1997 Toyota 4RUNNER Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 5%of 261 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER, 5% of the 261 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my Toyota 4RUNNER at highway speeds (60 to 70 MPH) and it started getting hard to handle. If you accelerated it would turn hard to the right, if you let off the gas it would veer back hard to the left. We stopped and checked it out and the frame mount on the passenger side is rusted off.”
NHTSA complaint #10490606, filed 2012-12, 220,000 miles“We were southbound on i25, ext 261,state of colorado, going about 45 MPH in lane #1 when my vehicle, a 1997 Toyota 4runner suddenly veered to the left landing on the median hitting the guardrail and causing a 3 car accident. The weather was a little snow and the fwy surface appeared clear.”
NHTSA complaint #10314615, filed 2010-02, 149,112 miles“I own a 1997 4RUNNER. During my driving the vehicle few weeks ago, the chassis located on the rear passenger side split apart and almost resulted in a fatal accident with my family. This failure, however, is purely an engineering design and manufacturing failures.hence, the vehicle has become un-drivable. When I contacted Toyota and its dealerships, they said to repair the vehicle will cost me $8,100.00. Hence, I feel that, in comparison to other vehicles from different brand of cars companies, therewith, whereby, they are still on some part of the world, are still drivable and useful. …”
NHTSA complaint #10487677, filed 2012-12, 145,000 miles“The frame on the passenger side of the vehicle rusted through just in front of the rear axle. The bracket that holds the front of the trailing arm suddenly separated from the disintegrated frame causing the axle to move forward and backward. The vehicle was on the interstate at speed and became wildly difficult to control.”
NHTSA complaint #10927385, filed 2016-11, 195,000 miles“Vehicle frame is completely rusting out around the rear suspension. Trailing arm mount from axle to frame is separated from frame and vehicle is not safe to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10678924, filed 2015-01, 131,600 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 7% |
| 2023 | 3 | 9% |
| 2022 | 4 | 10% |
| 2021 | 13 | 36% |
| 2020 | 4 | 12% |
| 2019 | 10 | 15% |
| 2018 | 12 | 20% |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% |
| 2014 | 7 | 9% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 9 | 6% |
| 2006 | 22 | 6% |
| 2005 | 29 | 7% |
| 2004 | 32 | 5% |
| 2003 | 35 | 5% |
| 2002 | 12 | 5% |
| 2001 | 8 | 4% |
| 2000 | 21 | 4% |
| 1999 | 16 | 5% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 14 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
| 1994 | 8 | 13% |
| 1993 | 6 | 12% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 5 | 12% |
| 1990 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
95 complaintsBody and structure
76 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsTires
18 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology