YearToAvoid

2009 Toyota RAV4 Steering Problems

NHTSA has 26 owner complaints about steering problems in the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 8% of all 327 complaints for this model year. That is #8 highest steering complaint count among 21 RAV4 model years. These complaints report 3 crashes and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 50,000 miles.

Steering complaints
26
8% of 327
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
50,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Toyota RAV4 steering complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 9, 2010, latest May 22, 2026.

2009 Toyota RAV4 steering complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2010Oct 2011Oct 2012May 2013Jan 2015Dec 2016May 2026
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to May 2026; peak Jan 2013 (2).

Steering recalls for the 2009 Toyota RAV4

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by RAV4 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20059 (6%)
  2. 2006230 (33%)
  3. 2007271 (27%)
  4. 200873 (13%)
  5. 200926 (8%)
  6. 201018 (5%)
  7. 201115 (5%)
  8. 20129 (3%)
  9. 201311 (4%)
  10. 201421 (11%)
  11. 201546 (15%)
  12. 201610 (4%)
  13. 201712 (4%)
  14. 201811 (3%)
  15. 201932 (4%)
  16. 202027 (4%)
  17. 202121 (5%)
  18. 202220 (14%)
  19. 202326 (17%)
  20. 202427 (16%)
  21. 20255 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Toyota RAV4 have steering problems?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints about the steering in the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 8% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 50,000 miles.
Which Toyota RAV4 year has the most steering complaints?
The 2007 Toyota RAV4 has the most steering complaints (271), compared with 26 for the 2009.
Is there a steering recall for the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Toyota RAV4 is classified under steering. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.