Toyota 4Runner Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Toyota 4Runner years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2023, and 2025, based on NHTSA complaint index and recalls. Best years are 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2024, each with a complaint index of 20 or below. The 2006 model has the highest complaint index at 100, driven largely by structure and body complaints.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2023Avoid 2025Best 2013Best 2017Best 2021Best 2024
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,124
- Recall campaigns
- 36
- Crashes reported
- 142
- Fires reported
- 26
- Top problem area
- Structure & Body
4Runner Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Toyota 4Runner problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 90 | 425 | 19 | 3 | 5 | Structure & Body | 16.5 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 100 | 381 | 28 | 3 | 5 | Structure & Body | 16.5 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 60 | 154 | 7 | 3 | 5 | Structure & Body | 17 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 55 | 96 | 10 | 2 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 10 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 85 | 145 | 6 | 2 | 12 | Airbags | 19 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 80 | 163 | 4 | 1 | 10 | Airbags | 19 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 50 | 96 | 5 | 1 | 8 | Airbags | 19 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 0 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Airbags | 18 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Good | 30 | 77 | 5 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 65 | 86 | 10 | 0 | 9 | Airbags | 18 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 45 | 79 | 6 | 1 | 8 | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 15 | 36 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Brakes | 18 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Good | 25 | 58 | 7 | 1 | 5 | Steering | 18 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Good | 40 | 65 | 5 | 1 | 4 | Fuel System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 35 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 17 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Best | 20 | 36 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Steering | 17 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 70 | 39 | 5 | 1 | 3 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 17 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 75 | 32 | 6 | 1 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 17 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Best | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 17 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 95 | 57 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Brakes | 22 | 4★ |
4Runner years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Toyota 4Runner Index 100 · 381 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2006 4Runner ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and 381 complaints. Structure & Body problems are the top issue at 39 percent, median mileage 125,000, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 21 percent, median mileage 118,200. Owners report steering that caused fishtailing and rollovers, transmission jerking that led to loss of control, and airbags that failed to deploy in low-speed collisions. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns, including the same seat heater and airbag control module issues affecting nearby model years.
2006 structure & body problems →2006 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2006 brakes problems →
2025 Toyota 4Runner Index 95 · 57 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 4Runner has the second-highest complaint index at 95, from 57 complaints. Brakes are the top problem area at 40 percent, median mileage 400, followed by Electrical System issues at 14 percent, median mileage 700. Owners report unintended acceleration while parking, a vehicle fire starting from the rear cargo area, and brakes that failed to stop the vehicle despite pedal pressure. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign, an instrument panel software update.
2005 Toyota 4Runner Index 90 · 425 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2005 4Runner has a complaint index of 90 with 425 total complaints. Structure & Body issues make up 45 percent of complaints for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 126,500. Suspension, Wheels & Tires problems account for 22 percent, median mileage 106,000. Owners describe brake failures leading to crashes and airbags that failed to deploy in front collisions. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including an airbag control module replacement and an accelerator pedal fix shared with other Toyota models.
2005 structure & body problems →2005 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2005 engine problems →
2010 Toyota 4Runner Index 85 · 145 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2010 4Runner has a complaint index of 85 across 145 complaints. Airbags dominate the complaint mix at 63 percent, median mileage 75,000. Owners describe brakes that failed to engage during stops and airbags that did not deploy in wrecks, including one rollover at 40 mph. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this year, more than any other 4Runner year, covering multiple airbag inflator replacement programs that ran for several years after the vehicle's release.
2010 airbags problems →2010 brakes problems →2010 structure & body problems →
2011 Toyota 4Runner Index 80 · 163 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2011 4Runner carries a complaint index of 80 with 163 complaints. Airbags are the dominant problem area at 69 percent, median mileage 62,500. Owners report tie rod and wheel fractures leading to loss of control, brakes not responding across repeated incidents, and airbags failing to deploy in rear-end and head-on collisions. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this year, including airbag inflator replacements and a hood scoop adhesive fix.
2023 Toyota 4Runner Index 75 · 32 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2023 4Runner has a complaint index of 75 from 32 complaints. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues lead at 19 percent, median mileage 11,501.5, followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems at 13 percent, median mileage 700. Owners describe a rollover where seat belts unbuckled simultaneously, brakes that stiffened and failed to slow the vehicle, and airbags that did not deploy in collisions despite the assisted braking system not activating. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign, for an incorrect load carrying capacity label.
Most common Toyota 4Runner problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Structure & Body493 (23%)
- Airbags406 (19%)
- Other328 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires307 (14%)
- Brakes241 (11%)
- Engine233 (11%)
- Electrical System171 (8%)
- Steering152 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain141 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers84 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Toyota 4Runner should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 4Runner years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2023, and 2025. The 2006 model has the highest complaint index at 100, and 2010 has the most recall campaigns at 12.
- What are the best Toyota 4Runner years?
- The 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2024 4Runner years rank best, with complaint indexes of 0, 15, 20, and 5 respectively, the lowest among all 21 model years covered.
- Is the 2006 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
- The 2006 4Runner has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 381 total complaints. Structure & Body problems account for 39 percent of those complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 125,000.
- Does the 2010 Toyota 4Runner have airbag recalls?
- Yes. The 2010 4Runner has 12 recall campaigns, several covering airbag inflator replacements, and airbags account for 63 percent of its 145 complaints.
- Is the 2025 Toyota 4Runner having problems?
- The 2025 4Runner has a complaint index of 95 from 57 complaints, with brakes making up 40 percent of them. NHTSA has issued 1 recall campaign for this year so far.