2019 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 454miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2019 Toyota 4RUNNER, 6% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 454 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.
“This sr5 was b rand new purchased in march 2019. It has never been driven off road with the exception being I drive it up a hill to my barn over lawn using 4wd high. I've heard this grinding noise two to three time when shifting from reverse into drive when the truck is stationary and on a hill. I haven't checked if this occurs in each of the transmission modes. I believe I have heard it both in 2wd and 4wd high but have not checked yet if it happens also in 4wd low. This is alarming and for now, I avoid putting it in drive by drifting back to level ground when possible. …”
NHTSA complaint #11299358, filed 2020-01, 906 miles“This brand new 4RUNNER makes loud groaning sound from the first day until now, every time when transferring from reverse to drive or drive to reverse on a hill road, no matter an alley or a parking way. People who heard of it said it should be a transmission problem and it's bad. Because it sounds like something inside is being broken and not sure when it's totally dead suddenly and the vehicle would lose control. I don't know car. I didn't let any mechanic touch it yet because I'm looking for a third party legally to check it and their report would be also accepted by Toyota. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289551, filed 2019-12, 1 miles“Most of the time that I pass a speed bump and I accelerate the vehicle make a weird vibration when goes from the first to the second gear. After the second gear doesn't make the vibration any more.”
NHTSA complaint #11321844, filed 2020-04Related service bulletins
- 10224177Sep 26, 2022TT: If you see this condition, please create a TAS case and contact TAS for instruction prior to diagnosing or repairing of the vehicle. If it is a weekend or holiday, continue…
- 10202449Sep 2, 2021TSB: Some 2019 ? 2020 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a grease leak from the edge of the inboard joint boot of a front drive shaft where the clamp is located. This…
- 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.
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 2019 Toyota 4RUNNER
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 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