2008 Toyota 4Runner Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
55/100
#10 most-complained of 21 4Runner years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Toyota 4Runner has 96 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 55 out of 100 — #10 highest of 21 4Runner model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is transmission & powertrain (27 complaints, 28% of the total). Complaints report 10 crashes, 2 fires, and 9 injuries.
- Complaints
- 96
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15.5 city / 19.5 hwy
Top 2008 Toyota 4Runner problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain27 (28%)
- Engine24 (25%)
- Structure & Body17 (18%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (17%)
- Brakes15 (16%)
- Other12 (13%)
- Electrical System5 (5%)
- Steering5 (5%)
- Airbags4 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (4%)
2008 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 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
- 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.
2008 Toyota 4Runner fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 19.5 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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.
2008 compared with other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Toyota 4Runner a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Toyota 4Runner ranks #10 of 21 among 4Runner model years (Complaint Index 55/100, verdict: Caution). It has 96 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 2008 Toyota 4Runner?
- The most reported problem areas are transmission & powertrain (27 complaints), engine (24 complaints), and structure & body (17 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 53,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota 4Runner, most recently reported 2016, covering structure & body, engine, and other.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Toyota 4Runner?
- EPA rates the 2008 Toyota 4Runner at 17 MPG combined (15.5 city / 19.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.