Avoid: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2013 · Best recent: 2020
24 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 29 model years, the Toyota 4Runner has 5,317 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 131 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and suspension. 2003 drew the most complaints (707), 2009 the fewest of the years on the road 3+ years (22).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Toyota 4Runner vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $27,191–$41,297.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 59 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2023 | 32 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2019 | 65 |
| 2018 | 58 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2016 | 79 |
| 2015 | 85 |
| 2014 | 77 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2012 | 96 |
| 2011 | 163 |
| 2010 | 145 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2008 | 96 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2006 | 381 |
| 2005 | 425 |
| 2004 | 678 |
| 2003 | 707 |
| 2002 | 251 |
| 2001 | 190 |
| 2000 | 494 |
| 1999 | 335 |
| 1998 | 267 |
| 1997 | 270 |
Highest: 2003 (707 complaints). Lowest: 2009 (22).
The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive regarding legendary long-term reliability, durability, and off-road capability, particularly for the 5th generation and older models.
Boxed frame design can trap moisture and salt, leading to severe corrosion from the inside out, potentially causing structural failure.
Rough upshifts and downshifts, abrupt power delivery from turbo and hybrid battery, general lack of smoothness compared to older V6.
New models (especially 6th-gen) criticized for high MSRP relative to interior material quality, feature content, and fuel economy.
Described as a "gas guzzler"; real-world mileage is a common point of criticism, especially compared to modern crossovers.
Use of hard, cheap plastics, "silly" design with large knobs, and a "tablet slapped onto the dash" infotainment screen cited, particularly at high price points.
Owner insights cover all generations of the 4Runner. Individual model years are broken down above.
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