2005 Toyota 4RUNNER Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 5%of 425 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER, 5% of the 425 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The Toyota secondary air system has failed rendering my car without traction control... And other lights. There is no preventative measures for this part and Toyota used the exact same system on the tundra's and sequoia's with the same problem I'm having. This needs to be addressed as the repair for the system is roughly 4000.00 almost half the cost of my car... Please make them fix this on all cars where the same system was used.”
NHTSA complaint #11139921, filed 2018-10, 136,000 miles“My check engine light came on along with vsc trac. After taking vehicle to dealership I was told that the repair would cost $2,048.73 due to the air pump being stuck in off position. While Toyota in response to reports of air induction pump assemblies and/or air injection switching valves issues on their 2007-2010 tundra and 2008-2010 sequoia models, Toyota has decided to increase its warranty on these parts and is even offering a reimbursement if you already had this issue fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10654328, filed 2014-11, 108,953 miles“I'm a retired master mechanic turned aerospace engineer. On aug 24, while my foot was on the brake, the engine revved to full throttle, squealing the rear tires. This event was clearly caused by a faulty electronic throttle control circuit. I shut off the truck. When I started it again, the situation was still there. I shut it off and waited 10 seconds, then started it and it idled normally. I concluded that there was a software glitch. This happened once before about two years ago. In both cases, my truck was luckily stopped in a parking lot with the transmission in drive.”
NHTSA complaint #11122854, filed 2018-08, 110,000 miles“Leaking exhaust manifolds due to faulty design this is on the v8 4RUNNER. Exhaust will go into the cabin of the vehicle and smell like rotten eggs. Toyota will not help in the replacement of these manifolds. The charge is 2500 to replace. There is a technical service bulletin on this issue. It is hard to drive with exhaust leaking in the cab sometimes getting sick.”
NHTSA complaint #10926264, filed 2016-11, 75,000 miles“2005 Toyota 4RUNNER 4.7l v8. Check engine and vsc trac. Codes 1441, 1444 and 2440 vehicle went into limp mode on the highway and I was unable to accelerate about 20 MPH on a 70 MPH highway. Major safety issue. This is a known issue with the Toyota v8 but Toyota is not covering the 4RUNNER but is covering the same engine part in the tundra. The mechanic knew exactly what the problem was and sees it all the time. Repair is $2,000 with no reimbursement from Toyota”
NHTSA complaint #11010205, filed 2017-07, 125 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 10149217Sep 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…
- 10150414Sep 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…
- 10150413Sep 8, 2016Dealer Package: In our continuing effort to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota has converted Limited Service Campaign (LSC) BST into Special Service Campaign (SSC)…
- 10150412Sep 8, 2016Dealer Package email: In our continuing effort to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota has converted Limited Service Campaign (LSC) BST into Special Service Campaign…
- 10150411Sep 8, 2016Region Letter: In our continuing effort to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota has converted Limited Service Campaign (LSC) BST into Special Service Campaign (SSC)…
- 10150410Sep 8, 2016Region Letter email: In our continuing effort to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota has converted Limited Service Campaign (LSC) BST into Special Service Campaign…
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
- 10096556Sep 15, 2015Tt: the vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the engine ecm has been interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 10% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 6 | 9% |
| 2018 | 5 | 8% |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% |
| 2016 | 6 | 8% |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 8% |
| 2013 | 3 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 7 | 7% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 7 | 2% |
| 2005 | 21 | 5% |
| 2004 | 18 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 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 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsTires
12 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology