2012 Toyota 4RUNNER Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 96 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER, 5% of the 96 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,100 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“Toyota uses new green (environment friendly) wiring that is tasty to rodents and other pest- they are aware that it can attract animals to eat the wiring and electrical systems on their vehicles and refuse to cover the damages incurred on the warranty - they refer the customers to seek monetary aide from their insurance company - in my case it was $3000.00 in damages to my vehicle for a rat eating the wires /electrical system. My insurance paid for it - but how can I be assured it will not occur again. ?? Toyota needs to be responsible.”
NHTSA complaint #10644989, filed 2014-10, 37,000 miles“Vehicle radiator light came on, shortly thereafter (5-10 min) vehicle overheated. Waited for vehicle to cool down, then drove home. The following day drove the vehicle to dealership. After an inspection the dealer stated the heads are cracked and needed to be replaced. When I asked how this could happen to a car that is regularly serviced with only 90k miles his response was the original heads were made of weaker metal, the replacement ones are upgraded. We haven't had any come-backs on the ones we've replaced . I then asked, well how many vehicles has this impacted? …”
NHTSA complaint #11473715, filed 2022-07“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal smell emitted into the vehicle and it became extremely hot around his feet. The contact stated that the vehicle made a loud pop noise and after merging to the side of the road he noticed flames coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10672541, filed 2015-01, 49,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11005119Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- 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…
- 10149217Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 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.
- 10096556Sep 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.
- 10132529Aug 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…
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 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER
70 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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