2004 Toyota 4RUNNER Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 5%of 678 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,004miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER, 5% of the 678 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,004 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.
“My 2004 Toyota 4 runner is in the dealer for routine maintenance. Most of the car maintenance have been at this local Toyota dealership. I just had the cv boots and sway bar bushings replaced this past spring and summer. I have the records for these particular maintenance and repair. My service mechanic mentioned there is significant amount of rust on the frame/ chassis. On september 7, the mechanic at the same dealership showed me again the excessive rust on the frame. It is so severe, one of the loops for towing the truck in the front of the frame just broke off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11128096, filed 2018-09, 102,000 miles“I have a 2004 4 RUNNER I recently have had a steering vibration that is making me crazy it flutters around 55 to 65 I have gone to different dealers and independent shops plus I have done lots of testing with no luck on a permanent fix I have researched the internet for 6 months since the problem really started the only thing I can find is this TSB st001r-05 050908 steering that relates to my problem I have had 9 new sets of tires and a set of new wheels and all new suspension no matter what I do I can not get rid of the flutter it some times perfectly smooth even over bumps sometimes it is…”
NHTSA complaint #10293169, filed 2009-11, 65,237 miles“This is an e-mail I sent Toyota headquarters: I have had my new 2004 4runner limited back to the dealership (ron carter, alvin, tx.) 4 times before I even had 500 miles on the vehicle. The reason is because of steering wheel oscillation/vehicle vibrations between 55 and 70 MPH. The dealership re-balanced the wheels and tires that came with the vehicle (dunlap grandtrek at20) twice without any luck. I then had them upgrade the tires (for and additional $420) to michelin tires. This didn't solve the problem either. …”
NHTSA complaint #10090632, filed 2004-09, 50 miles“Since vehicle was 5yrs old the frame has rusted terribly. The rust is so significant there are holes and pieces of it have just fallen off. Currently, the steering joint is so rusted that it cannot be driven safely because it feels like it may lose control on the road. Entire undercarriage appears so badly rusted that I am not sure this vehicle is safe to drive anymore.”
NHTSA complaint #11140298, filed 2018-10, 131,000 miles“Pictures show significant rust damage on the right back frame near the muffler. Dealership stated it would cost $14,000 to replace the frame of the vehicle. Currently the car has 125,000 miles. Vin unknown”
NHTSA complaint #11282913, filed 2019-11, 125,000 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 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER
310 complaintsOther or unknown
121 complaintsSuspension
113 complaintsBrakes
82 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
15 complaintsSeats
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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