YearToAvoid

2016 Toyota 4Runner Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 19 Electrical System complaints for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner, 24% of its 79 total complaints for the year, with median failure mileage of 13,500. No related recall exists for this issue. Rodent-damaged soy-based wiring is the most frequent pattern.

Electrical System complaints
19
24% of 79
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
13,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners report rodents chewing through soy-based engine and main wiring harnesses, causing check engine lights, misfiring, or a vehicle stuck at a dealership for repairs.
  • Some drivers describe sudden loss of power to the radio, USB ports, blower motor, and dash cluster while driving at highway speed, later traced to a loose or broken battery mount.
  • Several complaints describe the rearview camera cutting out and the screen going black.
  • Owners report door lock actuators failing on the driver or passenger side, preventing remote locking and unlocking.
  • One driver reported a burning electrical smell and a hot seat-warmer switch that was not turned on, with smoke following.
  • Some owners say low-beam headlights produce too little light for nighttime driving, forcing reliance on high beams or aftermarket lights.

When 2016 Toyota 4Runner electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 30, 2016, latest Feb 24, 2025.

2016 Toyota 4Runner electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month1Jun 2016Mar 2017Dec 2017May 2020Jun 2021Nov 2021Feb 2025
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2016 to Feb 2025; peak Jun 2016 (1).

Electrical System recalls for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by 4Runner model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20105 (3%)
  2. 20117 (4%)
  3. 20126 (6%)
  4. 20134 (11%)
  5. 201424 (31%)
  6. 201513 (15%)
  7. 201619 (24%)
  8. 20175 (14%)
  9. 20185 (9%)
  10. 20198 (12%)
  11. 20203 (9%)
  12. 20216 (17%)
  13. 20222 (5%)
  14. 20233 (9%)
  15. 20242 (25%)
  16. 20258 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

Are electrical problems common on the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA lists 19 Electrical System complaints for the 2016 4Runner, which is 24% of the 79 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 4Runner electrical system?
No. NHTSA does not list any related recall for this problem area on the 2016 4Runner.
At what mileage do 4Runner electrical problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 13,500 miles.
Did any 2016 4Runner electrical complaints involve a fire?
Yes, one of the 19 Electrical System complaints for the 2016 4Runner reported a fire, with no crashes or injuries reported.
What is the main electrical complaint pattern for the 2016 4Runner?
Many complaints describe rodents chewing through soy-based wiring harnesses, along with reports of failed door lock actuators and rearview camera dropouts.

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.