2021 Limited 4x4 Steering Issue

Bought this 4runner a month ago with 25000 and it didn't seem to have an issue, but recently on the highway I noticed it was pulling to the left and thought it may need to be realigned (even though for such a new car it shouldn't' have an issue). I was also noticing that I would constantly have to readjust the wheel to make the vehicle drive straight - kind of like someone driving a car in a movie from the 70's. Just cant get the thing to drive straight.

Here is what my mechanic said.
ORDER NOTES
VEHICLE DOES NOT PULL BUT STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT COME BACK TO
ZERO POINT
ALIGNMENT NUMBERS ARE PERFECT

Could this be an electric steering issue? Will this be covered on the basic warranty? This is my first post here so I apologize if I've done anything wrong here!

 

I would contact a dealership. I believe it's under warranty until 36k. You never know what might have happened in that first 25k miles. Did you check the Carfax for that 4Runner just to see if there were any reported problems?

 

I sure did! Only Oil changes every 5k miles at the dealership until I purchased it on the carfax. I will probably reach out to the dealership that serviced the car.

 

The 4runner has a very weak return to center compared to most vehicles. Drives like a 70s vehicle because it’s closer to that than it is to a modern one. These vehicles are pretty old school.

 

I know they are...and I thought I may be crazy, but my mechanic confirmed my doubts. They seem to believe something is definitely wrong and I should speak with Toyota.

 

here are some suggestions. Make sure that the vehicle hasn’t had a lift of any sort installed. Sometimes there might be a spacer lift installed that isn’t obvious. Sometimes you can clearly see a non-stock suspension. If it doesn’t have a lift, try to get it aligned with as much Caster as possible to increase centering tendency.

If it does have a lift, you’ll have to decide if you are going to remove it and return to stock, or spend money to put new upper control arms that will allow you to dial in additional caster. The stock upper control arms will not be able to give you enough castor to have a good return to center feel.

Obviously you want to make sure there aren’t any bent tire rods or other actual damage first.

Also, this vehicle does not have electric steering. Purely hydraulic and mechanical.

Edit: keep in mind, I think a normal 4runner has notably softer return to center feel compared to other cars I’ve driven. When mine was new, I felt that I had to help it the last few degrees to get back to center. This can be felt as a vehicle that needs to be more actively steered for example when in cruising situations on bumpy roads.

 

Just a thought...could it be something with the 'lane departure' button/setting? or does your 4 Runner not have that?

Steve

 

I dont think 21s have lane keeping.

While my 21 (vanilla Off-road trim) has lane departure alerts, that feature doesnt give the 4runner the ability to physically assert it’s authority over the driver. I believe all trims were the same in this regard in 2021.

 

Mine needs more corrections on the road than I thought it would have, if I let go of the wheel it will drift to the right or left pretty quick depending on the crown of the road. Returns to center pretty well though. All of my numbers are perfect as well. I also have the shimmy issues.

 

Personally @Tmiesowicz... i should probably trade it in back to original dealer.
Test drive the replacement outside the lot on a good day with the salesman in passenger seat.

 

Mine is getting traded in to a ram dealer as Soon as my trucks built and shipped lol…I’m done with the 4 runner. It’s fun now that I know my stress will be gone. Someone else can deal with it, but at least it will come with new KO2’s and 2 oil changes before 10,000 miles!

 

I'm having same issue. Purchased from dealer @ 24K miles. Was driving well with no issues until Toyota Safety sense sensor decided to perform a hard braking to avoid car in front that was still safe distance away. It was pretty severe braking, my son got scared, his snacks fell out of his hand and all over the car, wife's purse all over floor with everything spilled out.

Right after that incident something feels off, car seems to be wandering more on the highway, always pulls to the right, quite noticeable steering wheel shimmy between 55 and 70. really sucks still many years to pay off this elephant and already with issues.

 

Can the Safety Sense sensors be turned off/disabled. For comparison ?

 

I think it can be turned off in setting, but it has nothing to do with steering.

 

Yes they can be I keep everything off possible