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3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,863 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Toyota 4Runner steering problems

steering problem

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2016 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #4

Jul 112018

4Runner

  • 31,153 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Started with shaking while driving, then they say they couldn't reproduce the same feeling. Then the front car would squeak like and old coil, they say they can't reproduce that. Now they said I needed new brakes and then the ABS, brake, and skid control lights keep coming on and off which coincides with a coil/click feeling under the brake and gas pedal. Car still shakes and squeaked. Toyota keeps saying my car is fine.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #3

Aug 152020

4Runner

  • 46,000 miles
The vehicle has had a multitude of issues. I am on my 3rd different set of tires this year (including the original tires). No matter how many times the tires are balanced, the steering wheel shakes rather violently at certain speeds. The tires have been balanced and re-balanced (including road-force balanced, etc.). on-line forums indicate that many other Toyota owners are experiencing the same issue. Also this week I have lost the ability to steer the vehicle (the steering wheel is locking and binding up). Approximately 2 weeks ago the right front caliper froze up and the vehicle nearly went off the road. Also the rear differential was noisy from the day the vehicle was new. Toyota eventually replaced the rear differential (I believe a bad pinion gear). Shortly after the rear differential was replaced the vehicle started to go in and out of 4-wheel drive on its own, and warning lights and chimes started going off. The dealer then made repairs but this has happened at least once or twice since then and the dealer has repaired it each time. Also in the last year the transmission stopped working leaving me stranded in the middle of a 4-lane road. I eventually was able to get the vehicle to move but then it started to go in and out of 4-wheel drive on it's own again with warnings and chimes going off. Whenever the vehicle starts to go in and out of 4-wheel drive on its own the shifter lever usually starts to freeze up as well (and you may need to use both hands to force the vehicle into gear). The vehicle has also had a strong odor of antifreeze since new coming from the right front corner. The dealer has advised they cannot locate the cause. Also various heat shields have either broken or fallen off since the vehicle was new. Please note that I do not go 4-wheeling with the vehicle and it's meticulously maintained including all service records and receipts.

- New Hartford, NY, USA

problem #2

Sep 012019

4Runner

  • 46,000 miles
Vehicle steering is very loose and is very difficult to control if attempting to brake while driving over rough surfaces. Vehicle wanders at highway speeds and is very sensitive to water puddles on wet roads or slight changes in wind while driving.

- Saint Cloud, FL, USA

problem #1

Feb 282017

4Runner

  • 300 miles
Put the vehicle in H4 mode (4 wheel drive). In a stop position, turn all the way right, or all the way left if you prefer. Accelerate, push on gas pedal. Problem: 1) the car moves in a clunking motion. 2) feels like you are driving with emergency brakes on - but no brakes is on. 3) smells very bad tire burnt smell. 4) if Toyota doesn't fix this problem, its gonna cost more money to fix whatever it causes - gear shaft, ect.. gets grind or damage. Brought it to the dealership and their mechanics says you can't use 4 wheel drive on dry pavement. What? its a 4 runner! you can drive 4 wheel when you want too. Besides, the problem exist on wet pavement or snow conditions too. How are we suppose to get out of our drive way if this feature doesn't work during snow conditions. Or when you use it, it damages your car - as described above. Dealership mechanic tried this on the new 2017 4 runners that they have there and it has same problem. My 2016 4 runner only has 300 miles. Just bought it two weeks ago 2/17/2017. Bad testing.. this has to be fix. Please recall and make it right. Thanks also - I own a 2004 4runner and it works fine in this senario - doesn't have this problem. But my new 2016 has this problem. Again - bad testing. Please recall and fix this problem Toyota. Thank you.

- Perth Amboy, NJ, USA

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