2018 Toyota 4Runner Steering Problems

this vehicle was purchased from Don Chalmers Ford in Rio Rancho on 1129, 2025, upon purchasing a 2018 Toyota foreigner Limited I traded in a 2020 Acura RDX with only 50,000 miles. The salesman seemed to trustworthy. He showed me the Carfax Clean had no accidents no recalls then I receive some paperwork stating this vehicle is eligible for a buyback. I still have not received the license plate or registration. No one informed me that this vehicle is eligible for a buyback meaning I paid way too much for this vehicle. I’m having problems with suspension brakes steering wheel shaking at high speeds leaks lights on several problems. The dealership promised they would fix everything they have ignored me. I am frustrated. This is not a safe vehicle. I have PTSD from totaling my 1998 Toyota 4 runner October 11 of 2025. I was clear that I need a safe vehicle. My kids were in my vehicle when I totaled my 1998. I have been given the runaround since the second day my son saw oil leaking from the vehicle. Lights went on many different things began to happen like explain this is the second day the seventh day the 14th day and every day once a week after leaving several text messages phone calls I spoke to Zach the sales guy Steve the guy that purchased his parts he purchased a sensor in a black lining that goes be behind the tire on the passenger side. I have found overspray lights are on something to do with the tires, I am not safe in this vehicle I told them it was not a valid purchase and to please reimburse me give me my 2020 Acura that I only had 50,000 miles. Excellent condition. I didn’t know that I was gonna be manipulated lie to lack of information was disclosed to me. I didn’t know it was eligible for buyback. I overpaid for a vehicle that is not safe and should not be on their lot. I’m ready to go the general manager of the president. I have eight fractures in my spine with head injuries. My 18-year-old was in the car with me thank God we are our life today. I’m sad

NHTSA ID

11710152

Incident

Nov 29, 2025

There was a clunking noise coming from the front end when steering. Got worse over time. Also had a vibration in the front end at speeds above 45 mph. Dealer recommended replacement of upper steering column shaft assembly and dust boot cover along with lower intermediate steering shaft. The manufacturer knows about this problem because there is a NHTSA Campaign Number 19V67000 that states the suspension and steering fasteners were improperly tightened. This should be a recall and I should not have to pay for their mistakes! If it had come loose, there would be a loss of control leading to an accident! The dealer/manufacturer did not send out any notice or warning.

NHTSA ID

11528809

Incident

May 16, 2023

Vehicle steering shakes between 60-65 mph. After 4 different sets of tires in 3 weeks, multiple road force balances, tire rotations, an alignment, an alignment checks, brakes checked, a “visual inspection” of suspension components from two Toyota dealerships, the vehicle continues to vibrate at highways speeds.

NHTSA ID

11422778

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS FLAKING OFF LEAVING IT ROUGH AND ANNOYING TO THE TOUCH. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA WHO HASN'T TAKEN ANY ACTION.

NHTSA ID

11373941

Incident

Apr 17, 2020

Mileage

23,512 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2018 4RUNNER NEW IN NOVEMBER 2018. SHORTLY AFTER I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD WOBBLE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE EVEN AFTER REBALANCING THE TIRES EVERY TIME AND DOING AN ALIGNMENT ONCE. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL ON 4RUNNERS. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT NORMAL ON A NEW VEHICLE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THE ISSUE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 4RUNNER WHILE DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID

11373655

Incident

Nov 30, 2018

Mileage

80 mi

THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEGINNING TO DELAMINATE WITH BLACK MATERIAL FLAKING OFF. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO AFFECT THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOT THE OTHER PARTS. IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING WITH CONSTANT SMALL PARTS OF THE STEERING WHEEL COVER COMING OFF.

NHTSA ID

11361360

Incident

Sep 19, 2019

Mileage

22,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CURVY HILL AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO ROLL OVER. THE CONTACT SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE TO APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CONTACT HAD TO COMPENSATE BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HONDA MARYSVILLE (640 COLEMANS CROSSING BLVD, MARYSVILLE, OH 43040, (937) 645-4080). THE DEALER LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE STATING THAT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO CALL THE DEALER BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES HAD BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 AND WAS ALREADY REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID

11268847

Incident

Sep 16, 2019

Mileage

22,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES BETWEEN 55-65 MPH. VEHICLE FEELS UNSTABLE UNTIL IT REACHES APROX 70 MPH. TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES. THEY BALANCED THE FRONT WHEELS, BUT ISSUE RETURNS EVERYTIME, 2-3 WEEKS LATER. TOYOTA SAYS IT IS NORMAL. CANNOT BE NORMAL FOR A BRAND NEW CAR, WITH NEW TIRES. MULTIPLE OWNERS REPORT ISSUE HAPPENING IN MULTIPLE WEBSITES

NHTSA ID

11139597

Incident

May 26, 2018

Mileage

10 mi

THE RACK & PINION OR STEERING DOES NOT RETURN TO A "HOME" POSITION. SIMPLY PUT, IF YOU TURN AROUND A CORNER, THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT EASILY RETURN TO "STRAIGHT". IF YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT PATH AND TURN THE STEERING EVEN ONE DEGREE, LET GO OF THE WHEEL, IT WILL CONTINUE THAT PATH UNTIL THE VEHICLE RUNS OFF OF THE ROAD. THIS CAR HAS 2100 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER HAS CHECKED THE CAMBER, THE TOW, THE NUMBERS ON THE ELECTRONIC ACTUATED RACK & PINON. THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR AND AGREED IT WAS NOT CORRECT; HOWEVER IT WAS "IN THE LIMITS" OF TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS. HE SAID HE DROVE OTHER NEW VEHICLES AND THEY REACT THE SAME. IF YOU DRIVE DOWN ANY STRAIGHT AWAY, YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY BE CORRECTING HOW THE CAR STEERS. THERE IS NO HOME POSITION WHICH IS UNLIKE ANY VEHICLE I HAVE DRIVEN. I THINK AN ACCIDENT IS WAITING TO HAPPEN AND IT LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO ADMIT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11119864

Incident

Aug 10, 2018

Mileage

1,500 mi

DRIVING LEGALLY AT 70 MPH ON OHIO INTERSTATE, SHARP CROSS WINDS DURING A PERIOD OF AMBIENT WIND OF 23 MPH, CAUSED VEHICLE TO CROSS DIVIDING LINES IN AN UNSAFE MANNER. VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO HAVE "SOFT" OR "SLOPPY" STEERING, WHICH IS "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THAT VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, AND UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES DOES NOT AFFECT SAFETY. HOWEVER, IN THE WIND, THE REACTION TIME TO CORRECT FROM A CROSS WIND IS SUFFICIENTLY EFFECTED TO THE DETRIMENT OF SAFE HANDLING. IN OTHER WORDS, BY THE TIME YOU REACT TO BEING FORCED OVER THE DIVIDING LINE OF TRAFFIC, ITS ALREADY TOO LATE, WHEREAS A NORMAL STEERING RATIO ON A PASSENGER VEHICLE WOULD ALLOW YOU TO CORRECT BEFORE BEING BLOWN FAR ENOUGH TO CROSS THE DIVIDING TRAFFIC LANE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES AND SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY RECALLED AND RE-ENGINEERED.

NHTSA ID

11097671

Incident

May 5, 2018

Mileage

1,400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE AS THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150.

NHTSA ID

11079564

Incident

Feb 28, 2018

Mileage

150 mi