2006 Toyota 4RUNNER Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 6%of 381 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Toyota 4RUNNER, 6% of the 381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 2 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.
“I bought my vehicle used with 86,000 miles on it. Not even a year later my power steering return line rusted through and would not hold any power steering fluid at all. I replaced the power steering return lines with after market rubber line. I figured this out while I was driving and my power steering gave out. Luckily it happened in a situation where it wasn't an immediate danger. Next on the list was the muffler from the catalytic converter back. I noticed that it was excessively loud while driving . …”
NHTSA complaint #11153146, filed 2018-11, 94,000 miles“1.) while driving the vehicle is very difficult to steer. The lastest incident occurred while traveling on the highway. The was constantly swaying and pulling to direction forcing me to grip the steering wheel ; pulling it in opposite direction so tightly that my wrist were throbbing. Once I exited the highway and came to a stop, the steering wheel turned almost 180 degrees by itself. I took it to a sears service center and the mechanic could not find anything wrong. Prior to my road trip, I had my vehicle checked out and nothing was found out of sorts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10898400, filed 2016-08, 125,000 miles“I have a steering problem on my 2006 Toyota 4runner v8 sport model, 9191 miles. While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle wants to veer from side to side and is difficult to keep in the proper lane. The dealership and Toyota district rep have inspected the vehicle and suggest that this is normal behavior for the vehicle and no repair is necessary. I feel that this is a dangerous problem and should be corrected.”
NHTSA complaint #10162697, filed 2006-07, 9,191 miles“Yes! I've been having a steering problem. Unintended veering that I began to notice a month after I bought the vehicle (then at 13,000 miles). Something is causing the car to wander at high speeds. I also began to notice that after crossing a bridge (a lot of bridges on the way to work) the steering wheel will jerk back and forth really fast, which can be frightening. At other times it can seem to pulse. If you let go of the wheel the vehicle will veer to the left towards on-coming traffic (had it aligned twice -- still happens!) the dealership does not notice it when they drive it! …”
NHTSA complaint #10444188, filed 2012-01, 16,000 miles“The frame is completely rusted with rusted out holes. Caused the driver side lower control arm to break off, almost causing my teenage son to crash fortunately he was on a side street and driving slow”
NHTSA complaint #11320279, filed 2020-04, 115,235 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10168537Oct 21, 2019TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
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 2006 Toyota 4RUNNER
143 complaintsOther or unknown
78 complaintsSuspension
65 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsTires
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsEngine
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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