2016 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 7%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,222miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER, 7% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,222 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.
“The vehicle has had a multitude of issues. I am on my 3rd different set of tires this year (including the original tires). No matter how many times the tires are balanced, the steering wheel shakes rather violently at certain speeds. The tires have been balanced and re-balanced (including road-force balanced, etc.). On-line forums indicate that many other Toyota owners are experiencing the same issue. Also this week I have lost the ability to steer the vehicle (the steering wheel is locking and binding up). …”
NHTSA complaint #11349611, filed 2020-08, 46,000 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“Vehicle was parked in my driveway which has a moderate slope. Engine was not running. Despite being in park, the vehicle rolled down the driveway and only stopped when it hit my mailbox at the curb. I complained about the matter to Toyota. They inspected the vehicle and concluded we did not find evidence of a defect with the transmission or shift selector [sic] caused this incident. The vehicle had been sitting there for at least 10 minutes. The parking brake was not set. I did not bump the shift lever or do anything else that could have caused the vehicle to come out of park. …”
NHTSA complaint #11078476, filed 2018-03, 22,000 miles“This vehicle transmission is demonstrating transmission shuddering problems, We have returned this car three time for the same repair. The highly reputable transmission has cited direct purchases of this part from Toyota has constantly have quality issues with the torque converter, This problem was inspected and confirmed by dealer and independent service center. They both concluded the same diagnose, There were no warning messages. We fear travelling on interstate roads is hazardous.”
NHTSA complaint #11534002, filed 2023-07Related 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…
- 10164329Jul 1, 2019TSB: Some 2014 ? 2019 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a whine or groan noise from the rear of the vehicle. This condition may occur while driving around 40 ? 60 mph at a…
- 10154805Feb 8, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE February 8, 2019 Rev1: ? The Warranty Information section has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Some 2016 ?…
- 10153276Jan 10, 2019TSB: Some 2016 ? 2019 model year 4Runner 4WD vehicles may exhibit a cyclical groaning or grinding noise from the front differential in 2WD that is not present during 4WD…
- 10153202Dec 6, 2018TT: Intermittent high-pitched whine noise is heard when driving 45-70MPH.
- 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…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 43% |
| 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 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsEngine
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 29, 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