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2005 Toyota 4 Runner

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 10 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

15 reports
23,000 miles · Aug 7, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 4 RUNNER V8 HAD COMPLETE BREAK FAILURE AT ABOUT 23000 MILES. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT INTERSECTION. PULLED VEHICLE INTO PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. EMERGENCY BREAK HAD TO BE APPLIED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND TESTS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN MASTER CYLINDER. THIS COU…

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2005 4 RUNNER V8 HAD COMPLETE BREAK FAILURE AT ABOUT 23000 MILES. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT INTERSECTION. PULLED VEHICLE INTO PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. EMERGENCY BREAK HAD TO BE APPLIED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND TESTS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN MASTER CYLINDER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DISASTROUS EVENT. THERE IS NOT WARNING ON THE VEHICLE WHEN SUCH A FAILURE OCCURS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10164704

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE IS AN AWFUL ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL BEING EMITTED FROM MY 2005 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WHEN DRIVING WITH BACK WINDOW OPEN. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TSB'S ISSUED FOR 4 RUNNERS DATING BACK TO 2003 AND UP TO THE 2006 MODELS. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALER, BUT THEY TELL ME MY ENGINE IS NOT COVERED UNDER…

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THERE IS AN AWFUL ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL BEING EMITTED FROM MY 2005 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WHEN DRIVING WITH BACK WINDOW OPEN. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TSB'S ISSUED FOR 4 RUNNERS DATING BACK TO 2003 AND UP TO THE 2006 MODELS. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALER, BUT THEY TELL ME MY ENGINE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE TSB'S ISSUED. I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155575

2 miles · Jan 30, 2006
Electrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL. HEAVY PRESSURE HAS TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE WHEN STOPPING IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM CONTINUING TO SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON.. THE RPMS INCREASE UP TO 200 - 300…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL. HEAVY PRESSURE HAS TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE WHEN STOPPING IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM CONTINUING TO SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON.. THE RPMS INCREASE UP TO 200 - 300 WHEN THE AIR CONDITION TURNS ON. THE SURGING IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TYPE. UPDATED 02/13/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149000

14,808 miles · Jan 10, 2006
Visibility

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT V8 - 14800 MILES - BUILT MAY 2005. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES WITH A LIGHT RAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROX 18 MILES AFTER BEING PARKED INSIDE OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A SMOOTH HIGHWA…

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2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT V8 - 14800 MILES - BUILT MAY 2005. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES WITH A LIGHT RAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROX 18 MILES AFTER BEING PARKED INSIDE OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY WITH NO VEHICLES NEAR. THE GLASS 'EXPLODED' INTO THE VEHICLE REAR SEAT WITH A LOUD BANG. HAD THERE BEEN ANY PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN CUTS. THE GLASS BROKE INTO THOUSANDS OF TINY PIECES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147329

4,500 miles · Dec 30, 2005
SteeringSuspension

VEHICLE PULLS/DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. STEERING FLUTTER CONDITIONS EXIST. CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENT WEAR AND TEAR. VEHICLE UNDER WENT TWO WHEEL BALANCES, TWO WHEEL ALIGNMENTS, A TIRE ROTATION, AND INSPECTION BY A FIELD SPECIALIST ON 6 SEPARATE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. AS OF TODAY, CONDITION STIL…

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VEHICLE PULLS/DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. STEERING FLUTTER CONDITIONS EXIST. CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENT WEAR AND TEAR. VEHICLE UNDER WENT TWO WHEEL BALANCES, TWO WHEEL ALIGNMENTS, A TIRE ROTATION, AND INSPECTION BY A FIELD SPECIALIST ON 6 SEPARATE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. AS OF TODAY, CONDITION STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A TSB BULLETIN EXISTS FOR THE MODEL YEAR BUT MANUFACTURER HAS SAID THE FIX/CONDITION DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146594

2,000 miles · Dec 5, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE STOPPED, MY 2005 4RUNNER MOVES FORWARD WHEN COMPRESSOR ENGAGES. THE RPM AT IDLE WILL FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 750 AND 1100. DURING THE LATER PORTION OF FLUCTUATION, ABNORMAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE 4RUNNER FROM MOVING FORWARD. IDLE SPEEDS CAN REACH 25 MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND 45 ON MODERATE SLOPE. IF YOU ARE CRUISING …

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WHILE STOPPED, MY 2005 4RUNNER MOVES FORWARD WHEN COMPRESSOR ENGAGES. THE RPM AT IDLE WILL FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 750 AND 1100. DURING THE LATER PORTION OF FLUCTUATION, ABNORMAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE 4RUNNER FROM MOVING FORWARD. IDLE SPEEDS CAN REACH 25 MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND 45 ON MODERATE SLOPE. IF YOU ARE CRUISING AT 60 MPH AND REMOVE PRESSURE FROM ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE IDLE WILL RETAIN 55 MPH. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE THIS CAUSES A SEVERE ACCIDENT. IF YOU FORGET TO APPLY MASSIVE FORCE TO BRAKE PEDAL WHILE STOPPED... SOMEONE MAY IDLE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144479

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2005
SeatsVisibility

DT: THE FIRST TIME THE OWNER DROVE THE CAR HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVER CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO SHIFT. THERE WAS NOT A LOOSE FEELING BUT THERE A MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT. THE SEAT FELT UNSTABLE AND INSECURE. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT COULD COME OFF WAS THE TRACK. HE OWNER FIRST CONTACTED THE D…

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DT: THE FIRST TIME THE OWNER DROVE THE CAR HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVER CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO SHIFT. THERE WAS NOT A LOOSE FEELING BUT THERE A MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT. THE SEAT FELT UNSTABLE AND INSECURE. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT COULD COME OFF WAS THE TRACK. HE OWNER FIRST CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TIGHTENED THE BOLTS. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED ON THE WAY HOME. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT MANUFACTURER. TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED, AND TOYOTA SAID THEY WERE ABOUT TO FIX THE SEAT PROBLEM. THE OWNER WAS NOT AWARE OF WHEN THE PROBLEM WILL BE REPAIRED, AND WHAT THE FIX WILL BE. THEY WILL REPLACE THE SEAT AT A COST OF $1,500. THE OWNER CALLED TOYOTA, AND WAS ASSURED THAT A FIX WAS IN THE PROCESS. THERE WAS NO TIME FRAME OR INDICATION OF WHAT THE FIX MAY BE. *AK THE VEHICLE'S SUNROOF STARTED TO CLOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132245

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A ROTTEN EGG ODOR IN VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THAT THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL THAT WAS BEING USED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE NEW ENGLAND FUEL HAD A HIGHER RATE OF SULFUR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10133900

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2005
Seats

DRIVER'S SEAT ON BRAND NEW 2005 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER MOVES AND RATTLES WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY ON ONE OCCASION AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. AFTER DEALER EXAMINED PROBLEM AGAIN THEY CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WERE TOLD THIS SEAT PROBLEM IS A KNOWN "DESIGN DEFECT" THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIX. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I…

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DRIVER'S SEAT ON BRAND NEW 2005 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER MOVES AND RATTLES WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY ON ONE OCCASION AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. AFTER DEALER EXAMINED PROBLEM AGAIN THEY CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WERE TOLD THIS SEAT PROBLEM IS A KNOWN "DESIGN DEFECT" THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIX. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM FOR HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES TOYOTA TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. HAVING A DRIVER'S SEAT THAT MOVES ALONG IT'S MOUNTING RAILS WHILE DRIVING IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130520

100 miles · Jul 17, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT AND THERE IS A HORRIBLE SULFUR SMELL THAT IS EMITTED INTO THE CABIN WHILE REACHING RPM'S OF APPROXIMATELY 3000 - 5000.

NHTSA ODI #10129002

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.