YearToAvoid

2014 Toyota 4Runner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2014 Toyota 4Runner has a complaint index of 30, ranking 15th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other 4Runner years. NHTSA lists 77 complaints, 7 recalls, and 5 crashes tied to this year, with Electrical System issues the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
30/100
#15 of 21 4Runner years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
77
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
7
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
17 city / 21 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2014 Toyota 4Runner problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System24 (31%)
  2. Other12 (16%)
  3. Fuel System10 (13%)
  4. Airbags8 (10%)
  5. Structure & Body8 (10%)
  6. Engine7 (9%)
  7. Steering7 (9%)
  8. Brakes5 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Driver or passenger side airbags reportedly failed to deploy during crashes.
  • Steering wheel vibration or flutter reported at highway speeds above 60 mph.
  • Owners describe unintended acceleration while in reverse with brakes failing to stop the vehicle.
  • Some owners reported mold growth inside the HVAC system causing illness.
  • Windshield reported to cause eye strain, dizziness, and headaches on long drives, with the issue persisting after replacement.
  • Rodent damage to electrical wiring triggered warning lights in at least one case.
2014 Toyota 4Runner complaints: complaints filed per quarter82013 Q42015 Q42017 Q32018 Q42020 Q32021 Q42023 Q32026 Q3
77 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q2 (8).

2014 Toyota 4Runner recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V012000Jan 13, 2020Fuel System1,830,752 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. 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 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 7 recalls for the 2014 Toyota 4Runner →

2014 Toyota 4Runner fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
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.

2014 compared with other 4Runner years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Caution5096819
2013Best036618
2014Good3077718
2015Caution6586918
2016Caution4579818

All Toyota 4Runner years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
Compared with other 4Runner model years, 2014 ranks 15th worst out of 21 with a complaint index of 30, which earns a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 77 complaints and 7 recalls for this year.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Toyota 4Runner?
Electrical System issues make up 31% of complaints, followed by Fuel System at 13% and Airbags at 10%, based on NHTSA data.
Does the 2014 Toyota 4Runner have an airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 19V005000 covers 2014-2016 4Runners for front passenger air bag inflator replacement, and recall 19V741000 covers a separate front driver/passenger inflator issue on 2010-2016 4Runners.
How does the 2014 4Runner compare to other years?
The 2014 model's complaint index of 30 is far below the worst years, such as 2006 at 100 and 2005 at 90, both rated Avoid. The best-rated years, like 2013 and 2017, carry complaint indexes of 0 and 15.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Toyota 4Runner?
EPA rates the 2014 4Runner at 18 mpg combined (17 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.