Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers...
Engine & cooling
Toyota 4RUNNER Engine problems by year
650 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Toyota 4RUNNER's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Engine complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 102 | 1 | 17 | 0 |
| 2002 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 1997 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 114 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Engine recalls
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that...
Latest 4RUNNER engine complaints
So first off I had a Ford Escape and one day it wouldn't crank up and started beeping loud so I called and got it towed it sat in the shop for 3 days and they told me it was fixed they fixed the abs lights and was told it was ready and I didn't even make it out of shop and the car was running hot and als realized the miles had been docked back a lot and had to be towed again a week came around and the fan stopped spinning and they said they offer me a trade in because they didn't know what was wrong well I got...
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this 2003 4 runner and these both were under warranty 3 months in and both had to be taken into service this one for radiator busted only to go into service had it towed and then additional problems they put a new wheel hub and brakes without my authorization and also the gear clip / gear shift was broken and they were trying to fix that and told me my car was ready today went up there and they told me they didn't even test drive it and that if it started running hot that to bring it back to service I felt unsafe and left the car and not only that the ABS lights and TRAC and maintenance and other lights were illuminated and it wasn't that way when I brought it in I didn't feel safe so I left it at service and I'm done dealing with this company . I want a resolution this is unsafe and I'm not the only one who has been done wrong . I have picture proof of the miles . Also the radiator fan shroud was left in the back of the car as well when I went to pick up. This is absolutely ridiculous!
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while braking from 40 MPH, the instrument panel flickered until the vehicle completely stalled. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V659000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.
The vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in a roll-over (1.5 times) stopping inverted, on the roof. All the airbags deployed but the engine continued to run until manually shut off approximately 5 minutes after the accident.
Head gasket failure. 2005 toyota 4runner generation are notorious for head gasket failure. Due to the poor manufacturing of the gasket it has been deteriorating and has allowed coolant to leak into the cylinder causing misfires and possibly more damage internally. including permanent mechanical breakdown or a completely ruined engine block. High risk of Hydrolock, Damaged Engine Bearings and Sludge, Severe Overheating, Catalytic Converter Failure. Any of these effects cause by this head gasket failure will be...
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extremely dangerous to happen while driving. The vehicles is being taken to a independent mechanic 09/28/2026 for conformation diagnosis. And possible repairs. The check engine light showed the following code-P0300, P0302, P0304. The only symptom where misfiring and coolant levels depleting. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police nor insurance representative. Noticeable misfiring around the beginning of 2025 has just became more aggressive since 2026
I am reporting what I believe is a design defect involving the Secondary Air Injection (SAI) System on my 2014 Toyota 4Runner. My vehicle illuminated the Check Engine Light and stored Diagnostic Trouble Code P2440 (Secondary Air Injection System Switching Valve Stuck Open). During my inspection, I found that the factory-installed foam air pump filter had completely deteriorated and was missing. The filter appears to have disintegrated over time rather than being removed during maintenance. The filter is intended...
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to prevent contaminants from entering the Secondary Air Injection pump and switching valves. Once it deteriorates, debris can enter the system, potentially contaminating the switching valve and causing the P2440 fault. This failure caused my vehicle to enter reduced-power ("limp") mode, resulting in a significant loss of engine power and acceleration. This created a safety hazard because the vehicle could not accelerate normally while driving, increasing the risk when merging into traffic, crossing intersections, or traveling at highway speeds. Toyota has discontinued the original replacement foam filter, preventing owners from restoring the system with the factory-designed component. Numerous other owners have reported similar failures involving deteriorated or missing foam filters, P2440/P2442 diagnostic codes, and costly Secondary Air Injection System repairs. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether deterioration of this factory foam filter is a design or material defect that allows contamination of the Secondary Air Injection System and can lead to limp mode and reduced engine performance. If confirmed, Toyota should provide an appropriate remedy, such as redesigned components or an extended warranty for affected vehicles. This failure appears to result from deterioration of an original factory component rather than improper maintenance or normal wear and presents a potential safety concern for other Toyota 4Runner owners.
We were traveling north on hwy 23 in southern Minnesota pulling a 5000 lb trailer in the rain and it was windy. When the road split to 4 lane I stepped on the gas to speed up from 55 to 65 and the vehicle studderd and lost all power. Many warning lights cam on and I think it said stop within .3 miles. We pulled to the side of the road and basically coasted to a stop. It was on hybrid power. We called the nearest Toyota dealership and they suggested restarting the vehicle and see if we could make it to them. The...
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engine did restart still with all the warnings on and we were able to drive it to the dealer being really gentle with the throttle. They pulled codes and it was intake related. They removed the air filter and it was dripping wet. The raised intake ingests water when it's raining and if it's working hard enough it pulls it through the filter into the intake and causes the vehicle to suddenly lose power which could possibly cause a accident. I am also concerned about water pulling dirt with it into the motor and causing damage. I have driven the vehicle in the rain since this happened but not pulling a trailer and really working it and so far it hasn't shut down on me yet but I've pulled the filter and it was wet. I have brought this issue to my dealer but they said they are not aware of a problem. I will attach a video of the wet filter I pulled from the air box after driving in a rain storm and a video of the warning lights that appeared. I don't think the dealership I took it too has any records of it because it was just after closing and they used a handheld scanner. They just dried our filter off and cleared the codes.
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The vehicle lost motive power while attempting to access the freeway on three occasions. The reduced power mode message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and initially they were unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer again, where it was diagnosed that the sensor needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was open. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
The dealership Direct Motor, located in Manassas, Virginia, sold me this car in poor condition. On Sunday the 22nd, I picked up the car around 10 PM. They didn't show me any information about the car. When I picked it up, I saw that the front bumper and rear door were damaged, and the airbag lights were on, which is dangerous. I returned the car first thing Monday morning and asked them to exchange it. They refused. I asked for my money back, which is $3,000, and they refused again. Then I went back on Wednesday and filled out a form explaining why I returned the car. They said they would return my money, but now they're not responding. They're trying to scam me.
Many things are happening to my truck that's why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much
TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2013 VIN# [[redacted]] LP# [redacted] The gas needle will be above the half (middle line), and the fuel range on top of the dash would read anywhere from 160-213 miles, going 45 mph up a hill or 70 mph on the freeway, all of a sudden starts to stall and completely shut off while still driving. I would then only have a few seconds to try to pull over due to losing all power, and not being able to shift into neutral because it's a push/start button. The car will only turn back on after putting some...
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gas into it, so I make sure to never let the gas needle go below the middle line or have the gas range reading go below anything around 160-200 miles since the vehicle has shut down at a different amount each time, and there's been multiple times. Also, the fuel level needle never matches with how many miles is shown on the range, displaying inaccurate readings. It has poor acceleration, poor mileage, and now making a loud whining noise that is heard from outside the vehicle near gas tank. I have tried looking up the VIN and it does not show that it falls under the recall, despite it having all the symptoms of a faulty fuel pump/sending unit. I love my 4Runner but I am in fear for my life whenever I drive it and not showing accurate fuel levels. I pray that nobody runs into me if the vehicle stalls out in the roadway, while going 30-80 mph (it has done it on regular roads and on the highway). There are no warning lights or check engine light. It's at about 208,000 miles, with the issue slowly getting worse over time. I am requesting for it to be inspected free of charge, as well as getting the necessary repairs that the recall is for free of charge. [[redacted]] [[redacted]] [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am writing to formally report a concerning issue with my 2022 Toyota 4Runner, which currently has approximately 22,000 miles. The vehicle is regularly serviced at a certified oil change facility, and during routine use, I noticed a puddle of oil forming in my driveway. Upon contacting the service center, I was advised to bring the vehicle in for inspection. The technician identified a crack in the OEM plastic oil filter housing, which was causing engine oil to leak. I was informed that this is a known issue the...
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technician has encountered on multiple Toyota vehicles equipped with the same plastic housing. To resolve the issue, I purchased a replacement OEM aluminum oil filter housing, which the technician installed. Since the replacement, the oil leak has ceased, and there have been no further incidents. I am concerned that the original plastic oil filter housing may be defective or prone to premature failure, potentially leading to engine damage or safety hazards. I respectfully request that this issue be investigated and considered for a recall or service bulletin, as it may affect other Toyota owners.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and was unable to accelerate, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The contact was also made aware that the mechanic discovered excessive corrosion covering the entire subframe of the vehicle. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 205,000.
When I first saw the pictures on the internet, I noticed that the front underside appeared to have rust issues. (Frontal shot) I contacted that sales person and he blew me off when I requested photos of the underbody. After several attempts, he finally sent a couple of pictures. The pictures obviously did not show the major rust issues as I have provided. The pictures were carefully fabricated not to show the major rust issues. It was apparent that the vehicle was taken off the internet while they hid the rusty...
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underbody by applying some coating. A short time later, the dealership reposted the vehicle on their website. The vehicle was not properly advertised as having this major rust issue. I asked the salesman if his family was driving the vehicle, would he feel safe. He replied, "Absolutely". With this said, I decided to purchase the vehicle. Also, my signature is not on the "We owe". Also, the vehicle has an exhaust leak from the manifold area. It makes a loud ticking noise. This is going to cost approximately $1,500 to fix. The air conditioner is not blowing cold and either has a leak or in need of freon. This is another repair out of my pocket. This is what kind of pre-owned vehicle they sold me. This vehicle should have never been listed for sale.
My transmission went off with no warnings and my vehicle has been serviced at the Toyota dealer since I bought it and they never mentioned to me there was an issue with my transmission which is very odd. So I was wondering is this is normal or if there others owners with the same problem. Now I don't have a vehicle because the transmission is in back order and I can't even get a rental car because it wasn't an accident or a recall. So I would like for you to look into this issue for this Toyota model.
Throttle has a lag when depressing gas pedal (occasionally a dead petal symptom) research indicates a TSB T-SB-0166-10 exist that relates to this issue. Lack of Toyota dealer assistance with this issue when contacted (Toyota of Round Rock Texas 78664) This issues is a safety concern when operating vehicle due to lack of throttle response when accelerating into traffic. When issue occurs, vehicle "stalls" and creates a dangerous situation that eventually will result is an accident.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data