Toyota 4RUNNER power steering loss problems

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Steering · CA

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. The problem was confirmed by an independent mechanic upon teardown of the steering column, who visually verified the broken fracture bolt and the resulting free movement of the column. There were no dashboard warning signs, error messages, or noticeable symptoms prior to this event. The column simply came loose and dropped when entering the vehicle after it had been parked. The vehicle had about 120,000 miles at the time of failure.

Filed Mar 3, 2026 · Steering · CA

I was driving the vehicle and suddenly the steering wheel started to getting hard to turn it and the dash board doesn’t show any failure I went right away to dealership close by they inspected the vehicle they states there is a power steering failure but the car never showed any failure on dashboard or safety system

Filed Jun 22, 2025 · Tires · CA

Component: Tire – Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 P265/70R17 Vehicle: 2023 Toyota 4Runner (approx. 25,000 miles) After a standard tire rotation, I began experiencing severe steering wheel vibration (flutter) at highway speeds (55–65+ mph) and during braking. The issue started immediately after rotation and has not gone away, even after returning the tires to their original positions. The dealer replaced rotors and pads, but the vibration remained. There are no warning lights, and no visible tire damage. This condition has been reproduced by the dealer. Upon researching, I found that Toyota issued Tech Tip T-TT-0602-20 for this exact issue — citing steering vibration caused by Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tires on 4Runner models. I also found similar complaints from other owners on forums and the federal safety agency database. The issue appears to be related to internal tire defects (e.g., belt separation or out-of-round tires) which are not externally visible. This problem affects safety due to potential loss of steering stability at high speeds, and could worsen over time. Tires have not been replaced yet, but I plan to pursue road force balancing and a manufacturer warranty inspection. I'm glad that I was able to find this problem early before it cause tire explosion. Tire Size: P265/70R17 Tire Brand/Model: Dunlop Grandtrek AT20

Filed Dec 6, 2023 · Acceleration, Fuel system · MI

Car keeps running out of gas while driving, due to faulty readings on the gas gauge and electronic readout. I have been driving this car for 11 years and never ran out of gas until running out 3 times in the past 2 months. Today was the 3rd occurrence, gas gauge showed over 1/4 tank and 85 miles to go until empty. Previous incident was similar with 1/4 tank and showing 65 miles to go. (Pictures attached). The miles to go reading seems to be increasing with each incident (1st incident showed 25 miles, second incident 65 miles, then 85 miles today). No low fuel indicator light or warning has appeared on ANY of these 3 occasions. This is a very dangerous situation potentially causing loss of life as drivers have SECONDS to navigate their vehicle off the highway, while quickly losing speed and loss of steering. No indication that fuel is low, while instead providing incorrect (inflated) dashboard data. Vehicle is going into the shop tomorrow. Found multiple reports of this same incident on [XXX] [XXX] ) which indicate problem with sending unit. Please review and consider further action or communication to other 4Runner owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Steering · NY

Intermediate steering shaft u joint Steering is difficult. Vehicle only has 80000 miles Just out of warranty as of 5/23

Filed Sep 30, 2020 · Fuel system · 125,700 miles · AZ

My children and I almost died twice! 4 runner almost caused serious injury or death. 9/24/20, 6:15 pmish, vehicle in motion for approximately over an hour, 70mph cruise control set, beginning to climb up a large mountain westbound interstate 8. Engine hesitates/stalls briefly, steering became difficult, car shuddered, was difficult to maintain control of vehicle, only lasted seconds. At a slower speed engine back up and all was fine, assumed it was not a major issue. Continued driving the vehicle for the next two days at same higher speeds and for long periods of time. 9/26/20, around 6:30 pm, vehicle in motion for over an hour, about 70mph flow of traffic, not in cruise control, flat road, eastbound interstate 8, left lane of 4 lanes of traffic. Engine stalls/hesitates for about 10 long seconds, loss of power steering, almost ran into barricade on left, almost ran into car on right, luckily no one behind us. Saw blackish smoke out rearview mirror. Loud sounds, shaking and grinding. After about 10 seconds and crying/screaming kids, engine no longer stalled and was able to control vehicle to turn on hazards. We are lucky to be alive! Safety exited, contacted toyota service to inform them. Vehicle towed 161 miles to dealership, they see nothing wrong with the vehicle and were ready to release it to us. Back story, most all service performed by toyota dealership and did what was suggested. 8/31/20 toyota poway installed fuel pump safety recall (prior to this I had no issue, this was preventative) a week later engine light on, alexander toyota, finds my safety recalled part was incorrectly secured/installed. They fixed it and returned the car. Since the fuel pump safety recall part was improperly installed we are now experiencing engine hesitation/stalls, our vehicle is unsafe can cause serious injury of death.

Filed Mar 3, 2020 · 36,000 miles · CA · fire

I was driving my 4 runner down the three lane city road doing about 40-45 mps when my navigation screen shut off and tried to reconnect to my phone. This happened twice in a matter of 5-7 minutes. Since I was driving, I was not able to do anything with either my phone or my navigation system. It acted as it if was just trying to reconnect to my phone when it was actually turning off and rebooting as if I was just starting the car .the third time it happened, I was making a left hand turn on to a very busy four lane road when in mid turn, it felt like I had lost power steering. I checked the dashboard for any warning lights and that is when I noticed there was no power of any sorts to my 4 runner nor was there any warning lights. I was not even able to put my flashers on to warn oncoming traffic. I coasted to the shoulder when I noticed a strong smell coming from the front of the car. It smelt like burnt plastic. I got out of my car when traffic permitted and went to call a tow truck when my 4 runner started smoking very heavily from under the hood with in a two to three minute time frame. I immediately called 911 and they dispatched a fire truck and police to the scene where , upon arrival, the front of my 4 runner was completely covered in flames within a matter of 5-7 minutes since the vehicle lost power . The fire department blocked off the road and put out the vehicle fire. The fireman said that he believed fire started in the engine block due where it appeared the fire started and how it burned.

Filed Aug 8, 2019 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · CA

Frame broke lower control arm cross member left side no steering half pulled out of transmission.

Filed Nov 22, 2018 · Steering · CT

Steering was very hard to do and really jerky.took it to dealership and was told that the rack and pin needed to be completely corroded and needed to be replaced. Yet another part I have to eat the cost due to corrosion. I have read multiple complaints about the same problems. Why is nothing being done?

Filed Nov 6, 2017 · Steering · 66,000 miles · PA

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 recall number is 05v389000 and the recall date is 09-06-2005. Plus my wife and I do not turn the wheel until the vehicle is moving. We are old enough to know what is was like before cars had power steering. This is a safety issue! Thanks for any help that you can do for us.