2009 Toyota RAV4 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 17%of 327 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,730miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 17% of the 327 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,730 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11402975, filed 2021-03, 104,000 miles“Car has been making noise in the front wheel area while driving and turning, took it back to where purchased, planet Toyota in matteson, ill, was told the right strut was damaged and binded, also cup was damaged on both struts, I find this odd seeing as how the car only has 80,000 miles on it. We bought the car used and also purchased an extended warranty which by the way, does not cover it.”
NHTSA complaint #10967886, filed 2017-03, 80,000 miles“The rear suspension arm bolts on my rav 4 rusted out and failed. They were supposed to be replaced as part of a recall, but the dealership failed to do that. Because the bolts failed, I am being asked to pay for new rear lower suspension arms and an alignment.”
NHTSA complaint #11072241, filed 2018-02, 82,540 miles“Driving in to work in the morning, speed was 25 MPH on a suburban road, south street in tewksbury ma, as I went over rough area in the road, I heard a thump from under the car. I pulled over and found the right rear suspension struts let go. I pulled in to a parking lot to examine what happened. Part of the strut was hanging down scraping on the ground. The right rear tire was skewed in the wheel well rubbing on the inside of the wheel well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10693340, filed 2015-03, 54,700 miles“I have had several issue with the rv4, all related to the rear suspension. The recal for toyoa with part of the suspension leaksunbolted from the car while traveling at about 30 MPH. The right rear tire went up in to the wheel well. Only because of the slow speed did I not get in to an accident. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. At 65k miles, I took the car in again to the shop. Both rear linkages to the anti-sway bar were broken and had to be replaced. Again another issue with the rear suspension.”
NHTSA complaint #10850356, filed 2016-03, 65 milesRelated recalls
- 16V596000Aug 12, 2016Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2006–2011, Lexus HS 250 Hybrid 2010
- 13V383000Aug 28, 2013Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2006–2011, Lexus HS 250 Hybrid 2010
- 12V373000Aug 2, 2012Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2006–2011, Lexus HS 250 Hybrid 2010
Related service bulletins
- 10177782Jun 23, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0063-20.
- 10140566May 2, 2016TSB: Some 2006 - 2012 model year 4WD RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front…
- 10109397Nov 24, 2014Region Letter: Safety Recall completion is important not only in satisfying government requirements but also is an integral part of our commitment to meet customer expectations…
- 10109394Nov 24, 2014Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. Please note the following…
- 10109401Oct 8, 2014TSB: The only acceptable towing method for vehicles equipped with an Active Torque Control 4WD system is to have all four wheels off the ground. Flat towing or towing where only…
- 10109517Sep 4, 2014Dealer Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. Please note the following…
- 10109513Sep 4, 2014Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
- 10132770Jun 30, 2014TSB: Safety Recall CSJ (?2006 ? 2011 RAV4; Rear Lower Suspension Arm No. 1?) involves inspection of the Rear Suspension Arm No. 1 for the presence of rust, replacement of the…
- 10060729Jun 30, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 6 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 10 | 2% |
| 2019 | 16 | 2% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 16 | 6% |
| 2010 | 101 | 25% |
| 2009 | 55 | 17% |
| 2008 | 81 | 14% |
| 2007 | 125 | 12% |
| 2006 | 73 | 10% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2009 Toyota RAV4
99 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsWheels
10 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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