CarModelProblems.com

2007 Toyota RAV4 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 4.3× the fleet median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
1,003Complaints
14Recalls
53Crashes
37Fires
41Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Steering (26.7% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Steering complaints here are 4.3× the median for that category across the 1656 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 categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Steering268 · 26.7%No official action
Engine195 · 19.4%No official action
Suspension123 · 12.3%RecalledRecall 16V596000 · Recall 12V373000 · Recall 13V383000
Vehicle Speed Control91 · 9.1%RecalledRecall 11V113000
Air Bags90 · 9%RecalledRecall 14V168000 · Recall 11V245000
Electrical System72 · 7.2%Investigation closedEA12006 → recall 12V491000 · PE12002 · 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.

Complaints by component

STEERING268 · 26.7%
ENGINE195 · 19.4%
SUSPENSION123 · 12.3%
AIR BAGS90 · 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM72 · 7.2%
Unspecified / other39 · 3.9%
POWER TRAIN38 · 3.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING29 · 2.9%
SERVICE BRAKES26 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 1,003 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.

Recalls — 14 campaigns

Seat Belts:rear/other

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

Suspension:rear

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

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

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

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 2014 · reported 11/19/2014

Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

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

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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

Suspension:rear

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

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 11V245000 · 2011 · reported 04/21/2011

INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear

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

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

NHTSA campaign 12V491000 · 2012 · reported 10/10/2012

If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

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

Equipment:other:labels

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

Equipment:other:labels

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

Equipment:other:labels

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.

What owners report

“INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF STEERING AT VEHICLE STARTUP. STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE IN EITHER DIRECTION AND P/S INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. CAR MUST BE TURNED…”NHTSA complaint 10314945 — filed 02/28/2010 · STEERING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION AT ANY SPEED HE HEARD A…”NHTSA complaint 10314163 — filed 02/25/2010 · STEERING
“STEERING ISSUE WITH 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 SPORT. BIG NOISE AND SUDDEN SLIP FEELING IN STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WHILE…”NHTSA complaint 10313270 — filed 02/23/2010 · STEERING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1502012164157201497882016785920183021202012620225820241022026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Toyota RAV4?

Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 268 of 1,003 NHTSA complaints (26.7%), followed by engine (195), suspension (123), vehicle speed control (91). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2007 Toyota RAV4 have?

1,003 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 53 involved a crash, 37 involved a fire, and 41 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2007 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?

Yes — 14 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V096000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2007 Toyota RAV4's reported problems?

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.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

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.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.