Toyota 4Runner problems by year
| Year | Common issues | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 | 3 |
Top NHTSA complaint areas (2010–2025)
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 353 |
| Unknown Or Other | 144 |
| Service Brakes | 112 |
| Electrical System | 108 |
| Steering | 87 |
| Structure | 72 |
| Suspension | 70 |
| Engine | 55 |
Source: NHTSA complaints API, per model year (linked on each year’s issue pages).
Toyota 4Runner problems by system (all years)
Systems with sourced problem pages in two or more model years. Pages list NHTSA owner complaints and CarComplaints.com reports for that year.
Electrical (8 model years)
- 2025: Electrical System complaints (8 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: Major rodent damage to the main engine room harness
- 2021: Door actuator failed
- 2020: Battery drained when not in use
- 2020: Soy wiring harness-rodent chewing
- 2019: Rodents chewing wires and fuel line EVAP
- 2016: Wires chewed by rodents
- 2014: Auto door locks not working
- 2014: Electrical System complaints (24 NHTSA reports)
- 2010: Door locks broken
Brakes (7 model years)
- 2025: Service Brakes complaints (26 NHTSA reports)
- 2022: Service Brakes complaints (5 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Service Brakes complaints (6 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Service Brakes complaints (5 NHTSA reports)
- 2017: Brakes locked
- 2015: Brake master cylinder assembly faulty
- 2015: Brake pedal makes a squishy sound
- 2013: Brakes lockup
Engine (7 model years)
- 2019: Surged forward from complete stop
- 2018: Engine – vibration
- 2017: Premature piston ring failure
- 2016: Check engine and TRAC lights on
- 2013: Excessive oil consumption
- 2012: Engine blew up
- 2010: Engine seal failure-burning oil
Air bags / seat belts (6 model years)
- 2022: Air Bags complaints (6 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Air Bags complaints (5 NHTSA reports)
- 2015: Air Bags complaints (17 NHTSA reports)
- 2013: Air Bags complaints (9 NHTSA reports)
- 2012: Air Bags complaints (70 NHTSA reports)
- 2011: Air Bags complaints (112 NHTSA reports)
Suspension (4 model years)
- 2022: Suspension complaints (6 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Suspension complaints (10 NHTSA reports)
- 2017: Shaking vibrations
- 2016: X-REAS shock system leaking
Steering (3 model years)
- 2021: Steering complaints (13 NHTSA reports)
- 2019: Steering complaints (10 NHTSA reports)
- 2018: Steering complaints (12 NHTSA reports)
Windows / windshield (3 model years)
- 2021: Passenger side window exploded
- 2018: Windshield cracked no reason
- 2014: Exploding sunroof window
Structure (2 model years)
Transmission (2 model years)
Page last updated .