2016 Toyota 4Runner Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 4Runner years
The 2016 Toyota 4Runner has a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Caution" verdict. NHTSA lists 79 complaints, 8 recalls, and 6 crashes, with Electrical System issues the top problem area at 24% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 79
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 17 city / 21 hwy
Top 2016 Toyota 4Runner problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System19 (24%)
- Other17 (22%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (15%)
- Airbags10 (13%)
- Structure & Body9 (11%)
- Engine8 (10%)
- Brakes6 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (8%)
- Fuel System4 (5%)
- Steering4 (5%)
What owners report
- Electrical wiring, including wiring connected to the drivetrain, has been reported as chewed or damaged, disabling four-wheel drive shortly after purchase.
- Owners report a burning electrical smell accompanied by a seat warmer that overheated without the switch being turned on, followed by visible smoke.
- Suspension components produce clunking noises over potholes and bumps.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in moderate-speed collisions, including a highway impact and a side-impact crash.
- Exterior clear coat has been reported peeling starting at the tailgate and spreading to the hood and roof.
- Brakes have been reported to lock up suddenly at highway speed, pulling the vehicle to one side before the pedal briefly went to the floor.
2016 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 17V763000Nov 29, 2017Structure & Body431 vehicles
Structure:body:hood
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17C.
2016 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.
2016 compared with other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
- Compared with other 4Runner model years, 2016 ranks 8th worst out of 16 with a Complaint Index of 53 and a "Caution" verdict, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
- NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints lead at 24% of the total (19 of 79 complaints), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 15% and Airbags at 13%.
- Does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner have a Takata airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 19V005000 covers 2014-2016 4Runner vehicles for front passenger air bag inflator replacement, and recall 19V741000 also covers airbag inflator issues for 2010-2016 4Runners.
- How many complaints and recalls does the 2016 4Runner have?
- NHTSA lists 79 complaints, 8 recalls, 6 crashes, 1 fire, and 6 injuries for the 2016 4Runner, with a median mileage at failure of 25,000 miles.
- Which 4Runner model years should be avoided?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2011 (Complaint Index 87), 2022 (80), 2023 (93), and 2025 (100) carry "Avoid" verdicts, while 2016 falls into the "Caution" category.