2022 Toyota RAV4 Owner Says, “One Week After I Drove It Off the Lot it Died, The Dealer Can’t Find Anything Wrong, and It’s Happened 5 More Times

Why is there a problem with the 2022 Toyota RAV4 when it rains? 

Some 2022 Toyota RAV4 owners report that their vehicle's engine shuts down without apparent reason. Is this a common problem?

Emily Arndt, on the Toyota RAV4 Owners Facebook page, says, "I have a 2022 Toyota RAV4. I purchased it with 12 miles on the odometer from the dealer. I've had it serviced regularly, but I'm having some issues. One week after I drove it off the lot, it died, and I had it towed to the dealer only to have them not be able to find anything wrong with it."

I've reported before that several RAV4 owners have reported an alarming problem with their engines shutting down without warning. This issue is often accompanied by an error message and occurs during rainy conditions. Here's what RAV4 owners should be aware of.

Picture driving your new Toyota RAV4 with only a few hundred miles, and the car starts to shake, the engine shuts off, and the check engine light comes on. The dash has an error message, and your car won't restart. 

Emily says, "It's happened five more times since getting the vehicle. It only happens when it rains, almost like a sensor or something is getting wet. The back doors also hold water pretty badly." 

"I've had it towed three times, and by the time it gets to the dealer, it has "dried out," and they are unable to find anything wrong with it." 

"Now, I'm afraid it's going to happen when I'm driving at a high speed. So far, it's more common if I'm slowing down to turn into somewhere or if I'm in a drive-thru."

"This is the warning that I get on the dashboard. It says, "Engine Stopped, Steering Power Low."

Like I said, it "dries out" and then restarts and drives fine until it rains again."

Emily isn't the only RAV4 owner with this problem.

Jade Marie says, "I bought a 2024 RAV4 in October. In January, this happened to me while I was driving home from work in the snow. I brought it to the dealer that day and had them tell me the same thing they told you. Nothing is wrong with it. I was furious. Luckily, it hasn't happened again yet."

Another RAV4 Owner With the Same Issue

Jennifer Partlow-Dube also visited the Toyota RAV4 discussion Facebook group, seeking answers. Her 2024 Toyota RAV4 XLE has only 3,900 miles on it, and she's experiencing issues with the small SUV.

Jennifer says, "It happened to me today while idling in my garage. I just got home from an appointment. I put the car in park and idled for a few minutes. Then, my car started to shake slightly, and the engine suddenly stopped, displaying an error message that read, "Engine Stopped Steering Power Low." 

"The roads were wet/slushy...actively sleeting/raining outside. Has anyone else experienced this problem? My 2024 RAV4 XLE only has 3,900 miles."

Rainy and Wet is the Common Denominator

Advertising

A Reddit user, nanimal77, says, "I'm assuming your wipers were on? According to the service advisor at my dealership, Toyota is aware of the issue and is working on a solution. When the wipers are on the intermittent setting, and the start/stop is on, it's causing an issue with the steering, and the car stalls." 

"They replicated the problem at my dealership and advised that it should be solved in the next month or two. I turn the start/stop off all the time now."

What Does Toyota Say?

The Toyota owner's manual says, "If 'Engine Stopped Steering Power Low' is displayed. This message is displayed if the engine is stopped while driving. When steering wheel operations are heavier than usual, grip the steering wheel firmly and operate using more force than usual."

However, this description of the Toyota does not accurately describe the issue with the 2024 Toyota RAV4. 

Note: The issue has also been reported by some 2021 and 2022 Toyota RAV4 owners in the RAV4World Forum.

What Should RAV4 Owners Do?

Toyota is aware of a problem but has yet to determine its cause. 

Possible Causes:

1. Battery Issues: Some owners have reported battery problems, including batteries that die or fail to hold a charge, which can lead to engine shutdowns. However, this is not the issue with the "Engine Stopped Steering Power Low" error message.
2. Loose Connections: A missing or loose screw that keeps two contacts together, causing a loss of power, has been reported as a potential cause.
3. Faulty Solenoids: Faulty solenoids could also contribute to engine shutdowns. 

What Should RAV4 Owners Do If It Happens?

• Contact a Toyota Dealer Immediately: If your RAV4 engine shuts down unexpectedly and you see the "Engine Stopped Steering Power Low" error message, take it to a Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair.
• Document Issues: Take a picture of the error message and keep records of any incidents, including the date, time, and location where the engine shut down. 

Conclusion:

If Toyota has enough RAV4 customer complaints about this issue, they must address it. Currently, Toyota does not have any recalls for the RAV4 related to this issue. 

Emily concludes, "I've called Toyota corporate, the dealership, everyone I know to call. I feel exhausted at this point. No one is taking me seriously. If anyone else has this problem and has found a solution, please SEND HELP!"

It's Your Turn

Check out my 2024 Toyota RAV4 story: I Initially Thought My 2024 RAV4 Hybrid Was Perfect, But 10 Months In, Toyota's Quality and Reliability Are Not What They Were 5-10 Years Ago

If you've experienced an engine stall and had the 'Engine Stopped Steering Power Low' error message appear on your Toyota RAV4, you're not alone. Your voice matters. Share your experience by clicking the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Emily Arndt