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Toyota RAV4 Recalled Again
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By John Goreham Aug 16 2016 - 1:07pm

Toyota RAV4 Suspension Recall Update – Third Time’s a Charm?

Toyota cannot seem to resolve this ongoing RAV4 suspension issue.

Toyota is “changing the remedy” for the 2006 - 2011 Toyota RAV4’s suspension recall. This marks the third attempt by the automaker to resolve a tricky problem it has struggled with related to the vehicle’s suspension.

The ’06-2011 Toyota RAV4’s suspension arm assemblies have been troublesome. The components have failed according to reports and can cause loss of control of the vehicle. Recalls are a part of modern vehicle ownership, but what makes this one unusual is that this is the third attempt by Toyota to try to resolve the issue.

Toyota summarized the prior recall attempt in this statement: “In the earlier action, if the nuts for adjusting rear wheel alignment were improperly tightened when an alignment was performed, rust could form on suspension arm threads. If this occurs, and if the condition is not identified and remedied during servicing or repair under the existing remedy procedure, the threads can wear over time, causing the arm to separate, which could result in a loss of vehicle control.”

The new fix will be to replace both rear suspension arm assemblies with new ones. Toyota will also add an epoxy to prevent future arm adjustment during vehicle service. To see if your vehicle is covered, check out this link.

Toyota’s RAV4 recalls have been a little over the top, even by modern standards. In one RAV4 recall, the windshield wipers were recalled because they were not compatible with water.

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Comments

sam steve wrote on December 31, 2017 - 3:02am
i have 2009 rav4 4x4, yearly since 2010 to 2016 i was able to realign front and back wheel, but since the recall been made to the rear suspension early 2016, the back wheel alignment can be done by Toyota dealers, and average cost is about $600 to break the epoxy seal align and place epoxy back, which means alignment which should cost around $100 by any certified shop, it will cost me $600 every year. that is very costly fix done by Toyota, and toyota refusing to acknowledge the problem,
jay wrote on February 4, 2018 - 9:35pm
Hello, I just noticed I have this problem now. I had the rear suspension work done last year and I see severe tire wear on the inside. Have you looked into changing the toe arm yourself to save money on alignments? This is a filthy dirty trick Toyota has done. I am so mad. I have always owned Toyota all my life and I will never ever again buy another.
Roger Peimann wrote on February 6, 2018 - 7:49pm
2006 to 2011 Alignment Yes Toyota replaced the parts BUT now the rear wheels cannot be aligned. IS THIS REALLY A FIX??
corey Smith wrote on February 11, 2018 - 5:53pm
I've never seen another car with epoxy covered alignment nuts. And yes, Toyota wants $600 for an alignment now. If you look on the internet, there is a few companies making adjustable arms now. I took the Toyota arms off, and installed the adjustable ones. It was then $89 for an alignment at my local tire shop, $200 for the arms. Last Toyota I buy also.
Howard wrote on March 19, 2018 - 5:15pm
Could you provide me those names of companies that make adjustable arms? And which one did you choose(company, part number, etc.), thanks! Toyota did a filthy dirty trick to fix the problem, my next would be a Honda or other brand, not a Toyota again WHATSOEVER!!!!!!
Adam wrote on February 19, 2018 - 10:47pm
I have a 2007 RAV4 and was just faced with this epoxy mess. How can this be considered a fix? It was Toyota attempting to cover their asses while leaving their consumers to foot the bill when the alignment goes out. As it does OFTEN. On any vehicle! How could Toyota “accidentally” overlook this when stupidly concocting this rediculous ‘fix’?! And when speaking with Toyota customer care, whom care enough to ask you to take a survey about your exciting phone experience, you couldn’t feel like more of a number. A useless, needless, number. Told just the same as the dealership - it is now your responsibility after our one-time good-faith replacement. GOOD FAITH?! And I’m seeing this ‘good-faith’ garbage all over the blogs - as though it were a scripted answer right out of their c-serv textbook, in anticipation of this mockery of a continuing recall failure. Unbelievably disappointing and angering.
Marc Chamberlin wrote on March 15, 2018 - 6:27pm
We too are facing this issue with the rear suspension alignment on our 2009 RAV4 and like everyone else both disappointed with Toyota's handling of this problem and angry about the costs to keep our car running and safe. I wonder if anyone has considered starting a class action lawsuit against Toyota since this is an engineering failure on their part and remains a safety issue for all of us who own these cars.
Howard wrote on March 19, 2018 - 5:10pm
Happened to mine as well. There's obvious severe wear on rear right tire and there's no way to align it without breaking the epoxy seal This is an insult to customer How about suing the company? Anyone?
West coast wrote on March 20, 2018 - 11:06am
A toyota dealer already has done so in California.
Jacqueline Branham wrote on April 16, 2018 - 8:02pm
I just bought a toyota rav4 3 weeks ago a d noticed the back tires out of aligament. Now i dont know what do i do. Toyota is so stupid ro o that .i am going to try to get my money back. After learning about this .every one needs ro sue their asses.