Toyota 4runner
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2017β2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database β the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Toyota 4runner? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
β NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
AI Reliability Analysis
AverageThe Toyota 4Runner (2017-2026) has 338 NHTSA complaints and 22 recalls, with notable issues in brakes, steering, and suspension. While crash-related complaints are relatively low (34), the high number of 'unknown or other' complaints suggests some unresolved or miscellaneous problems.
Inspect the brake system and steering components thoroughly before purchase, and check that all recalls have been performed. Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.
- Service brakes
- Steering
- Suspension
π NHTSA Safety Recalls
22 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017β2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
π§ Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 338 NHTSA complaints.
π NHTSA Complaint Reports
338 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The Toyota 4Runner (5th and 6th Generations) lacks a dedicated 'Approach Lighting' function, creating a critical personal safety and trip-and-fall hazard during nighttime entry. Users are forced to navigate the vehicle's perimeter in total darkness, increasing the risk of injury from unseen obstacles or security threats. I am requesting an investigation into this lighting logic omission and a remedy via a software update to the Lighting Control Module to ensure owner safety for all generations of the 4Runner platform.
At approximately 520 miles, while performing a low speed left hand turn, the vehicle experienced a sudden mechanical "thunk" in the drivetrain followed by an immediate loss of motive power (Limp Mode) in my new 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. The engine revved significantly, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, creating a hazardous situation in the intersection of oncoming traffic. A diagnostic health check at an authorized dealer confirmed stored DTC fault codes P281671 and P08BA71, indicating that Pressure Control Solenoids Actuators "H" and "L" were in a "stuck" state. The vehicle's Freeze Frame Data recorded a catastrophic internal transmission slip, showing an engine speed of 1767 RPM while the vehicle was moving at only 4 MPH in 2nd gear. There are no previous warning signs or symptoms of this problem before the transmission failure. It was sudden and unexpected. The manufacturerβs technical service protocols (such as T-SB-0094-24/T-SB-0076-24) for these specific solenoid codes on this specific 8-speed hybrid transmission (L580F) β which is equipped on my vehicle β identify this as an internal mechanical actuator failure requiring full transmission, torque converter, and hybrid module replacement. However, the manufacturer has denied the repair because the vehicleβs specific VIN is not yet listed on a service bulletin and that they could not reproduce it in a short test drive. The manufacturerβs official recommendation is to continue operating the vehicle with a documented and non-repaired powertrain defect until a second failure occurs in traffic. I am reporting this as a significant safety risk, as a recurring loss of motive power during critical driving maneuvers puts myself and other motorists in danger. The vehicle and its stored diagnostic data are available for inspection.
With the slanted windshield and location of the rearview mirror creates a blind spot when looking to the upper right. Both my husband and I have trouble seeing.
The car has the iforce max powertrain. At low speeds or in stop and go traffic, when the car has come to a stop, the car will lurch forward, which could potentially cause an accident. I took car to dealership and they said this is normal operation of the hybrid system and there is no fix. This is a huge safety issue if the car pushes itself forward and potentially causing an accident. The transmission system is very unrefined.
I felt an unnatural vibration and roll to one side of the vehicle when slowing around a curve on the highway which affected my ability to control the vehicle as expected, so I took it to a mechanic specializing in Toyota. The XREAS suspension system has already failed at 36,000 miles and Toyota is refusing to assist since this is out of warranty. However, this is a known issue that you can see many many people are affected by with a quick internet search, and multiple Toyota certified mechanics can confirm this is an issue they see an inordinate amount of failures on. This is a very well publicly documented issue with the XREAS suspension. The XREAS has suffered from early failure for years and Toyota has not and is not addressing it, these vehicles should all be recalled and repaired as they are a danger to the public having cars with non-functional and unsafe suspensions, a critical system for safety in any automobile. Not only are the owners of these vehicles affected, the general public is being put at risk by drivers unknowingly commuting without fully functional suspensions or even being unaware their vehicle may not even pass a basic safety inspection. These are not parts any consumer should or could reasonably expect to fail so early, this is recall worthy based on the danger to public but Toyota clearly will have to be forced to do so. At the very least Toyota should be telling people to lookout for this, it is a safety issue they are trying to avoid. I will replace my own soonest possible because I want to be responsible, unfortunately Toyota is not sharing that want and is instead leaving American citizens at risk of injury and death by knowingly producing and shipping faulty suspensions on one of their best selling vehicles.
Steering shake at 55mph, seems to go away after tires have warmed up. Tried road force balance with no help.
I am not sure this qualifies but I will submit the problem. All of a sudden, the center console display disappeared. Besides showing the radio tuner, it provides access to the GPS, cell phone connection and other devices. It also provides access to the backup camera which does light up when put in reverse. The cell phone connection provides hands free use of the phone which comes in handy during an emergency.
This had happened a year ago. I was driving and my anti collision brake just started to make a beeping noise and was telling me to call a toyota dealer. And before that the anti collision brake would go off when there was nothing in front of me. A few months later my cruise control and lane assist also stopped working. I took it in for a diagnostic and they couldn't tell me the real problem and that it would be 1500 to actually know what the issue is. I have never been in an accident in this car and its annoying that I bought it because of the safety features that I now cant use.
The back up camera does not work sometimes. The screen is black.
I am writing to formally report a concerning issue with my 2022 Toyota 4Runner, which currently has approximately 22,000 miles. The vehicle is regularly serviced at a certified oil change facility, and during routine use, I noticed a puddle of oil forming in my driveway. Upon contacting the service center, I was advised to bring the vehicle in for inspection. The technician identified a crack in the OEM plastic oil filter housing, which was causing engine oil to leak. I was informed that this is a known issue the technician has encountered on multiple Toyota vehicles equipped with the same plastic housing. To resolve the issue, I purchased a replacement OEM aluminum oil filter housing, which the technician installed. Since the replacement, the oil leak has ceased, and there have been no further incidents. I am concerned that the original plastic oil filter housing may be defective or prone to premature failure, potentially leading to engine damage or safety hazards. I respectfully request that this issue be investigated and considered for a recall or service bulletin, as it may affect other Toyota owners.
70k mile tires only lasted 45k miles. Tires were worn on the insides after rotations every 5k miles. After changing tires, an alignment and inspection demonstrated the front struts were sagging. 4Runner equipped with XREAS.
when turning the steering wheel several things happen. channels change, phone hangs up, GPS stops, air bag light comes on. Dealership inspected and said need to change spiral cable. $1200 dollars
Neither the curtain airbags or steering wheel Air bags deployed after a very bad car accident. Super upset because this is the reason parents spend so much money to keep their kid safe. She banged her head on steering wheel and on window which should have been prevent by air bags on 2022 4Runner bought brand new
Brake failure. Unable to stop vehicle. Dealer found internal brake failure
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. Additionally, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact's service dog accompanied the contact in the vehicle and was seated in the front passenger's seat. The contact sustained injuries and was transported to the local hospital. The contact received treatment for headaches, whiplash, and back pain. A Police report was filed, however, the information was unavailable. The contact stated that the service dog sustained injuries and was later treated for muscle tightness. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for the physical damage to be repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer regarding the air bag failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with sensory failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the failure was not due to a manufacturer defect. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The right CV joint traverses up and down. Once warmed up it loses concentricity and the steering wheel begins to shake. It does not stop until I pull off the highway The shake is completely gone when the vehicle is in 4 wheel drive. There are numerous complaints regarding this. I have taken it back to the dealer and participated in "road tests" and the steering did in fact shake and the tech stated "this is normal". This is not and it is hard to drive in a straight line. Google "4Runner steering wheel shake/wobble", thousands of complaints and Toyota refuses to replace the bearing. This is disappointing as it is covered for 6 years , 60,000miles under the powertrain warranty, yet the dealer is insistent on stringing me along until the warranty expires. The vehicle is available for inspection and I have videos to send as well if needed.
When the car seat is install rear facing with the seatbelt and using the lock off clip it becomes loose after a couple of uses.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota 4 Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was in a single-car head-on collision. The contact stated during the collision there was an odor of the air bag deployment, however, the air bags did not deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital due to their head hitting the steering wheel. The contact stated no other parties were involved. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who confirmed the air bags had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximatelyΒ 76,000.
When raining or snowing it deactivated several times causing dangerous situations at high speed
Static tire failure of the left rear tire. OEM Nitto ridge grappler dot# [XXX] ; 265/70r17. Parked car and was inside a church for an hour. No issues with tire, all 4 tpms pressures read 37 psi. When returning to the vehicle noticed the flat, changed on the spot with the full size spare. It appears as though the sidewall structure/belt failed, taking the rubber with it. Tear is on the inside of the mounted wheel, and is inconsistent with a cut or puncture from a foreign object. I will save the failed tire if you guys would like it for analysis. I want to emphasize, no additional damage to the structure from vehicle movement, satic failure, and the belt was stressed/cycled once as the vehicles weight was lowered as air pressure went to zero and removed as the vehicle was raised for removal and replacement. Vehicle has never been used for 4 wheeling, and no more than a few miles accrued from off pavement driving. Only tow mileage is approximately 400 to 500 with a dual jet ski trailer (gross trailer weight: 2500 lbs) Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Showing 20 of 338 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Toyota 4runner
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
π Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Toyota 4runner has 338 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Toyota 4runner has 22 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 34 of the Toyota 4runner's 338 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision β always verify with a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Toyota 4runner vehicles on the road β not any specific car. Two Toyota 4runner vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Toyota 4runner has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Is This Data Saved in Firebase & Indexed by Google?
Yes β intentionally. When you first visit this page, our server fetches live data directly from the NHTSA public API (no key required), processes it, and caches it in Google Firebase Firestore for 24 hours. The fully rendered HTML β with all NHTSA complaints, recalls, NCAP ratings, and investigations β is then indexed by Google Search. This is by design: caching real government data in Firebase lets us serve comprehensive vehicle safety pages instantly, while giving Google Bots rich structured content to rank for searches like "Toyota 4runner reliability" or "NHTSA recalls." No personal data is stored β only public NHTSA records are cached. You can always verify everything directly at nhtsa.gov.