YearToAvoid

2018 Toyota 4Runner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2018 Toyota 4Runner has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict. Steering complaints lead at 19% share, with 5 recalls and no do-not-drive recalls on record.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
25/100
#16 of 21 4Runner years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
58
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
7
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
17 city / 20 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2018 Toyota 4Runner problems

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

  1. Steering11 (19%)
  2. Fuel System9 (16%)
  3. Other9 (16%)
  4. Brakes8 (14%)
  5. Airbags7 (12%)
  6. Engine6 (10%)
  7. Structure & Body6 (10%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (10%)
  9. Electrical System5 (9%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)

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

What owners report

  • Steering wheel vibrates between 55 and 65 mph, with the vehicle feeling unstable until higher speeds are reached, even after dealer wheel balancing.
  • Steering does not return to center after a turn, so the vehicle continues drifting unless the driver corrects it.
  • Steering feels soft or sloppy, which some owners say made the vehicle harder to control in strong crosswinds at highway speed.
  • Airbag-related crashes were reported after vehicles struck guardrails or objects while swerving to avoid a deer, with front airbags not deploying as expected.
  • Windshield cracked without a prior impact after the heater was turned on in cold weather.
  • One report describes the vehicle rolling backward unexpectedly while a person was exiting, with no foot on the brake, leading to a crash.
2018 Toyota 4Runner complaints: complaints filed per month4Mar 2018Sep 2018Jun 2019Feb 2020Dec 2020Feb 2022Feb 2024Mar 2025
58 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2018 to Jul 2026; peak Dec 2020 (4).

2018 Toyota 4Runner recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 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 assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

  2. NHTSA 19V670000Sep 20, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 vehicles

    Suspension

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.

    Risk: Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET19B.

  3. NHTSA 18V753000Oct 25, 2018Other1,295 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners and mail them corrected certification labels, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET18A.

See all 5 recalls for the 2018 Toyota 4Runner →

2018 Toyota 4Runner fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
20 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.

2018 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
2016Caution4579818
2017Best1536518
2018Good2558518
2019Good4065418
2020Good3533117

All Toyota 4Runner years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2018 4Runner has a complaint index of 25 and ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other 4Runner years.
What is the top problem area for the 2018 4Runner?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 19% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 1,450 miles.
Does the 2018 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2018 4Runner, covering the fuel system, suspension/steering fasteners, body labeling, and grille hardware. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What year 4Runner should I avoid instead of 2018?
Among 4Runner years, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2023, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts with much higher complaint indexes than the 2018 model's 25.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Toyota 4Runner?
The EPA rates the 2018 4Runner at 18 mpg combined (17 city / 20 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.