Toyota 4Runner problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 334 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls for the Toyota 4Runner. That averages 10.1 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.25 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Off-road SUVs segment it ranks #1 of 3 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest); the segment average is 63.8.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 23% of the 2018 and 2019 models (13 early complaints per model year versus 18).
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (34.7 complaints per year) and the 2024 model year the lowest (3.2). The 2025 model year runs at least 50% above this model's average of 10.1 complaints per year on the road across its tracked model years. Model years 2020 and 2024 run at least 40% below this model's average of 10.1 complaints per year on the road.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Brakes (15.3% of complaints), followed by Steering (13.8%) and Unspecified or other (12.3%). Brakes complaints are 2.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 41 complaints (12.3%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 26 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 76 complaints versus 49 in the previous 12 months — up 55%. The 2025 model year generated the most recent reports (39). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 17 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 12 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2017 (2). No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
It has fewer complaints per year than every other tracked model among Off-road SUVs, including Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 58 | 6.6 | 0.16 | 3 | 5 | Steering | View › |
| 2019 | 65 | 8.3 | 0.21 | 7 | 4 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2020 | 33 | 4.9 | 0.12 | 3 | 1 | Unspecified or other | View › |
| 2021 | 36 | 6.2 | 0.15 | 9 | 1 | Steering | View › |
| 2022 | 39 | 8.1 | 0.2 | 6 | 3 | Airbags & seat belts | View › |
| 2023 | 32 | 8.4 | 0.21 | 7 | 1 | Unspecified or other | View › |
| 2024 Fewest complaints | 9 | 3.2 | 0.08 | 2 | 1 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2025 ▲50%+ | 62 | 34.7 | 0.86 | 39 | 1 | Brakes | View › |
▲50%+ = 50%+ above this model's average yearly rate. 1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 76 · Previous 12 months: 49 Rising
Problem areas
Brakes ›
51 · 15.3% · 2.53 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Steering ›
46 · 13.8% · 2.15 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Unspecified or other ›
41 · 12.3% · 1.37 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Electrical
39 · 11.7% · 0.74 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Airbags & seat belts
33 · 9.9% · 2.6 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Body & structure
30 · 9.0% · 0.99 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Wheels, tires & suspension
28 · 8.4% · 3.34 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Fuel system
20 · 6.0% · 1.38 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Engine
18 · 5.4% · 0.24 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Transmission / powertrain
12 · 3.6% · 0.31 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Driver-assist systems
8 · 2.4% · 0.42 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
7 · 2.1% · 1.35 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Other
1 · 0.3% · 0.16 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 17 months
What owners report
The vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in a roll-over (1.5 times) stopping inverted, on the roof. All the airbags deployed but the engine continued to run until manually shut off approximately 5 minutes after the accident.
As I was sitting at a red light I was rear ended quite forcefully and 2 of the 3 seatbelts released upon crash impact.
The front brakes emit a very loud, embarrassing screeching or howling sound. This noise happens most severely when backing up/shifting into reverse.
The brakes make a loud squealing noise especially in reverse. This is concerning and not what I expect from a brand new car!
Thankfully the piece of my shock coil spring fell off in my driveway on Aug 23rd 2026. I am being told I should not drive my car now as the entire coil spring can come off and cause me to crash.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Off-road SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota 4Runner | 334 | 10.1 | 0.25 | Stable | Rising | 12 | Brakes |
| 2 | Ford Bronco | 980 | 41.1 | 1.02 | Improving | Rising | 50 | Body & structure |
| 3 | Jeep Wrangler | 5,957 | 126.6 | 3.14 | Improving | Rising | 44 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 12
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (5) · 2019 (4) · 2020 (1) · 2021 (1) · 2022 (3) · 2023 (1) · 2024 (1) · 2025 (1)
Investigations
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.