Power Train. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

27 reports

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104,000 miles · Aug 20, 2013

EnginePower Train

AFTER HAVING TIMING BELT REPLACED BY TOYOTA DEALER BOB TYLER OF PENSACOLA, FLORIDA; WHILE DRIVING BELT CAME APART LEADING TO LOSS OF POWER, CONTROL, AND MAKING EMERGENCY STOP. TOYOTA FEELS THAT FAILURE IS NORMAL IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536395

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2013

Power Train

2008 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE THRUST BEARING BEHIND THE FRONT PLANETARY FAILED AND DAMAGED THE FRONT PLANETARY GEAR. THE DAMAGE FROM THE PLANETARY CONTAMINATED THE UNIT WITH METAL, CAUSING THE NEED FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER A…

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NHTSA ODI #10514215

18,000 miles · Nov 18, 2012

Power TrainService BrakesStructure

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THERE IS CORROSION IN THE FRAME AND DRIVE-TRAIN COMPONENTS. THERE IS PITTING, RUSTING THROUGHOUT THE FRAME UNDERCARRIAGE AND THE SUSPENSION AND DIFFERENTIAL COMPONENTS. THIS BARELY 4YR OLD VEHICLE IS A SOUTHERN VEHICLE. REGARDLESS, THIS CORROSION IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN ANY VEHICLE LET ALONE IN A 4RUNNER WITH A SERVICE INCEPTION DATE OF 11/30/2008 WITH 19K MILES. THIS IS TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. YES, IT (SHOULD BE) COVERED BY WARRANTY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IT IS MANUFACTURER'S LIABILITY TO CORRECT SAFETY/QUALITY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485047

59,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012

Power Train

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WHEN ENGAGING DRIVE FROM REVERSE THERE IS A DELAY OF 3-5 SECONDS AND A THUMP WHEN IT FINALLY ENGAGES DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AND HAS CAUSED SOME SCARES WERE MY WIFE THOUGHT THE CAR ENGAGED DRIVE, PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, CAR DID NOT MOVE AND THEN SUDDENLY CAR JUMPING FORWARD SINCE SHE HAD APPLIED GAS THINKING THE VEHICLE HAD ENGAGED DRIVE. TOOK TO DEALER EXPLAINED ISSUE AND WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OTHER PEOPLES VEHICLES, THEY WANTED TO CHARGE 119.99 TO SIMPLY DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, EVEN AFTER SHOWING THEM THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS I PRINTED FROM THE INTERNET. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462539

3,200 miles · Jun 24, 2011

Power Train

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I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. I PURCHASED IT NEW FROM MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IN NOVEMBER, 2008. BY THE SPRING OF 2009 I NOTICED A SPORADICALLY OCCURRING DELAY IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHILE SWITCHING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, LASTING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 8 SECONDS. THIS WOULD HAPPEN RIGHT AFTER SWITCHING FROM R(REVERSE) TO D (DRIVE). MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS QUITE FREQUENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY WOULD/COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNDER WARRANTY WITHOUT GETTING THE CAR TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM. I LEFT MY CAR FOR OVERNIGHT WITH THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM FRUSTRATED BY MY EXPERIENCE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED SO I CAN DRIVE WITH THE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT MY CAR IS SAFE. TO DATE, NO REPAIRS OR PARTS REPLACEMENTS OF ANY KIND HAVE BEEN MADE BY TOYOTA TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I ALSO DISCOVERED AN ONLINE TOYOTA 4RUNNER FORUM (T4R.ORG) IN WHICH OTHER TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS SHARED THE SAME EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA ODI #10409755

11,327 miles · Jan 9, 2011

Power Train

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I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 4WD. I PURCHASED IT NEW FROM MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER, 2008. BY THE FALL OF 2009 I NOTICED A SPORADICALLY OCCURRING DELAY IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHILE SWITCHING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, LASTING APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOT, OR IN THE MIDDLE OF A U-TURN. STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I FIRST TOOK THE CAR INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE, THEY RESET THE CAR'S "CPU" AND I RETURNED HOME, ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CONTINUE. AFTER THREE MORE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE LAST IN MAY, 2010, THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT STOPPED RETURNING MY PHONE CALLS AND FAILED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. SINCE FEBRUARY 2010 I HAVE DOCUMENTED OVER 45 OCCURRENCES OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH HAVE OCCURRED AS FREQUENTLY AS 4 TIMES IN ONE DAY AND AS INFREQUENTLY AS A MONTH APART. THE MOST DISTURBING INCIDENCE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY URBAN STREET WHILE MAKING A 3-POINT U-TURN. WITH THE DELAY LASTING A SOLID 5 SECONDS, IT IS AN UNSETTLING EXPERIENCE NOT KNOWING WHEN AND WHERE THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY WOULD/COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNDER WARRANTY WITHOUT GETTING THE CAR TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY VIDEOTAPED THE EXPERIENCE WHILE IN THE CAR, BUT WHEN I SHARED IT WITH THE SERVICE PEOPLE, IT PROVED FUTILE. I ALSO DISCOVERED AN ONLINE TOYOTA 4RUNNER FORUM (T4R.ORG) IN WHICH OTHER TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS SHARED THE SAME EXPERIENCE. THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS FACT, AND STOPPED MAKING ANY ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AS OF LAST JUNE. I AM FRUSTRATED BY MY EXPERIENCE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED SO I CAN DRIVE WITH THE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT MY CAR IS SAFE. TO DATE, NO REPAIRS OR PARTS REPLACEMENTS OF ANY KIND HAVE BEEN MADE BY TOYOTA TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375297

22,356 miles · Feb 23, 2010

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2008 4RUNNER. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HAPPY WITH THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY. THIS MORNING I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE POST OFFICE WHERE THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE WALKING IN FRONT A ND IN BACK OF YOUR VEHICLE. I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE BACK UP THEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS THE CAR CONTINUED TO GO IN REVERSE. THIS WAS VERY SCARY. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND LOOKED DOWN TO MAKE SURE I WAS IN DRIVE. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, I THEN PRESSED THE GAS AGAIN, THE CAR WAITED ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND WHEN FORWARD WITH A BURST OF ENERGY. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE BUT NOT WITH THIS DISTINCTION. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN A PARKING LOT WHERE PEOPLE ARE WALKING CONSTANTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313276

13,250 miles · Feb 13, 2010

Power Train

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2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT - WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE. ESTIMATE ABOUT 15-20% FAILURE. FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS THE VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IN NEUTRAL. IF I DO NOT REALIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING AND APPLY GAS, WHEN IT FINALLY ENGAGES, THE CAR DANGEROUSLY LURCHES FORWARD. FAIRLY SURE IT IS AN ELECTRONIC ISSUE. HAS OCCURRED SINCE PURCHASE. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES. RESPONSES 1) CAN'T REPEAT AND CAN'T START CHANGING PARTS BECAUSE MAY TRIGGER LEMON LAW, 2) CAN'T REPEAT AND NO ONE ELSE HAS REPORTED, 3) CAN'T REPEAT, SO WE WILL LOOK AT IT AGAIN WHEN YOU BRING IN FOR NEXT OIL CHANGE. DESPITE MY EXPLAINING REPEATEDLY THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN DEALER HAS SHOWN NO REAL INTEREST TO RESOLVE. MY HOME'S DRIVEWAY IS ON A BLIND CURVE AND I WILL NOT BACK INTO ROAD BECAUSE I CAN NOT BE SURE I CAN ACCELERATE WHEN NEEDED. THIS HAS REPEATED REGULARLY SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE OVER A YEAR AGO. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS IN PARKING LOTS AND IT IS INEVITABLE THAT I WILL BE REAR-ENDED IF THIS IS NOT RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310217

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2010

Power Train

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WE HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT. WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS GO INTO DRIVE. YOU PRESS THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. YOU THEN HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO DRIVE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY SAID IT WAS "NORMAL". THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS IF WE ARE BACKING UP ONTO A ROAD OR ANYWHERE BY THAT MEANS AND WE HAVE TO SPEND THE EXTRA TIME PUTTING THE VEHICLE BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO DRIVE IT WASTE VALUABLE TIME. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR ALL THE TIME, BUT APPROX 70% OF THE TIME. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305047

18,500 miles · Feb 4, 2010

Power Train

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NHTSA ODI #10305043

Official recalls

16V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Jun 2, 2016

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Nov 19, 2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

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.

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

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

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