Owners filed 381 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure › body. It has been recalled 5 times.
When it fails
100762100,762 milesMedian miles at failure
269 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000–150,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Structure › Body
123
1
0
0
Unknown or Other
46
1
1
0
Suspension
35
3
0
0
Air Bags
20
6
0
5
Vehicle Speed Control
13
7
0
3
Service Brakes
13
1
0
2
Electrical System
13
0
2
0
Visibility/Wiper
11
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
10
1
0
0
Power Train › Driveline
9
0
0
0
5 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler16V396000
Filed Jun 2, 20167,749 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, Llc
Defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Air Bags › Side/Window16V065000
Filed Feb 5, 2016320,409 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
Risk. If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal11V113000
Filed Feb 24, 20111,363,244 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.
Defect. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Risk. A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy. THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Equipment › Other › Labels10V036000
Filed Feb 3, 2010153,418 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, Llc
Defect. SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk. A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Equipment › Other › Labels10V035000
Filed Feb 3, 2010271,417 vehiclesGulf States Toyota, Inc.
Defect. GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 4, 2026NY
During routine maintenance, we noticed frame rot.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 14, 2026OH
Unknown, vehicle started to leak a fluid, took vehicle to mechanic shop they said frame rotted to the point they would not let me drive it home had to have it towed and now without transportation. the almost identical frames on other toyota vehicles were recalled for exactly the same problem. i dont understand why toyota will stand behind some of their vehicles and take care of some of the toyota owners but not all.
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 22, 2026MA
Frame is rotting away. The tacomas, tundras, sequoia were recalled for this issue. The tacomas frame is very close in design to the 4runner. The main difference is the 4runner uses coil springs whereas the tacoma used leaf springs. Toyota stated that because the 4runner was made in Japan unlike the others that were made in the USA, that the 4runners were not part of the recall.most of the 4runners that are no longer drivable, are because of rotted frames. The repair kits that fix the rotted frames on the tacomas are the same kits that fix the 4runners. Now toyota won't even touch my vehicle for other repairs because of the rot holes.
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 9, 2025OR
MYself and my fiancee were driving to our family's home, the rear defrost was on due to foggy windows as we were driving down the road there was a loud noise from the back half of the 4 runner. I had turned and looked back behind me and the rear hatch window was completely shattered. Its still intact in the window frame but about to fall out. This happened out of nowhere no warnings or anything.
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 11, 2025CT
The frame under the car rusted so much that the gas tank literally fell through the frame to the ground. This put my son at risk and fortunately he was able to pull over in a residential area and exit the vehicle. A mechanic and welding company both assessed the vehicle and acknowledged the u unusual and excessive rusting. In researching online and speaking to car experts, this seems and is confirmed to be poor manufacturing and materials used for the frame.
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 7, 2025IL
Excessive frame corrosion
Structure › Body
Filed Jul 17, 2025PA
Dangerous and rusted through frame. The vehicles frame should have been recalled like the other Toyotas affected.
Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 9, 2025PA
We took the vehicle in for inspection and it failed due to the exhaust leaks, and more importantly the frame rusting out. We never received the recall notice for this issue. We have owned this vehicle for many years, so there is no reason we would not have been notified for the recall of the frame. The vehicle was just serviced last year and we spent a great deal of money to keep it running properly so we would not have any issues and it would last us for quite a long time to come. With the frame being rusted through, there is simply no way to keep this vehicle safe. Toyota did not notify customers that had the vehicles with the frame issue. This is something that is simply not acceptable. We are a family of Toyota owners and have always depended on the reliability of them. Finding this out has really shocked us and honestly diminished our trust in the Toyota reliability. Is Toyota willing to fix this issue, are we just stuck with this. Please help.
Suspension
Filed Dec 12, 2024WI
My 4runner have major frame rust issues and is a major safety hazard. This a known issue to Toyota and a recall needs to be made.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 8, 2024FL
The contact owned a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that her son was driving at an unknown speed when another vehicle pulled in front of them to change lanes without warning causing her son to t-bone the vehicle and sending the other driver's vehicle to spin crashing into other vehicles nearby. The air bags deployed however their son received 2nd-degree burns on their right and 1st-degree burns on their lower region, and a concussion. The contact was unable to confirm if any other persons received injuries but was able to confirm other vehicles were damaged from the crash. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to their insurance company's facilities who had stated the vehicle was totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Suspension
Filed May 8, 2024TX
UNKNOWN, found excessive rust on undercarriage
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 9, 2024WV
The rear window on my 2006 4Runner suddenly shattered. I had just cleared the car of snow, put my son in the car and left the house. Less than 1/10th of a mile down the road it exploded. Glass could have gone all over the child in the backseat. There have been past issues. Toyota offered an extended warranty on the part until 2018, so they are aware of the problem. Not yet. No warnings.
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 28, 2023140,000 milesVA
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after a State Inspection, the vehicle was declared unsafe to drive on the State roadways due to severe corrosion. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the subframe needed to be replaced due to extensive corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Trailer Hitches
Filed Nov 6, 2023MO
While towing a 16' utility trailer using the 2" ball on a Switch Ball #42178, the ball separated from the shank. I was driving my 2007 Toyota 4Runner traveling on the highway at about 60mph at the time. Fortunately the safety chains did their job and prevented the trailer from completely disconnecting from the vehicle. Upon stopping my vehicle several hundred feet after separation, I found the 2" ball still locked and secured inside of the trailer's coupler, and the shank still securely attached to my vehicle. As a result my rear bumper is now heavily damaged from the trailer contacting it after uncoupling from the vehicle. I'm glad nobody was hurt or killed as a result of this incident. If the safety chains had not done their job, the unattached trailer could have caused serious damage, injury, and/or death. This incident could have also resulted in losing control of my vehicle, which thankfully I did not. This Switch Ball #42178 was purchased in September of 2022 and this was the first time I've used it. At the time of the incident I had towed the trailer approximately 75 miles. I have a background in selling and installing utility trailers and towing accessories. I'm confident the product was installed and used as directed. I contacted Curt Manufacturing with the above concerns. At their request I shipped the trailer ball to them for inspection. They have denied any responsibility stating their product did not fail. They have blamed the incident on "user error". I'm happy
Structure › Body
Filed Jun 27, 2023NY
My control arm ripped completely off my fram on the passenger side due to excessive rust putting me and my family and any one else on the road at risk of something catastrophic.
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 2023MO
Corrosion of pistons in front brake calipers results in an increase in braking stopping distance. Everytime the front brake pads are replaced the same issue is encountered, defect has taken place three times. In the four piston brake caliper the inside pistons on both the left and right caliper are frozen in place . The brake pads on the outside position have twice as much wear as the inside pads. This is an indication of uneven braking leading to increased stopping distance . Toyota maintains , there is not a problem, yet in forums on the web there are many experiences with owners having the same problem , resulting in costly repair bills. There is no warning of reduced braking efficiency .
Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 6, 2023CA
The vehicle headlights have failed on multiple occasions. The cause of the failures was ingress of water into the sealed headlamp assembly. The problem was reported to Toyota. Toyota took no action regarding the reports. The entire headlight assembly was replaced three (3) times at our expense. The problem persists. Attached is a photograph of the second (replaced) clearly showing water inside the headlight assembly. The current (most recent replacement) has also experienced water ingress and is available for inspection. The subject vehicle was inspected by three different body shops (two if which are authorized Toyota shops). It was confirmed by all three shops that there is no vehicle design feature that could cause water ingress in the headlamp assembly. This is a serious safety issue and has been brought to Toyota's attention with no response.
Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 5, 2023IN
The frame is corroded and rusted to the point that it’s not safe to drive. This was discovered by our service technician when we had the vehicle inspected for a rattling noise in the rear. I reached out to Toyota and was told that no problems are available regarding this issue. I have maintained my 4Runner meticulously and timely since I purchased brand new. There is no rust on the body, just the frame.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 7, 2023FL
My 2006 4Runner Toyota frame is rusted and falling into pieces. From the rear especially and underneath. I’m scared if someone rear ends me that the impact could be life threatening due to the frame falling to pieces as I drive and the vehicle sits.
Suspension
Filed Nov 29, 2022MA
My car is a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. This past summer I had a tire leaking and took it to the garage for repair. The mechanic stated that the frame is rusting out in the front right, tire rod area, and saw a pinhole. Last week I took the vehicle to get a transmission oil change. That mechanic saw that there's more rust that is spreading throughout the entire frame, worse than the area found from just a few months ago. I learned online that Toyota had purposely used cheap steel for the frame and had replaced the same frame used on other trucks such as the Tacoma and Highlander but is refusing to replace the 4Runner. These rusted out frames are affecting many 4Runners. I have a 1964 Cadillac and that frame is in better condition than the 4Runner. I'm forced to pay $15,000 to replace the frame or salvage my car. It shouldn't have come to this, especially when the same frame that was replace on other trucks isn't being replaced for mine.
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jun 2, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.