2003 Toyota 4RUNNER Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 5%of 696 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER, 5% of the 696 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles. 1 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 is almost completely rusted out even thought the rest of the car is in good shape. I am afraid to let my son even drive the car. I read about the girl that died from the axle coming loose and part of the frame that holds the axle is in horrible shape. Toyota should be required to add these vehicles to the frame recall...”
NHTSA complaint #11364550, filed 2020-10, 142,000 miles“Exposed parts of Toyota steering components all rusted tight. Very dangerous when it finally locks. I am sure there was a recall notice on this when I first got the vehicle. They seem to have wanted to hide this issue. Replaced the rack and pinion the steering rack and steering knuckle. Hose ends corroded so bad had to replace it also.”
NHTSA complaint #10679377, filed 2015-01, 150,000 miles“The frame on my 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER has almost rusted completely through the frame. While driving on i40 going around a deep curve I lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road without injury or collision. It was inspected and deemed not safe to drive due to the rusted frame. This vehicle is now immobile until the frame is replaced. I am requesting that this vehicle is included in the recall for the Toyota 4 runners. This happened 9/26/2018.”
NHTSA complaint #11132155, filed 2018-09, 166,000 miles“Steering locked up during turn into busy parking lot sheetz store and gas station safely stopped vehicle after trouble shooting the problem we sprayed penetrating oil on lower steering shaft universal we moved vehicle to be towed home waiting for parts complete failure could have been deadly if driving at highway speed. This is the second rust problem we have had with Toyota nothing was ever done we lost a 1997 Toyota t-100 in an accident due to frame failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10735066, filed 2015-07, 135,000 miles“While driving on the highway the passenger rear side of my Toyota 4RUNNER began to move up and down and wobble making the car wander all over the road. We immediately went to the local Toyota dealer, carver Toyota of columbus in taylorsville, in. Inspecting the car on the passenger rear side we found that the rear suspension had pulled away from the frame where the frame had completely rusted leaving a big hunk out of the frame. There was extensive rusting of the frame in multiple places. …”
NHTSA complaint #10822927, filed 2016-01, 203,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017081Jul 28, 2005Steering flutter field-fix procedure. Some customers may experience a steering flutter condition while driving at highway speeds.
Steering: 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 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER
284 complaintsSuspension
114 complaintsOther or unknown
111 complaintsEngine cooling
89 complaintsBrakes
74 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
39 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsSeats
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsWheels
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsAir bags
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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