Intermittent buzzing noise from steering column

I have a 2023 4Runner that has been making an intermittent buzzing noise that appears to be coming from the steering column area while driving between 40-60mph. It does tend to be more audible when I turn my steering wheel left or right but can be heard when it’s straight too. I’ve read similar forums that don’t really have any answers.. If you are having or had a similar issue what did you do to fix it?


I’ve read about replacing tires (specifically to falken wildpeak) but I’ve had that tire on my vehicle for 40k+ miles..

 

I posted the video on YouTube, so we can all see it without having to download it.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rMo8Zm0m3g8


P.S. If your truck is still under warranty, and it probably is...take it to the dealership and make them fix it.

 

Thank you! Dealer can’t duplicate the noise due to it being intermittent and it only has power terrain warranty left.

 

Any chance it's the brakes? Kind of sounds like when the wear indicator rubs against the rotor? I believe you can test for this by applying the brakes. If the sound goes away, I'd look there first.

 

thats not normal. Did the dealership check the wheel bearings, suspension, etc. That noise would drive me insane

 

I agree, sounds like brake wear indicators to me.

 

I’ve tested a little bit of everything to be able to pinpoint the noise, it does it almost daily on dry or wet pavement. When applying the brakes the noise still continues. I’ve also tried pressing on and adjusting the steering wheel when it does it to see if it changes or stops and it doesn’t.

 

It does drive me insane and some days it’s really loud. I have an appointment next week at the dealership to see if they can find anything this time!

 

are you sure it isnt resonating from the floor board? I had a wheel bearing go bad and we felt it in the floor board. Also, not sure if this applies to your 2023 but there was differential issue for my 2022 that was covered under warranty. The wheel bearing was also covered under the powertrain warranty.

 

New front pads (maybe front rotors) and tires with mount/balance & alignment and it will probably go away. It sounds like your tires are cupping, my duratracs did that and it was very similar to your road noise

 

The front differential was replaced in February because it did have that issue. I’m thinking it may be wheel bearing or axle related

 

I have constant road noise from my tires because they are cupping and are almost to the point of needing to be replaced but if it was tires wouldn’t it be a constant noise?

 

Mine was bad between 46 - 55 mph mostly. I could feel it in the steering & hated it. I did new rotors & pads with my new tires & alignment. How many miles on your tires? My pads started making noise with 1 to 2mm left. In the end, the pins in my front calipers were toast & replaced as well. My truck is driving better than ever.

Post a photo of your tires & look at how much brake pad you have left. Don’t just throw parts at it. If you need new tires soon, start there because you gotta do that anyways. Make sure you buy the good OEM brake pads, not those Toyota AZ crap ones


Ever time I listen to it, I just want to look at the calipers pins, grease them & see if it goes away. Idk thats what I feel if it’s not your tires

 

Just an fyi because this just happened to me when I took it to the dealership. They said they could not provide an accurate diagnosis because I needed new front tires and that COULD be the source of the noise I was experiencing. Guess what? It was the tires. So if you know you need them, I’d start there first. And to answer your question, no it wouldn’t be constant. Mine was between 40-50 mph.