2005 Toyota 4Runner Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
90/100
#3 most-complained of 21 4Runner years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Toyota 4Runner has 425 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 90 out of 100 — #3 highest of 21 4Runner model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is structure & body (191 complaints, 45% of the total). Complaints report 19 crashes, 3 fires, and 13 injuries.
- Complaints
- 425
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 19 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 15 city / 18.5 hwy
Top 2005 Toyota 4Runner problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body191 (45%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires92 (22%)
- Other68 (16%)
- Engine56 (13%)
- Brakes36 (8%)
- Steering29 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers25 (6%)
- Airbags19 (4%)
- Electrical System9 (2%)
2005 Toyota 4Runner recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 16V065000Feb 5, 2016Airbags320,409 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.
- NHTSA 11V113000Feb 24, 2011Engine1,363,244 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Remedy: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early april 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any toyota all-weather floor mat. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
2005 Toyota 4Runner fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 MPG
- Combined
- 16.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,925
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Toyota 4Runner a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Toyota 4Runner ranks #3 of 21 among 4Runner model years (Complaint Index 90/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 425 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota 4Runner?
- The most reported problem areas are structure & body (191 complaints), suspension, wheels & tires (92 complaints), and engine (56 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 105,425 miles.
- Does the 2005 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, most recently reported 2016, covering structure & body, airbags, engine, and other.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Toyota 4Runner?
- EPA rates the 2005 Toyota 4Runner at 16.5 MPG combined (15 city / 18.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,925. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.