1. Toyota 4Runner
  2. Problems
  3. 2004
  4. Steering

2004 Toyota 4Runner Steering Problems

20
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 20 stored complaint records:

  • 2 indicate a crash
  • 0 indicate injury
  • 0 indicate fire

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
150–400k mi7
60–100k mi6
100–150k mi4
1–30k mi1

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • November 27, 2019 · 125,000 miles

    Steering

    Pictures show significant rust damage on the right back frame near the muffler. Dealership stated it would cost $14,000 to replace the frame of the vehicle. Currently the car has 125,000 miles. Vin unknown *ln*jb

    ODI 11282913

  • December 10, 2018 · 250,000 miles

    Body · Steering · Suspension

    Excessive rust is compromising steering control.

    Crash reported

    ODI 11163086

  • September 7, 2018 · 102,000 miles

    Body · Service Brakes · Steering · Suspension

    My 2004 toyota 4 runner is in the dealer for routine maintenance. Most of the car maintenance have been at this local toyota dealership. I just had the cv boots and sway bar bushings replaced this past spring and summer. I have the records for these particular maintenance and repair. My service mechanic mentioned there is significant amount of rust on the frame/ chassis. On september 7, the mechanic at the same…

    ODI 11128096

  • August 31, 2018 · 131,000 miles

    Body · Steering · Suspension

    Since vehicle was 5yrs old the frame has rusted terribly. The rust is so significant there are holes and pieces of it have just fallen off. Currently, the steering joint is so rusted that it cannot be driven safely because it feels like it may lose control on the road. Entire undercarriage appears so badly rusted that i am not sure this vehicle is safe to drive anymore.

    ODI 11140298

  • August 31, 2018 · 128,672 miles

    Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    Toyota truck frame corrosion upon installation of failed suspension components on my 2004 toyota 4runner, my independent mechanic informed me of substantial frame corrosion. I contacted lynch toyota with my concerns, lynch toyota inspected my 4runner and found substantial frame corrosion, vehicle deemed unsafe, and should not be driven in any capacity, frame replacement recommended by lynch toyota in manchester…

    ODI 11131907

  • August 18, 2018 · 215,117 miles

    Body · Steering · Suspension

    Since buying my forerunner used in 2015 i have only brought it to the dealership for maintenance bed inspections with toyota professional mechanics. Upon bringing my vehicle in for a routine oil change and inspection i was told that the frame is rusted out and unsafe to drive. I was shocked and upset as i've only used a trusted toyota professional mechanics and somehow they seem to have overlooked a frame that was…

    ODI 11174353

  • July 5, 2018 · 151,000 miles

    Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    While driving on the highway my car went out of alignment due to a rotten torsion bar mount. The entire frame also has lots of rot

    ODI 11128186

  • June 1, 2017 · 162,000 miles

    Steering

    Power steering is hard when you are making turns

    ODI 11000570

  • April 1, 2017 · 175,000 miles

    Steering

    The u-joint in my year, and many other years close to the same period, rusts out in the bearings and requires replacement. This makes the steering significantly difficult. Here is just one, of many, websites dedicated to this problem. I am having mine fixed next week but the general consensus is that this is a major fault of toyota and it should be recalled, here is the website:…

    ODI 10983810

  • January 1, 2017

    Body · Steering · Unknown Or Other

    Frame and rear axle housing rust - caused the upper control arms, which prevent rotation of the rear axel, to disconnect from the housing/frame. Also, steering has become stiff and bumpy as you turn the wheel. This may be due to front crossmember rust or rust on the steering universal joint.

    ODI 11001548

  • December 13, 2015 · 195,435 miles

    Steering

    When vehicle is driven over a rough road there is a rattle sound coming from steering column..no rattle on smooth roads like highways.......its been doing this for a long time,yrs....seems like something is loose in steering column

    ODI 10837297

  • January 30, 2015 · 152,000 miles

    Body · Service Brakes · Steering

    Bought 4th generation 4runner in 1-15 from dealer after owning 4 prior 3rd generation ones and this one is plagued with excessive rust beyond normal wear in frame (some holes), suspension, steering rack and shaft, brake components, virtually everything steel under the body has rusted excessively while body remains rust free. I know 95-03 tacomas and tundras were under frame and brake line recall due to same issue…

    ODI 10836938

  • November 1, 2012 · 84,000 miles

    Service Brakes · Steering

    FRONT CALIPER SEIZE UP L/F AND R/F 3 INCIDENTS 11/2012 02/2015 06/2015

    ODI 10724056

  • November 10, 2011 · 86,000 miles

    Service Brakes · Steering · Suspension

    2004 toyota 4runner limited, has excessive chassis rust and rotted out at some point on the sub frame, contacted the dealer and there is no recall available also called toyota and recall is not available.i am afraid that the chassis will break and cause an accident.

    ODI 10744741

  • October 27, 2011 · 98,007 miles

    Body · Steering · Unknown Or Other

    Suv is unsafe to drive due to excessive rusting of frame and all other undercarriage metal parts. Frame integrity is seriously compromised. Rust is exponentiating over time. Rust leaching to other majors parts like the exhaust. Transmission, radiator, ac, wheels, brakes, exhaust, steering, etc all are compromised and failing due to rust. This has been going on for years. Radiator replaced. Ac leaking. Oct 2011 heat…

    ODI 10764189

  • June 10, 2011 · 65,000 miles

    Steering

    Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4 runner. The contact was driving 20 mph when the steering wheel failed and became stiff without warning. The contact mentioned that the driver was able to regain control of the vehicle and bring it to a stop. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was diagnosed that the linkage to the steering knuckle was fractured and as a result, the steering knuckle, stabilizer…

    ODI 10416668

  • February 1, 2011

    Steering

    2004 toyota 4runner. Consumer states there was a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel while turning right or left *tgw the noise was a faint clicking, increasing only slightly in volume over time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an inspection revealed the inner shaft showed grooves where the bearing race had cut into the steering shaft to the extent where it could have caused complete steering…

    ODI 10383528

  • December 31, 2009 · 80,000 miles

    Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields

    Major rust on frame and other mechanical parts. Not exposed to salt does not occur with my other vehicles. *tr

    ODI 10503523

  • October 18, 2009 · 65,237 miles

    Steering

    I have a 2004 4 runner i recently have had a steering vibration that is making me crazy it flutters around 55 to 65 i have gone to different dealers and independent shops plus i have done lots of testing with no luck on a permanent fix i have researched the internet for 6 months since the problem really started the only thing i can find is this tsb st001r-05 050908 steering that relates to my problem i have had 9…

    Crash reported

    ODI 10293169

  • August 5, 2004 · 300 miles

    Steering

    Steering wheel vibrates around 45-60 mph. It is a pronounced vibration that is uncomfortable to drive with.

    ODI 10086514