Toyota 4runner Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH, the rear passenger-side seat belt strap detached. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the failure occurred due to an outside interference from the misuse of a child safety seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,038.

On [XXX] I was driving my '24 4Runner Limited with factory installed Yokohama Geolander G96 245 60 20 tires and had the driver side rear tire inner sidewall blow out. There was nothing in the road that could've hit the rear tire after missing the front tire. I called Yokohama IAW their warranty procedure. They said I'd have to take it to the dealership for inspection to see if it was defective. Called my dealership and got an appt, drove 50 miles to the dealer only to have the service rep spend MAYBE 20 seconds looking at the tire to say "it was hit by something" even though there is zero evidence of a puncture - Picture included. He didn't even dismount it to inspect the inner sidewall. He pointed at some marks on the wheel (NOT THE TIRE) saying something hit it there - ALL 5 wheels on the vehicle have the exact same CASTING MARKS - Pictures included. In fact, he spent more time questioning me about not having the dealer's "wheel/tire package" and then getting a quote to sell me a $428 tire instead of properly inspecting my tire. He even allowed my Limited rim to fall over on it's face! There are numerous pages of evidence showing that Yokohoma has an extended history of problems with this specific line of tires, as well as some of their other lines. "Since 2010, there have been 3 major tire recalls by Yokohama. Two of these are related to “inadequate markings”. The other recall involved a problem with the geometry of the tire itself. These tires had “irregular geometry” that made it more likely that the sidewall would give and blow out while the car was in motion. By “irregular geometry” Yokohama was referring to the fact that the interior of the tire’s sidewalls was not of uniform thickness. I read one article to the service rep and he immediately blew it off as "totally different circumstance", again repeating that mine was hit by something. This service rep was more interested in selling a tire than trying to find out what happened with mine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

When modifying the "Beep" volume which is tied to the audio beep when locking or unlocking the car, the car will then turn off the wireless ability read the key fob when using it to lock or unlock the car. The proximity feature will still function and you are still able to start the car. But you will lose functionality with all key fob buttons; lock, unlock, and panic will not be functional. This is listed in detail in the this 4Runner forums group. [XXX] This has been a known issue since 2022 and is still an issue. Toyota does not acknowledge this is a recall or an official issue. Every time an owner makes this change they are required to bring the vehicle to the dealership for them to re-enable the wireless key fob. This is an issue and must be resolved. I have access to modify my vehicles info on my own as my brother is a Toyota Tech and has the ability to do so. Please look at the forum link, there is greater detail of this issue occurring and 100s of accounts of owners reporting the issue. Please look at the forum link INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The door actuator have been replaced a minimum of eight times. Huge safety risk involved since we never know if the vehicle is going to lock. Toyota continues to replace them but not addressing the underlying issue. Not sure if this is all related but the blower motor has been replaced 3- 4 times and the battery has been replaced 4 times

Driver side headlight goes out approximately every 6 months. Sometimes the light only has to be “wiggled” in its connection and the light comes back on. Sometimes the light must be replaced. The light has also exploded when my spouse was attempting to replace the lightbulb. A friend has a 2014 Toyota 4 runner and the drivers lightbulb has been replaced approximately 12 times in 6 years. The passenger side headlight is not affected.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and reversing, the rearview camera intermittently displayed a blank image. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while reversing, he became aware that the rear-view camera failed to display an image. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 50,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front timing cover and found that the part was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the X-REAS suspension system in the Limited Edition 4Runner manufactured by Toyota. Specifically, I am addressing the alarming issue of suspension failure experienced in vehicles at just 45,000 miles, posing significant safety risks to drivers and passengers alike. The X-REAS suspension failure in the Limited Edition 4Runner is not merely an inconvenience; it is a serious safety hazard that puts lives at risk. The abrupt failure of the suspension system at relatively low mileage creates an unpredictable driving experience, jeopardizing the stability and control of the vehicle. This instability can lead to loss of control, especially at high speeds or during emergency maneuvers, resulting in potentially catastrophic accidents. Furthermore, it is deeply troubling to discover that Toyota may have been aware of this issue and yet failed to take proactive measures to address it. The apparent negligence on the part of Toyota in acknowledging and rectifying the problem reflects a blatant disregard for consumer safety. By continuing to produce and sell vehicles equipped with a defective suspension system, Toyota is knowingly putting drivers, passengers, and other road users in harm's way. As a concerned consumer and advocate for road safety, I urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch a thorough investigation into the X-REAS suspension failure in the Limited Edition 4Runner. It is imperative that Toyota be held accountable for its failure to address this issue promptly and effectively. Furthermore, I implore the NHTSA to take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of all motorists by compelling Toyota to initiate a comprehensive recall and repair program for affected vehicles. Every individual has the right to feel safe and secure while operating a motor vehicle.

Similar to NUMEROUS newer ('12+) vehicles, the instrument cluster gauge needles light up even when the headlights are not on. Therefore when driving the vehicle, the driver isn't aware that the headlights are NOT ON at night (and there are no DRL/daytime running lights to warn oncoming drivers), which means that the vehicle is driving at night WITHOUT any lights on. People are going to be killed this way; both the driver and innocent motorists driving near this vehicle. I nearly got in a head-on collision last night because the vehicle headlights weren't on after sundown (but I listed crash, fire, fatalities to get your attention, as I submitted this same issue about 8years ago for a similar incident with a Nissan Leaf that narrowly missed running me over as it was driving without any headlights on/LED gauge cluster was bright enough to see the drivers face, and NOTHING has changed in the auto industry for safety on this widespread issue). How can the automotive industry and NHTSA have let this happen? Instrument cluster gauges should not have ANY backlighting unless the headlight switch is physically activated by the driver. This issue is even worse with the new LED/virtual gauge cluster screens.

Took the vehicle in 3/19/2021 @ 6076 Mileage for a steering wheel shake, the dealer has tried numerous times to fix it by trying to balance the tire and rotate the tires, it only masks the problem and the steering wheel shake comes back. The shake can happen at any MPH. I finally took it to another shop called discount tire and dynamic 4x4 alignment. Discount tire said there was coupling in the stock tires Nitto Grappler, so I replaced the tires with Michelin Defenders this only masked the problem. On 9/25/2023 a local Toyota Technician and I took a ride together to see if he could duplicate the problem. At 67 and 68 we were able to duplicate the problem when the steering wheel shook the passenger side of the car shook. The technician and I swapped and I was able to duplicate the problem as well. I was stopped at a red light and took off after the tires were warmed up. When I reached 67 or 68 mph the steering wheel began to shake and he confirm that the vehicle shook too on the passenger side. I have experienced shaking in the steering wheel previously but now its being felt in the vehicle too. Toyota sent out a technician on the last issue and I was told they found something and then I was told there was nothing. Please see notes below as I have documented every occurrence and can provide maintenance documentation too.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for a routine inspection, he was informed that the front coil spring was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that 50% of the cost for the repair would be covered. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

System malfunction—the ‘brake’ alert flashed and chirped when there was NO obstacle on the road. Safety issue—I was about to hit the brakes but I realized in time there was no need. Confirmed? No not at this time. Possibly have it reviewed at next maintenance. No inspection yet. This has occurred infrequently in the past

I have attempted to use the SOS button 4 times in different days and in different locations, only connecting once and the rep. claimed she couldn't hear me that only time I "connected." The system causes premature battery drain (even while the car is off, it draws power) and doesn't work in its intended way as a safety/rescue tool. This is an expensive feature that fails to work while locked in with an inferior cellular service provider through an exclusive contract between Toyota and AT&T.