NHTSA Complaint #10450617 — 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

STEERING issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10450617
Vehicle	2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
Component	STEERING
Date of Incident	March 6, 2012
Date Filed	March 7, 2012
Mileage	100,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	ID

Consumer Description

THE DRIVER SIDE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OUT THE ADJUSTMENT THREADS ON THE DRIVER SIDE, RESULTING IN THE OUTER TIE ROD DECOUPLING AND THE DRIVER WHEEL ASSY SWINGING OUT OF PHASE WITH THE PASSENGER TIRE, THUS IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT, THANK GOD, AS A FREEWAY SPEED FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN POTENTIAL CATASTROPHE. I SCANNED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR FAILURES AND GOT MULTIPLE HITS. THE DEALER DOES NOT SHOW THIS FAILURE IN ANY SAFETY RECALLS. THIS VEHICLE IS THE LIMITED EDITION WITH A V8. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THE GOV.'T SHOULD LOOK AT IF MY CASE TURNS OUT NOT TO BE ISOLATED. CAR WAS ALIGNED BY A TOYOTA DEALER APPROX 1 YR AGO. *TR

Related Complaints for the 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

Other STEERING Complaints

#11481057 — August 24, 2022 — There is severe rust on the frame, the rear is listing by 3/4 of an inch due to suspension rust, parts of the frame a...

#11474433 — July 18, 2022 — Stabilizer bar connected to the frame rusted off,back passenger side! Causing the vehicle to sway uncontrollably, due...

#11474448 — July 18, 2022 — Stabilizer bar connecting the axle to the frame rusted off. I was driving only 25-30mph at the time, luckily. The veh...

#11433481 — September 18, 2021 — Vehicle frame and suspension components are completely rusting out. Having issues with the corroded steering column l...

#11431046 — August 30, 2021 — At the end of June 2021, while driving I experienced a loud clunk and grinding noise, with reduced control of steerin...

Recent Complaints for the 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

#11711459 — STRUCTURE:BODY — January 16, 2026 — Severe frame rust. 2 large holes on the inside of the frame just back from the front wheels and 2 large holes at the ...

#11696425 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER — October 29, 2025 — Odometer Fraud. The contact investigated a 2003 Toyota 4 Runner. The contact stated that during the investigation, he...

#11688509 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER — September 19, 2025 — While my mechanic was servicing a small exhaust leak on my vehicle he noticed that the chassis/frame of the vehicle w...

#11662305 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR — May 21, 2025 — My vehicle: 2003 4Runner SR5 2WD VIN: [XXX] Issue: Front driver's side door will not open. Electronic locks are ope...

#11619222 — STRUCTURE:BODY — October 10, 2024 — Toyota has had issues with their frames rusting out and the 4th generation 4Runner is not exempt from this issue. My ...