2009 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 45%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER, 45% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,750 miles.
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.
“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“I have a 2001 Toyota 4runner. The rear differential leaks oil through pin holes, and from what I have read, mine is not the only one. The car barely has 100,000 miles on it, and the differential should last as long as the car. The risk is that it will run dry, seize, and the rear wheels will lock up causing an accident. This is clearly a defect by Toyota reducing the cost of their material the construct the differential housing with.”
NHTSA complaint #10296828, filed 2009-12, 100,000 miles“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“I purchased my 2009 4runner new last year. From the minute I drove it off the lot I noticed a problem with the transmission. Any time the vehicle slows below 15mph and then the accelerator is depressed, the engine revs to a high RPM as if searching for a gear and does not accelerate as commanded. This is very prevalent in slow traffic, slowing for a yield sign or turning corners. The biggest safety concern is in slippery road conditions. When the vehicle finally does find a gear to shift into, it lurches forward. …”
NHTSA complaint #10373627, filed 2010-12, 1 miles“I have a 2009 Toyota 4 RUNNER, purchased new in november '09. The car currently has 1800 miles on it, however I noticed the problem at about 400 miles. The problem is the transmission slips when shifting up at about 10 miles per hour. It does not do this from a complete stop, only after de-accelerating (example, slowing down to make a right turn) and accelerating back up, then it will slip. Nothing has been done to correct this defect because the dealership says they have never heard of this problem with the 4 RUNNER and Toyota has not issued a technical service bulletin.”
NHTSA complaint #10310149, filed 2010-02, 400 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 | 38% |
| 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 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine
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 31, 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