Toyota 4RUNNER harsh shifting problems

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · TX

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. Symptoms include: Clunking noise in driver area when going over bumps and vehicle wanders excessively at speed on uneven surfaces.

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Steering · PA

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.

Filed Feb 26, 2024 · Suspension · NY

TRD PRO MODEL Clunk at low speeds. FOX shocks on TRD PRO make clunking sound at low speeds. Toyota replaced 3 shocks under warranty. The 3rd one they charged me labor but covered the shock. Car has highway miles and very little time spent off road as I live in NY. As of today clunking is back in full force. Seems to be an ongoing problem if you google clunking fox shocks Toyota TRD 4Runner.

Filed Jun 26, 2023 · Steering · MA

There was a clunking noise coming from the front end when steering. Got worse over time. Also had a vibration in the front end at speeds above 45 mph. Dealer recommended replacement of upper steering column shaft assembly and dust boot cover along with lower intermediate steering shaft. The manufacturer knows about this problem because there is a the federal safety agency Campaign Number 19V67000 that states the suspension and steering fasteners were improperly tightened. This should be a recall and I should not have to pay for their mistakes! If it had come loose, there would be a loss of control leading to an accident! The dealer/manufacturer did not send out any notice or warning.

Filed Aug 30, 2021 · Body, Steering · MI

At the end of June 2021, while driving I experienced a loud clunk and grinding noise, with reduced control of steering and brakes on my 4Runner. I took the 4Runner to a Goodyear Automotive Service Center on Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak, Michigan, who told me that the vehicle was not driveable due to severe rust damage of the frame that resulted in a broken sway bar. I thought I should take it to the closest Toyota dealership in Troy, Michigan for advice and they responded that the vehicle was beyond repair and that a new frame would cost around $20,000. I could not leave my car there, and risked driving it home, where it has been parked ever since.

Filed Feb 14, 2021 · Body · 91,000 miles · NY

I purchased my 2005 toyota 4 runner from the original owner in august. 2018 with 74,000 miles on it. Garage kept and older couple owned it. Inside and outside are near mint condition. Now has 91,000 miles. The front cross member is completely rotted and barely being held together. I can wiggle the whole piece with my hand. The right side center of the frame has a 7 inch hole on he bottom and a 2 inch hole on the side in the same area. The right rear control arm bracket has rotted apart thus throwing the thrust angle off and the steering wheel is crooked when driving. The frame surrounding that area of the right rear bracket is completely rotted and splitting in 2. All got noticed when I hit a pot hole in the road and heard a clunk and the steering wheel went crooked. Vehicle would not drive straight anymore. Good thing I was not going fast and I immediately pulled to the shoulder of the road to investigate.

Filed Feb 5, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 200,000 miles · NJ

The rear tire assembly ripped loose from its mounts under normal driving conditions..a loud clunk noise....then .brakes were lost and the electrical system showed warning lights on dash board...car is not drivable...massive rust at failure points

Filed Aug 13, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 200,000 miles · TX

Vehicle started handling poorly. I had recently replaced the rear shocks and thought I needed an alignment done. Brought it to my mechanic who pointed out that my rear upper control arm brakcet on the passenger had rotted and broken, causing the squirrely handling. Shortly after, while driving home from work on the highway at ~70mph, I heard a clunk and the tail end of the truck started jumping/swerving. Took back roads home and assessed the problem. Lo and behold my driver's side upper control arm bracket encountered the same fate. Rotted and broken. My vehicle's first owner was in minnesota but since then it has been in texas where there is no salt on the roads. I've done what I can to seal and prevent further rust on the frame after purchase and yet this still happens? My truck is no longer drive-able as it's extremely unsafe to have my rear axle disconnected from the frame. So until I can manage to 1) find someone willing to weld my frame 2) pay for such a service I am without a vehicle... I paid $2000 for this car less than a year ago with only 170k miles on it.

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Body · 131,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 2 MPH, an abnormal clunking sound was heard. The contact stopped to inspect the vehicle and became aware that a section of the passenger's side was subframe fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.*dt

Filed May 23, 2019 · Body · 220,000 miles · MN

Very excessive rusting and corrosion on the frame near where the leading arm attaches on the passenger side. Hole has developed very quickly, only in the span of a couple years. When going around left corner >15mph, a clunking noise can be heard from the problem area. Very occasionally a similar noise can be heard when going through right turns. Vehicle has spent most of its life in southern minnesota, although some time has been spent in south florida. Repair will be necessary soon, as I'm starting to not feel safe driving long distances or at highway speeds (70+ MPH). Thank you, have a nice day.