2008 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 28%of 96 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,678miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Toyota 4RUNNER, 28% of the 96 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,678 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Frame rust is so pervasive on my 2008 4RUNNER that the Toyota dealer refuses to make necessary repairs to transmission. The dealer suggested that I walk away from the vehicle , citing future rust-related problems with caliper replacement and other routine maintenance. Rust on differential axle LED to the shearing off of the fluid drain bolt, rendering that impossible to drain/refill. Attached are notes from the dealer's maintenance engineer, citing rusted cross member bolts and other components interfering with necessary repairs. …”
NHTSA complaint #11121267, filed 2018-08, 128,000 miles“I own a 2008 Toyota 4runner sr5. I purchased it new from my local Toyota dealer in november, 2008. By the spring of 2009 I noticed a sporadically occurring delay in the automatic transmission while switching from reverse to drive, lasting approximately 5 to 8 seconds. This would happen right after switching from r(reverse) to d (drive). My car is still under warranty, I have taken the car back to the dealership several times. They are unable to determine the cause. This problem occurs quite frequently. …”
NHTSA complaint #10409755, filed 2011-06, 3,200 miles“I have a 2008 4runner. I have always been happy with the vehicle, however, when shifting from reverse to drive the transmission does not engage immediately. This morning I was backing out of the post office where there are always people walking in front a nd in back of your vehicle. I shifted into reverse back up then shifted into drive. When I pressed on the gas the car continued to go in reverse. This was very scary. I pressed on the brake and looked down to make sure I was in drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #10313276, filed 2010-02, 22,356 miles“I own a 2008 Toyota 4runner sr5 4wd. I purchased it new from my local Toyota dealership in november, 2008. By the fall of 2009 I noticed a sporadically occurring delay in the automatic transmission while switching from reverse to drive, lasting approximately 5 seconds. This would happen while backing out of a driveway or parking lot, or in the middle of a u-turn. Still under warranty, I first took the car into the local dealership in november of 2009. Unable to determine the cause, they reset the car's cpu and I returned home, only to have the problem continue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10375297, filed 2011-01, 11,327 miles“When engaging drive from reverse there is a delay of 3-5 seconds and a thump when it finally engages drive. This happens frequently and has caused some scares were my wife thought the car engaged drive, pressed on the accelerator, car did not move and then suddenly car jumping forward since she had applied gas thinking the vehicle had engaged drive. Took to dealer explained issue and what I have read online with similar issues with other peoples vehicles, they wanted to charge 119.99 to simply diagnose the issue, even after showing them the numerous complaints I printed from the internet.”
NHTSA complaint #10462539, filed 2012-06, 59,000 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…
- 10142876Jun 8, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 8, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to exclude 2016 ? 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. ? The Repair Procedure section has been updated. May…
- 10134454Aug 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…
- 10111564May 20, 2015TSB: Some 2004 - 2015 model year Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, and 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a cyclical grinding or groaning noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes…
- 10111181May 20, 2015TSB: Some 2004 - 2015 model year Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, and 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a cyclical grinding or groaning noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes…
- 10109408Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to assist in the identification and location of serial numbers on 2006 -2014 model year remanufactured automatic transmissions.
- 10109405Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide information regarding transmission and/or park neutral position switch installation. If the manual shift lever is rotated prior to…
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109403Oct 16, 2014TSB: World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) was introduced to reduce maintenance costs and increase the mileage between scheduled maintenance checks. Here are…
- 10109493Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to assist in the identification and location of serial numbers on 2006 - 2014 model year automatic transmissions.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 43% |
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 5% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 10 | 45% |
| 2008 | 27 | 28% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 30 | 8% |
| 2005 | 25 | 6% |
| 2004 | 36 | 5% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 33 | 15% |
| 2001 | 32 | 17% |
| 2000 | 42 | 9% |
| 1999 | 23 | 7% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 25 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% |
| 1994 | 3 | 5% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 4 | 8% |
| 1991 | 5 | 12% |
| 1990 | 14 | 18% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1987 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota 4RUNNER
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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