2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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) expressed surprise at the total deployment of the air bags given the scenario. There were no warning lamps on, the vehicle was in perfect operating condition and all recalls have been addressed according to CarFax

Crash

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 additional complaints would be required before further investigation. I have read numerous reports in online owner forums indicating this is a common issue affecting 4Runners and other Toyota models, particularly on sun-exposed horizontal panels. However, Toyota has not formally addressed this issue for gray paint vehicles. I am submitting this complaint to document a potential widespread clear coat defect and to request further review.

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.

Rear view camera / backup camera randomly displays blanks screen. Screen has no other issues noted. Has been occurring over the past couple years.

I have a 2016 Toyota 4Runner at 143,011 miles. When it hit 125,000 mile mark the backup camera stopped working intermittently. The screen in the car goes blank. Turning the car on/off or changing gears does not affect this issue. It’s random and seems to becoming more frequent as more miles are put on. I will take it in however when I called them they said since it’s not a known issue I will have to replace it and it’s not cheap!

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera displayed a blank screen. An independent mechanic or dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,293.

PAINT CLEAR COAT BUBBLING ISSUES REGARDING ROOF AND REAR BUMPER

Wiring harness to rear window defogger melted causing the rear window to crack and shatter. Safe lite replaced the window and recommended the harness not be reconnected. Told me it was not uncommon. Vehicle was not being used at the time. It was in my driveway when the window blew outward. Inspected by Safe lite, Reported to Liberty Mutual. No warning light, rear defogger was not in use, car was off.

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 continued moving and crashed through the closed garage door. Due to the steering wheel being slightly turned, the vehicle veered left upon entering the garage, striking the left interior wall and a 32 foot ladder that was leaning against it. The impact with the wall and ladder brought the vehicle to a stop although the engine continued to rev and the vehicle attempted to move forward. My husband instructed me to shut off the engine, which I did immediately. My husband was not injured in the incident. I sustained pain in my left shoulder and upper left back. A medical evaluation indicated that the pain is expected to subside within a few weeks; imaging will be conducted if symptoms persist. I have filed both auto and homeowner's insurance claims regarding the incident. Additionally, I contacted the dealership, which advised me to report the issue to the manufacturers corporate office. They noted that the vehicle is equipped with a fail-safe system designed to prevent simultaneous engagement of the brake and accelerator. This was a very scary incident that I don't want to have happen to someone else.

Crash 1 injured

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 continued moving and crashed through the closed garage door. Due to the steering wheel being slightly turned, the vehicle veered left upon entering the garage, striking the left interior wall and a 32 foot ladder that was leaning against it. The impact with the wall and ladder brought the vehicle to a stop although the engine continued to rev and the vehicle attempted to move forward. My husband instructed me to shut off the engine, which I did immediately. My husband was not injured in the incident. I sustained pain in my left shoulder and upper left back. A medical evaluation indicated that the pain is expected to subside within a few weeks; imaging will be conducted if symptoms persist. I have filed both auto and homeowner's insurance claims regarding the incident. Additionally, I contacted the dealership, which advised me to report the issue to the manufacturers corporate office. They noted that the vehicle is equipped with a fail-safe system designed to prevent simultaneous engagement of the brake and accelerator. This was a very scary incident that I don't want to have happen to someone else.

Crash 1 injured

This vehicle has experienced the front coil spring cracking on the right front, the left front cracked at 114K miles. This is a very common issue with 2015-2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD-Pro, it is a design defect in the way the coil spring terminates and sits on the top hat and bottom spring perch. Toyota has discontinued the defective parts and redesigned the spring perch on the updated strut and uses a different spring, but it is not recalled and should be as this is a safety defect. A broken coil spring can cause sudden loss of control of the vehicle resulting in a crash and even death.

I drive for a living and yesterday I was driving while this happened 3 separate times. I was going 70 mph on the highway when my radio, usb ports blower motor and dash cluster power went out. I was terrified that my car would shut off while driving. Upon checking the car over, I noticed the battery mount was broken/missing pieces. The upper portion had become lose due to the broken parts and had stuck itself to my positive battery terminal. Lots of sparks when I tried to remove it. I finally got it broke loose using a piece of wood instead of my hands. Very scary.

The entire exterior body clear coat is peeling off. This started about 1.5 years ago on the tailgate. It has now spread to the hood and the top of the vehicle. I called Toyota customer care, and they indicated this a known widespread problem with this vehicle make and model. So far, only the pearl white color has been recalled as the result of numerous consumer complaints. My vehicle color is nautical blue- Toyota indicated there has not been enough consumer complaints yet for this color for it to be recalled. Toyota suggested I log a complaint here in hopes it will result in a recall.

Picked up a Gal to go out on a date. Turned the vehicle on and got about 1 mile down the road when I started to smell , like a hot , burning electrical smoke . My Date , sitting in the passenger seat says Her seat is get warm , then says , it's getting really hot ! I looked at the seat warmer switch and noticed and said , weird , the switch isn't even on . Then the smoke became very apparent as we got onto the Freeway and we were compelled to pull over as the electrical components or wiring were on the verge of catching fire , where the Electic Seat switch is located .

Fire

Picked up a Gal to go out on a date. Turned the vehicle on and got about 1 mile down the road when I started to smell , like a hot , burning electrical smoke . My Date , sitting in the passenger seat says Her seat is get warm , then says , it's getting really hot ! I looked at the seat warmer switch and noticed and said , weird , the switch isn't even on . Then the smoke became very apparent as we got onto the Freeway and we were compelled to pull over as the electrical components or wiring were on the verge of catching fire , where the Electic Seat switch is located .

Fire

X-REAS sport enhancement system is failing in a vehicle (2016 Toyota 4 Runner) with 58,000 miles that has always been driven on city streets. Front struts and rear shock absorbers are both leaking and require replacement.

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota 4Runner equipped with an Ironman 4x4 USA, Part: Pro Forge upper control arm. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E051000 (Suspension) however, the contact stated that after calling and leaving messages with the manufacturer regarding the recall, the contact had not received a call back. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Parts distribution disconnect.

This vehicle transmission is demonstrating transmission shuddering problems, We have returned this car three time for the same repair. The highly reputable transmission has cited direct purchases of this part from Toyota has constantly have quality issues with the torque converter, This problem was inspected and confirmed by dealer and independent service center. They both concluded the same diagnose, There were no warning messages. We fear travelling on interstate roads is hazardous.

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that rodents had chewed through the soy-based wiring. The electrical wiring was replaced out of pocket; however, the failure had recurred twice. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 29,922.

Passenger side back seat seatbelt broke under normal wear and tear.

- The Roll Over Side Curtain Airbags deployed and hit my head. Both sides deployed. - I was in 4Wheel Low Range. Driving with a group of trucks. The obstacle was a set of mud ruts. - All witnesses did not understand, nor have seen this happen. - Toyota sent me a report based on their review of the vehicle. They said the Roll Over sensors detected a roll-over event. They advised that it is a "predictive" system. That at some point in my driving through the mud ruts, the system thought I was rolling over... I was not anywhere near a roll-over. - I requested to know why the RSCAS button was removed. Toyota advised that it was governed by NHTSA to be removed from models produced after a certain year. - I do not want to have my vehicle repaired to "factory specifications" given the experience I had. Toyota could not negotiate that request on my behalf. This is my request to NHTSA.

1 injured

Fuel pump failed , vehicle stalled driving 70 down highway.. I have read there is a Recall in place for 2014, 2015, 2017,2018 4 runners. Why not 2016?

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

Crash 1 injured

It is a common complaint on the 4runner forums, the low beam head lights don't generate enough light to see at night. One video i saw measured the out put at less then 250lumns. The average halogen bulb put out 700lumns of light. I am constantly having to use high beams to see down the road. Consumers are forced to purchase and install after market head lights. It posses a safety risk not only to the drive but to anything on the road. I had my 2016 4runner a month before the need to drive at night arose, and I was shocked at how poor the illumination was.

Toyota has a major safety issue (that they know about) relating to door lock actuators on their 4runners. Both of mine (passenger and driver side) failed within the first 55,000 miles, and there are a LOT of others who have had the same problem. The forums are littered with people reporting. However, Toyota has discouraged people from reporting the problem to them by charging an exorbitant amount for repair of such an inexpensive item (about $800 per side). When that becomes known to owners, people will just repair the items themselves. This is obviously unethical. Door lock actuators pose an obvious safety issue, both if the door remains unlocked when it is supposed to be locked, and when the door remains locked when it is supposed to be unlocked. In the latter case, following an accident where a passenger is incapacitated and the door lock cannot be reached by hand (and there's no external key slot), the only way to unlock the door is via the electronic fob. If the door lock actuator is broken, then that incapacitated passenger will be trapped in the vehicle. For the former case - and this has personally happened to me - when the door was supposed to be locked, I had an individual actually open my passenger side door and enter into my vehicle. (He was under the influence of something, and fortunately nothing happened other than a very tense situation). But the safety issue remains. I expect that the post-accident scenario is more relevant to the NHTSA's interests, however, since a KNOWN design defect could very easily lead to the death of an individual trapped in a vehicle.

Above 55 mph uncontrollable shaking of entire vehicle. The wheels have been balanced and rotated with no help.

Rear view camera cuts out and screen goes black. Similar to the RAV4 complaints.

THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS GOING OUT. THIS IS CLEARLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND YEAR MODEL. SEVERAL REVIEWS I HAVE READ STATE THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SPECIFICALLY WITH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. I'M NOT SURE WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE VS A OWNER/USER ISSUE. TOYOTA REALLY NEEDS TO CONSIDER A RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A CHEAP FIX.

LOCKS ON DOORS DONT WORK. COMMON PROBLEM YOU ARE AWARE OF (MORE COMPLAINTS OF THIS THAN ANY OTHER ON THIS VEHICHLE). CANT UNLOCK VEHICLE OR LOCK IT. SEVERE DANGER IF TRAPPED IN CAR. MY WIFE KEEPS A BRICK UNDER THE SEAT TO BREAK OUT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT NOT TO MENTION THEIVES GAINING ACCESS OUT IN PUBLIC.

DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK ACTUATORS ARE GOING OUT. DRIVER'S SIDE AND NOW FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PREVALENT ISSUE ON LINE, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. REPLACING ONE COSTS $550.

DRIVING LAST WEEK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. HOOKED MY OB2 SCANNER TO PORT BUT CAME UP WITH NO CODES. DROVE IT A FEW MORE DAYS AND EVENTUALLY LIGHTS WENT OUT. FAST FORWARD A WEEK AND LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. SAME ROUTINE WITH THE OB2 BUT THIS TIME THE CODE P2443 CAME UP. GOOGLED IT AND " SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM SWITCHING VALVE STUCK CLOSED BANK 2". FOUND OUT THERE IS A HUGE HISTORY WITH THIS PROBLEM NOT ONLY WITH MY 4RUNNER BUT WITH TACOMAS, TUNDRAS AND SEQUOIAS. WITH CERTAIN YEARS OF TUNDRAS AND SEQUIOAS, TOYOTA HAS PAID FOR THIS FIX. WHY NOT THE 4RUNNERS AND TACOMAS??SAME PROBLEM!! THIS WHOLE THING IS A BIG SHAM . IT WILL COST ABOUT $2000 PLUS FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED. WHERE I COME FROM, THIS IS ROBBERY. KNOWINGLY SELLING VEHICLES WITH A EXPENSIVE PROBLEM AND NOT RECALLING THEM TO BE FIXED.

STARTED WITH SHAKING WHILE DRIVING, THEN THEY SAY THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE SAME FEELING. THEN THE FRONT CAR WOULD SQUEAK LIKE AND OLD COIL, THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THAT. NOW THEY SAID I NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND THEN THE ABS, BRAKE, AND SKID CONTROL LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND OFF WHICH COINCIDES WITH A COIL/CLICK FEELING UNDER THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL. CAR STILL SHAKES AND SQUEAKED. TOYOTA KEEPS SAYING MY CAR IS FINE.

DRIVER DOOR ACTUATOR NOT WORKING TO LOCK DOOR. STILL WORKS TO UNLOCK. LIGHT AND AUDIO DOESNT WORK EITHER WHEN LOCKING. HAVE TO USE KEY. THIS OCCURES WHEN TRYING TO LOCK THE DOOR WITH KEYLESS ENTRY.

THE 2016 4RUNNER TRD PRO IS A LIMITED PRODUCTION MODEL. TOYOTA SOURCE THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FROM AN OUTSIDE VENDOR. MY RIGHT FRONT SPRING FAILED, BREAKING I FOUR PLACES. THE CAR HAS 41,000 MILES AND HAS ONLY BEEN USED IN NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING -- NO OFF-ROAD. THE FRONT SPRING DESIGN IS DEFICIENT. THERE IS NO TAPER AT EITHER END OF THE COIL SPRING, LEAVING A KNIFE EDGE TOUCH THE ADJACENT COIL -- RIGHT WHERE THE SPRING BROKE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. THE PART WAS BACK ORDERED REQUIRING MORE THAN A WEEK TO GET IT, SUGGESTING MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LEFT SPRING WILL LIKELY FAIL, AND THE RIGHT WILL PROBABLY FAIL AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING STABILITY.

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. NOT AROUND ANY CARS.

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.

Crash 2 injured

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.

Crash 2 injured

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.

Crash 2 injured

DRIVER DOOR ACTUATOR DOES NOT WORK, PREVENTING THE REMOTE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE DOOR.

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES. I AM ON MY 3RD DIFFERENT SET OF TIRES THIS YEAR (INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL TIRES). NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THE TIRES ARE BALANCED, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES RATHER VIOLENTLY AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN BALANCED AND RE-BALANCED (INCLUDING ROAD-FORCE BALANCED, ETC.). ON-LINE FORUMS INDICATE THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. ALSO THIS WEEK I HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE (THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING AND BINDING UP). APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER FROZE UP AND THE VEHICLE NEARLY WENT OFF THE ROAD. ALSO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS NOISY FROM THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. TOYOTA EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL (I BELIEVE A BAD PINION GEAR). SHORTLY AFTER THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE STARTED TO GO IN AND OUT OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS OWN, AND WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES STARTED GOING OFF. THE DEALER THEN MADE REPAIRS BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE SINCE THEN AND THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED IT EACH TIME. ALSO IN THE LAST YEAR THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4-LANE ROAD. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE BUT THEN IT STARTED TO GO IN AND OUT OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE ON IT'S OWN AGAIN WITH WARNINGS AND CHIMES GOING OFF. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STARTS TO GO IN AND OUT OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS OWN THE SHIFTER LEVER USUALLY STARTS TO FREEZE UP AS WELL (AND YOU MAY NEED TO USE BOTH HANDS TO FORCE THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR). THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD A STRONG ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE SINCE NEW COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE CAUSE. ALSO VARIOUS HEAT SHIELDS HAVE EITHER BROKEN OR FALLEN OFF SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT GO 4-WHEELING WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT'S METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED INCLUDING ALL SERVICE RECORDS AND RECEIPTS.

THE SUV DOES NOT LOCK WHEN I USE THE REMOTE OR WHEN I TRY TO LOCK IT MANUALLY. I REPLACED THE ACTUATOR IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WHICH WAS THE DOOR THAT STAYS UNLOCKED HOWEVER TO NO AVAIL. I AM OUT A LOT OF MONEY HOWEVER I NOW BELIEVE THERE MAY BE A BIGGER PROBLEM WITH SOMETHING CALLED BCM. I DO NOT WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY GETTING THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THIS FEELS UNFAIR TO ME THAT THE LOCKING SYSTEM IS BROKE AND I RISK THE VEHICLE BEING STOLEN AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR