1998 Toyota 4RUNNER Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 250 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,340miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER, 5% of the 250 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,340 miles. 5 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 home from work and I was pulling into my home driveway traveling about 5 MPH. The right lower ball joint failed and separated from the steering knuckle. The initial noise I heard sounded like I had driven over a metal trash can which made me suddenly stop my vehicle. When I got out and looked to see what had happened, the attached picture is what I saw. I am so thankful that I was not driving on the highway!”
NHTSA complaint #11089158, filed 2018-04, 343,500 miles“Vehicle started shaking and clunking. I was near home and able to get it back to my driveway. Upon towing to the mechanic, it was discovered that the rear control arm had rusted out and detached from the frame. Frame rot was discovered on the side rails. Car is considered undriveable and should be totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10485150, filed 2012-11, 83,680 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER. While driving approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the rear passenger side frame was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10928399, filed 2016-11, 161,000 miles“The contact previously owned a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that his son was drving the vehicle 55 MPH and the vehicle suddenly loss control and rolled over into the median. The accident was fatal and the driver died. A police report was filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10320083, filed 2010-03, 60,000 miles“My dauther aged 10 years, was in the rear of the car trying to grab a bag of chips that were in the luggage. When we got rear ended at the highway exit, the back door of the SUV popped open even though the car doors were locked. My daughter was thrown out of the back of the SUV and in front of the truck that rear ended us. Luckily she fell on some pillows that were also flung from the car, thereby reducing her injuries. Also the pickup truck that rear ended us had stopped, so she did not get run over by it. This door should not have opened when it was locked. …”
NHTSA complaint #758666, filed 2002-02Steering: 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 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER
78 complaintsSuspension
60 complaintsTires
30 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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