2003 Toyota 4Runner Steering Problems
- 22
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 22 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 7 |
| 60–100k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering · Suspension
Frame has extreme and rusting and has been reinforced by welding new steel support frames
ODI 11228641
Service Brakes · Steering · Suspension
The control arm separated from the rotted rusted frame while driving. Almost died!
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 11208227
Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Structural rust to frame. Cracks and holes at welds and attachment points of suspension and steering. Frame is disintegrating under the truck, complete structural failure is imminent.
ODI 11191972
Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
The frame is rusted out and the rear suspension mounting brackets are starting to look like potato chips. Also noticed steering components are severally rusted.
ODI 11171318
Body · Steering · Unknown Or Other
I have had this vehicle for many years and i "know" it. I noticed that he steering wheel had a vibration albeit slight, this was something new as well as a noise i could hear under the car. I brought it home complained to my husband - he looked under the car & was appalled - the frame is so rusted he was able to stick his finger through the failing frame! I am afraid this vehicle will kill me! What if it decides to…
ODI 11161894
Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Extreme rust/rot throughout my 2003 4runner frame. The body, interior, powertrain are 8.5 out of 10 the frame is a 0 i live in new england and recently purchased the 03 4runner sr5 based off it looks. I drove the 4runner of about a month before the incident happened. I was driving on a typical new england road, fairly smooth with pot holes here and there going approximately 45 m.p.h.. Without any warning the 4runner…
ODI 11163081
Steering · Suspension
The frame on my 2003 toyota 4runner has almost rusted completely through the frame. While driving on i40 going around a deep curve i lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road without injury or collision. It was inspected and deemed not safe to drive due to the rusted frame. This vehicle is now immobile until the frame is replaced. I am requesting that this vehicle is included in the recall for the toyota 4…
ODI 11132155
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
Frame is completely rusted out. Steel is literally falling off from the rust and my suspensions are completely shot and exposed due to rust.
ODI 11145027
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes · Steering · Traction Control System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving 65 mph, the vsc and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The anti-lock braking system engaged and locked the front brakes. The vehicle violently pulled to the left lane and the steering and brakes failed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and repair the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they were unaware of the failure previously…
ODI 10908283
Steering
Steering binds and sometimes prevents a continued turn. Have to over power steering wheel to complete turns in either direction. Not a fluid, pump, steering rack issue from what i can tell. Understand it may be an unprotected steering shaft u-joint. Dangerous situation if not corrected asap as issue gets worse very quickly.
ODI 10865335
Body · Steering · Suspension
While driving on the highway the passenger rear side of my toyota 4runner began to move up and down and wobble making the car wander all over the road. We immediately went to the local toyota dealer, carver toyota of columbus in taylorsville, in. Inspecting the car on the passenger rear side we found that the rear suspension had pulled away from the frame where the frame had completely rusted leaving a big hunk out…
ODI 10822927
Steering
Steering locked up during turn into busy parking lot sheetz store and gas station safely stopped vehicle after trouble shooting the problem we sprayed penetrating oil on lower steering shaft universal we moved vehicle to be towed home waiting for parts complete failure could have been deadly if driving at highway speed. This is the second rust problem we have had with toyota nothing was ever done we lost a 1997…
ODI 10735066
Steering · Tires · Wheels
I purchased this 4runner in march, 2015. I began to notice a vibration in the steering wheel at 63mph. I thought it was brakes, i had brakes and rotors surfaced on 3/12/15. Still vibrating! So i figured it was a simple balancing issue, i took it on the same day to have it balanced. It started vibrating and shaking worse! I had the same mechanic re-balance and rotate the wheels/tires. It road the same. They turned me…
ODI 10702057
Steering
Exposed parts of toyota steering components all rusted tight. Very dangerous when it finally locks. I am sure there was a recall notice on this when i first got the vehicle. They seem to have wanted to hide this issue. Replaced the rack and pinion the steering rack and steering knuckle. Hose ends corroded so bad had to replace it also. *tr
ODI 10679377
Body · Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The steering wheel became hard to turn and the vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the steering wheel system, which failed due to severe corrosion that expanded to the transmission lines and the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 10523046
Steering
The driver side inner and outer tie rods completely stripped out the adjustment threads on the driver side, resulting in the outer tie rod decoupling and the driver wheel assy swinging out of phase with the passenger tire, thus immobilizing the vehicle. This incident occurred in a parking lot, thank god, as a freeway speed failure would have resulted in potential catastrophe. I scanned the internet for similar…
ODI 10450617
Steering
The steering felt like it had been briefly catching or grabbing on something, so we took it in for service since this is a safety issue when the car does not turn as expected. The mechanic said the steering coupler was rusted, causing it to bind up with the joint when turning. He said the part is completely exposed on the underside of the car, and it rots with the road water salt, etc. The part was unavailable and…
ODI 10415864
Automatic Transmission · Frame And Members · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted, causing the transmission to hang very low. As a result, the vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission was re-attached. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 129,000. ..updated 09/19/11 *bf also, the steering intermediate shaft needed to be…
ODI 10412344
Steering
Binding or sticking power steering on 2003 toyota 4runner. Occurred continuously beginning at about 90,000 miles. Dealer replaced steering "joint" at cost of $500. Tended to lock in straight-ahead position unless extreme force was applied. *tr
ODI 10329786
Steering · Suspension
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel shook very badly. The contact pulled the vehicle over because he thought he had a flat tire, but that was not the case. The vehicle was taken to have the tire pressure checked and then to the dealer for inspection. The shaking only occurs while driving over 30 mph. The contact stated that there was a recall for this vehicle. The…
ODI 10275343
Steering · Suspension
I own a 2003 4 runner and also my daughter. I have reported the following issue to toyota and also have taken the vehicle to a dealer. On snowy or icy roads, the rear end of the 4 runner will flip around when accelerating around a corner at very low speeds. It has happened to me three times and to my daughter 3 or 4 times. Both vehicle have new tires and the situation still occurs. I live in nc and we do not get a…
ODI 10308812
Steering
Steering wheel has resonate vibration at certain engine rpm. It is not tire vibration but more like a buzz at these speeds. We filed for arbitration and lost because arbitrator would not drive the vehicle to feel the problem. Toyota has refused to fix though they know of the problem fleet wide. I feel that a total recall of this model is necessary. *tr
ODI 10191944