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U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

96 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

45,144 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 70 of 96 complaints (72.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1010.4%
Fuel system concerns55.2%
Steering behavior44.2%
Electrical and battery issues33.1%
Transmission and shifting22.1%
Engine operation11.0%

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.

Air Bags
70
Electrical System
6
Service Brakes
6
Unknown Or Other
6
Engine
5
Steering
5
Fuel System, Gasoline
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags70
Electrical System6
Service Brakes6
Unknown Or Other6
Engine5
Steering5
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Fuel/Propulsion System2

Air Bags: 70; Electrical System: 6; Service Brakes: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Engine: 5; Steering: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
8
25,000 to 49,999
10
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
5
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0008
25,000 to 49,99910
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9995
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 65 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.

2012
3
2013
2
2014
5
2015
4
2016
2
2017
66
2018
1
2019
2
2020
6
2021
2
2022
2
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20123
20132
20145
20154
20162
201766
20181
20192
20206
20212
20222
20261

2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 66; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 6; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 10461209 · 2012-06-11 (June 11, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE MATERIAL BEING USED TO MANUFACTURE THE STRUTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461209 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10468254 · 2012-07-30 (July 30, 2012)

WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON LEVEL GROUND, VEHICLE BEGAN TO CREEP FORWARD WITH FOOT STILL PRESSED FIRMLY ON BRAKE. UNLESS BRAKE IS PRESSED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO CREEP FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AND IN GEAR. PAID MORE ATTENTION TO BRAKES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS AND ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL START ROLLING WHEN SHIFTED INTO GEAR WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE IF BRAKE IS NOT PRESSED ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MORE DEFINED WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE (>95 DEGREES). TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND TEC…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468254 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10532819 · 2013-07-31 (July 31, 2013)

I CAME HOME LAST NIGHT AT ABOUT 9:30 PM AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. THIS MORNING AT 7:30 AM I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM NEAR THE REAR WHEELS OF THE CAR. MY BEST GUESS WAS THE FUEL PUMP WAS STILL RUNNING (I HAD A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WITH A FUEL PUMP NOT RUNNING WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON WITH A 2000 JAGUAR ABOUT A YEAR AGO). I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND OFF WITHOUT CRANKING THE ENGINE, THE BUZZING CONTINUED. I STARTED THE 4RUNNER, RAN IT FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS, AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. BUZZING STO…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532819 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11319249 · 2020-03-25 (March 25, 2020)

LEAVING THE SONIC DRIVE IN PARKING LOT MY VECHILE DIED AS I WAS TURNING ON THE STREET. IT SHOWED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD A 1/4 TANK OF GAS BUT THE TANK WAS EMPTY

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11319249 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10513483 · 2013-05-25 (May 25, 2013)

THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT GET ANYTHING CLOSE TO THE 22MPG HIGHWAY MILES PER GALLON AS POSTED ON THE WINDOW STICKER. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE COMPUTER IS FAULTY AND DOES NOT CALCULATE THE MILEAGE PROPERLY AND THAT IS THE WAY THEY ALL ARE. BUT, I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS FOR EVERY TANK OF GAS PURCHASED SINCE NEW. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN GETTING 17.8 MILES TO THE GALLON ON THE HIGHWAY ON AVERAGE. I'VE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE BUT GET THE SAME ANSWER. I CAN'T DEPEND ON THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER READ OUT AS TO THE FUEL MILEAGE, THEY T…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10513483 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10721349 · 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERS OR VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. REPLACED TIRES WITH NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. READ THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE R& R STEERING RACK PRELOAD SPRING. BUT TOYOTA DENIES ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 4RUNNERS. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND MANY POSTS CONCERNING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN I AM CONSTANTLY REPLACING OR ROTATING TIRES TO AVOID CHOPPING IN THE TIRES. TOYOTA SAYS THERE IS NOTING WRONG.

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721349 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10644989 · 2014-10-15 (October 15, 2014)

TOYOTA USES NEW GREEN (ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY) WIRING THAT IS TASTY TO RODENTS AND OTHER PEST- THEY ARE AWARE THAT IT CAN ATTRACT ANIMALS TO EAT THE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ON THEIR VEHICLES AND REFUSE TO COVER THE DAMAGES INCURRED ON THE WARRANTY - THEY REFER THE CUSTOMERS TO SEEK MONETARY AIDE FROM THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY - IN MY CASE IT WAS $3000.00 IN DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE FOR A RAT EATING THE WIRES /ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MY INSURANCE PAID FOR IT - BUT HOW CAN I BE ASSURED IT WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. ?? TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10644989 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10859964 · 2016-04-17 (April 17, 2016)

SQUIRRELS KEEP EATING MY ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY ACCESS THE ENGINE BAY THROUGH THE OPENINGS IN THE WHEEL WELLS AFTER JUMPING ON TOP OF THE TIRES. THE RESULTS HAVE DISABLED MY ABS, 4WD, LIMITED SLIP, ETC. I'VE TRIED RODENT REPELLENT, FOX URINE, AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE. NOTHING HELPS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STOP USING SOY BASED WIRING, AND THEY NEED TO CLOSE THE HOLES IN THE WHEEL WELLS.

Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10859964 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11383575 · 2020-12-15 (December 15, 2020)

THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. WHILE NOT MOVING AND THEN SHIFITING INTO REVERSE, THE SCREEN DOES NOT CHANGE OR CHANGES TO SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE CAMERA. IT USUALLY STOPS WORKING AFTER SEVERAL STOPS AND SHIFTS INTO REVERSE. SOMETIMES IT GOES 2 OR 3 DAYS WITHOUT DISPLAYING AND THEN STARTS WORKING AGAIN ANOTHER DAY.

Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383575 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11467348 · 2022-06-03 (June 3, 2022)

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The Police Department called and arranged for the vehicle to be towed to an authorized dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump had disintegrated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. No further assistance was provided. The…

Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11467348 at NHTSA ↗