CSR

Toyota · NHTSA safety record

2016 Toyota 4Runner

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

78

Complaints

6

Crashes

1

Fires

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner have filed 78 safety complaints with NHTSA between June 2016 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 18 of them (23%). The typical failure was reported at 25,000 miles, the median across the 42 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 8 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (8)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V741000 · October 17, 2019

The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 928,220 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V005000 · January 9, 2019

The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 1,299,448 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

17V763000 · November 29, 2017

The defect
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.
The risk
If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17C.

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · up to 431 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

17V425000 · July 3, 2017

The defect
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
The risk
If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · up to 3,547 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

17V291000 · May 1, 2017

The defect
Gulf States Toyota, Inc (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2016-2017 4Runner vehicles equipped with the TFORCE accessory package. The fasteners for the aftermarket roof rack may have been improperly tightened.
The risk
If the roof rack fasteners loosen, the roof rack may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the roof rack fasteners, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Gulf States' number for this recall is 17R1.

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. · up to 1,019 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V937000 · December 21, 2016

The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling one 2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicle manufactured November 1, 2016 and one 2017 Lexus GX460 vehicle manufactured November 16, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with Takata PSPI-LD front passenger air bag inflators that may have been manufactured without ignition booster tablets. As a result, in the event of a crash, the air bag may not fully inflate during deployment of the primary stage. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
The improper inflation of the passenger air bag may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Toyota dealers have replaced the passenger side air bag modules, free of charge. Toyota notified the affected dealers on December 15, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G06, GLR.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 2 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES

16V236000 · April 22, 2016

The defect
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
The risk
An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · up to 94 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

16V228000 · April 20, 2016

The defect
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 22, 2014, to March 23, 2016 and equipped with accessories installed by Gulf States. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
The risk
An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will install an accurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 1, 2016. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Gulf States' number for this recall is 16R2.

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. · up to 844 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 78.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18 23%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 21%
AIR BAGS 10 13%
SUSPENSION 9 12%
STRUCTURE 7 9%
ENGINE 6 8%
POWER TRAIN 6 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 5%
STEERING 4 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 4 5%
WHEELS 4 5%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 11.

2016 2017 2026
2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2 injured · crash · towed · 53,000 miles

75 MPH IMPACT ON INTERSTATE, 4 RUNNER COMPLETE LOSS. ENGINE PROTRUDED INTO FOOT WELL AND NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. INJURIES INCLUDE - CONCUSSIONS, BROKEN NOSE, HEAD LACERATIONS, HEAD AND NECK PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint 11363235. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

I had a one car head on collision with a tree. Airbags deployed..drivers side knee airbags deployed causing multiple lacerations and large hematoma to both calves

NHTSA complaint 11455028. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed

On 5/11/2025, my husband and I were returning home from the grocery store. I was operating the vehicle at the time of the incident. Upon arriving at our residence, I pulled into our driveway, which has a slight downward incline. As in our usual practice, I attempted to stop in front of the garage to unload groceries before entering, as the hatch of our vehicle can come in contact with the garage door when opened inside. While aligning the vehicle with the garage door, I began breaking and turning slightly to the left. However, as I attempted to come to a complete stop in front of the closed garage door, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated forward. Despite applying the brakes, the vehicle

NHTSA complaint 11661467, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

We were traveling down the mountain of Mt. Nebo in Dardanelle, AR, around 1:08pm on Friday, May 22, 2026. It had been misty rain for a few hours. As we were traveling down the switchbacks of the mountain, we pressed on the brake to slow the vehicle; however, the vehicle did not slow down any. Since we were coming to the next curve in the switchback, the decision was made to drive the car into a tree vs. risking flipping the car over the side of the mountain. When the vehicle collided with the tree, none of the air bags deployed. The point of impact was the front driver corner of the car. The car was traveling around 20 MPH at the time of impact (to the best of our knowledge). Problem

NHTSA complaint 11740147, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Carry Handle, Shell, Base
Swivel motion has started to jam when half locked, base will show half red/half green and refuse to lock. Unlock handle becomes hard to lift to swivel the car seat back to attempt to lock it again. I’ve contacted Evenflo, but waiting to hear back.

NHTSA complaint 11756359. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is failing on this vehicle. The color is 8S6 Nautical Blue Metallic. The paint is peeling on the roof, hood, and two doors. The failure has been confirmed by a body shop.

NHTSA complaint 11741642. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed

On March 6, I was on South bound on Rt 29 in Culpeper County VA at the posted speed limit of 55mph when I hit a debris item on the road. I do not know what it was but it impacted the front skid plate and seems to be no other damage from the impact. There was no contact with the bumper, wheels or otherwise. There was no sudden change in speed or loss of control at all. The most dangerous result of this was the deployment of all the airbags (except passenger front airbag, there were no passengers). A police report was filed with Culpeper County Sheriff (case# 2603-0033) and my insurance agency (USAA claim # 016632631-800). The shop where the vehicle was towed (Ace Collision in Madison, VA)

NHTSA complaint 11726606, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
I am reporting premature clear coat failure on a 2016 Toyota 4Runner in Magnetic Gray Metallic. The vehicle has approximately 120,000 miles and has been properly maintained, including regular washing and professional ceramic coating. The clear coat on the hood and roof (horizontal panels) is severely peeling and delaminating. The protective clear layer has failed, and the base coat is beginning to oxidize. This is not the result of neglect, damage, or improper care. The condition appears to be premature material or manufacturing failure of the clear coat. I have contacted Toyota corporate and opened a case. I was informed there are currently no other documented cases for gray paint and that

NHTSA complaint 11718254, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 4Runner is hard starting all the time. I’ve replaced the battery, tested the alternator etc. It sounds exactly like the problem of the fuel pump recall. The 4Runner was recalled from 2014-2015, my car was technically put together in Sept 2015, but is labeled a 2016. I believe my fuel pump is failing. I am extremely nervous it is going to not start one day while I am out camping.

NHTSA complaint 11717449. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Toyota 4Runner

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 54 1
2024 8 1
2023 30 1
2022 39 3
2021 34 1
2020 31 1
2019 64 4
2018 58 5
2017 36 5
2015 86 9
2014 77 7
2013 36 6
2012 96 8
2011 163 10
2010 145 12

Other 2016 Toyota models

Every Toyota on this site — 272 vehicles, 370 recall campaigns and 3 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst