Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 7% | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 9% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 10% | — |
| 2021 | 13 | 36% | 0 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 12% | 88,000 miles |
| 2019 | 10 | 15% | — |
| 2018 | 12 | 20% | 2,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% | 26,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% | 46,000 miles |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% | 40,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 9% | 71,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% | 16,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 9% | 79,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% | 40,000 miles |
| 2007 | 9 | 6% | 124,000 miles |
| 2006 | 22 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2005 | 29 | 7% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 32 | 5% | 102,000 miles |
| 2003 | 35 | 5% | 125,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 5% | 158,000 miles |
| 2001 | 8 | 4% | 120,000 miles |
| 2000 | 21 | 4% | 179,000 miles |
| 1999 | 16 | 5% | 170,000 miles |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% | 161,000 miles |
| 1997 | 14 | 5% | 170,000 miles |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% | 138,000 miles |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% | 160,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 shaft was deemed defective by the technician due to excessive play on the first visit. Even with the defective steering component the vehicle was returned to me in that condition due to a lack of parts. I returned the vehicle because it was not safe to drive. The part was ordered/received and installed. After picking up the vehicle it was evident immediately that the vehicle still had the same issue. The vehicle is now at the dealer waiting on an upper steering shaft that was deemed to have excessive play. The part is on backorder. There are no warning lights associated with this issue. …
While going around turns (left or right) over 30mph the vehicle has knocking that can be felt coming through the steering wheel. This is not the driver assist feedback. If the turn are longer (like highway on ramp) you can hear a slight clunk associated with the knocking that is felt.
On [redacted] while driving approximately 60 mph on a straight smooth highway only about 4 miles from my home my 4 Runner started violently shaking. The whole vehicle was shaking like the wheels were going to fall off. The steering wheel was shaking and I was shaking due to the amount of vibration. I did not depress the brakes for fear it would flip and crash. I let off the accelerator to slow down carefully and find a spot to pull off the highway. As I got slower I checked the onboard tire pressure which indicated all tires were holding correct amounts of air. About 3/4 to a mile from the time the shaking started it stopped shaking and about a quarter mile later it did it one more time for a few seconds. After that it did not occur again. …
Vehicle Component: Solid Rear Axle Assembly / Rear Suspension GeometryDefect Summary: The vehicle exhibits a factory manufacturing defect causing severe rear axle misalignment. At approximately 350 miles from new, an official dealership Hunter alignment report documented out-of-spec rear alignment parameters (-0.16 rear total toe) on a non-adjustable, factory solid rear axle assembly. Safety Risk & Impact: A misaligned solid rear axle compromises vehicle stability, introduces rear thrust angle deviation, and impairs predictable vehicle tracking and emergency evasive handling at highway speeds. Because a solid rear axle has no factory adjustment points, this indicates a bent or improperly manufactured axle housing or mounting structure. …
Aggressive steering wheel vibration from 55-70 mph from the day I drove the vehicle off the lot. Ignoring the vibration, Toyota claims this 4runner is operating as it is manufactured to do so. This is causing unnecessary wear on the steering and/or suspension. Without a visual warning sign from the vehicle, this could cause catastrophic failure while driving, ultimately putting the driver and other drivers at risk while on the road. Additionally, the vehicle can be hard to control due to the vibration, which could cause excess swerving. Toyota claims it is the tires. Toyota issued me two different sets of tires and the issue persists. It is not the tires, it is a manufacturing defect that is a safety hazard and reduces the value of the vehicle.
Around 50-55mph, shake can be felt in the steering wheel. Possible needle bearing? Common complaint yet Toyota states it is operating "normal". Steering wheel shake is not normal. This has occurred since I purchased the vehicle.
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 steering wheel to fall out of a locked position and allowed the entire column to rotate skewed to the left side. The steering wheel became dangerous to use as it was in a freed position that allowed the entire column to move while providing inputs into the steering wheel. Had this occurred while the vehicle was in motion, it could have caused a sudden loss of steering control and significantly increased the risk of a crash or injury. …
Bought the vehicle brand new and have been dealing with a steering wheel/vehicle shake ever since. The vehicle feels out of control around 55-65mph(like death wobble) and the ride is rough at any speed over 50mph. This has been a serious issue on the highway with instances of crossing lanes because of lack of control over steering. No warning lights have ever come on. Been to the dealership many times complaining about the issue just to be told that the "problem can't be replicated". I have taken it to several tire shops as well to have the wheels/tires balanced but nothing seems to help. I even bought new wheels and tires just to see if this was the cause and still no solution. This is a serious problem that thousands of 4Runner owners are experiencing and Toyota needs to get to the bottom of this. This absolutely should not be happening on brand new/modern day vehicles. …
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering relay rod. The recall began October 5, 2005. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota 4Runner years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (35), 2004 (32), 2005 (29), 2006 (22) and 2000 (21) model years. Steering complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Toyota 4Runner steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 05V-389 (connecting, Sep 6, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota 4Runner steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (10 mentions), followed by the linkages › rod › relay › connecting (5).
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.