2005 Toyota 4RUNNER Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 2%of 425 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 160,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER, 2% of the 425 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 160,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After my rear window shattered while sitting in a parking lot for a few minutes, I had it replaced. The technician found that the connections for the rear window defogger were burned. This caused great heat to build up, causing the window to shatter.”
NHTSA complaint #11090397, filed 2018-04, 170,000 miles“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 217,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 342,912.”
NHTSA complaint #11714323, filed 2026-01, 342,912 miles“Defrost cables connected to the rear window malfunction and cause the rear window to explode. Initial sign is the smell of burning plastic a short while before the window exploded. This occurred with the defrost being off in 74 degree weather. Vehicle was stationary and parked in driveway for 2 minutes before it shattered. Based online searches, many other 4RUNNER owners have had their rear windows explode due to the same problem, both while driving and parked.”
NHTSA complaint #10958295, filed 2017-03, 150,000 miles“I was driving my 4Runner and the rear glass exploded and shattered. This is a known issue with Toyota and documented in T-SB-0189-17 and warranty enhancement ZG7. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the glass shattering. Toyota refuses to cover the repair costs and the estimate provided by the dealer is $1,200. Photos were taken in my garage when I got home immediately after the explosion occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11482995, filed 2022-09“The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER. While operating the vehicle, an electrical burning odor was present. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, the rear window suddenly shattered. While replacing the window, the contact discovered melted and charred heater wires that were connected to the rear window. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 216,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10955000, filed 2017-02, 216,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10132360Jun 15, 2017Warranty Policy Bulletin POL14-11: Rev Toyota has received reports where some vehicles may exhibit cracked and/or sticky/melting dashboards as a result of heat or humidity.
- 10131838Mar 22, 2017Warranty Policy Bulletin POL14-11: REVISED March 22, 2017: Toyota has received reports where some vehicles may exhibit cracked and/or sticky/melting dashboards as a result of…
- 10131837Mar 22, 2017Dealer Daily: Voluntary Extension of Warranty Coverage for Cracked and/or Sticky/Melting Dashboards (Instrument Panels) as a Result of Heat or Humidity.
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10149213Sep 8, 2016Technical Instructions: In our continuing effort to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota has converted Limited Service Campaign (LSC) BST into Special Service…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 8 | 13% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 3 | 8% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 8 | 12% |
| 2018 | 4 | 7% |
| 2017 | 5 | 14% |
| 2016 | 18 | 22% |
| 2015 | 13 | 15% |
| 2014 | 24 | 31% |
| 2013 | 4 | 11% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 18% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 8% |
| 2006 | 18 | 5% |
| 2005 | 9 | 2% |
| 2004 | 22 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 11 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 5 | 10% |
| 1992 | 6 | 11% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER
185 complaintsSuspension
77 complaintsOther or unknown
68 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsTires
12 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology