Toyota 4RUNNER Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 5,900 consumer complaints across the 41 model years of the Toyota 4RUNNER (1986–2026) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 696. Across all years, the part named most often is body and structure (1,806 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst 4RUNNER years →
All 4RUNNER model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 300 | 2 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 60 | 925 | 1 | 45 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 10 | 2,038 | 1 | 57 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 33 | 9,500 | 1 | 96 | 30 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 39 | 23,600 | 3 | 93 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 36 | 637 | 1 | 128 | 27 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2020 | 33 | 9,000 | 1 | 158 | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2019 | 65 | 13,074 | 4 | 157 | 64 · Typical | Falling |
| 2018 | 59 | 20,500 | 5 | 192 | 62 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 36 | 12,890 | 5 | 208 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 80 | 25,000 | 8 | 249 | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 87 | 38,977 | 9 | 338 | 61 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 77 | 40,000 | 7 | 417 | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 36 | 72,450 | 6 | 345 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 96 | 45,144 | 8 | 356 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 163 | 41,320 | 10 | 290 | 65 · More | Stable |
| 2010 | 147 | 58,000 | 12 | 288 | 63 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 22 | 21,500 | 6 | 247 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 96 | 53,000 | 5 | 240 | 57 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 154 | 69,824 | 5 | 194 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 381 | 100,762 | 5 | 198 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 425 | 104,850 | 5 | 221 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 678 | 115,978 | 2 | 213 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 696 | 106,000 | 3 | 192 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 225 | 120,000 | 1 | 103 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 185 | 122,000 | 1 | 96 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 483 | 143,464 | 0 | 75 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 330 | 155,000 | 0 | 52 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 250 | 157,500 | 1 | 48 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 261 | 167,600 | 1 | 36 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 161 | 175,000 | 2 | 32 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 172 | 110,000 | 1 | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 64 | 115,000 | 1 | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 51 | 150,000 | 1 | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 53 | 141,000 | 1 | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 43 | 170,000 | 1 | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 78 | 150,000 | 1 | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 6 | — | 1 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 9 | — | 1 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 5 | 72,391 | 0 | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 284,000 | 0 | 17 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Body and structure1,806 31%
- Suspension910 16%
- Other or unknown787 13%
- Brakes577 9.8%
- Air bags525 8.9%
- Engine cooling491 8.4%
- Transmission and drivetrain438 7.5%
- Steering335 5.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2002: “I recently had my vehicle in for service and to get new tires. While on the lift, the mechanic pointed out to me that the frame on the passenger's side is beginning to rust through. This is an obvious potential safety issue and as I have researched possible repairs, it appears that this is a very common problem for this year and model. This should be recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #11405965, filed 2021-04, 278,000 miles2006: “Vehicle's skid plate rusted completely off. Original owners, all family members, have kept the vehicle cleaned well underneath since first day of ownership. When we lifted the 4RUNNER up on a lift, we saw multiple rust holes in the frame as well as extreme oxidation in the center at certain places. I need to have lots of frame repair done to feel safe driving it.”
NHTSA complaint #11402526, filed 2021-03, 223,000 miles2003: “We recently purchased a 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER limited. Great vehicle with the exception of the frame rusting and having weak spots. We have done some research and this seems to be a common issue with the third and fourth generations. These are built on a truck frame and the Toyota sequoias, tundras and tacoma's have been recalled for this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11378585, filed 2020-12, 186,000 milesOther Toyota models
18,207 complaintsToyota Prius
12,519 complaintsToyota Corolla
11,738 complaintsToyota RAV4
9,401 complaintsToyota Sienna
8,831 complaintsToyota Tacoma
8,476 complaintsToyota Tundra
6,944 complaintsToyota Highlander
5,780 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology