Vehicle: 2022 Toyota RAV4, 4WD, L4-2.5L (A25A-FXS), Hybrid, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 50,661 Miles

Problem: The RAV4 had been hit hard on the left front. The subframe and front wheels/tires were replaced. After repairs were made, the body shop found that the steering would bind when turning. They replaced the steering rack and programmed it.

When the technician went on a test drive, he noted the vehicle would not accelerate over 20mph. It felt like the traction control kicked in and was flashing the “slip light” on the dash. Turning the traction control on or off did not change anything. The car had new tires on the front, but the rear tires were almost bald.

Case Details: The technician connected a scan tool to monitor the speed sensors. All were within tenths of a mph of each other, so it wasn’t a tire circumference variation issue.

There were no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in any module. The vehicle also had steering issues. When turning left to about the 7 o'clock position, the steering would fully lose assist and return if the wheel was forced left past the 5 o'clock position. It was time to call ALLDATA Tech-Assist to find out what to check next.

The consultant advised ensuring the steering wheel was installed correctly and centered. That needed to be correct before any further diagnosis. The technician checked the steering wheel position and found it to be off one turn to the left. This explained the issue, as the rack was binding at what should have been its maximum travel point. It would also explain the drivability issue. If the computer saw a steering angle sensor reading of 360 degrees while driving straight, the computer would respond accordingly and shut down the throttle response, as well as activate traction control and the ABS.

Confirmed Repair: The technician reset the steering wheel one full turn to the proper centered position. Everything returned back to normal. Easy fix to a potentially time-consuming problem!