Two problems related to steering is tight have been reported for the 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Toyota 4Runner based on all problems reported for the 2005 4Runner.
My SUV only has 66,000 miles on it and recently (past month) the steering is very laborious. To the point that I have neck and shoulder pain. The steering is hard to start a turn (no matter what speed) and as I continue to turn the wheel it will ease up a bit and then be hard to turn it back again to straight. Meaning that it will not return without considerable effort. I was on cars. Com website as they had recalls listed. I looked up 4 runner steering problems and they gave me a recall number. When I called Toyota they told me there were no recalls for my VIN #. I think Toyota is ripping me off because the problem I'm having is just what is described in the summary. The component listed is steering; linkages; rod; relay; connecting. The consequence listed is if the vehicle is continued to be operated in this condition, the relay rod may fracture, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall number is 05v389000 and the recall date is 09-06-2005. Plus my wife and I do not turn the wheel until the vehicle is moving. We are old enough to know what is was like before cars had power steering. This is a safety issue! thanks for any help that you can do for us.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4 runner. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The steering was very tight traveling around curves. The steering failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column u joint was severely corroded. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 169,066.