2015 Toyota 4Runner Complaints

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 10/08/2026

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.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 08/25/2025

Drove the car on empty tank and I had issues the following day after I refilled $60 gas.Car stalling/ hard to turn on, doesn’t stay on.

SUSPENSION — Filed 06/12/2025

Front Coil Spring Cracking (TRD Pro Models) I observed cracking of the front coil spring, a design defect in the spring's termination and how it sits on the top hat and bottom perch. This can lead to a sudden loss of control and a crash. Furthermore, pieces of the broken spring coil can fly out underneath the vehicle and cause serious injury to person and/or damage property, when vehicle is driven at highway speeds.

ENGINE — Filed 01/24/2025

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.

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/05/2024

I was just in my second front end collision and for the second time, my front airbags did not deploy. The first instance, I hit a deer head on going 75 mph on the interstate. Last week, I T-bone F150 at 35mph - hard enough to make that truck spin around - and had injuries to my head, knee, and hand, and yet the airbag did not deploy once again. In both cases, my car sustained over $10,000 and damage to the front end.

STEERING — Filed 02/10/2024

All of a sudden it was so difficult to steer I ended up off my driveway and almost took out my chain link fence. Two hands on left side of the steering wheel and yanked with all my strength. Then across my drive to the left. If this had happened turning onto a highway someone could have been killed.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES — Filed 11/01/2023

The door lock actuators have failed on both the driver side and passenger side front doors. Unfortunately this is a know issue across this model along with others and can be found in several forums. The problem is that the actuator gets stuck and at one point I was locked inside my car and once I was locked outside my car. If there was an emergency it could put mine and others safety at risk if the lock fails. The vehicle was inspected by Toyota who stated the actuators need to be replaced at $805 a piece and will not fix it themselves even though it is a known problem. This happened within the last month.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/02/2023

Rusted Frame and radiator support cross member!

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/28/2023

My 4 runner was hit on the passenger side while crossing a intersection. The truck that hit my 4 runner was going at least 40 miles per hr and was a heavy duty pickup truck. On impact the airbags did NOT deploy but the 4 runner went haywire.

STEERING — Filed 02/08/2023

Steering shudder at 58-70 MPH has become almost unbearable. No warning lights whatsoever - ever! Vehicle has had this issue since 30K miles (110K currently) and Toyota always is "unable to replicate the issue" or tells people this is common on the 4 Runners and Tacoma's. I won't go to dealers anymore since Toyota knows it's a problem and they direct the dealers not to report to keep the issue cluster diluted. Any visible wheel shake, no matter what speed should not be considered "common". Just replaced all 4 tires with Pirelli Scorpions, did the recommended Toyota road force balance and had everything aligned. Doesn't drive any differently than with the old tires and out of alignment. Perhaps if the Toyota brass had to drive their OWNfamily in this vehicle, they would take a different position. Guess it will unfortunately take some highway fatalities in these vehicles before manufacturer or governments act. I'm praying for a class-action suit as there are 1000s of 4 Runner customers experiencing the same issue. Many of whom have sold at a loss just to get away from an unsafe vehicle. First Toyota I've owned and it will be the last.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/01/2019

Three of the four locks do not work on a consistent basis. The fourth lock works on occasion. Neither the key fob or the actual key will open the doors on the vehicle. The front driver door lock was replaced while under warranty, but broke again in under a month. The front passenger door lock was replaced at an out of pocket cost, but it also in a stopped working in a matter of weeks. There are times when the only access to the vehicle is through the trunk. The safety for all passengers is at risk because you cannot enter the vehicle in case of emergency or even on a daily basis. Also, the locks may not work when you are inside the vehicle and need to exit. This is an extreme safety issue in case of emergency. The locks have been replaced twice and the dealer acknowledged there is an issue with this year and model. The locks were inspected by the Toyota dealership when they had to be replaced. It is a well known defect which is commented on countless vehicle websites. There were no warning messages, the locks just stopped working. The date listed below is an approximation. I am aware of the year.

STRUCTURE — Filed 06/09/2022

Noticed the frame on the passenger side of the vehicle is rusting and I’m concerned about a safety issue. I know there was a rust-related class action on earlier model Toyota’s. The rust is most prevalent on the solder joints, which has me concerned about driving safety.

SUSPENSION — Filed 03/30/2022

'The "KDSS" (kinetic dynamic suspension system) valve located on the frame under the driver's door had corroded to the point where the oil in the system had begun to leak out. The warning light did come on the dashboard days prior to the leak. Vehicle was taken to a Toyota dealership, where they assessed there was low pressure in the system. The service advisor advised that if the system loses all the fluid, the suspension and handling may be affected when steering or braking at high speeds or when making sharp turns.

STEERING — Filed 12/27/2021

Steering wheel shake and vibration at approximately 55-65mph. Alignment and multiple wheel balancing appointments have not fixed this problem.

SUSPENSION — Filed 09/22/2021

This is our third Toyota 4Runner with the "X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension System". There has been some type of failure of this system on all 3 of the 4Runners we have owned. The latest problem with this suspension system on our 2015 4Runner was discovered during a Toyota dealership service appointment at 42,091 miles. It was recommended the full X-REAS system, front and rear shocks with lines and actuators be completely replaced since both front shocks are leaking fluid at a cost of $4,000. Since this is our third 4Runner with this suspension and related problems it is our fear that this suspension system might fail when driving and possibly cause an incident with who knows what could happen. We have brought this to the attention of the Toyota Customer Experience Center and in communication with them they offered to minimally assist financially with repairs, but provided no acknowledgement as to our experience with three 4Runners and this problem plagued suspension system we have encountered. We declined their assistance since we felt repairing this system and possibly in two or three years being faced with similar repair bills it would be a waste of money on their part as well as ours. In the meantime we continue to drive this vehicle as we need it and we are hopeful that our safety will not be compromised.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 09/28/2021

Toyota 4 runner had a recall for the fuel pump. I have been having starting issues with it ever since. The power is good and the starter tries to turn the vehicle over. But the vehicle won't start. I have taken it to multiple locations for service through out the chicago land area. Also once the vehicle finally does start. The R.P.M.s will suddenly increase and decrease to the point that the vehicle turns off while in drive. I can provide print outs when the vehicle gets fixed, if ever. I purchased the vehicle as CPO.

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/24/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP ON A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO IMPACT THE VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULD AND BACK INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AS WELL AS WAS SOUGHT PHYSICAL AND CHIROPRACTIC THERAPY. THE CONTACT STATED THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BUT WAS UNAWARE IF ANYONE WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP TO HAVE REPAIRS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER NORTHTOWN TOYOTA (1135 MILLERSPORT HWY, AMHERST, NY 14226) WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 4 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 04/06/2019

MY HUSBAND PARKED THE CAR ON A HILL IN FRONT OF A GAS STATION AND I STAYED IN THE CAR SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT JUST ROLLED DOWN THE HILL, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TO A PARKED CAR GETTING GAS, I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AS IT ROLLED TOWARDS A GAS PUMP , SLAMMED ON TO PUMP GUARD. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT ME WHEN I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR.POLICE REPORT FILED

STRUCTURE — Filed 06/20/2018

I WAS LOADING ITEMS INTO THE REAR CARGO AREA OF MY 2015 4RUNNER WHICH WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STRUTS SUPPORTING THE REAR HATCH DOOR SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING THE HEAVY DOOR TO COME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD AND NECK, KNOCKING ME TO THE GROUND WITH THANKFULLY MINOR INJURY TO MY HEAD AND NECK.

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 02/03/2018

NOT SURE. WIFE WAS DRIVING 2015 4RUNNER INTO PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED AND IT JUMPED A TREE. NOT AT ALL SAYING IT IS A TOYOTA ISSUE - JUST TO BE ON SAFE SIDE REPORTING. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. UNDERSTANDING IS IT JUST ENDED UP THERE WHEN SHE WAS PARKING. EPIC PHOTO - ALL THE SAME - WORTH DOCUMENTING. SHE ADVISED SHE WAS STOPPED OR JUST STOPPED PRIOR TO THE TREE-CLIMB. PAX SIDE WAS DAUGHTER AND TAKING HER IN FOR MEDICAL TODAY DUE TO COMPLAINTS OF PAIN AND WEAKNESS. POLICE CAME BUT DID NOT ISSUE REPORT.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 07/10/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED FACE, NECK, SHOULDER, AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TR

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/04/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER SHOULDERS, NECK, BACK AND KNEES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT AN ENGINEER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/06/2015

VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW WITH 600 MILES ON IT. WIFE DRIVING AT SPEED OF 40 MPH, MAJOR SIDE IMPACT DAMAGE WITH OVER $9000 DAMAGE AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.. WONDERING WHY??

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/15/2015

1ST INCIDENT - REVERSING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT HOME, WANTED TO PULL UP SOME SO CHANGE THE GEAR TO DRIVE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO REVERSE BACKWARDS FOR A COUPLE OF FEET. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO HIT THE BRAKES AND STOP THE CAR AND IT EVENTUALLY STARTED DRIVING FORWARD. NO CRASH OCCURRED THIS TIME 2ND INCIDENT - 495 MILES ON THE CAR ON 3/21/15 REVERSING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT HOME, WANTED TO PULL UP SOME TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE CAR SO CHANGED THE GEAR TO DRIVE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO REVERSE BACKWARDS AT LEAST 3-4 FEET AND CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE. CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND HOUSE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 02/17/2015

MY FIANCE WAS DRIVING OUR DAUGHTER TO PRESCHOOL. SHE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TO HER RIGHT. SHE STOPPED FOR SOME PEDESTRIANS RIGHT BEFORE PULLING IN. TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE FENCE IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. *TR