2016 Toyota 4RUNNER Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 23%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER, 23% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The SUV does not lock when I use the remote or when I try to lock it manually. I replaced the actuator in the driver side door which was the door that stays unlocked however to no avail. I am out a lot of money however I now believe there may be a bigger problem with something called bcm. I do not want to spend more money getting the issue diagnosed and repaired. This feels unfair to me that the locking system is broke and I risk the vehicle being stolen at such a young age of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11324596, filed 2020-05, 53,000 miles“The wiring inside of the engine was chewed through by rodents. I drive the vehicle every day and it was serviced two days before. After performing some research, I found out that Toyota and other companies use soy based products to make wiring. This apparently attracts rodents as it is basically food for them.the vehicle was parked in front of my home in a marked parking spot. I have parked other (older) vehicles in front of my home for approximately 10 years without this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11149822, filed 2018-11, 34,000 miles“Bought a used 2016 4RUNNER. Had it 3 weeks and a rodent chewed the wires on the main wiring harness. Toyota (that I have 2 warranties through) does not cover rodent damage even though the material that they use attracts rodents apparently from my research. I have $3500-$5500 in damage and my car has been at the dealership waiting for repair for 3 weeks now. The insurance company is fighting them on the repair and I am stuck without the vehicle. I do not have that kind of money to repair it myself. …”
NHTSA complaint #10935876, filed 2016-12, 13,500 miles“The day after we purchased this 4RUNNER in october 2015 the 4 wheel drive stopped working and when we took it back to the dealer they said that rodents had chewed through the wire housing connected to the drive train. Initially they were not going to warranty the issue but after further aggressive discussion by me it was covered. Apparently Toyota uses a soy based spray or coating on the wiring that attracts rodents. The vehicle was operable but the 4wd warning light was flashing and 4wd did not engage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10892686, filed 2016-08, 100 miles“I started the 4RUNNER and noticed that a few of the warning lights were on (ABS, brake, & a few others I can't remember). I decided to drive it anyway to run some errands (short distance), and noticed that the transmission was not shifting properly either (not going into eco mode and struggling to reach 40 MPH). I decided to pull over into a parking lot and check under the hood. That is when I noticed a squirrel nested by the driver's side firewall. The squirrel also used the insulation from under the hood and along the firewall to make its nest. …”
NHTSA complaint #10969624, filed 2017-03, 500 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10245487Oct 25, 2023DP: The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles are equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to…
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10224102Jun 3, 2022TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
- 10220177Jun 3, 2022TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
- 10211830Apr 29, 2022Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
- 10207963Jan 28, 2022TSB This Service Bulletin includes guidelines meant to help determine whether to repair or replace a wire harness assembly based on damage type. This Service Bulletin should be…
- 10188915Feb 8, 2021TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
- 10184553Nov 17, 2020TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 8 | 13% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 3 | 8% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 8 | 12% |
| 2018 | 4 | 7% |
| 2017 | 5 | 14% |
| 2016 | 18 | 23% |
| 2015 | 13 | 15% |
| 2014 | 24 | 31% |
| 2013 | 4 | 11% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 18% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 8% |
| 2006 | 18 | 5% |
| 2005 | 9 | 2% |
| 2004 | 22 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 11 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 5 | 10% |
| 1992 | 6 | 11% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER
18 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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