up the original recall. My question is: How can Toyota permanently remove a vehicle feature (adjustability of the suspension arms), and then require car owners to bear the brunt of re-installing the arms when you need to align your tires? This "solution" is totally unfair. I just purchased a new set of tires, and based on Toyota's "solution" I need to pay out of pocket to replace the control bars and/or damage my tires and have to replace them early. I was not able to find any other information on this issue on the web, and was wondering if Toyota had done anything to address this issue?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2024SuspensionODI 11565720
“The rear lower suspension arms recall notice solution was replacement of arms if needed and than sealed with epoxy. Labels were applied stating the arm is no longer adjustable. The vehicle no longer can routinely get a wheel alignment at a market expense. The Toyota company suggests for further alignments go to a Toyota dealership and have a alignment done for 900.00 dollars every time you need a alignment. This is not a safe solution. This only makes owners go to their dealerships and give them thousands of more dollars for taking away a routine adjustable maintenance capability with this permanent one time fix.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 4, 2022SuspensionODI 11446158
“MY PROBLEM IS UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD A RECALL (16V596000) FOR MY REAR SUSPENSION ARMS WAS AVAILABLE AND I NEEDED TO HAVE IT DONE AS THE BACK END NUTS COULDN'T BE ADJUSTED. I CALLED A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS TAKEN CARE OF 3 YEARS AGO, YET THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2021SuspensionODI 11402975
“SUSP RECAL 13V-383, MY VEH HAS TEMP REAR SUSP ARMS, DEALER NOT WILLING TO PERFOM PERMANENT REPAIR AND REPLACE CAUTION STICKERS STILL ON REAR TIEROD/CNTRL ARMS, KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE PLEASE HELP MY # [XXX] NOTICED UPON INSPECTION NO INCIDENT YET.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2018Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11096378

Showing 6 of 55 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

3 recalls on this component

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

SuspensionReported Aug 12, 2016NHTSA 16V596000

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

SuspensionReported Aug 28, 2013NHTSA 13V383000

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

SuspensionReported Aug 2, 2012NHTSA 12V373000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.