Toyota 4Runner reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,056 complaints about the Toyota 4Runner with NHTSA since 2010, most often about airbags and other or unspecified. Toyota has filed 8 warranty extensions and 11 service campaigns for it, and there are 36 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Toyota 4Runner? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the 4Runner a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,056
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 8
- Filed by Toyota
- Service campaigns
- 11
- Filed by Toyota
- Safety recalls
- 36
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the 4Runner with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | Transmission and drivetrain (43%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 59 | Brakes (39%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | Body and structure (33%) | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 32 | Other or unspecified (38%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | 39 | Other or unspecified (18%) | 3 | 4 |
| 2021 | 36 | Steering (36%) | 1 | 5 |
| 2020 | 33 | Other or unspecified (24%) | 1 | 3 |
| 2019 | 65 | Other or unspecified (18%) | 4 | 6 |
| 2018 | 58 | Steering (19%) | 5 | 9 |
| 2017 | 36 | Other or unspecified (39%) | 5 | 6 |
| 2016 | 79 | Electrical system (23%) | 8 | 7 |
| 2015 | 86 | Airbags (20%) | 9 | 10 |
| 2014 | 77 | Electrical system (31%) | 7 | 9 |
| 2013 | 36 | Other or unspecified (28%) | 6 | 8 |
| 2012 | 96 | Airbags (73%) | 8 | 5 |
| 2011 | 163 | Airbags (69%) | 10 | 5 |
| 2010 | 145 | Airbags (63%) | 12 | 5 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single 4Runner model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Toyota
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Toyota filed with NHTSA for the 4Runner, in its own words. A warranty extension means Toyota pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2023· Brakes· model years 2014–2015, 2018–2019
On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2023· Brakes· model years 2015–2019
On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court.
- Warranty extensionNov 2022· Body and structure· model years 2010–2017
TI: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint
- Warranty extensionJul 2022· Airbags· model years 2010–2016
CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation.
- Warranty extensionAug 2020· Electrical system· model years 2013–2019
Ti: Technical instructions for limited service campaign K0P customer support program 19TE12 safety connect system ? Vehicle location inaccurate
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2015
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Phase 2 ? Customer Renotification and Repair Phase Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint
- Warranty extensionDec 2019· Body and structure· model years 2010–2015
Dealer Daily Message: ***Phase 2 ? Customer Renotification and Repair Phase*** Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint.
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013–2019
Region Letter: The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles is equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support features of the Safety Connect system.
- Service campaignJan 2026· Body and structure· model years 2025
Some of the screws holding the front spoiler to the front bumper can become loose over time and the spoiler can partially detach at the outer edge of the vehicle.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Electrical system· model years 2013–2025
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
- Service campaignOct 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2023
The subject vehicles were delivered with only one (1) Smart Key on select models since October 2022 due to a global semiconductor shortage impacting certain microchips. The affected vehicles were delivered with one (1) Smart Key and a second mechanical key.
- Service campaignJun 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2021–2022
Safety Recall and Service Campaign completion is an important part of our commitment to customer satisfaction of Toyota products.
- Service campaignJun 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2021–2022
Toyota plans to conduct Safety Recall and Service Campaign follow-up notifications to owners whose vehicles have not yet had the following Safety Recall and/or Service Campaign repairs completed
- Service campaignApr 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2021–2022
SSC: Toyota Over-The- Air (OTA) Pilot Program Team Members SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 22TC01
- Service campaignMar 2021· Airbags· model years 2010–2021
Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignFeb 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2020
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignOct 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignAug 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignJan 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every 4Runner model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Airbags346 (33%)
- Other or unspecified140 (13%)
- Electrical system98 (9%)
- Brakes96 (9%)
- Steering73 (7%)
- Body and structure64 (6%)
- Suspension52 (5%)
- Engine48 (5%)
Safety recalls
36 recalls cover at least one 4Runner model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values.
The load carrying capacity modification label states the incorrect load carrying capacity.
Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values.
The load carrying capacity modification label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle.
The load carrying capacity modification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.
The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible.
The driver's side high beam may be inoperable after the installation of accessory fog lights.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS…
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.
The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.
Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus…
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded.
And 21 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2010–2017
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Toyota 4Runner has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Toyota 4Runner reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 1,056 owner complaints, 8 warranty extensions and 11 service campaigns Toyota filed, and 36 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2011 (163), 2010 (145), 2012 (96). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Toyota 4Runner?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name airbags (33%), other or unspecified (13%), electrical system (9%). Toyota has filed 8 warranty extensions covering the 4Runner, listed on this page.
Which 4Runner model years have the most complaints?
2011 (163), 2010 (145), 2012 (96). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the 4Runner with each other rather than with other models.
Has Toyota extended the warranty on the 4Runner?
Yes: brakes (model years 2014–2015, 2018–2019); brakes (model years 2015–2019); body and structure (model years 2010–2017), and 5 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a 4Runner?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 36 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.