Toyota 4RUNNER pulling problems

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · Airbags, Steering · MN

Maplewood Toyota dealership service negligence resulted in a severe, 2-tooth mechanical misalignment of the steering intermediate shaft splines. The vehicle was subsequently driven for 11 months under extreme structural binding, inducing unmeasurable metallurgy fatigue on a primary control linkage, internal hydraulic valve balancing failure within the steering gear assembly, and excessive over-tensioning of the primary airbag restraint electronics. Reusing these compromised components creates an active crash hazard and an unreasonable risk of sudden component failure. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS & REPEATED DIAGNOSTIC FAILURES: In January 2026, an authorized franchise facility (Maplewood Toyota) replaced a steering universal joint and incorrectly reassembled the linkage out of index by two full splines, bypassing factory matchmarking protocols. This error left the steering wheel heavily off-center and created a severe, constant pull to the right. Over the next 11 months, the vehicle was brought into the authorized dealer network for four separate service visits across multiple Toyota franchise locations to address the persistent pulling and unstable tracking. The authorized network systematically failed to identify the physical, visual misalignment during these safety inspections. In October 2026, the dealership finally admitted to the 2-tooth offset. Rather than executing a safety-compliant overhaul of a primary control tract that had been bound for nearly a year, the dealership executed an unacceptable cosmetic shortcut: they unbolted the intermediate shaft, slid the old parts back to center, replaced only the interior column housing, and released the vehicle. ACTIVE SAFETY HAZARDS & RISK OF CRASH: Despite the physical realignment of the splines, the underlying safety risks remain severe and unaddressed: A. CATASTROPHIC SPLINE STRIPPING RISK: Forcing hardened steel steering splines out of index and torquing them down introduces material crushing and cross-threading to the

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 Jun 13, 2024 · Body · 114,000 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while pulling out of a driveway, the contact observed a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and the steering wheel violently yanked to the right. Additionally, the contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle pulled to the left inadvertently. The vehicle was stopped and inspected. The contact observed that the front passenger’s side tire was dangling by the rocker arm and the subframe. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side subframe and the rocker arms needed to be replaced due to extreme corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2021 · Steering · TX

I purchased a 2021 sr5 premium and on the 2nd day I noticed that after driving at 60-63 the car shakes and pulls to the right, I've took it back to the dealership, and the problem still there. They said that is normal but after reading on forums alot of people are experiencing the same problem. Will take it back to have check out again.

Filed May 9, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · 350 miles · FL

I bought a 2021 4runner late april of 2021. I reported and scheduled an appointment for a balance check. This didn't seem to fix the problem. While they where in the process of balancing the tech broke 2 center caps. I will setting up an appointment to have the dealership recheck and alignment. I've read reports where this has been a problem before with a lot of 4 runners. I'm disappointed with the customer service as well there. Please help me resolve this problem. I really love the vehicle but at 60-65mph the steering wheel shakes and the 4runner wants to pull to the right.

Filed Jan 20, 2021 · Brakes · 26,000 miles · AZ

On multiple occasions with speeds varied 35-60mph when brakes were applied vehicle locked up, sometimes pulling to one side, brakes then went to floor not stopping vehicle requiring me to brake again.. Sometimes rolling into traffic.. This started immediately after purchasing the vehicle with only 12 miles on the odometer. I have taken the vehicle in multiple times and told they cannot recreate the issue snd are unable to identify a issue.. What worries me is that I have to potentially get harmed. The vehicle only has 26k miles on it. I am terrified to drive it.

Filed Apr 21, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 130,000 miles · AL

My 2014 toyota 4 runner has what I call a death wobble. As you start down the road and get up to speed, 55-65 MPH, the front end shakes violently and pulls to the right. I am almost scared to drive it. I have had a few mechanic shops look at it and no one can figure it out. They have done alignments, checked transfer case (4wd), cv axles on front, control arm bushings, swapped tires, replaced rotors and road force balanced tires. The last mechanic said I should park it until it's figured out but I cannot afford another vehicle as I'm still paying on this one and it's my only vehicle. I have never owned a vehicle that does this and I have had about 20 vehicles! I looked online to see what others have reported on this issue and there are a bunch of the exact same problems in online 2010-2018 4 runner forums. This seriously needs to be addressed and is apparently an issue with the front end. Someone is going to wreck because of this. Toyota needs to be made aware of and look into the problem. The dealerships isn't any help at all. They cannot figure out the problem either and just pawn it off until a warranty runs out. Please please please help figure this out. I love my vehicle but I'm really starting to be scared to drive it.

Filed Jan 21, 2020 · Steering · 46,000 miles · FL

Vehicle steering is very loose and is very difficult to control if attempting to brake while driving over rough surfaces. Vehicle wanders at highway speeds and is very sensitive to water puddles on wet roads or slight changes in wind while driving.

Filed Oct 16, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 22,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 toyota 4runner. While driving down a curvy hill at 35 MPH, the vehicle started to lose control. The contact felt that the vehicle was going to roll over. The contact slowed down the vehicle to approximately 15 MPH to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle pulled to the left while driving on the highway and the contact had to compensate by turning the steering wheel to the right. In addition, the front end of the vehicle vibrated. The vehicle was towed to honda marysville (640 colemans crossing blvd, marysville, oh 43040, (937) 645-4080). The dealer left a voice message stating that no failures were found. The contact planned to call the dealer back. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the failures had been occurring ever since the vehicle was purchased on september 16, 2019 and was already repaired three times. The failure mileage was 22,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2019 · Body · 130,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 40 MPH, a popping noise was heard under the vehicle and the vehicle erroneously pulled to the right. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the subframe was severely rusted and corroded, which caused a support bar to fracture in half. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (greens toyota of lexington, 630 e. New circle rd, lexington, ky) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 130,000.