2011 Toyota RAV4 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 6%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,750miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the suspension of the 2011 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,750 miles. 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.
“Suspension: while driving in the interstate, I heard a pop and the sound of something sliding from the back passenger side too the back driver side of the vehicle. I then felt the back of the vehicle wobbling and I heard a clucking and rubbing sound. I managed to get to a repair station, and observed the back driver's side tire leaning inward at the top, and it had been rubbing against the wheel well and a cord. …”
NHTSA complaint #10984480, filed 2017-05, 96,700 miles“While turning right to go down the next aisle in a parking lot my passenger rear tie rod aka control arm broke at the factory weld! I purchased this car brand new off the lot and have been told by numerous mechanics that this should not happen and it's a defect. Had I been on the freeway, this would have been catastrophic. I drive a 2011 RAV4 with 104,000 miles and these have been recalled for this issue, however my VIN# is not one of the recalled ones. The Toyota dealership is going to charge me $600 to replace it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11142513, filed 2018-10, 104,000 miles“The 2011 Toyota rav 4 was in a Toyota repair shop for an oil change. We requested a look at brakes because of the rear end noise and vibration on braking. The shop call to say our tires had worn on the inner edge to such a dangerous degree that they would not advise travel. We carefully drove a few miles to our tire store because of the service and warranty. They agreed to prorate the tires. A mechanic suggested they saw the same problem with the same model the week prior. They said it was a rear suspension issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10747251, filed 2015-08, 74,500 miles“While driving north in stop and go traffic on dan ryan expressway I was accelerating from about 20 MPH to about 35 MPH, when the car started to vibrate very bad, as if all four wheels had hit the rumble strip on the edge of the road. The car has been riding a lot rougher since about jan 30th.”
NHTSA complaint #10507378, filed 2013-04, 14,800 miles“Loud bang which sounds like a hammer hitting the bottom of the vehicle. Problem first noticed around 1000 miles and happens frequently. It happens typically when passengers are in the middle and or 3rd row seats at speeds usually above 25 miles per hour. This is an ongoing problem with my 4 wheel drive, 3rd row seat RAV4 now at 73k miles. It can happen within a few miles of each incident or go hundreds of miles before it happens again. Very alarming. …”
NHTSA complaint #10584186, filed 2014-04, 1,000 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.
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 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 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsSteering
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 30, 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