NHTSA (USA)Critical
This page covers 8 recalls, 75 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 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
Electrical issues lead the complaint picture for the 2016 4Runner, with the backup camera being the most consistently described problem. Owners report the camera display going blank at random, not tied to any specific action like shifting or restarting, and several note the issue becoming more frequent over time, typically surfacing at higher mileage. Airbag-related complaints are the second most reported system, followed by suspension. A smaller number of owners describe hard starting, with some suspecting fuel delivery as the cause after ruling out the battery and alternator. Paint durability comes up in isolated reports, particularly clear coat peeling on horizontal panels like the hood and roof, though this appears in only a handful of filings rather than as a broad pattern.
75
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Toyota 4Runner has 8 recalls, the most serious involving the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator, which can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
All three airbag filings trace to the same Takata inflator problem. In the broadest group of affected vehicles, the inflator can rupture violently rather than deploying cleanly. A separate filing covers vehicles sold or registered in high-humidity states and territories, where moisture accelerating inflator degradation raises the same fragmentation risk. A third, narrower filing covers a specific 2016 4Runner built in November of that year, where the inflator may have been assembled without ignition booster tablets, meaning the airbag may not deploy with enough force in a crash to properly cushion an occupant.
Two recalls involve accessories that can shed pieces onto the road. On vehicles equipped with the TFORCE accessory package, the roof rack fasteners may not have been tightened fully, allowing the entire rack to detach while driving and become a hazard to other vehicles. On vehicles with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay, a securing nut can fracture and let the overlay fall away from the front of the vehicle at speed. There is also a concern for vehicles fitted with an accessory hood scoop, where the adhesive bond can weaken over time and release the scoop onto the road.
Two recalls involve load capacity labels on vehicles fitted with dealer-installed accessories. In both cases, the label listing the vehicle's remaining load-carrying capacity may not account for the weight of
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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 →
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
The bolts holding the aftermarket roof rack may not be tight enough, which could cause the rack to loosen or detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the roof rack bolts and tighten them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been manufactured without ignition booster tablets, causing the air bag to not fully inflate during a crash.
What the fix does
Toyota dealers replace the passenger side air bag module at no charge to restore proper air bag deployment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The weight capacity label on certain vehicles may show incorrect information about how much weight the tires can safely carry due to installed accessories.
What the fix does
Toyota will send owners a corrected label to place over the inaccurate one at no cost.
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.
