2000 Toyota 4RUNNER Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 4%of 483 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 179,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER, 4% of the 483 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 179,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Frame has rotted through and caused the bar from axle to frame to break at the frame. This happened while I was driving causing the car to sway seriously. I was able to pull off the road preventing a possible accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11010479, filed 2017-07, 185,000 miles“While driving home from work on 01/24/2015 I felt and heard a noise coming from the rear of my vehicle and the vehicle started to swerve and I almost lost control of the vehicle. I came to a stop and checked the vehicle but didn't notice anything wrong. I got back into the vehicle and drove at a slower speed, when I got home I pulled into my garage and checked the under side and noticed that the frame was cracked where the control arm mounts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10679030, filed 2015-01, 113,744 miles“While driving today the steering became unstable, erratic, and the car lurched out of my lane into oncoming traffic. A new noise appeared to be coming from rear left tire. When I safely pulled over and inspected vehicle I noted the frame was severely rusted and that the forward welded mount for the lower suspension arm had fractured along the factory weld and was dangling down. This car has never been wrecked. It has been inspected and passed pa state inspections yearly since 2002.”
NHTSA complaint #10584522, filed 2014-04, 226,622 miles“My 2000 Toyota 4runner shakes at speeds above 60mph. It also does this while braking. It is visibly noticeable in the steering wheel, but all passengers in the car can feel the shaking and vibration. It becomes almost violent and alarming around 70mph. I have taken it to several repair shops and no one can find a solution. I have read hundreds of posts about this problem that ranges from 96-08 models.”
NHTSA complaint #10231458, filed 2008-06, 98,000 miles“On 08/13/2014 my 16year old son was driving his 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER on the interstate at highway speeds when right side lower control arm bracket build into the frame fell off the frame and cracked. Upon further inspection the frame had rusted from inside out causing the welded bracket to break at the factory weld. It is our understanding that this was a common problem and Toyota was doing a voluntary buy back that expired in 2011. We purchased the vehicle in 2013 and was never made aware of any such issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10625984, filed 2014-08, 179,000 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 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER
256 complaintsSuspension
102 complaintsOther or unknown
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsTires
16 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsWheels
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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