2009 Toyota 4RUNNER Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 9%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,618miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER, 9% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,618 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Upon acceleration, the vehicle hesitates for 2-3 seconds. This happens on starting off, driving down the road, pulling into traffic. I have had it to the dealer 15-20 times and they can't find the cause. They said it had to fail for at least 5 seconds for it to register on the computer module. It never lasts more than 2-3 seconds and, I consider it 'very dangerous'. Dates above are appx. It does it every day.”
NHTSA complaint #10631983, filed 2014-09, 12,000 miles“When my wife stepped on the gas to pull into a parking spot,the 4RUNNER just lurched forward into a fence. Luckily no one was in front of the 4RUNNER. The bumper and fence was damaged. She is now very scared to drive the 4RUNNER.”
NHTSA complaint #10536598, filed 2013-08, 67,237 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 11005061Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- 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…
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- 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.
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 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER
10 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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