What's Wrong with the 5th Generation (2010–2020) 4Runner?

4Runner owners have made 112 complaints about the 2010–2020 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 46th out of 81 Toyota generations in overall reliability, with some interior and electrical concerns.

Compare With Other 4Runner Generations

Common 2010-2020 Toyota 4Runner Problems

Some of the worst issues 5th generation 4Runner owners have to deal with.

  1. Bluetooth Echos During Calls

    What's the point of hands-free calling if you can't have a conversation without an annoying echo getting in the way? That's the position many 2016-2019 Toyota owners find themselves in as they struggle with their car's bluetooth connection.

    Continue reading article "Bluetooth Echos During Calls"

  2. Toyota Truck Frame Rust

    There are thousands of Toyota trucks and SUVs that are one stiff breeze away from turning into a pile of corroded dust. The automaker has been accused of not properly applying corrosion protection to their vehicles, leading to multiple laws…

    Continue reading article "Toyota Truck Frame Rust"

  4. Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires

    Somewhere in the mid-2000's there was an industry-wide push by automakers to replace plastic and glass-based wiring insulation with a more eco-friendly soy-based coating. It's biodegradable, commendable, and a complete disaster for owners. …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

5th Generation (2010–2020) 4Runner Key Numbers

  1. 10 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 112 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 46th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 81 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 5th Generation 4Runner Owners

  • Freeman, et al., v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. et al.

    1. Case Filed

      Toyota Bluetooth echo problems have caused a class action lawsuit that alleges when the driver of the Toyota uses the hands-free phone system to make or receive a call, the person on the other end of the call hears an echo of their own words.

    Problem
    Bluetooth Echos During Calls
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2018 4Runner
    • 2017-2018 Avalon
    • 2017-2018 Avalon Hybrid
    • 2016-2018 Highlander
    • 2016-2018 Highlander Hybrid
    • 2016-2018 Prius
    • 2016-2018 Prius V
    • 2016-2018 Sequoia
    • 2016-2018 Sienna
    • 2016-2018 Tacoma
    • 2016-2018 Tundra
    • 2018 Yaris
    Location
    Missouri

Recent 5th Generation (2010–2020) 4Runner News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A lawsuit wonders how Toyota can keep calling their bluetooth implementation "hands-free" when owners very much need to use their hands to prevent echos on each and every call.

    For years owners have complained about this issue, but Toyota's only suggestion has been to pickup the phone and turn it's volume all the way up after the call has been initiated. Oh, and also make sure the radio volume is below level 45. Sorta defeats the point, don't you think?…

    keep reading article "Illinois Lawsuit Says Toyota's Hands-Free Calling is Unusable"

  2. Someday the Takata Recalls will end. Today is not that day.

    Toyota has recalled the passenger-side inflators in 1.7 million vehicles across North America.

    The airbags currently in the vehicles have metal inflators that contain ammonium nitrate without a drying agent added to protect the chemical from moisture. The moisture can destabilize the ammonium nitrate and turn the metal inflator into a grenade full of shrapnel.

    The affected vehicles include the 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Corolla, 2010-2013 Matrix, and 2011-2014 Sienna. Toyota plans on sending out recall notices towards the end of January.

    keep reading article "Toyota Announces Latest in Series of Takata Recalls"

  3. A lawsuit says 2005-2011 4Runners weren’t properly treated to protect against corrosion.

    In May 2018, the plaintiff was driving his car on the highway when the steering wheel allegedly started vibrating so violently the 4Runner went off the road. A mechanic said the right front control arm fractured because of excessive corrosion and rust. Toyota may deny knowing about rust problems in court, but that argument should crumble even faster than their frames.

    In 2016 the automaker settled a massive corrosion lawsuit for similar model years of the Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia vehicles. That was the same year as a recall for 690,000 trucks with corroding rear suspension leaf springs.

    keep reading article "Did 4Runner Frames Not Receive Enough Anti-Rust Treatment?"

  5. Toyota has blamed a musty A/C smell on microbes [i.e., mold] growing o the evaporator surface and now a lawsuit wants them to do something about it.

    The plaintiffs claim the vehicles have defective heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that cause smells and health problems from mold that collects on the evaporators. Numerous complaints have allegedly been filed with the government, Toyota and Lexus dealerships nationwide since at least 1999.

    This isn't the first time Toyota has been sued for musty A/C units.

    keep reading article "Air Conditioner Lawsuit Complains About Mold Smell From Toyota HVAC"

  9. When Toyota switched away from using plastic or glass-based inulation in favor of soy, it invited in some very unwelcome Toyota loyalisits.

    According to the plaintiff, she learned the hard way about the soy wiring when her Avalon wouldn't start and a look under the hood showed wires chewed, so she had the car towed to a dealer. Toyota told her rodents had caused the damage and it would be no problem to repair the problems as long as she could cough up $6,000 to cover the bill.

    The soy-based wiring is allegedly attracting in rodents, who love to chew it up and use it for nesting material. The lawsuit, Heidi Browder vs. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al. follows a similar lawsuit filed against Honda earlier this year.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Toyota’s Use of Soy-Based Wiring is Attracting Rodent Damage"

  10. How hot do you like your seat heater in the winter?

    If you like it really toasty — as in, with an actual flame — you’ll probably love one of 7,700 Toyota vehicles with seat heaters that catch on fire. The vehicles have been recalled because fire and cars don’t get along, what with their tanks of highly flammable liquids and all. All the affected vehicles are equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters that contain copper strand heating elements. The recall is being handled by Southeast Toyota Distributors (SET) which is the world’s largest distributor of Toyota and Scion vehicles.

    The recall is expected to begin on July 14, 2016 and the seat heaters will need to be disconnected. Owners will be reimbursed.

    keep reading article "Toyota Wants to Stop Seat Heaters From Setting Owner's Buns on Fire"

  11. When you hear your vehicle has been recalled, a little bit of panic is expected --- is it one of those Takata airbags?

    A defective transmission? Does it have something to do with that strange smell I can't get rid of? Well, luckily for you this time it's all about some stickers (so you're still going to have to figure out the smell on your own): Gulf States Toyota says the "load carrying capacity modification" label may be incorrect concerning the "correct added weight of the installed accessories." That little issue is a violation of federal vehicle safety standards.

    Gulf States Toyota is the 2nd largest distributor of Toyota vehicles in the world. To find out if your vehicle came from Gulf States, give 'em a ring at 800-444-1074 (use recall number 16R2).

    keep reading article "4Runner Shipped with Wrong Load Labels"

  12. If your car or truck has an optional accessory like running boards, chances are Southeast Toyota distributors put them on ... and I use that term loosely.

    The distributor recently admitted that many accessories probably weren't attached with the proper torque and can fall off. Whoops! Since dropping a running board at 70mph on the highway is a serious safety concern, Toyota is recalling 3,942 vehicles to address the problem. That includes some:…

    keep reading article "Optional Accessories Keep Falling Off"