2011 Toyota RAV4 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 5%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,064miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Toyota RAV4, 5% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,064 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is a dash board alarm indicating lost of power steering. Just recently happened today at 4pm. 5/27/18. I read articles online about recalls on lost power steering on certain Toyota model, why this car has not received the recall. I will not drive this car for safety reason.”
NHTSA complaint #11098236, filed 2018-05, 86,000 miles“Today when I was parking my car in parking lot, I realized that it is very difficult to move my steering wheel to left and right. It was really difficult or required a lot of force to move my steering wheel while parking. The vehicle was in stationary or moving very slowly and I was not able to move steering wheel in either direction easily. This is the first time I have faced this steering wheel issue I had never faced this issue before while driving my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11013842, filed 2017-08, 47,050 miles“While driving on the high way at 63 MPH my car started shaking to the point it caused me to become dizzy and nauseous. My mechanic found nothing wrong with the tie rod's etc. The tires were rounded and evenly worn. We rotated the tires and car still shook like crazy but felt like it was in the back. Brought car to tire shop had tires balanced they said 2 where way off. Went on the highway again and at 65 the vehicle still had a shake to it.”
NHTSA complaint #10578806, filed 2014-04, 38,300 miles“When ever the steering wheel is turned to the left or right, it makes a clunking noise and a clunk can also be felt in the steering wheel at the same time. I have looked on line and this appears to be a very common problem with the Toyota rav 4, on 6 or 4 cylinder models. When there is no steering input, there is no noise or clunking felt in the wheel at any speed, only when the steering wheel is turned in either direction. I had reports of this by other family members about a year prior, but whenever I drove it, it did not occur, as it was intermittent at that time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10437379, filed 2011-11, 61,077 miles“At 79,000 miles both rear output shaft seals went out due to a design flaw. An air regulator on the top of the output shaft case can get clogged easily and if not caught in time can cause serious damage to not only the seals but the transmission case. Also, at 80,000 miles the entire steering gear needs to be replaced. If this issue is not taken care of it could cause a serious accident or worse if the vehicle is moving..”
NHTSA complaint #11240743, filed 2019-07, 79,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10168537Oct 21, 2019TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 27 | 15% |
| 2023 | 27 | 16% |
| 2022 | 20 | 13% |
| 2021 | 21 | 5% |
| 2020 | 28 | 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 2011 Toyota RAV4
69 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
50 complaintsBrakes
48 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsSeat belts
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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