2007 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 4Runner most often report frame and underbody corrosion, with many describing rust-through on the frame, crossmember and radiator support at moderate mileage. A second cluster of complaints covers brake problems — a pedal that travels to the floor, ABS cycling on rough pavement, and actuator or master-cylinder diagnoses — while others describe unexpected engine revving or acceleration at low speeds, often when shifting or with the A/C running.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal to the floor / ABS actuator

   • 21 complaints (14%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2021

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking to the floorboard with little or no stopping, sometimes requiring the parking brake, and other times a grinding or vibrating pedal while the ABS cycles on its own on bumpy pavement. Dealers and shops variously diagnosed a failed master cylinder, the ABS actuator or the master cylinder/ABS ECU assembly, and some owners report the dealer could not duplicate the problem. Spread from about 20,000 to 163,000 miles, with several reports under 65,000 miles.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for brake service records and whether the master cylinder or ABS actuator has been replaced. Test the brakes on a rough road at low speed and check for a pedal that sinks or a pump/ABS noise that runs without being commanded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The battery died unexpectedly (about 3 years old) and when we replaced it and tried to drive it, there was a loud continuous beep from the dash and no brakes. We replaced the ABS fuse, which blew again immediately. We had to have it towed to the shop and it was confirmed it was the brake module. This exact issue just happened with our 2013 camry and it was replaced under a manufacturer warranty. I drive my kids in this car. We could have died.”

   NHTSA complaint #11376935, filed 2020-11, 289,089 miles

   “When I am driving on a bumpy unlevel street and stepping on the brake paddle to slow down the brakes give out and then catch again, I find this to be very dangerous and might even cause an accident especially if there is another car to my front, this has happened to me quite a few times. The brake system has to be checked on a bumpy paved road, brakes will catch and release and catch and release. This happens every time I am on a bumpy paved road.”

   NHTSA complaint #11103735, filed 2018-06, 126,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected engine revving or acceleration at low speed

   • 22 complaints (14%)
   • median 33,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2018

   Complaints describe the engine revving up or the vehicle surging forward while the driver's foot is on the brake, often when shifting from park to drive or reverse, at stop lights, or with the A/C compressor cycling. Some report needing to shift into neutral or park to stop it, and several say the dealer could not reproduce the condition. A related recall concerns the accelerator pedal being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible floor mat. Mostly reported below about 80,000 miles, sometimes at very low mileage and at idle or parking-lot speeds.

   Recall 11V113000

   What to check: Confirm the floor mat is the correct one for the vehicle and properly clipped, and ask whether the throttle body or pedal assembly has ever been serviced. Note any idle surge during a cold start and when the A/C engages.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The incident happened at the intersection of harbison and division st. Southbound at harbison st.,while slowing down for a full stop at a red light with my right foot gradually pressing the brake pedal suddenly the engine RPM went up so high without stepping on the accelerator pedal. My immediate reaction was to press harder the brake pedal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10322533, filed 2010-03, 15,932 miles

   “I experienced a sudden acceleration on 10-5-10 in my 2007 Toyota 4RUNNER, 4wd. As I was turning onto a busy street at an intersection with lights, I pushed on the brake at the stop sign as the oncoming traffic approached, but the car continued accelerating into the lane at the intersection, and I pushed as hard as possible on the brake. I pushed the gear lever forward as the oncoming car veered into the next lane to avoid me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10384563, filed 2011-02, 53,500 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Frame and underbody rust

   • 26 complaints (17%)
   • median 110,793 mi at 12.0 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2022

   Complaints describe rust on the frame, crossmember, radiator support and suspension brackets, in several cases to the point of holes or welds separating. Owners report being told by shops or mechanics that the vehicle should not be driven, and some mention rusted brackets holding the fuel tank or hitch. Several note the truck was garaged or low-mileage and that other Toyota models of the same era had frame corrosion campaigns. Usually reported from about 77,000 to 186,000 miles, often on vehicles driven in areas where road salt is used.

   What to check: Put the truck on a lift and inspect the frame rails, crossmember, radiator support and rear hitch area for flaking or holes; a screwdriver or light tap will show soft metal. Ask where the vehicle was driven and whether the frame was ever inspected or treated.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my 2007 4RUNNER and found a-lot of rust on the under carriage of my favorite vehicle. It spreads everywhere; including the engine bay. Not only does it compromise the safety of the vehicle but it shortens the life also. I wanted to buy a new 4RUNNER this year but after learning of the rust issues I thought twice.”

   NHTSA complaint #11172293, filed 2019-01, 77,000 miles

   “I was driving with my child in the car and lost control of steering and heard loud noise. I had no control of steering and the car crossed lanes luckily missing other vehicles. It stopped on the side of the road and a body shop happened to witness the whole thing. He tried to drive it into his shop (two driveways away) but ended up having to drag/tow it in because the front end frame had rusted and fallen from the vehicle. That body shop looked at it and I also got a second opinion and they told me the same thing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11083510, filed 2018-04, 154,000 miles
4. 4
   Other or unknown

   Tailgate handle rubber melting and sticking

   • 17 complaints (11%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2016

   Owners report the rubber cover on the rear hatch release switch turning soft, sticky and tar-like, leaving black residue on hands and making the hatch hard to open or latch. Some mention the switch shorting out or needing replacement, and several say the dealer treated it as a common issue but not a recall item. Typically reported between about 35,000 and 102,000 miles, with owners noting it worsens in warm weather and stiffens in cold.

   Recall 16V396000Recall 14V743000

   What to check: Open and close the rear hatch several times and look at the handle switch for a sticky or deformed rubber surface. Ask whether the switch or handle assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rear hatch door handle is deformed and turned into a tar-like mess that covers our fingers whenever we try to open the rear hatch. I have noted numerous other 4-runner owners having the same exact malfunction. Problem is the melted rubber cover which is part of the switch assembly, part #84840-35010. Totally unsat!”

   NHTSA complaint #10543771, filed 2013-09, 36,500 miles

   “The back door rubber cover of the handle was melted for second time, the first time was on june 26,2009 and its was change by guarantee for the dealer. Now I had the same problem the rubber was melted. The part number is 84840-35010. I think that Toyota need to correct this problem with a good quality rubber.”

   NHTSA complaint #10515875, filed 2013-06, 38,502 miles

Buying note. The main thing to establish on a 2007 4Runner is the condition of the frame and underbody, since corrosion is the most frequently reported concern and repairs can be extensive. Beyond that, ask for brake and rear-hatch service history and check the floor mat and rear defroster during a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.