2008 Toyota 4Runner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Toyota 4Runner has a Complaint Index of 55 and ranks 10th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 96 complaints, 5 recalls, and 10 crashes tied to this year, with Transmission & Powertrain as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 4Runner years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 96
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15.5 city / 19.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2008 Toyota 4Runner problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report unintended acceleration where the vehicle sped up on its own despite braking, in one case leading to a collision.
- Owners describe front tire sidewall separation and blowouts at highway speed causing front-end damage.
- Several owners report the frontal airbag failed to deploy during a moderate-speed crash.
- Owners report smoke and a burning wire smell coming from the steering column area, in some cases traced to a failed wiper switch.
- One owner reported losing traction and stability control after a faulty gas cap triggered a check engine light, leading to loss of control on wet roads.
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 reliable?
- Compared to other 4Runner model years, the 2008 sits at 10th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 55 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota 4Runner?
- NHTSA complaints point to Transmission & Powertrain issues (28% of complaints) and Engine issues (25%) as the top problem areas, followed by Structure & Body and Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints.
- Does the 2008 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 4Runner, covering areas including engine accelerator pedal sticking, seat heater wiring, and tire/rim labeling compliance.
- What year Toyota 4Runner should I avoid instead of 2008?
- Among 4Runner years, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2023, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts with higher Complaint Index values than the 2008's 55, while 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2024 earn Best verdicts.