Toyota 4Runner years to avoid (and the best years)
1,037 NHTSA owner complaints and 33 recalls across 15 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
Compared with: Toyota Highlander, Toyota Tacoma
- 1,037complaints
- 33recalls
- 73reported crashes
- 14reported fires
- 64reported injuries
Which Toyota 4Runner years should you avoid?
No Toyota 4Runner model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Toyota 4Runner year has 58 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2011 (163), 2010 (145) and 2012 (96).
What are the best Toyota 4Runner years?
The Toyota 4Runner years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (32), 2020 (33) and 2021 (36). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 57 | 1.0× | 1 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2023 | 32 | 0.6× | 1 | 6 | 5 | Few red flags | Tires |
| 2022 | 39 | 0.7× | 3 | 5 | 7 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2021 | 36 | 0.6× | 1 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2020 | 33 | 0.6× | 1 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2019 | 65 | 1.1× | 4 | 5 | 3 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2018 | 58 | 1.0× | 5 | 7 | 2 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2017 | 36 | 0.6× | 5 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2016 | 79 | 1.4× | 8 | 6 | 6 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 85 | 1.5× | 9 | 10 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2014 | 77 | 1.3× | 7 | 5 | 4 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 36 | 0.6× | 6 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2012 | 96 | 1.7× | 8 | 5 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2011 | 163 | 2.8× | 10 | 4 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2010 | 145 | 2.5× | 12 | 6 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 513 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts219 (43%)
- Brakes62 (12%)
- Steering, suspension & tires62 (12%)
- Structure & body61 (12%)
- Electrical & infotainment42 (8%)
Recalls (33)
Electrical system · 25V595000 · Sep 2025 · model year 2025
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Safety · 23V680000 · Oct 2023 · model year 2023
An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V480000 · Jul 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V310000 · May 2022 · model year 2022
An illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 21V963000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2022
An inoperable driver's side high beam may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V682000 · Nov 2020 · model years 2018, 2019
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V012000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2014, 2015
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V741000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Steering · 19V670000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Safety · 19V244000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V005000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 18V753000 · Oct 2018 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V024000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 17V831000 · Dec 2017 · model years 2017, 2018
An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 17V763000 · Nov 2017 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 17V425000 · Jul 2017 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 17V295000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V291000 · May 2017 · model years 2016, 2017
If the roof rack fasteners loosen, the roof rack may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V006000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 16V937000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2016
The improper inflation of the passenger air bag may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Engine · 16V577000 · Aug 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
Safety · 16V396000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 16V340000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Tires · 16V236000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V228000 · Apr 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 15V515000 · Aug 2015 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
Safety · 14V828000 · Dec 2014 · model years 2014, 2015
Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
Safety · 14V743000 · Nov 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Safety · 13V123000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Airbags · 13V014000 · Jan 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Safety · 12V120000 · Mar 2012 · model year 2012
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, ANTILOCK BRAKING AND STABILITY CONTROL MAY BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. DRIVERS SHOULD RECEIVE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS WARNING THEM OF A MALFUNCTION.
Safety · 10V035000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Safety · 10V036000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.