2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 Toyota 4runner. This model year has 145 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2010 Toyota 4runner Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Structural Problems
Brake System
Considering a 2010 Toyota 4runner?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2010 Toyota 4runner. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 92 | 3 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 11 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 Toyota 4runner. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 145 most recent complaints
My 4Runner was involved in a collision where the airbags did not deploy, and I was knocked unconscious from hitting the steering wheel. The vehicle now shows an SRS fault code and is subject to an open Takata airbag recall. Toyota corporate initially stated they would cover towi…
Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally file a complaint against Toyota regarding their failure to notify me of a recall related to the clear coat peeling from my vehicle’s paint. I was never informed of this issue through a recall notice, nor did it appear in my vehicle’s history.…
I was told the paint on my 4 runner was recalled, but because it was a salvage title they where very rude and told me sorry but they can't fix it. I was so upset because when you spend 40,000. on a vehicle and something recalls it shouldn't matter if its a salvage title or not. …
Car keeps running out of gas while driving, due to faulty readings on the gas gauge and electronic readout. I have been driving this car for 11 years and never ran out of gas until running out 3 times in the past 2 months. Today was the 3rd occurrence, gas gauge showed over …
Frame is starting to rot despite undercoating. Has several soft spots.
I own a 2010 Toyota 4Runner VIN # [XXX]. I bought the vehicle late last year and found that the vehicle paint was peeling. I took my 4Runner to the one and only dealer here in Laredo, Texas. They told me to take it to their company body shop. The body shop looked at my 4Runner,…
The undercarriage of my truck is so rusted, that parts are starting to fail. I can not install new tires on the truck at this point until $3000 of rust-damaged parts are replaced and possible frame replaced. I was told that the damage is so extensive, the costs outweigh the repai…
Heated seat on drivers side was hot but heater was turned off. After a 1/2 hour drive smoke started coming out of the center console. Driver parked and exited the vehicle and called for help. Fire department arrived and put water on the fire then disconnected the battery. The ins…
IN 2017 I WAS REPORTING THAT THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT WAS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IN 2018 THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY FAILED AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT AN EXTENDED WARRENTY REPAIR (MILAGE WAS LESS THEN 100,000). IN MARCH 2021 THE BAKE LIGHTS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REP…
RUST HOLE IN FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR TRACK ARM MOUNT. CREATED A WEAK SPOT IN THE FRAME WHERE THE REAR AXEL MOUNTS. DUE TO NOT ENOUGH RUST PREVENTION FROM MANUFACTURE.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 70 MPH WITH NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AND GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT UNINTENTIONALLY ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE HEATED SEAT, HOWEVER, THE SEAT CONTINUED TO HEAT UP. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND AFTER THEY WAITED, THEY ATTEMP…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BUCKEYE TOYOTA (740-654-3943, LOCATED AT 1903 RIVERWAY DR, LANCASTER, OH 43130) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR END OF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND DAMAGED THE SUSPENSION. THE HEAT SHIELD WAS ALSO RUSTED…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 28 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD IT TOWED TO IRA…
TIMING CHAIN COVER OIL LEAK I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY TIMING CHAIN COVER IS LEAKING BY THE SERVICE AT THE TOYOTA DEALER. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND DISCOVERED IT'S QUITE FREQUENT AND HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OVER A DECADE. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA AS IT IS CLEAR…
03/04/2019- I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DRY ROAD IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH. A GRADUAL TURN, AND I STRESS GRADUAL, CAME UP AND UPON TURNING THE WHEEL TO TAKE THE SLIGHT CURB THE VSC/ ANTI SLIP BRAKING KICKED IN AND THE COMPUTER 'SENSED' I LOST CONTR…
MY FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY. THE UPPER REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF THE FRAME. THE FRAME IN FRONT OF AND AROUND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM IS RUSTING AWAY WITH A LARGE HOLE JUST IN FRONT OF THE BRACKET. IN A MATTER OF TIME THE…
WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT SLOWER SPEEDS THE ENGINE SEEMS TO QUIT FOR ABOUT 5SEC THEN IT COMES ON AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THIS COULD HAPPEN ANYTIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, PLANNED TO INSPECT AND TEST THE BRAKE SYSTEM HIMSELF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2010 Toyota 4runner.
Recalls for 2010 Toyota 4runner
12 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2010 Toyota 4runner. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2010 Toyota 4runner — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2010 Toyota 4runner reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2010 Toyota 4runner has 145 NHTSA owner complaints, 6 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (92 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota 4runner?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (92 complaints). #2: Structural Problems (12 complaints). #3: Brake System (11 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 Toyota 4runner?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2010 Toyota 4runner?▾
The 2010 Toyota 4runner has 6 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 145 total NHTSA complaints. 3 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2010 Toyota 4runner have any recalls?▾
Yes — 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2010 Toyota 4runner. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2010 Toyota 4runner?▾
The 2010 Toyota 4runner has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota 4runner reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2010 Toyota 4runner
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.