2018 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe steering wheel vibration or wobble at highway speed, and fuel pump noise in cars with an open fuel system recall whose repair parts were not yet available. Stalling or power loss while driving, brake pedal sinking or brakes locking, and air bags that did not deploy or a warning light that stays on are also described. Listed mileage ranges from about 10 to about 47,000 miles, and many of the steering complaints involve cars with under 2,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering wheel vibrates or wobbles at highway speed

   • 9 complaints (15%)
   • median 150 mi at 0.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel shaking or wobbling at about 50 to 65 mph, sometimes with a clunking noise or a pull to one side. Some complaints say the dealer or the manufacturer described the vibration as normal, even after tire balancing and alignment work. Some describe engine vibration felt through the steering wheel, with tingling and numbness during long drives. Most listed mileage is under 1,500 miles, though the highest listed is about 22,000 miles.

   Recall 19V670000

   What to check: Ask whether the steering and suspension recall was completed, and whether tire balance and alignment have been checked. On a test drive at 50 to 70 mph on a smooth road, check whether the steering wheel shakes or wobbles.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought my 2018 4RUNNER new in november 2018. Shortly after I noticed the steering wheel would wobble to the left and right while driving 50-60 MPH. I have taken the vehicle to my local Toyota dealership three times but they are unable to fix the issue even after rebalancing the tires every time and doing an alignment once. The dealership states that this is normal on 4runners. This is definitely not normal on a new vehicle and Toyota needs to fix the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11373655, filed 2020-11, 80 miles

   “Steering wheel vibrates between 55-65 MPH. Vehicle feels unstable until it reaches aprox 70 MPH. Taken to dealer 3 times. They balanced the front wheels, but issue returns everytime, 2-3 weeks later. Toyota says it is normal. Cannot be normal for a brand new car, with new tires. Multiple owners report issue happening in multiple websites”

   NHTSA complaint #11139597, filed 2018-10, 10 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump noise or fuel recall parts unavailable

   • 9 complaints (15%)
   • median 27,750 mi at 3.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2025

   Owners describe a fuel pump humming or making noise after the engine is turned off, continuing until the vehicle is restarted or locked, and in some cases running with no key in the ignition. Some complaints say the dealer confirmed that the fuel system recall repair parts were not yet available, with no set date, and that the manufacturer had taken longer than reasonable. A complaint says a dealer found the fuel pump needed replacement, and the vehicle was not repaired. Most reports in this group do not list mileage, and the listed mileage runs from about 20,000 to about 30,500 miles.

   Recall 20V682000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel system recall repair has been completed, and whether the fuel pump has been inspected. Ask the seller for records of any fuel pump work, and note any humming from the fuel pump when the engine is off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On7/2022 when I came out of my house in the evening my 2018 4Runner was not been running for hours But I heard my Fuel pump running with no keys in the switch Would not stop running until I turned the switch on and then turned it back off and then fuel pump stopped running I reported to my dealer but they didn’t seem interested so I am Sending this to you any thing I tell the dealer where I got my 2018 4Runner Service dealer seems to go unheard. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11510998, filed 2023-03

   “Vehicle was parked in garage. Inspecting vehicle at 22:00, noise was heard. Source of noise was fuel pump located behind drivers side rear tire. Garage smelled of gasoline. Vehicle was turned off at 15:00 that day. Started up Vehicle with no issues and let run for 1.5 minutes then turned off. Noise was still present until Vehicle was locked via remote. Vehicle was not locked after being turned off at 15:00 until 22:00.”

   NHTSA complaint #11577914, filed 2024-03
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalls or loses power while driving

   • 7 complaints (12%)
   • median 26,900 mi at 3.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2024

   Owners describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, including at about 55 mph on a highway, at about 25 mph, and while turning out of a driveway at low speed. A complaint says all power, braking, and steering were lost suddenly on a beltway, and the vehicle could not be restarted. Some describe warning lights before or during the stall, such as traction control, check engine, or air bag lights. In some complaints the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired at the dealer. Listed mileage runs from about 8,000 to about 47,000 miles, with most stall reports between 24,000 and 31,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask the seller whether the car has ever stalled or lost power while driving, and whether the fuel pump has been replaced or inspected. On a test drive, watch for hesitation, warning lights, or any sudden loss of power at speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2018 4RUNNER stalled 12/12 amidst my having made a turn out of my drive way and commencing acceleration of the vehicle. My speed couldn't have been in excess pn 20 MPH. I did not loose electrical functions. The vehicle simply lost mobility. I shifted the vehicle to neutral and juggled the accelerator and regained acceleration, without any further such incidents of the kind. The following day 12/14 the vehicle stalled yet again at a point of accelerateation at approximately 15 MPH. On this occasion I was turning yet again at low speed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11383292, filed 2020-12, 28,800 miles

   “Vehicle was being driven on beltway and suddenly lost all power, braking, and steering capabilities. Emergency brake was used to stop vehicle. Vehicle was not able to be restarted. Phone attached via cigarette outlet was zapped. Manufacturer has failed to assume any responsibility customer has endured due to this total vehicle malfunction.”

   NHTSA complaint #11404761, filed 2021-03, 8,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks or brakes lock or fail

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 23,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2024

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking or going nearly to the floor, sometimes at a traffic light or in traffic, with the vehicle not stopping right away. Other reports describe brakes locking up at 35 to 60 mph, sometimes pulling to one side, and a car that creeps forward at a stop. Some complaints say the brakes were bled or inspected without a fault being found, and that the problem could not be recreated. A complaint describes losing all power, braking, and steering on a beltway, with the emergency brake used to stop. Listed mileage runs from about 8,000 to about 26,000 miles, and some reports do not list mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake system has been inspected for leaks, air, or pressure loss, and whether any brake pedal complaints were logged with the dealer. On a test drive in a safe, empty area, check that the pedal stays firm through repeated stops and that the car holds still at a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On multiple occasions with speeds varied 35-60mph when brakes were applied vehicle locked up, sometimes pulling to one side, brakes then went to floor not stopping vehicle requiring me to brake again.. Sometimes rolling into traffic.. This started immediately after purchasing the vehicle with only 12 miles on the odometer. I have taken the vehicle in multiple times and told they cannot recreate the issue snd are unable to identify a issue.. What worries me is that I have to potentially get harmed. The vehicle only has 26k miles on it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11389041, filed 2021-01, 26,000 miles

   “Recently I have had issues with the brake pressure. The brakes have been bled multiple times assuring there is not air in the lines. My mechanic could not find an issue with the brakes at all, yet when I come to a complete stop, the car starts to creep forward sometimes unnoticeable and the brake pedal slowly sinks. I have to put my car in park to keep from rolling into vehicles at stop lights and hope and pray that they hold/ work when I am in traffic. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11519931, filed 2023-05
5. 5
   Air bags

   Air bags do not deploy or warning light stays on

   Mentioned in 4 of 53 sampled complaints

   Owners describe collisions in which the air bags did not deploy, including a crash into an exit sign at about 80 mph and a collision with animals at about 55 mph. Some complaints describe the air bag warning light on at purchase or while driving, with body damage already present at purchase. A complaint says the dealer refused an exchange or a refund after the car was returned. Some reports do not list mileage, and the listed mileage is about 29,000 and about 47,000 miles.

   What to check: Confirm that the air bag warning light comes on at startup and then goes out, and ask for records of any air bag or crash sensor service. Check the vehicle history report for prior collision damage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The dealership Direct Motor, located in Manassas, Virginia, sold me this car in poor condition. On Sunday the 22nd, I picked up the car around 10 PM. They didn't show me any information about the car. When I picked it up, I saw that the front bumper and rear door were damaged, and the airbag lights were on, which is dangerous. I returned the car first thing Monday morning and asked them to exchange it. They refused. I asked for my money back, which is $3,000, and they refused again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11727554, filed 2026-03

   “My vehicle was in a collision at 55 miles an hour. Hit 3 grown cows in the highway at nighttime. Totaled my vehicle in the airbags, never deployed period Turn off.”

   NHTSA complaint #11580036, filed 2024-03

Buying note. Owners considering this model year may want to confirm whether the steering and suspension recall and the fuel system recall repairs have been completed, since parts delays and vibration complaints are described. A test drive at highway speed, plus checks of brake pedal firmness and the air bag warning light, can help show whether these symptoms are present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 53 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.