2019 4Runner Tracks Right

In early January, I bought a 2019 4Runner. When I test drove it, I only got it to around 45mph as that was the speed limit around the dealership. A short time after making the purchase, I was in an area when I was able to get the speed above 45mph and noticed that around 50-55mph, the 4Runner tracks right…quickly. If you turn loose of the wheel or ease your grip for even 1 second, it will head for the ditch.

I purchased the extended warranty so I returned it to the dealership. They checked the air in the tires, road force balanced the tires, made sure the rims were not damaged or bent, and aligned it. It was somewhat better. However, before I made it home, roughly 20 miles away, it was back to the same thing. We repeated this process 3 times. They could not find anything bent, broken, or in ill-repair on the vehicle. The dealership sent me to their tire people to replace the tires in case there was a busted radial. That didn’t correct the problem either. They had 2 other shops look at it. No one can find anything wrong much less what could possibly be causing this issue. They’ve even measured the suspension, the frame, the tires, etc, to make sure the vehicle is square. They’ve compared the specs to other 4Runners. They called in a specialist to look at it. He can’t find anything wrong with it. In the end, they’ve told me that 4Runners track to the right. I’m 50 years old and I’ve never driven a vehicle that would put me in a ditch and I’ve certainly never driven one that I was afraid of getting on the highway with. My 4Runner has been in the shop longer than it’s been in my possession. It’s had 8 front end alignments since January 10, 2023. It’s out every time they check it, yet everything is always tight as if there’s no reason for the alignment to be out. I understand the crown of the road and this is not that. As I stated earlier, within 1 second of easing my grip on the wheel, it’s heading for the ditch. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, how did you correct it? I don’t want to get rid of it, but I can’t keep a vehicle I don’t feel is safe. Thanks!

 

Assuming you bought it used since it’s a 2019 - aftermarket parts? Stock tires? Lift? Etc.

I’ve personally never owned a vehicle that consistently stayed straight with no hands on wheel, but you’re describing it a bit more severe than a slow drift.

 

I bought it used, certified Toyota, you know the deal. No aftermarket parts. Toyo tires. However, they did install Michelin tires to see if that would make a difference and it didn’t so they put the Toyo tires back on. It hasn’t been lifted. I don’t mean to imply that a vehicle drives itself. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I look like a drunk driver going down the road. I can’t simply slide my hand up or down my steering wheel by loosening my grip. I literally have to put my other hand on the wheel to steer before I can adjust the position of the hand that is already on it. If my steering wheel doesn’t have a hand on it at all times, it heads to the ditch. Hopefully, that clarifies it. If not, please let me know.

 

sell it and sue the dealership for the loss

let one of us drive it but the dealership must admit there is a problem or they would have stopped trying to fix it

 

It doesn’t keep an alignment??? I can’t see how this could be so mysterious. Cars are supposed to keep an alignment. It’s been damaged, or the techs doing them dont actually know how to do alignment. Has it been the same place that done all the alignments

In situations like this, does the CPO warrantee do anything for owners of misrepresented cars? Kinda seems like this is what this is.

 

Do you have any other Toyota dealerships in the area?

 

That's really odd. I wonder if it's something wrong with the rack?

Anyway, my 2013 with 150k definitely does not do this. I can momentarily take my hands off the wheel and it'll stay pretty straight. I do get a slight shimmy if conditions are right, but even then it's still tracking straight.

Good luck! Sounds like it could be a safety issue. If after all these visits they can't fix it, hopefully you can lemon law it.

 

wow that is crazy. Something is wrong despite what the dealership says. Even my 2011 SR5 with 160k tracks straight as a arrow. Same with my lifted 2022 Trail.