Problems · by component

2015 Toyota RAV4 steering problems

47 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Toyota RAV4 cite steering, 15% of all 305 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
47
15% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The steering "micro" sticking in steps for last 4 years. Talked to the Cedar Park Toyota dealership, they informed that there was no recall on the vehicle. But I found recall # 15V-144. I never received a recall notice. Always observes sticking a low speeds. Concerned about steering lock up. What should I do to fix it?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2026SteeringODI 11768390
“While driving my 2015 Toyota RAV4 XLE 2WD (2.5L, about 207,000 miles), the electric power steering assist failed instantly with no warning, making the steering wheel feel locked. At the same moment, the infotainment screen went black and rebooted. It has happened at freeway speeds and at low neighborhood speeds, including on 9/14 and 9/15/2026, and also more than once last year (2025). No warning light or messages appeared beforehand. An OBD2 scan at AutoZone on 9/15/2026 found no active or pending trouble codes, and battery tests at AutoZone and Walmart Auto Care passed. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer. The failed component is UNKNOWN. My best assessment is the EPS control unit, because the symptoms match NHTSA recall 15V144000. I only learned of this recall on 9/19/2026. A sudden loss of steering at any speed puts me and other drivers at serious risk of a crash. The vehicle is available for inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11765496
“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the radio was inoperable. The contact stated that the gauges failed to properly operate. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the rearview camera image was reversed before becoming inoperable. The ABS, AWD, and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and an undisclosed fuse was replaced. The mechanic made the contact aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V144000 (Steering). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and scheduled an appointment with the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 11746428
“November 20,2025 I was driving my 2015 Toyota Rav-4….Turning into my driveway and Suddenly a light on the dashboard came on…An emblem with the Steering Wheel and Exclamation point came on…I was glad that I was at a safe place and called Toyota dealership service department…I was told that it was something to do with the Power Steering Electrical System…That I shouldn’t drive the vehicle but take it to the dealer…I asked if there was a recall and I was told that there wasn’t a recall…I checked several places on Google and it showed several recalls for this particular vehicle and issue…The dealership advised me that there’s no recall for my vehicle…I’m not understanding…I have my Rav-4 that I’m afraid to drive and don’t know what to do at this point…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2025SteeringODI 11700931
“While driving a 2015 Toyota Rav4 (w/AWD) the vehicle's steering wheel started to shake and the vehicle lost acceleration. The check engine, AWD, and traction (trac) control lights illuminated. After pulling the vehicle over I tried calling AAA. After about 30 minutes, the warning lights went out. I decided to try to drive it home. After about 5 miles the same thing happened. However, after slowing down the problem went away. I called a Toyota dealer and requested a recall service (to fix the power steering assist). They scheduled the appointment and I dropped the vehicle off. When the vehicle was ready I discovered that they only performed the recall for the battery terminal. They informed me that there was no other recall for my VIN number. This problem should be on recall as I've researched and discovered many other complaints similar to mine. These situations like mine, and many others, are safety issues and could easily lead to injury and/or death.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2025SteeringODI 11698564
“There is an intermittent loss of the electric power steering assist. The car can't be steered during this loss of power, leading to an extremely high risk of a crash. Toyota issued a recall for the 2015 RAV4 for this exact problem, but they did not include my car's VIN in the recall. The problem has not been confirmed, as Toyota informed me that this could only be done at my expense. The vehicle or component has not been inspected for this problem. There have not been any warning lamps, but it's very obvious while driving that the power steering has failed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2025SteeringODI 11697838

Showing 6 of 47 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.

SteeringReported Mar 13, 2015NHTSA 15V144000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

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