Toyota 4 Runner problems by year
1,019 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 12 Toyota 4 Runner model years. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaint totals are lifetime counts — years that have been on the road longer accumulate more reports.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most reported problem | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Fewer complaints | 15 | 0 | — | |
| 2004 | 66 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2003 | 168 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2002 Fewer complaints | 32 | 0 | Suspension | |
| 2001 Fewer complaints | 31 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2000 | 104 | 0 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1999 | 110 | 0 | Tires | |
| 1998 | 120 | 0 | Tires | |
| 1997 | 122 | 0 | Suspension | |
| 1996 | 89 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1995 | 125 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1994 | 52 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling |
How to read this. Complaints are unverified reports owners file with NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, counted once per case number. Raw totals are not adjusted for sales volume, and recent model years have had less time on the road. “Most complained” flags years well above the model’s median; treat it as a signal for deeper research, not a verdict. This page is not affiliated with Toyota.