Structure. Review the 309 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports3 fire reports14 injury reports

What owners actually said

612 reports

131,000 miles · Apr 26, 2012

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingTraction Control System

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WHILE DRIVING, THE CEL (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) CAME ON AND THE VSC TRAC AND VSC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL. APPARENTLY TOYOTA DISABLES VSC WHEN THE CEL IS TRIGGERED. IN MY CASE, THE 2 TIMES IT HAS OCCURRED HAS BEEN DUE TO EMISSIONS RELATED FAILURES (1ST TIME THE CAT FAILED, 2ND TIME ONE OF THE O2 SENSORS FAILED). IN THE 1ST CASE, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I WAS APPROACHING THE END OF THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY. THEY MADE THE REPAIRS AND CLEARED ALL THE CODES SO WASN'T AWARE THAT THE VSC SYSTEM WAS ACTUALLY DISABLED. THE 2ND TIME (O2 FAILURE) I REPLACED THE FAILED O2 SENSOR, THE CEL HAS CLEARED, HOWEVER THE VSC LIGHTS ARE STILL ON AND VSC IS DISABLED. I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT TOYOTA DISABLES KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS DUE TO EMISSIONS RELATED FAILURES ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE INHERENT STABILITY PROBLEMS WITH SUV'S. IF I'M ON A TRIP WITH MY FAMILY AND AN O2 SENSOR FAILS, OR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILS, OR THE GAS CAP FAILS, KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS THAT HELP KEEP MY FAMILY AND I SAFE SHOULD NOT BE DISABLED! I THINK THIS DESERVES AN INVESTIGATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456633

97,000 miles · Mar 9, 2012

Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE DEFROSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN REPAIRED …

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NHTSA ODI #10450998

39,000 miles · Jan 23, 2012

Structure

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AROUND THE END OF 2010, I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO SEE IF THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE COULD LOOK AT IT AT HIS NEXT VISIT. INSTEAD OF THE REP LOOKING AT IT AT A LATER DATE THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD ME BRING THE VEHICLE BACK SO HE COULD TAKE A PICTURE OF IT. I GOT NO HELP FROM THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER. MID 2011 THE ONE CRACK HAS DEVELOPED INTO 2 CRACKS WITH ONE BEING APPROX 15 INCHES LONG AND THE OTHER APPROX 4-5 INCHES LONG. DECEMBER 2011 I CALLED THE DEALER BACK AGAIN TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE FACTORY REP AND I WAS TOLD TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO CALL MY LOCAL DEALER. I CALLED BACK TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE WOULD CALL ME WHEN HE KNEW WHEN THE REP WOULD BE AT THE DEALERSHIP. ONE MONTH LATER, AFTER NOT RECEIVING A PHONE CALL I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER BACK AND WAS TOLD HE STILL DID NOT KNOW THE REPS SCHEDULE YET. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY, HOW WILL THESE CRACKS AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG?? WILL THE DASHBOARD BREAK INTO PIECES WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND HURL PLASTIC PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD TOWARDS THE OCCUPANT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AT GREAT SPEEDS INSTEAD OF CLEANLY COMING OUT OF THE DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444939

67,200 miles · Nov 29, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO HER HAVING AFTERMARKET FLOOR MATS, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,200.

NHTSA ODI #10437703

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2011

Structure

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MY 2004 TOYOTA 4/RUNNER DASH BOARD HAS CRACKS ALL IN THE FRONT OF THE RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG (PASSENGER SIDE) THEY CONTINUE TO GROW BECOMING DEEP. THEY APPEARED AT ONE TIME, THIS VERY UNUSUAL, I HAVE OWNED A 1993 TOYOTA 4/RUNNER AND THE DASH BOARD NEVER HAS CRACKS AND IT WAS ALWAYS PARKED OUT SIDE. MY 2004 TOYOTA 4/RUNNER IS A GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY VIOLATION, ONLY CRACKS ON THE FRONT OF THE DASH BOARD ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX WHERE THE AIR BAG IS. I CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE, TO REPLACE IT WILL BE ABOUT 1,000.00..I ALSO SENT A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE FIELD INSPECTOR WILL NOT LOOK AT MY 2004 4/RUNNER BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE YEAR...MY 2004 TOYOTA IS VERY CLEAN AND VERY WELL KEPT, AS STATED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THEY INSPECTED IT AND SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA FIELD INSPECTOR WILL NOT SEE MY TRUCK...NO ONE CAN TELL ME THAT THIS WILL NOT DEPLOY THE AIR BAG...I AM A TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND I AM NOT GETTING CUSTOMER SERVICE. DO I NEED TO TAKE MY TOYOTA 2004 4/RUNNER TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP THAT CARES...OR I SHOULD NOT BUY A TOYOTA VEHICLE. I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435387

170,000 miles · Oct 31, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT BECAME TRAPPED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE THE CONTACT WANTED THE VEHICLE FLOOR MAT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT ONLY THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR MAT WAS REPLACED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10433736

70,000 miles · Oct 20, 2011

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAD A NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR'S INSTALLED AT 50,000 MILES,AT 70,000 MILES I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER BRAKE CALIPER PISTON HAD FROZEN. IT WAS THE SAME FOR BOTH SIDES. TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. HAD TO HAVE THE CALIPER, BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS, REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES FOR A TOTAL OF $724. THIS IS…

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NHTSA ODI #10432219

54,000 miles · Oct 16, 2011

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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BOTH FRONT (LEFT AND RIGHT) CALIPER SEIZED. LOWER INSIDE PISTON SEIZED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. REPLACED BOTH CALIPERS WITH RE-MANUFACTURED PARTS FROM A1 CARDONE AND LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND 5000 MILES LATER BOTH CALIPERS HAVE SEIZED AGAIN CREATING WHEEL SHAKE WHEN BRAKING ABOVE 40 MPH. I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND AM NOT SURE HOW MANY TIMES IN THE PAST IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNERS. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A DEIGN FLAW THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA AS I CAN FIND NO "UPGRADED" REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430411

67,262 miles · Sep 30, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN IT EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND REMAINED STUCK. SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE ACTIVATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD LOCKED AND FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,262.

NHTSA ODI #10428019

68,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011

Air Bags

DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED TO FIRST POSITION. ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING AND CAR WAS IN PARK. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AT THE TIME AIR BAGS EXPLODED AND HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #10424828

Official recalls

16V065000 · Air Bags:side/window

Feb 5, 2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

11V113000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 24, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

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

DP18002 · Frame Corrosion

Opened Aug 17, 2018 · Closed Mar 18, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members

On August 7, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Gary Weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (MY) 2002 - 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA ID 11098055). On August 17, 2018, ODI opened DP18-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI?s evaluation included information provided by the petitioner regarding his vehicle, facts related to the class action lawsuit cited by the petitioner, and consumer complaint data received by NHTSA regarding underbody corrosion in third and fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles.The undercarriage of the petitioner?s vehicle exhibited severe corrosion damage indicative of seawater immersion. The vehicle?s service history shows that concerns with underbody corrosion were first noted by a Toyota dealer in a multi-point vehicle inspection performed on April 28, 2011. The invoice for that inspection noted ?severe and excessive amount of rust on the undercarriage and on the drive shaft transmission.? Two years later, on October 21, 2013, another multi-point inspection by a Toyota dealer observed further progression of underbody corrosion damage, noting: ?rust on shocks/struts and other components,? ?rust on exhaust system,? ?both splash shields severely rusted,? and ?undercarriage very rusty.? On July 17, 2017, approximately 10 months prior to experiencing the suspension failure incident, an independent repair facility performing routine oil change and brake maintenance informed the Petitioner of a concern with ?excessive frame corrosion? on his vehicle. The service history, severe general corrosion damage, failure age, and environment do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure.ODI?s analysis of NHTSA complaint data identified fifteen incidents of front lower control arm failure in fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicles. Two of the failures, including the petitioner?s vehicle, involve vehicles operated in ocean front communities with continuous exposure to aerosolized marine salts and potential exposure to seawater immersion. The remaining thirteen failures all involved vehicles owned or previously registered in states with the greatest use of deicing salts to treat road surfaces in winter months (?Salt states?). On average, the front lower control arm failures occurred after 13.1 years in service in highly corrosive environments. The failure ages and environments do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure. NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Since the information before the Agency is not indicative of a vehicle-based defect, it is unlikely that any investigation opened because of granting this petition would result in an order concerning the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect. Therefore, upon full consideration of the information presented in the petition and the potential risks to safety, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action if warranted or the p

RQ10003 · Unintended And Uncontrolled Acceleration

Opened Feb 16, 2010 · Closed Mar 1, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V-115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After NHTSA opened RQ10-003, NHTSA launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.NHTSA launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.NHTSA enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on NHTSA's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).NHTSA's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. NHTSA did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:software

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal