YearToAvoid

2016 Toyota 4Runner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2016 Toyota 4Runner has 79 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 45, and 8 recall campaigns, earning a Caution verdict ranked 12th worst among 21 model years. Electrical system issues, especially rodent-damaged wiring harnesses, are the top complaint area.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
45/100
#12 of 21 4Runner years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
79
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
8
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
6
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
17 city / 21 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2016 Toyota 4Runner problems

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

  1. Electrical System19 (24%)
  2. Other17 (22%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (15%)
  4. Airbags10 (13%)
  5. Structure & Body9 (11%)
  6. Engine8 (10%)
  7. Brakes6 (8%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain6 (8%)
  9. Fuel System4 (5%)
  10. Steering4 (5%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners report rodents chewing through engine and wiring harnesses, some describing a soy-based wire coating that attracts them.
  • Rodent damage has disabled four-wheel drive and dropped the engine to running on fewer cylinders, triggering the check engine light.
  • Some owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, including one where the vehicle was not driveable afterward.
  • A TRD Pro owner reports front shocks making a clunking noise in cold temperatures below 40 degrees.
  • One owner reports a lack of throttle response when making turns or accelerating from a stop on an incline.
  • An owner reports an electrical burning smell and a hot seat-warmer switch that was not switched on, followed by smoke.
2016 Toyota 4Runner complaints: complaints filed per quarter62016 Q22017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32021 Q42023 Q42025 Q3
79 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q4 (6).

2016 Toyota 4Runner recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 8 recalls for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner →

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

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
2014Good3077718
2015Caution6586918
2016Caution4579818
2017Best1536518
2018Good2558518

All Toyota 4Runner years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
NHTSA lists 79 complaints and a complaint index of 45 for the 2016 4Runner, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 12th worst out of 21 model years for this model, so it is not among the better years but also not among the worst.
What is the top problem area for the 2016 4Runner?
Electrical System complaints lead with 19 complaints, 24% of the total, including one fire. Median mileage at failure for this area is 13,500 miles.
Does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 4Runner, covering airbags and accessory items like grille overlays, hood scoops, and roof racks. None are do-not-drive recalls.
Why is the 2016 4Runner rated Caution instead of a better verdict?
The verdict is capped to Caution because of the 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, despite a moderate complaint index of 45.
What year Toyota 4Runner should I avoid instead of 2016?
Among other years, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2023, and 2025 carry an Avoid verdict with higher complaint indexes than the 2016 model's 45.

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.