2002 Toyota 4RUNNER Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 158,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER, 5% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 158,000 miles. 1 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 doing an oil change and noticed that the frame was rusted very badly . I think that there should be a recall on this model 3rd gen 4RUNNER (1999-2002)this is the same frame as the truck that was recalled ,so this should be included .if this frame breaks it will hurt or kill some one .”
NHTSA complaint #11187330, filed 2019-03, 199,432 miles“Less than 70,000 miles on my vehicle, but recently took my car in for an alignment because my vehicle slowly drifts to the right, and sometimes the steering wheel shakes when driving between 50-60 miles. I was told by 2 different body shops (1 of which was Toyota) that my entire power steering would need to be replaced and is currently leaking. I was advised this could be potentially dangerous if my power steering were to stop working while I was driving at fast speeds on the freeway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10849890, filed 2016-03, 72,845 miles“First, the motor blew for no reason at 152,000 miles. I rebuilt the car and had a new motor put in. I was not aware of the rusting frame issue, however, after driving the vehicle with a lovely new rebuilt motor for about one year, the frame rotted beyond repair causing the power steering to go out. I don't drive much, so there was no excessive exposure to salt. The car was parked in my driveway. It was an exceptionally cold day. I started the vehicle and found the power steering fluid had frozen and lost all the fluid as a result of the steering rack being rusted and weakened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11185623, filed 2019-03, 158,000 miles“Vehicle bucked and swayed as rear frame separated at the joint on driver side was unaware of issue before this tried to find sway bar issue it was spotted at a distance by coworker.”
NHTSA complaint #10712754, filed 2015-04, 194,000 miles“Traction control system malfunctions intermittently while driving around curves. Several times while driving approximately 30-40 miles per hour on a mountain road, the anti skid light illuminates without warning on a dry paved road with a subsequent sudden pull to the right and grinding noise. This has happened multiple times without warning. The Toyota dealer can not help, since he can not replicate the problem. The latest occurrence pulled the vehicle across the center line into the oncoming traffic lane. (had there been oncoming traffic this would have been a serious accident)”
NHTSA complaint #10886135, filed 2016-07, 181,900 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 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER
88 complaintsSuspension
49 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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