2009 Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
21,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 22 complaints (31.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 36.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Steering: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2009: 2; 2010: 8; 2011: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10310149 · 2010-02-13 (February 13, 2010)
I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER '09. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 1800 MILES ON IT, HOWEVER I NOTICED THE PROBLEM AT ABOUT 400 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING UP AT ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR. IT DOES NOT DO THIS FROM A COMPLETE STOP, ONLY AFTER DE-ACCELERATING (EXAMPLE, SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN) AND ACCELERATING BACK UP, THEN IT WILL SLIP. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 4 RUNNER AND TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSU…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10310149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10310167 · 2010-02-13 (February 13, 2010)
I AM FILING THIS CLAIM TO REPORT A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I BOUGHT MY 2009 4RUNNER NEW IN MAY OF 2009 AND FROM THE FIRST WEEK NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, AND IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY EACH TIME I SLOW DOWN (BUT DON'T STOP COMPLETELY) TO TURN CORNERS AND THEN CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE,. THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T RESPOND, THE CAR JUST SITS THERE, AND THE ENGINE GOES FROM 1500 RPMS TO UP TO 2500 RPMS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES UP WITH THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10310167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10342602 · 2010-07-12 (July 12, 2010)
IN A PARKING LOT, WHILE TRYING TO STOP AND PARK ON REVERSE, THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATED ON D (DRIVE). I HAD NOT CHANGE THE STICK YET TO REVERSE. I WAS JUST TRYING TO STOP. I HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKES VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND CHANGE THE STICK TO P (PARKING). THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL LEFT A MARK ON THE PAVEMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 19,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10342602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10985534 · 2017-05-13 (May 13, 2017)
EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME WITH JEOPARDIZED INTEGRITY AT JOINS CONNECTING BRAKES, FUEL LINES AND SUSPENSIONS SYSTEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10985534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11153258 · 2018-11-22 (November 22, 2018)
STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO DO AND REALLY JERKY.TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PIN NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. YET ANOTHER PART I HAVE TO EAT THE COST DUE TO CORROSION. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11153258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11594145 · 2024-06-13 (June 13, 2024)
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while pulling out of a driveway, the contact observed a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and the steering wheel violently yanked to the right. Additionally, the contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle pulled to the left inadvertently. The vehicle was stopped and inspected. The contact observed that the front passenger’s side tire was dangling by the rocker arm and the subframe. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was the…
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11594145 at NHTSA ↗