Question - 2018 TRD ORP Steeering Wheel Push/Pull Play
 

Hello,

I had a 2018 4Runner TRD ORP which I sold last year. I missed that truck and so found another 2018 4Runner TRD ORP with about 21k miles on it. Took it for a loop around, everything seemed fine. Brought it home.

A few days later, when driving locally I felt a bit of a "clunk" in the steering wheel when coming to a stop over a bump. Eventually I've realized that I can pull the wheel by about 1/8 of an inch, perhaps more, this was the clunk I felt. It feels like the steering wheel has a nut and a spring, and it will return to a normal position.

Brought it back to the dealer, they just told me they compared it to 2 other 4Runners in their lot and that this is "normal".

Here's the thing. I put about 34K miles on the previous 4Runner, and I don't remember this behavior. In addition, I had a 2003 and a 2009 4Runner, and all in all have driven close to 200K miles in all 3 combined, and don't remember this either. Finally, I have a 2020 tacoma and there's no "push/pull" play either, that steering wheel is mounted solid.

Before I pick the car up tomorrow, could someone with a recent (2018+) SR5 or TRD OR see if they see the same behavior?

This would help me determine whether I'm losing my mind.

appreciate any feedback, happy 4th, and thank you.

I have no pay forward or backward in my 18OR. Very minor play up and down

Thank you for confirming. Appreciate the reply.

I have an ‘18 SR5. No play here of any kind, in, out, up or down.

When you get to the dealer, I'd make them take you to the other 2 vehicles that they checked and show you the play. I'd be willing to bet that they just told you that to send you on the way. My 4R hasn't made it to my dealer just yet, or I'd check that for you.

Thanks for the replies
 

The dealer + a local Toyota agreed this was not normal, and will replace the steering wheel column under warranty.

I found the Toyota customer complaint hotline to be completely useless and no one got back to me after multiple calls to chat with a Toyota rep. Since the dealer is working on a fix, I've closed the complaint.

What helped was me leaving a 1 star review on Google. This is the 3rd truck I bought from this dealership (2nd 4Runner), and it seems the dealership manager/owner finally stepped in.

Hope they get the steering wheel alignment right