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U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Toyota 4RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

79 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

25,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 42 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 79 complaints (21.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues1417.7%
Braking behavior1113.9%
Steering behavior56.3%
Transmission and shifting45.1%
Fuel system concerns45.1%
Engine operation11.3%

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.

Electrical System
17
Unknown Or Other
16
Air Bags
10
Suspension
9
Structure:Body
8
Engine
6
Power Train
5
Service Brakes
5
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System17
Unknown Or Other16
Air Bags10
Suspension9
Structure:Body8
Engine6
Power Train5
Service Brakes5

Electrical System: 17; Unknown Or Other: 16; Air Bags: 10; Suspension: 9; Structure:Body: 8; Engine: 6; Power Train: 5; Service Brakes: 5

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
18
25,000 to 49,999
15
50,000 to 74,999
7
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00018
25,000 to 49,99915
50,000 to 74,9997
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 37 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.

2016
6
2017
11
2018
9
2019
10
2020
11
2021
7
2022
3
2023
5
2024
2
2025
7
2026
8
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20166
201711
20189
201910
202011
20217
20223
20235
20242
20257
20268

2016: 6; 2017: 11; 2018: 9; 2019: 10; 2020: 11; 2021: 7; 2022: 3; 2023: 5; 2024: 2; 2025: 7; 2026: 8

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10881885 · 2016-06-30 (June 30, 2016)

TOYOTA USES ENGINE WIRING THAT HAS A SOY BASED COATING. THIS ENCOURAGES RODENTS TO CHEW ON THEM. WE WERE CAMPED (PARKED) AND WHEN WE TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR IT SHUDDERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER INDICATORS. THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON FIVE CYLINDERS. WE MANAGED TO GET IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO TOLD US OF BITE MARKS AND DROPPINGS. IN RESEARCHING THIS ON LINE WE FOUND REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN TOYOTAS AND HONDAS. WE COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE DESERT IN 110 DEGREE HEAT IF THE DAMAGE WAS ENOUGH TO DISABLE THE EN…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10881885 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10892686 · 2016-08-02 (August 2, 2016)

THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS 4RUNNER IN OCTOBER 2015 THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE STOPPED WORKING AND WHEN WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT RODENTS HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE WIRE HOUSING CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. INITIALLY THEY WERE NOT GOING TO WARRANTY THE ISSUE BUT AFTER FURTHER AGGRESSIVE DISCUSSION BY ME IT WAS COVERED. APPARENTLY TOYOTA USES A SOY BASED SPRAY OR COATING ON THE WIRING THAT ATTRACTS RODENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE BUT THE 4WD WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND 4WD DID NOT ENGAGE. WE HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM A NEIGHBOR WITH A…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10892686 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10894291 · 2016-08-09 (August 9, 2016)

TRD PRO MODEL FRONT SHOCKS MAKE A CLUNK BELOW 40 DEGREES. TOYOTA T-SB-0054-16 TOYOTA WON'T LOOK AT.

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10894291 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10910880 · 2016-09-30 (September 30, 2016)

2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH LESS THAN 5000 MILES EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I HAVE NOTICED A LACK OF RESPONSE TO THROTTLE WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. BY THIS I MEAN NO INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM'S PROPORTIONAL TO THROTTLE POSITION. I HAVE SHRUGGED IT OFF AS MY IMAGINATION. NOW I HAVE HAD TWO OCCASIONS WHERE AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN ON A STEEP INCLINE WHERE WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STEPPED ON GAS THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK EVEN THOUGH I HAD AT LEAST 1/4 THROTTLE APPLIED. NOT A GOOD SITUATION IF THERE IS A VEHICLE BEHIND YOU.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,867 miles reported. Look up ODI 10910880 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10935876 · 2016-12-16 (December 16, 2016)

BOUGHT A USED 2016 4RUNNER. HAD IT 3 WEEKS AND A RODENT CHEWED THE WIRES ON THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS. TOYOTA (THAT I HAVE 2 WARRANTIES THROUGH) DOES NOT COVER RODENT DAMAGE EVEN THOUGH THE MATERIAL THAT THEY USE ATTRACTS RODENTS APPARENTLY FROM MY RESEARCH. I HAVE $3500-$5500 IN DAMAGE AND MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR REPAIR FOR 3 WEEKS NOW. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS FIGHTING THEM ON THE REPAIR AND I AM STUCK WITHOUT THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO REPAIR IT MYSELF. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING AND …

Owner-reported narrative. 13,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10935876 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10935905 · 2016-12-16 (December 16, 2016)

WHENEVER I GO OVER POTHOLES AND BUMPS MY CAR MAKES CLUNKING NOISES AND SOUNDS HORRIBLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10935905 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10954904 · 2017-02-15 (February 15, 2017)

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10954904 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10956888 · 2017-02-25 (February 25, 2017)

THIS VEHICLE IS JUNK. HAS NO POWER, EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, CONSTANT TICKING, ALL OVER THE ROAD, CRUISE CONTROL SPEEDS UP UNCONTROLLABLY, SITS LOPSIDED, EXTREMELY LOUD, BRAKES AND STEERING LOCK UP.,LACKS HEAT, POOR VISIBILITY . ALL THESE AND MORE OCCURR WHILE STARTING AND DRIVING VEHICLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956888 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

16V228000 · Equipment:Other:Labels

Reported: 2016-04-20 (April 20, 2016)

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 22, 2014, to March 23, 2016 and equipped with accessories installed by Gulf States. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will install an accurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 1, 2016. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Gulf States' number for this recall is 16R2.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V236000 · Equipment:Other:Labels | Tires

Reported: 2016-04-22 (April 22, 2016)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V937000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-12-21 (December 21, 2016)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling one 2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicle manufactured November 1, 2016 and one 2017 Lexus GX460 vehicle manufactured November 16, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with Takata PSPI-LD front passenger air bag inflators that may have been manufactured without ignition booster tablets. As a result, in the event of a crash, the air bag may not fully inflate during deployment of the primary stage. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: The improper inflation of the passenger air bag may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota dealers have replaced the passenger side air bag modules, free of charge. Toyota notified the affected dealers on December 15, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G06, GLR.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V291000 · Equipment

Reported: 2017-05-01 (May 1, 2017)

Gulf States Toyota, Inc (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2016-2017 4Runner vehicles equipped with the TFORCE accessory package. The fasteners for the aftermarket roof rack may have been improperly tightened.

Consequence: If the roof rack fasteners loosen, the roof rack may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the roof rack fasteners, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Gulf States' number for this recall is 17R1.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V425000 · Equipment | Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments

Reported: 2017-07-03 (July 3, 2017)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V763000 · Structure:Body:Hood

Reported: 2017-11-29 (November 29, 2017)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence: If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17C.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V005000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V741000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 17, 2019)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

NHTSA campaign record ↗