TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Toyota 4Runner steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Toyota 4Runner have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 4Runner | 7 |
| 2015 4Runner | 8 |
| 2016 4Runner | 4 |
| 2018 4Runner (this page) | 11 |
| 2019 4Runner | 10 |
| 2020 4Runner | 4 |
| 2021 4Runner | 12 |
| 2022 4Runner | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2018 Toyota 4Runner, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Toyota 4Runners describe persistent steering problems that start at delivery or shortly after. The most common complaint is vibration in the steering wheel between 55 and 70 mph—owners report this occurs on new vehicles and continues after multiple dealer attempts to fix it through tire balancing, alignment, and tire replacement. Several owners state Toyota dealerships have told them this vibration is normal for the model, a claim owners dispute given that it appears in new vehicles with new tires.
A second major issue involves the steering wheel not returning to center after turning. One owner with 2,100 miles reports constant correction is required even on straight roads, with the dealership confirming alignment and electronic rack-and-pinion settings are within spec but acknowledging the behavior is unusual.
Other owners report the vehicle pulling hard to one side, requiring aggressive steering input to maintain control—one describes nearly rolling over on a curvy downhill road at 35 mph despite three previous dealer repairs. A fourth owner notes the steering feels "sloppy," reducing response time in cross winds to the point where correcting course becomes impossible before drifting into traffic.
One complaint cites NHTSA Campaign 19V67000 regarding improperly tightened steering and suspension fasteners, noting the dealer was not proactive about informing the owner or offering repair.
Finally, two owners report the steering wheel cover delaminating on the top surface, with black material flaking off and leaving a rough texture.
Same Toyota 4Runner steering reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel does not return to center / lacks self-centering
The steering wheel fails to return to its straight-ahead position after turning. Drivers must constantly correct steering even on straight roads. Dealer checks show alignment and electronic rack-and-pinion settings are within Toyota specs, but the vehicle exhibits abnormal steering behavior compared to other vehicles.
When: Reported on vehicle with 2,100 miles; issues present since purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel does not automatically return to center after turning; Vehicle continues in turned direction until driver corrects; Requires constant steering wheel correction on straight roads; No automatic centering action
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer checked camber, toe, and electronic actuated rack-and-pinion settings; all within Toyota specifications per service manager
Steering wheel vibration at highway speeds (55–70 mph)
Steering wheel vibrates or shakes at speeds between 55 and 70 mph, creating an unstable feel. Multiple owners report the issue returns after dealer service. Dealers have attempted tire balancing, alignment, and tire replacement, but vibration persists. Dealerships claim this is normal for 4Runners, but owners report it is not typical for new vehicles.
When: Occurs consistently at 55–70 mph; reported on new vehicles and vehicles with low mileage; present from purchase or shortly after
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration or shaking at 55–70 mph; Vehicle feels unstable in this speed range; Vibration returns 2–3 weeks after dealer service; Front-end vibration accompanying steering wheel shake; Vehicle pulls to one side while vibrating
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have balanced front wheels multiple times, rotated tires, replaced tires (up to 4 sets in one case), performed alignments, checked brakes, and conducted visual suspension inspections without resolving the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state the vibration is normal for 4Runners; no recall or technical service bulletin action taken
Loss of steering control / vehicle pulling to one side
Vehicle loses directional control, pulling hard to one side while being driven at normal speeds. On curved or hilly roads, the vehicle feels as though it may roll over. The pulling requires significant steering input to compensate. Dealer inspection found no failures, though symptoms recurred after three previous repairs.
When: Reported at 22,000 miles; issues present since purchase in September 2019; 35 mph on curvy hill and 70 mph on interstate reported
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls to the left or right, requiring driver compensation; Loss of vehicle control on curves and hills; Vehicle nearly rolled over on curvy downhill road at 35 mph; Front-end vibration during pulling episodes
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; dealer stated no failures were found despite previous three repairs
Soft or sloppy steering response
Steering exhibits excessive play or soft response, reducing driver reaction time in wind conditions. Dealers acknowledge this as characteristic of the 4Runner model. Under cross-wind conditions, the slow steering response prevents timely correction before the vehicle drifts into adjacent traffic lanes, creating a safety hazard.
When: Reported at 70 mph on interstate during 23 mph ambient wind conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Steering response is slow or sloppy; Vehicle drifts into adjacent lanes during cross winds; Reduced ability to correct course in wind; Reaction time to steering input is slower than normal vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledges soft steering as characteristic of the 4Runner; states it does not normally affect safety
Steering column clunking and vibration
Clunking noise emanates from the front end during steering input, worsening over time. Concurrent vibration occurs at speeds above 45 mph. A related NHTSA campaign (19V67000) addresses improperly tightened suspension and steering fasteners, suggesting a manufacturing defect. Owner reports dealer did not proactively notify or offer warranty coverage.
When: Issue worsened over time; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise from front end during steering; Front-end vibration above 45 mph; Symptoms worsened progressively
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended replacement of upper steering column shaft assembly, dust boot cover, and lower intermediate steering shaft
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 19V67000 addresses improperly tightened suspension and steering fasteners; no proactive notice or recall action mentioned by owner
Steering wheel surface delamination and flaking
The steering wheel cover material delaminating on the top surface, with black material flaking off in small pieces. The affected area becomes rough and uncomfortable to touch. Manufacturer has not taken action on owner reports.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Black material flaking off the top of steering wheel; Steering wheel surface becoming rough; Material peeling in small pieces; Delamination concentrated on top of wheel
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer reported but has not taken action
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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.
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…
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…
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
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.
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,…
Had steering trouble with your 2018 Toyota 4Runner?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2018 Toyota 4Runner?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 14,142 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Toyota/4Runner.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.