Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The frame broke loose from the rear sway bar due to excessive rust while I was driving it. My 4Runner is an 05 and has the same frame as the Tacomas of the same year, except with no recall. I believe it is wrong to recall the Tacoma frame and not the same 4Runner frame. It is available for inspection. The car wanted to loose control anytime the accelerator was pressed or released. The problem has been an issue for many 4Runner owners of similar years. There was no warning to this occurrence.
Upon recent inspection of my vehicle, it was noted that the frame is severely corroded and rusted to the point where collapse or breaking of the frame is possible while driving. Apprently the frame was not properly treated for rust protection and can now be unsafe for driving. Enclosed are pictures of the rusted frame.
When turning to park get message driving assist disabled drive with care and the dash loser power can't turn steering. Power steering shuts off this has happens multiple times had battery check out alternator every show good. Have research online other people having same issue.
Upon recently driving a family member's 2005 Toyota 4runner limited v8, I heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle over bumps. Upon inspecting the vehicle, I discovered extensive rust on nearly every single part of the structural frame, suspension components and even exhaust system. Some parts are so badly rusted that they can be punctured by simply pushing your finger through them (including the rear frame cross member crash structure behind the rear bumper). These vehicles are rusting so terribly that I'm shocked NHTSA hasn't forced Toyota to recall them. Yes, they're older, but the level of rust and decay is unprecedented for nearly any modern car. Toyota already had to recall all of their other body-on-frame vehicles (tacoma, tundra, sequoia, and Land cruiser) to replace the frames due to rust. …
My SUV only has 66,000 miles on it and recently (past month) the steering is very laborious. To the point that I have neck and shoulder pain. The steering is hard to start a turn (no matter what speed) and as I continue to turn the wheel it will ease up a bit and then be hard to turn it back again to straight. Meaning that it will not return without considerable effort. I was on cars.com website as they had recalls listed. I looked up 4 runner steering problems and they gave me a recall number. When I called Toyota they told me there were no recalls for my VIN #. I think Toyota is ripping me off because the problem I'm having is just what is described in the summary. The component listed is steering; linkages; rod; relay; connecting. The consequence listed is if the vehicle is continued to be operated in this condition, the relay rod May fracture, increasing the risk of a crash. …
The steering system of the car is not behaving properly. It is much harder to turn than normal. Furthermore, when driven through curve, the steering does not align back to a straight line as it has done in the past. So, in other words if you drive through a curve and let the steering wheel go free, the car will not straighten out but continue to follow the curve. The steering has to be pulled hard to straighten the vehicle out and drive a straight line. No warning lights are coming up in the instrument cluster to advise of any malfunction.
This vehicle has a very rusty frame. It does not pass state of maine inspection. Like many other 4runners it suffers from Toyota's faulty frames. This truck has not fallen apart and crashed like many similar units. This one has a perforated frame, and doesn't pass inspection. With 80,000 miles the truck is like new except for the faulty frame. The rust multiplies sitting still or traveling. The frame is so thin in so many places, there isn't place to make satisfactory repairs.
Brought vehicle to repair shop for muffler and tailpipe inspection. Repair shop found frame cracked and rusted along with steering shaft broken. Repair shop indicated that there is no recall on 4runners yet this is a known problem with the 2005 4runner. Repair shop stated it would cost $6000.00 for new frame from Toyota dealer. Hartford Toyota superstore has done oil changes on this vehicle since purchase yet has never brought the frame problem to our attention.
Severe frame rust to the point of holes. The frame integrity will soon be compromised; if not already. Two rear body mounts are rusting away, the bottom of both mounts is non existent. One mid mount, the sheet metal side is nearly rusted through. One front mount area is rusted away on the sheet metal side. The gas tank is currently only held in place by what is left of the protection shield under the tank .
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4 runner. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The steering was very tight traveling around curves. The steering failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column u joint was severely corroded. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 169,066.
Steering complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, 7% of the model year's 425 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota 4Runner steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota 4Runner steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.