2017 Toyota 4Runner Complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/11/2026

The car was running while in park. Our son got and and shifted the car into reverse from the passenger seat. The gear shift will engage without applying the brake or even without running and in park. The car crashed into one of our other vehicles parked behind the 4 runner. There is a malfunction with the automatic shift locking mechanism otherwise known as the safety interlock.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 02/26/2026

For the 2nd time in 5 weeks, the main wiring harness and knock sensor have been eaten and destroyed by rodents. This has caused thousands of dollars worth of damage, and it's due to the soy based wiring used in the wiring harness. I cannot keep this vehicle outside for any period of time without the threat of the harnesses getting chewed.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/29/2025

I was driving on the highway with no one around me. Temperature was around 60 degrees at 7:15am. My sunroof glass shattered as if it was a gunshot and the glass was pointed outward. It terrified my special needs child and myself and took a while for her to calm down. I drove it home later and opened up the sunroof to shattered glass everywhere. I have looked online and it is a known defect. I have a dash cam as well.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 05/25/2025

2017 Toyota 4 runner SR5 While driving on the highway the vehicle stopped apparently the fuel pump stopped working and could not get going anymore. I had a mechanic come to the house with a PC and test it. He told me that’s a change that will need to take place in a garage. Luckily I was able to stop on the side and paid someone to bring car home

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 03/19/2025

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.

STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN — Filed 12/02/2024

Front struts are leaking which are causing the vehicle to drive inconsistently. The struts should not have to be replaced this soon when the vehicle is being used on normal condition roads. After researching, it appears this is a manufacturer, Toyota, issue, that is known, and Toyota should be issuing a recall for replacement due to the number of incidences that are known on the 4-Runner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/01/2018

I have owned my vehicle since 2017 and since then I have had to change the locks over 10 times. this has been ongoing since purchasing my car. Some were originally covered with the warranty but since it expired, i have paid dealerships out of pocket. I have a lock give out almost yearly. Right now my car has 3 of the 4 door locks not working and the 4th just started acting up as well. I have checked for recalls because it doesn't make sense that they would go out yearly and the dealerships have even told me there should be recalls because my year 4runner always has lock issues. my safety concern is my locks either have to stay unlocked or i risk locking my car completely and it not opening because the key will not unlock it. I have tried contacting Toyota and they have stated they cannot help so I am wanting to reach out to see if there is anything that can be done or if you can point me in the right direction on who i can reach out to . thank you

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 12/12/2022

Car Theft Brentwood

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 04/19/2022

Text sent to Toyota. Copy to NHTSA. Hello, my name is [XXX]. I am writing to both Toyota and NHTSA with what I perceive as a safety problem. I have owned three Toyotas including a 2017 4runner. I have been pleased with them except for one characteristic they all shared. The turn signal sound volume is just too low. My son's F-150 and my wife's Audi A4 both have very clear and distinct turn signal sounds that I can clearly hear over normal conversation or the radio playing. The Toyota does not. Why? In a nation with aging baby-boomers, whose hearing is diminishing, it would seem obvious that an adjustable turn signal volume control (with a minimum level) would be a much valued enhancement to any vehicle. When you consider that many of the electronic features of modern cars are never used, it strikes me as odd that no vehicle manufacturer has addressed this obvious problem. I have sent a copy of this text to the National Highway Safety Commission and several Toyota competitors in the hopes that someone will realize the potential for a very useful vehicle enhancement. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 02/17/2022

Failed brake master cylinder, this is still a rather new vehicle and the mechanics said this is unlikely in a new low mileage vehicle. I did research and this has only happened a few times, seems like a safety recall should be put in place.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/27/2021

While driving at full speed on the freeway, another vehicle stopped suddenly in front of me. My brake pedal was soft and went down almost to the floor. Rapid pulsing of brakes, as would be expected with the ABS (antilock brake system), did not occur. I pulled around to the shoulder and barely managed to stop in time to avoid a collision, which was quite a frightening experience. I have had a few similar incidents since then, and have noticed that the brake pedal is a bit soft until pumping the pedal a few times. A local dealer diagnosed the problem and said the "ABS actuator assembly" has failed and needs to be replaced. The part itself costs >$2900, making this with labor a ~$3800 repair. (please see attached) 1. This part is not subject to normal wear and tear. 2. Although beyond the 3/36 warranty, this vehicle is relatively new (2019) with only ~55K miles on it. This part should not fail after so relatively few miles. 3. Failure of this ABS part causes the entire brake system to fail, since the ABS is tied in to the brake system. 4. Failure of this part represents a severe hazard, risk, and safety concern, with significant potential to cause injury or death of driver/passengers/pedestrians, or persons in other vehicles. 5. The cost to repair this is not trivial and represents a major expense. I feel that in light of the above, Toyota should accept responsibility for failure of this part. Thank you, [XXX] San Diego INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS — Filed 07/01/2020

TRUCK SHIMMY'S WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER 50MPH. FRONT TIRES ARE DAMAGED FROM CUPPING. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE AS WELL AS TIRE ALIGNMENT AND ROTATION. DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE — Filed 06/20/2020

A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, DRIVING 50 MPH. PASSENGER SIDE HIT, ALL 8 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG UNDER STEERING WHEEL, CUT UP MY LEGS HORRIBLY, VERY SWOLLEN, REFUSED HOSPITAL DUE TO COVID 19 FEAR. THE AIRBAGS CUT UP MY LEFT ARM AND MY DAUGHTER'S RIGHT ARM(SHE WAS PASSENGER). VERY HAPPY THAT WE WERE SAFE, BUT THE SERIOUS CUTS ON MY BODY SEEMED QUITE SEVERE FOR THE HIT WHICH WAS ON PASSENGER SIDE AND BY A DEER.

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/08/2018

ABOUT A YEAR AFTER OWNING MY MAGNETIC GRAY 4RUNNER I STARTED NOTICING FLAWS ON MY HOOD AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE ALMOST LIKE THE CLEAR COAT WAS BUBBLING UP. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE DEALERSHIP DURING A ROUTINE VISIT AND THE SUPERVISOR SAID IT WILL BE NOTED IN THE VEHICLES RECORD. I ROUTINELY WASH MY VEHICLE AND DO NOT LET ANYTHING SIT ON MY VEHICLE SUCH AS SAP OR BIRD DROPPINGS AND THE VEHICLE IS IN A GARAGE. IT IS NOW A YEAR LATER AND I AM NOTICING MORE SPOTS. KNOWING NOW THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD ISSUES BEFORE WITH DEFECTIVE CLEAR COAT ON THEIR VEHICLES I AM WONDERING IF THEIR IS ANYTHING I CAN DO OTHER THAN TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAINTED.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 02/25/2020

I WAS DRIVING MY 4 RUNNER DOWN THE THREE LANE CITY ROAD DOING ABOUT 40-45 MPS WHEN MY NAVIGATION SCREEN SHUT OFF AND TRIED TO RECONNECT TO MY PHONE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN A MATTER OF 5-7 MINUTES. SINCE I WAS DRIVING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH EITHER MY PHONE OR MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM. IT ACTED AS IT IF WAS JUST TRYING TO RECONNECT TO MY PHONE WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY TURNING OFF AND REBOOTING AS IF I WAS JUST STARTING THE CAR .THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON TO A VERY BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD WHEN IN MID TURN, IT FELT LIKE I HAD LOST POWER STEERING. I CHECKED THE DASHBOARD FOR ANY WARNING LIGHTS AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THERE WAS NO POWER OF ANY SORTS TO MY 4 RUNNER NOR WAS THERE ANY WARNING LIGHTS. I WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO PUT MY FLASHERS ON TO WARN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER WHEN I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. IT SMELT LIKE BURNT PLASTIC. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR WHEN TRAFFIC PERMITTED AND WENT TO CALL A TOW TRUCK WHEN MY 4 RUNNER STARTED SMOKING VERY HEAVILY FROM UNDER THE HOOD WITH IN A TWO TO THREE MINUTE TIME FRAME. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND THEY DISPATCHED A FIRE TRUCK AND POLICE TO THE SCENE WHERE , UPON ARRIVAL, THE FRONT OF MY 4 RUNNER WAS COMPLETELY COVERED IN FLAMES WITHIN A MATTER OF 5-7 MINUTES SINCE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER . THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BLOCKED OFF THE ROAD AND PUT OUT THE VEHICLE FIRE. THE FIREMAN SAID THAT HE BELIEVED FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE BLOCK DUE WHERE IT APPEARED THE FIRE STARTED AND HOW IT BURNED.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/30/2019

WEIR SOUND ON PASSENGER SIDE (UNDER THE HOOD )WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST MOVING . ONLY ONE TIME BUT IT HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER VEHICLE PARKED AND TURN OFF ENGINE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 11/20/2019

AC BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/05/2019

PEELING STEERING WHEEL ON IT'S OWN. NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. NO RINGS, SUNSCREEN, LOTION OR CLEANERS USED. CAUSES LOSS OF GRIP OF WHEEL AND CONTINUED DETERIORATION ALTERS STEEERING WHEEL. THERE IS A CHANGE.ORG PETITION.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/22/2019

ON 7/22/2019, OUR 4RUNNER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY. SPEED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT WAS APPROXIMATELY 55MPG AFTER HARD BRAKING FROM APPROXIMATELY 65MPH. NONE OF THE 4RUNNER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS DESTROYED. SEE PHOTOS.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/10/2018

IN MOTION, FROM STREET TURNING INTO STORE PARKING LOT, BRAKES FADED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. LIFTED OFF AND APPLIED PEDAL TO STOP. NO LEAKS, PLENTY OF FLUID. I WILL CHECK WITH ANOTHER DEALER. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW CASES OF THIS ON THE T4R FORUMS. DEALERS CAN NOT DUPLICATE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER FOR. OPINIONS ARE ELECTRICAL ANTILOCK ISSUES.? (THERE IS NO AIR IN LINES, NO LEAKS AND NO CODES)

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/06/2018

WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES WITH FULL FORCE WHILE DRIVING; THE BRAKES LOCK UP FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WITH HARD FORCE AT SPEEDS AT AROUND 35 MPH OR HIGHER. LUCKILY I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND CAR HANDLER AND WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICK ENOUGH TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE ONE TIME WHEN I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES HARD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN A CAR SWERVED IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY. I HAVE SINCE DONE MANY TESTS ON THIS VEHICLE MYSELF AND CONCLUDED THAT ONE WHEEL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCKING UP WHICH IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO QUICKLY AND VIOLENTLY SWERVE. THE TEST I DID WAS TO APPLY THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT GRASSY FIELD AT 35 MPH. THE GRASS IN THE FIELD HAD BEEN CUT A FEW DAYS EARLIER AND WAS AT A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 4 INCHES AND DRY, THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS 82 DEGREES F. AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD, I WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE AND GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THERE WAS CLEARLY A PATCH OF GROUND THE SAME WIDTH AS THE TIRE, EXPOSED DOWN TO ABOUT ONE INCH BELOW SURFACE WITH NO GRASS, WHERE THE ONE WHEEL THAT LOCKED UP, SKIDDED AND RIPPED THE GRASS AND DIRT UP. I HAVE DONE THIS TEST MULTIPLE TIMES AND BASED ON MY RESULTS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT ONE WHEEL ON THE LEFT SIDE IS LOCKING UP. I DID NOT THAT IF I REPEAT THE TEST SEVERAL TIMES BACK TO BACK, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO CORRECT ITSELF AT TIMES. BUT ALWAYS ON THE INITIAL TEST, THE LOCK UP OCCURS. I HAVE HAD IT TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS AND THEY BOTH TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKES ARE WORKING AS DESIGNED. IF YES, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL, AND I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES FOR THIS 4RUNNER MODEL YEARS.

SEATS — Filed 04/30/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED AND MADE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AVONDALE TOYOTA (10005 WEST PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, (844) 610-894) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME//SUPPORT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANDERSON TOYOTA (6510 SHOWPLACE AVE, LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ 86404, (928) 764-2886), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ADJUST THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1806083099, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. *TT UPDATED 9/25/18

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 04/21/2018

TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL SOMETHING TO ADD SUPPORT TO MAYBE GRILL OF THE VEHICLE ON 21ST OF APRIL. SAT IN WAITING ROOM FOR 2 HOURS, SERVICE GUY, BRANDON(VERY NICE GUY AND THIS IS NOT HIS FAULT), CAME OUT AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD NEED TO PRICE ME A NEW GRILL, BECAUSE ONE I HAVE DON'T SUPPORT THE RECALL. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO, WHEN THERE IS A RECALL. WHEN YOU GET A RECALL IT'S TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE IF MY CAR NEEDS A NEW GRILL TO SUPPORT WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, THEN DEALERSHIP SHOULD PAY FOR WHATEVER IT IS TO FIX THE RECALL. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS IS FROM THE DEALERSHIP.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 04/24/2018

TOYOTA ENTUNE (IPHONE APP) WILL NOT PAIR WITH YOUR PHONE OR DISCONNECTS DURING USE BECAUSE APP DOES NOT MAINTAIN THE USER'S LOGIN CREDENTIALS. THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN THE VEHICLE'S ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND PHONE IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT, SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM WON'T WORK WITHOUT THE PHONE'S APP RUNNING AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL - SOMETIMES IT WON'T WORK EVEN WHEN THE APP IS RUNNING. OFTEN, WHEN THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM FAILS TO CONNECT IT STOPS FUNCTIONING AND POPS UP MESSAGES THAT REQUIRE USER INPUT WHILE DRIVING. MANY TIMES THE PHONE APPEARS TO BE CONNECTED UNTIL AFTER YOU START DRIVING AND THEN THE SYSTEM ASKS FOR INPUT (WHICH YOU MUST DO ON YOUR PHONE, NOT THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM'S SCREEN). THE WHOLE POINT OF CONNECTING YOUR PHONE WITH THE VEHICLE'S ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM IS TO ELIMINATE THE NEED TO USE YOUR PHONE WHILE DRIVING, SO A SEAMLESS CONNECTION WITHOUT UNNECESSARY USER INPUT IS IMPERATIVE TO SAFE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. THIS IS ADMITTEDLY A RELATIVELY MINOR SAFETY CONCERN, HOWEVER A FIX WOULD BE REMARKABLY EASY TO ACHIEVE AND WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS REDUCING DRIVER DISTRACTION. TOYOTA VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS FUNCTIONALITY FOR MANY YEARS (SEE APPLE APP STORE REVIEWS FOR TOYOTA ENTUNE), BUT, DESPITE MULTIPLE REQUESTS, TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY HAS REPEATEDLY IGNORED THEIR CUSTOMERS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ACROSS MULTIPLE VEHICLES IN THE TOYOTA LINEUP, BUT I AM ONLY FAMILIAR WITH THE IPHONE APP, SO I'M NOT SURE IF IT ALSO EXISTS WITH OTHER PHONES. THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED CONSISTENTLY SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A YEAR AGO AND PERSISTS DESPITE KEEPING BOTH PHONE SOFTWARE AND VEHICLE FIRMWARE UPDATED.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/02/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS LOCATED AT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS, THE REAR CURTAIN AIR BAGS LOCATED AT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR, AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AIR BAGS ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND WHEEL WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BURNS ON THE LEFT ARM DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,800.