Toyota 4Runner: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
4,409 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Toyota 4Runner, model years 2000 to 2026. No model year stands out for the engine or transmission against the others. Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2009, 2013, 2017. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 4Runner | 483 | — | 2 | |
| 2001 4Runner | 185 | — | 3 | |
| 2002 4Runner | 225 | — | 3 | |
| 2003 4Runner | 694 | — | 3 | |
| 2004 4Runner | 677 | — | 2 | |
| 2005 4Runner | 425 | — | 5 | |
| 2006 4Runner | 380 | — | 5 | |
| 2007 4Runner | 154 | — | 5 | |
| 2008 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 96 | — | 5 | |
| 2009 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 22 | quiet: 1 of 20 | 6 | |
| 2010 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 147 | — | 12 | |
| 2011 4Runner | 163 | — | 10 | |
| 2012 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 96 | — | 8 | |
| 2013 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 36 | quiet: 2 of 20 | 6 | |
| 2014 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 77 | quiet: 6 of 20 | 7 | |
| 2015 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 87 | — | 9 | |
| 2016 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 81 | quiet: 7 of 20 | 8 | |
| 2017 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 36 | quiet: 3 of 20 | 5 | |
| 2018 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 60 | quiet: 4 of 20 | 5 | |
| 2019 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 65 | quiet: 5 of 20 | 4 | |
| 2020 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 33 | — | 1 | |
| 2021 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 36 | — | 1 | |
| 2022 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 39 | — | 3 | |
| 2023 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 33 | — | 1 | |
| 2024 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 10 | — | 1 | |
| 2025 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 61 | — | 1 | |
| 2026 4RunnerFEW REPORTS | 8 | — | 2 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
Check your 4Runner at your mileage
The verdict depends on where your mileage sits against the mileages owners reported. Pick your year and mileage: free, no sign-up.
Other Toyota models
Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 200020012002200320042005200620072011