2012 Toyota 4Runner Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 4Runner years
The 2012 Toyota 4Runner has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 96 complaints, 8 recalls, 5 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries, with airbags accounting for 73% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 96
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22 hwy
Top 2012 Toyota 4Runner problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags70 (73%)
- Brakes7 (7%)
- Engine7 (7%)
- Electrical System6 (6%)
- Fuel System6 (6%)
- Other6 (6%)
- Steering5 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during crashes, including one case where a passenger was injured after a slide into a tree in snowy conditions.
- Owners describe brakes that feel like the vehicle sped up or slipped when stopping, including a case where the vehicle moved forward after coming to a stop.
- One owner reported a fire with smoke and heat near the feet, along with a loud pop before flames appeared near the front passenger side.
- A fuel pump reportedly disintegrated, causing the vehicle to lose power and stall at 50 mph.
- Several owners noted delays getting the Takata airbag recall parts, with backordered inflators pushing repairs out for months.
- An electrical issue was reported where a buzzing sound near the rear wheels continued after the vehicle was parked, suspected to be a fuel pump running.
2012 Toyota 4Runner recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V741000Oct 17, 2019Airbags928,220 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
- NHTSA 19V005000Jan 9, 2019Airbags1,299,448 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
- NHTSA 17V425000Jul 3, 2017Other3,547 vehicles
Equipment
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
2012 Toyota 4Runner fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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.
2012 compared with other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 4Runner a Complaint Index of 60, ranking it 7th worst among 16 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict relative to other 4Runner years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2012 Toyota 4Runner?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 70 of 96 complaints (73%), with a median failure mileage of 60,500 miles.
- Does the 2012 Toyota 4Runner have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag-related recalls covering the 2012 4Runner, including campaigns 19V741000, 19V005000, and 17V006000 tied to Takata inflators.
- How many recalls and complaints does the 2012 Toyota 4Runner have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 96 owner complaints for the 2012 4Runner, with 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 9 injuries reported.
- How does the 2012 4Runner compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 60 is better than 2011 (87, Avoid) and 2010 (73, Caution) but worse than 2013 (0, Best) and 2017 (13, Best).