2019 Toyota 4RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
13,075 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 64 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 15.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.8% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
Unknown Or Other: 12; Steering: 10; Electrical System: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Engine: 6; Suspension: 6; Air Bags: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 38 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2019: 5; 2020: 13; 2021: 20; 2022: 5; 2023: 5; 2024: 5; 2025: 8; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11208703 · 2019-05-20 (May 20, 2019)
MY MODEL IS A TRD OFF ROAD 4RUNNER WITH THE "BOLD" PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES A NON-FUNCTIONAL HOOD SCOOP. THE UNSAFE FACTOR IS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE HOOD SCOOP ALLOWS FOR BRIGHT SUNLIGHT TO BE REFLECTED DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVER EYES, EFFECTIVELY BLINDING THE DRIVER. ALTHOUGH IT TAKES THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, TIME OF DAY, ETC. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN THE 5 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE PERSONALLY SOLVED THE ISSUE BY APPLYING A NON REFLECTIVE DECAL WHICH HAS ELIMINATED THE ISSUE. I ATTEMPTED TO BRING THIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 3 miles reported. Look up ODI 11208703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11219602 · 2019-06-12 (June 12, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A HIGH-PITCHED WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR AXLE. EACH TIME THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE WHINING NOISE OCCURRED. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE WHINING NOISE WENT AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG TWO TOYOTA OF CHANDLER (LOCATED AT 1250 S GILBERT RD, CHANDLER, AZ 85286, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE PINION GEAR WAS NOT ASSEMBLED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ASKED WHY THE WHINING…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11219602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11277115 · 2019-10-30 (October 30, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AS THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON MCGILL TOYOTA (11800 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77079, [phone removed]) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN OBJECT STRUCK THE SUN ROOF. THE SUN ROOF WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE ADHERING TO THE DEALER'S REPORT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,983.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,983 miles reported. Look up ODI 11277115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11288605 · 2019-12-12 (December 12, 2019)
BY DESIGN, WHICH TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA INC. ACKNOWLEDGES, THE 2019 4RUNNER SR5 WINDSHIELD AND FRONT WINDOW DEFROST FUNCTIONS WITH EXTERNAL AIR ONLY, AND WILL NOT FUNCTION WITH RECIRCULATED VEHICLE CABIN AIR. THIS EXPOSES VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS EXTERNAL AIR CONDITIONS DURING WINTER DRIVING. I'VE PERSONALLY BEEN EXPOSED TO THIS HEALTH HAZARD ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE OPERATING THE 4RUNNER WINDSHIELD DEFROST HVAC IN INCLEMENT WEATHER: IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC AND EXPOSED TO VEHICLE EXHAUST-LADEN EXTERNAL AIR, AND IN MOUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11288605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11289551 · 2019-12-17 (December 17, 2019)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 11289551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11298293 · 2020-01-09 (January 9, 2020)
I WAS SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE FRON THE BOTTOM UP NOTHING HIT IT JUST SITTING AT THE STOPLIGHT AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED
Owner-reported narrative. 8,989 miles reported. Look up ODI 11298293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11299358 · 2020-01-14 (January 14, 2020)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 906 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11306488 · 2020-02-01 (February 1, 2020)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2019 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FROM STADIUM TOYOTA. IN THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER 2019, I BEGAN TO HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR WHEN EVER I WOULD BACK-OUT OF MY GARAGE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND LIGHTLY RELEASE THE BREAKS. I RECORDED THE NOISE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. I SHOWED THE VIDEO TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN, WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE IT. 2 DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE, THE SQUEAKING SOUND, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE METAL RUBBING AGAINST METAL, CAME BACK. IN THE BEGINNING, T…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,631 miles reported. Look up ODI 11306488 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V753000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2018-10-25 (October 25, 2018)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners and mail them corrected certification labels, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET18A.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V244000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2019-03-27 (March 27, 2019)
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V670000 · Suspension | Steering
Reported: 2019-09-20 (September 20, 2019)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.
Consequence: Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET19B.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2020-11-04 (November 4, 2020)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗