Toyota 4runner Recalls

The Toyota 4Runner has 40 recalls spanning 1989 through 2026, with the most serious recent issue being a Takata passenger-side airbag inflator defect on 2010-2016 models where the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.

The 2025 model year has a recall where the instrument panel display can fail to show critical driving information. The 2022 model year, on vehicles with accessory fog lights installed by Southeast Toyota distributors, may have an inoperable driver's side high beam that reduces visibility at night. On 2018-2019 models, certain steering and suspension fasteners may not have been properly tightened during installation, which can cause loss of vehicle control or allow a component to detach and become a road hazard. The 2018-2019 model years also have a fuel pump defect where the pump can fail and stall the engine while driving.

The Takata airbag inflator issue spans 2010-2016 models and was addressed through multiple recall campaigns over several years, as earlier repair attempts did not fully resolve the scope of the problem. Vehicles in high-humidity regions are at elevated risk. A separate airbag inflator issue on a single 2016 model involves an inflator that may have been assembled without ignition booster tablets, which can cause the airbag to inflate improperly in a crash. On 2016-2017 models equipped with the TFORCE accessory package, roof rack fasteners may loosen and allow the rack to detach while driving. The 2015-2018 model years with an accessory billet grille overlay have a U-nut that can fracture and let the overlay separate from the vehicle at speed. A remote engine starter module on certain 2012 models can disrupt the vehicle's communication network and disable anti-lock brakes and stability control without warning. On 2011-2016 models with accessory hood scoops, the adhesive can weaken and allow the scoop to detach and become a road hazard.

Going further back, 2005-2011 models equipped with aftermarket seat heaters installed by Southeast Toyota distributors have a copper heating element that can short circuit and start a fire. The 2004-2006 model years have a side curtain airbag that can deploy unexpectedly without a crash, raising the risk of occupant injury. The 2003 model year has two fuel system issues: a pulsation damper diaphragm that can fail and leak fuel near heat sources, creating a fire risk in the engine compartment, and a floor mat that can trap the accelerator pedal in the wide-open position, making the vehicle difficult to slow or stop. The 2001 model year has a front lower ball joint that can wear excessively and separate from the steering knuckle, causing sudden loss of steering control.

The 1996 model year has a suspension-related stability issue where heavy loading combined with hard steering maneuvers can cause the vehicle to lose directional control. The 1990 model year has a steering relay rod that can develop a fatigue crack from repeated full-lock steering inputs and eventually fracture, eliminating steering control. The 1989 model year has a corrosion advisory for vehicles operated in high road-salt areas of certain Canadian provinces.

Several recalls across 2015-2026 model years involve load carrying capacity labels installed by regional distributors that are either incorrect, illegible, or missing, which can lead to unintentional overloading. A 2017 model year recall covers