2005 Toyota 4RUNNER Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 7%of 425 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER, 7% of the 425 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Steering column rusted through. Hard to turn, when turning wheel it goes from smooth(normal) then grabby. I almost flipped my vehicle when turning off of mass avenue in somerville. If I was driving any fast I would have rolled. I don't know if any wheels came off the ground, but it was close.”
NHTSA complaint #11114608, filed 2018-07, 100,000 miles“The frame underneath the front bumper is totally rusted and crumbling. My mechanic showed me yesterday and said the radiator would fall out. Also the control arrms to the front two wheels are very badly rusted.”
NHTSA complaint #11376810, filed 2020-11, 172,934 miles“Upon recently driving a family member's 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER limited v8, I heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle over bumps. Upon inspecting the vehicle, I discovered extensive rust on nearly every single part of the structural frame, suspension components and even exhaust system. Some parts are so badly rusted that they can be punctured by simply pushing your finger through them (including the rear frame cross member crash structure behind the rear bumper). These vehicles are rusting so terribly that I'm shocked NHTSA hasn't forced Toyota to recall them. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383217, filed 2020-12, 196,000 miles“Last september, I sent a written plea asking Toyota to evaluate and correct the excessive frame corrosion on my 2005 4RUNNER. The vehicle has never been registered outside south carolina or ever been exposed to road salt. Toyota's response disclaiming responsibility was unsatisfactory. Toyota is well aware of this problem and has corrected this identical problem on similar models and model years. Yesterday, my wife and I and two friends riding with us narrowly escaped a fatal accident when the front suspension separated from the frame due to the corrosion problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11098055, filed 2018-05, 76,112 miles“Severe frame rust to the point of holes. The frame integrity will soon be compromised; if not already. Two rear body mounts are rusting away, the bottom of both mounts is non existent. One mid mount, the sheet metal side is nearly rusted through. One front mount area is rusted away on the sheet metal side. The gas tank is currently only held in place by what is left of the protection shield under the tank .”
NHTSA complaint #11121289, filed 2018-08, 78,000 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 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER
185 complaintsSuspension
77 complaintsOther or unknown
68 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsTires
12 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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