Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering (31.7% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Steering complaints here are 5.1× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 223 · 31.7% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 109 · 15.5% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 69 · 9.8% | Recalled | Recall 11V113000 |
| Suspension | 68 · 9.7% | Recalled | Recall 16V596000 · Recall 12V373000 · Recall 13V383000 |
| Air Bags | 51 · 7.2% | Recalled | Recall 14V168000 |
| Electrical System | 34 · 4.8% | Investigation closed | RQ10003 → recall 11V112000 · RQ10003 → recall 11V113000 · RQ10003 → recall 11V115000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 704 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 16V596000 · 2016 · reported 08/12/2016
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V096000 · 2016 · reported 02/19/2016
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V689000 · 2015 · reported 10/22/2015
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V168000 · 2014 · reported 04/09/2014
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 2016 · reported 06/02/2016
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V373000 · 2012 · reported 08/02/2012
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V383000 · 2013 · reported 08/28/2013
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V113000 · 2011 · reported 02/24/2011
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V223000 · 2009 · reported 06/15/2009
INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“MY 2006 RAV4 WITH 21K MILES DEVELOPED STEERING CLUNKING SENSATION AT SLOW SPEEDS IN AUGUST 2008. BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE STEERING SHAFT…”NHTSA complaint 10263739 — filed 03/31/2009 · STEERING
“2006 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS A GRINDING/BINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER FEEL THAT THIS IS PERHAPS A DEFECT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE INTERMEDIATE…”NHTSA complaint 10258988 — filed 02/11/2009 · STEERING
“TOYOTA, 2006 RAV4 ... LOOSE STEERING ARMS. CAUSING CLUNKING NOISES WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEED. DON'T KNOW IF THIS GETS BAD ENOUGH TO FALL APART…”NHTSA complaint 10256006 — filed 01/22/2009 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 223 of 704 NHTSA complaints (31.7%), followed by engine (109), vehicle speed control (69), suspension (68). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
704 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 26 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V596000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
