2005 Toyota RAV4 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 6%of 141 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,050miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,050 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am having an issue with my 2005 RAV4 that has become so frequent that I no longer feel safe operating the vehicle. When I am driving between 30-50 MPH, and the road makes a slight curve, my vsc warning light comes on and I loose steering control until I remove foot from accelerator. Issue began: april 2018, and happened about 2-3 times a month. Since then, it has gradually increased to at least once each time I drive. Apr-nov, mostly occurred on same slight right curve uphill section of road. …”
NHTSA complaint #11172640, filed 2019-01, 195,000 miles“Over the past few days, the last incident occurring on 2/14/2014, my car will suddenly lose power as I am driving, for about one to three seconds, then just as sudden kick back on again. When it loses power for that second or two, I lose my power steering capabilities and the battery light come on. Once the power comes back on, it continues to ride fine as if nothing happened. The problem is intermittent. I took the car to a local pep boys facility. They tested the battery and it was fine. They could not determine where the issue was originating.”
NHTSA complaint #10564453, filed 2014-02, 96,100 miles“I've been having an intermittent issue with my 2005 rav 4. When exiting a highway on a sweeping right curve exit ramp, the vehicle stability control light will start to flash and an audible beep can be heard in the cabin. This usually indicates the car is in a skid but I assure you I am in full control of the vehicle, in its lane. After 2 to 3 seconds of constant beeping the engine cuts power and applies braking to an individual wheel, causing the vehicle to lurch slightly to one side. Just as quickly as this happens, the car resumes normal operation and the issue ceases to exist. …”
NHTSA complaint #10808302, filed 2015-12, 185,232 miles“When driving at or under the speed limit on some turns my cars slip indicator goes off without any apparent issues and it will start beeping and sometimes it even breaks on it's own and jerks the car. The slip indicator light has turned one while driving under 30 MPH in a dry and paved road. The beeping and jerking has happened on the freeway”
NHTSA complaint #11394746, filed 2021-02, 120,000 miles“When driving 25-30 MPH and going around curves at low speed the car breaks hard and feels like it's going out of control. It is very scary because the vehicle is in motion doing 25-30 MPH. This is happening more often at least three times this week. This has happened on freeway and on residential streets while going around curves and not going fast at all..”
NHTSA complaint #10992597, filed 2017-06, 203,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 27 | 15% |
| 2023 | 27 | 17% |
| 2022 | 20 | 13% |
| 2021 | 21 | 5% |
| 2020 | 27 | 4% |
| 2019 | 33 | 4% |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% |
| 2016 | 10 | 4% |
| 2015 | 47 | 15% |
| 2014 | 21 | 11% |
| 2013 | 11 | 4% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 15 | 5% |
| 2010 | 18 | 5% |
| 2009 | 26 | 8% |
| 2008 | 73 | 13% |
| 2007 | 271 | 27% |
| 2006 | 230 | 33% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 8 | 2% |
| 2001 | 6 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
| 1998 | 2 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota RAV4
59 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology