Toyota 4RUNNER Steering Problems
Owners have filed 310 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Toyota 4RUNNER across 30 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (35). The words owners use most often: “frame rusted” (5% of reports).
- 310steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 32mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 54%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Frame rusted: mentioned in 17 of 310 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 195 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 310 complaints, 32 mention a crash, 11 an injury.
Toyota 4RUNNER steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 4RUNNER | 4 | 7% | — |
| 2023 4RUNNER | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2022 4RUNNER | 4 | 10% | — |
| 2021 4RUNNER | 13 | 36% | 350 |
| 2020 4RUNNER | 4 | 12% | 44,004 |
| 2019 4RUNNER | 10 | 15% | — |
| 2018 4RUNNER | 11 | 19% | 1,450 |
| 2017 4RUNNER | 2 | 6% | 26,000 |
| 2016 4RUNNER | 4 | 5% | 38,577 |
| 2015 4RUNNER | 8 | 9% | 33,500 |
| 2014 4RUNNER | 7 | 9% | 48,500 |
| 2013 4RUNNER | 1 | 3% | 1 |
| 2012 4RUNNER | 5 | 5% | 30,000 |
| 2011 4RUNNER | 5 | 3% | 9,162 |
| 2010 4RUNNER | 5 | 3% | 44,000 |
| 2009 4RUNNER | 2 | 9% | 79,000 |
| 2008 4RUNNER | 5 | 5% | 40,000 |
| 2007 4RUNNER | 9 | 6% | 112,000 |
| 2006 4RUNNER | 22 | 6% | 30,000 |
| 2005 4RUNNER | 29 | 7% | 90,000 |
| 2004 4RUNNER | 32 | 5% | 100,004 |
| 2003 4RUNNER | 35 | 5% | 125,000 |
| 2002 4RUNNER | 12 | 5% | 158,000 |
| 2001 4RUNNER | 8 | 4% | 120,000 |
| 2000 4RUNNER | 21 | 4% | 179,000 |
| 1999 4RUNNER | 16 | 5% | 170,000 |
| 1998 4RUNNER | 12 | 5% | 122,340 |
| 1997 4RUNNER | 14 | 5% | 170,000 |
| 1996 4RUNNER | 3 | 2% | 138,000 |
| 1995 4RUNNER | 5 | 3% | 98,842 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Suspension; steering
Model years: 2018, 2019
Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET19B.
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
Model years: 1995
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the steering wheel is repeatedly turned under certain conditions where high steering effort and power assist are required, for instance, when fully turning the wheel while the vehicle is stopped, a fatigue crack may develop in the steering relay rod.
Risk: If the vehicle is continued to be operated in this condition, the relay rod may fracture, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering relay rod. The recall began october 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
While vehicle was parked and not in use, upon entering the vehicle, the steering wheel/column dropped out of its locked position on its own. Disassembly of the steering column revealed that the tilt-lock mechanism's steering lock fracture bolt has broken in half on the right side. This cause the…
The steering system malfunctioned. The vehicle is at the dealer for inspection/repair. When driving the steering is loose, when you go over bumps there is an audible thump in the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle is at the dealer in Rockwall Texas for the 3rd time for this issue. The lower steering…
The LKA system steers the vehicle into the oncoming lane of travel under specific and repeatable conditions. The defect occurs as follows: While the vehicle is traveling and the LKA system is following the left lane marking, the vehicle approaches a marked left-hand turn lane or turnout where no…
I just had the tires road force balanced on a haweka with lug-centric balance, and the steering wheel persists shaking from 55-65 mph. From what I have seen is this is a design flaw on this generation of 4 runners called the shimmy. For a newer vehicle this is not only dangerous, but unacceptable…
I have experienced a persistent steering and suspension-related issue with my 2019 Toyota 4Runner since early ownership, beginning at approximately 6,800 miles. The vehicle repeatedly pulls/drifts to the right at highway speeds and requires constant steering correction. I have also experienced…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota 4RUNNERs have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 310 owner complaints about steering for the Toyota 4RUNNER. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota 4RUNNER steering?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most frequent phrase is “frame rusted”, in 17 of 310 complaints.
Other Toyota 4RUNNER problems
- Structure problems (1,789)
- Suspension problems (905)
- Air Bags problems (523)
- Power Train problems (405)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (362)
- Service Brakes problems (285)
- Electrical System problems (248)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (238)
See all Toyota 4RUNNER problems.