NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 8 recalls, 86 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Toyota 4runner.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2015 4Runner, the loudest complaint theme involves the airbag system, where multiple owners report that front airbags failed to deploy during front-end collisions. Suspension complaints come in close behind, with owners describing sudden and severe steering difficulty, several report the wheel becoming extremely hard to turn with little or no warning, making the vehicle hard to control. The electrical system draws an equal number of complaints, though those reports are more scattered in nature. A smaller but notable cluster describes the engine stalling at various speeds, with owners saying the vehicle would restart on its own after sitting for roughly 10 minutes. The stalling reports don't point to a single consistent trigger, but the pattern shows up across more than one owner account.
86
Total Complaints
10
Crash-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Toyota 4Runner has 8 recalls, the most serious involving a passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, and a fuel pump that can fail and stall the engine while driving.
The airbag issue is part of the well-known Takata inflator problem and appears across two separate recall campaigns covering different geographic scopes and model year ranges, but the danger is the same: the inflator can rupture with enough force to seriously injure or kill occupants. The fuel pump defect can cause the engine to cut out without warning at any speed, leaving the driver without power in traffic.
Several other recalls involve dealer-installed accessories that can detach from the vehicle while driving. A billet grille overlay secured by a U-nut that can fracture may fall off and become a hazard in the road. Similarly, an adhesive-mounted hood scoop can lose its bond and separate from the hood, creating the same road hazard risk. Both of these are specific to vehicles where those accessories were installed by Southeast Toyota distributors or their dealers.
On the labeling side, certain vehicles fitted with Gulf States Toyota accessories may carry a load capacity label showing incorrect weight figures, which could lead an owner to unknowingly overload the vehicle. Finally, accessory exhaust tips installed by Southeast Toyota dealers sit close enough to the ground and rear of the vehicle that a person standing behind the car can make contact with the hot metal and be burned.
At a glance
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially affecting fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Driver or passenger front airbag inflators previously replaced under an earlier recall may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, high temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected front airbag inflator, assembly, or sub-assembly depending on vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly depending on your vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The U-nut securing the Billet Grille Overlay may crack, causing the overlay to separate from the front of the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the U-nuts with upgraded hardware at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The adhesive bonding certain aftermarket hood scoops to the hood may weaken over time, causing the scoop to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will mechanically fasten the hood scoop to the hood using mechanical fasteners instead of adhesive.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Aftermarket exhaust tips installed by the distributor may extend too far and contact people standing behind the vehicle, potentially causing burns.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the exhaust tip with a redesigned smaller version that sits further back behind the bumper.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The weight label for aftermarket accessories installed on your 4Runner may show incorrect added weight, causing the vehicle to not meet tire and rim safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a corrected label at no charge to accurately reflect the weight of your installed accessories.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Accessory exhaust tips installed on certain 4Runner vehicles may protrude and contact people standing behind the vehicle, potentially causing burns.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the exhaust tip with a redesigned, smaller-diameter version that sits more recessed behind the bumper.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.