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Toyota 4RUNNERModel year report

2009 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
21,500miles, 20 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 10 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and body and structure (3). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 60% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 21,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 247 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 35 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “In a parking lot, while trying to stop and park on reverse, the vehicle kept accelerated on d (drive). I had not change the stick yet to reverse. I was just trying to stop. I had to step on the brakes very hard to control the car and turn off the engine and change the stick to p (parking). The rear right wheel left a mark on the pavement.”

NHTSA complaint #10342602, filed 2010-07, 19,500 miles

Electrical system: “I am filing this, my second, complaint about my 2009 Toyota 4runner. My first complaint was filed in february 2010. I complained to my dealership about the problem since right after purchasing the 4runner which we bought brand new in may 2009. The problem occurred when slowing down to turn corners to about 15 MPH, and then stepping on the accelerator to speed up, the car revs, sometimes 2500-3000 rpms before the transmission engages and we lurch forward. …”

NHTSA complaint #10356674, filed 2010-09, 3,500 miles

Body and structure: “I sat in the rear seat of a 2010 Toyota 4runner. I am 6'1 . I had clearance above my head. However, the roof is domed only above the seat. When I leaned forward my head contacted the roof. I believe serious head injuries are possible due to the interior design of this vehicle for taller passengers.”

NHTSA complaint #10293134, filed 2009-11, 30 miles

Air bags: “I was driving in the left/fast lane on a toll road when another vehicle who was speeding in excess of 55mph entering the toll road crossing and cutting off the other lanes of traffic running into me on the passenger side forcing me into the concrete wall/barrier head on. His vehicle swung into again into my passenger rear side then bounced off. I was stunned, in shock, unable to exit on my side and didn't see it coming. I was thrown left into the frame and window and jerked around even though I had my seat belt fastened. The air bags did not deploy. …”

NHTSA complaint #10552260, filed 2013-11, 11,261 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

60% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 11,261 and 79,800 miles.

25%0–1035%10–250%25–505%50–7510%75–10020%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 21,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2009820112014201820202024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
4RUNNER · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4——3 · 20.4% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
4Runner 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162118$3,700
4Runner 2WD4.7L 8-cyl5-speed automatic151917$3,950
4Runner 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162017$3,950
4Runner 4WD4.7L 8-cyl5-speed automatic141715$4,450

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 247 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 247 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota 4RUNNER

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202673002422—Too new
2025609251422Too new to compareToo new
2024102,0381417—Too new
2023339,500141730 · FewerToo new
20223923,600341750 · TypicalRising
202136637141727 · FewerFalling
2020339,000141728 · FewerFalling
20196513,074441864 · TypicalFalling
20186020,500541862 · TypicalFalling
20173612,890541840 · TypicalFalling
20168125,000841966 · MoreFalling
20158738,977941961 · TypicalFalling
20147740,000741939 · TypicalFalling
20133672,45064190 · FewerFalling
20129645,144841941 · TypicalFalling
201116341,32010—1965 · MoreStable
201014758,00012—2063 · TypicalFalling
20092221,5006—18—Falling
20089653,0005—1857 · TypicalFalling
200715469,8245—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2006381100,7625—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2005425104,8505—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2004678115,9782—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2003696106,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2002225120,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2001185122,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2000483143,4640—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1999330155,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1998250157,5001—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1997261167,6001—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1996161175,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1995172110,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199464115,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199351150,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199253141,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199143170,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199078150,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19896—1—17—Not enough data
19889—1—16—Not enough data
1987572,3910—18—Not enough data
19868284,0000—18—Not enough data

All Toyota 4RUNNER model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 10 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER (4Runner 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 21,500 miles and the middle half falls between 11,261 and 79,800 miles; 60% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.