YearToAvoid

2025 Toyota 4Runner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2025 Toyota 4Runner has 57 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 95, ranking it the 2nd-worst year out of 21 model years, with a Avoid verdict. Brakes account for 40% of complaints, the largest share, with a median failure mileage of 400 miles.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
95/100
#2 of 21 4Runner years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
57
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
3
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2024
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
20 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2025 Toyota 4Runner problems

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

  1. Brakes23 (40%)
  2. Other9 (16%)
  3. Electrical System8 (14%)
  4. Structure & Body7 (12%)
  5. Steering4 (7%)
  6. Airbags3 (5%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
  8. Engine2 (4%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (4%)
  10. Fuel System2 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Brakes make loud grinding or shuddering noises, especially when reversing, sometimes causing drivers to avoid braking to stop the sound.
  • Some owners report the brake pedal feels ineffective, with the vehicle continuing to roll despite the pedal being pressed, requiring use of the electronic parking brake to stop.
  • The vehicle has reportedly accelerated on its own while parking, continuing to move even after being shifted into reverse.
  • Electrical issues have been linked to smoke entering the passenger compartment and a fire starting at the base of the rear cargo area.
  • The front air dam or lower valence has detached while driving due to missing bolts, causing vibration and noise before the part fell loose.
  • One airbag complaint described a crash after swerving to avoid road debris, with the vehicle leaving the roadway and striking trees.
2025 Toyota 4Runner complaints: complaints filed per month6Apr 2025Jul 2025Oct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026
57 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2025 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2026 (6).

2025 Toyota 4Runner recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V595000Sep 11, 2025Electrical System591,377 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

    Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.

2025 Toyota 4Runner fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
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.

2025 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
2023Avoid7532117
2024Best58117
2025Avoid9557122

All Toyota 4Runner years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 4Runner ranks 2nd-worst among 21 model years, with a complaint index of 95 and an Avoid verdict. Brakes are the top reported problem area, making up 40% of complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2025 Toyota 4Runner?
Brakes are the most reported issue, accounting for 23 of 57 complaints (40%), with owners describing loud noises and reduced stopping ability. Median mileage at failure for brake complaints was 400 miles.
Does the 2025 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2025 4Runner, covering the electrical system's instrument panel software, to be fixed via an over-the-air update or dealer service for certain vehicles.
How does the 2025 4Runner compare to other model years?
The 2025 4Runner's complaint index of 95 is higher than most other years; only 2006 (index 100) ranks worse. Years like 2024 (index 5) and 2013 (index 0) rank far better.

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.