TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota 4Runner cruise control problems
severe 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
7crashes
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Toyota 4Runner we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 25.
Owners have filed 25 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
As part of the settlement described above, Toyota will install Smart Stop Technology on the above listed model and model year vehicles. This feature will cut engine power in case of simultaneous application of both the accelerator and brake pedal at certain speeds and in certain driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On July 24, 2013, the settlement of claims for Economic Loss arising from allegations of unintended acceleration was approved. As part of the settlement Toyota will be launching the third phase of a Limited Service Campaign to install Smart Stop technology on March 31, 2014., for the following models:
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2005 Toyota 4Runners report unintended acceleration at low speeds, often during parking or turns, with the engine surging to 4000+ RPM for 3–5 seconds even when the driver's foot is firmly on the brake. Some drivers experienced multiple consecutive surges; a few crashed into parked vehicles, walls, or landscaping. Dealers consistently deny the problem is possible, run diagnostics that show no codes, and test-drive the vehicles without reproducing the issue.
Cruise control problems are widespread. On hills, the system overshoots the set speed by 3–5 MPH after delayed acceleration, then undershoots, creating a dangerous cycling. At highway speeds, cruise control sometimes won't disengage when brakes are applied. In winter, the engine hesitates for 5–10 seconds after the gas pedal is pressed from a stop, creating intersection hazards.
Accelerator pedal sticking is reported in some cases, though floor mat interference has been ruled out by careful inspection. One owner's engine failed at 120,000 miles with metal fragments in the oil following a sudden acceleration event; that vehicle was part of a recall campaign but was never repaired before sale. Dealers blame floor mats or driver error; one retired electrical engineer with 37 years in control systems suspects an ECM or sensor defect. No manufacturer recall has addressed the cruise control or acceleration issues reported here.
Same Toyota 4Runner cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration while braking
Engine suddenly surges forward with vehicle at low speed or during braking, even with driver's foot on brake pedal. Occurs in parking lots, during turning, and at stop signs. Intensity varies; tachometer reaches 4000+ RPM. Duration 3–5+ seconds. Multiple consecutive surges reported in some cases.
When: Low-speed driving, mostly parking situations; reported from early July through December in cooler months (34–73°F); sparse occurrence makes diagnosis difficult
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward surge while braking; Engine tachometer reaching 4000+ RPM; Multiple consecutive acceleration surges; Vehicle lunges or bucks forward despite brake pedal pressed; Brakes smoking in extreme cases; Vehicle fails to slow when brake applied
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate; computer diagnostics show no codes; physical inspection of floor mats and accelerator pedal shows no interference or damage. One dealer test drive (144 miles over one week) produced no incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota instructed removal of aftermarket floor mats; dealer denied sudden acceleration was possible on the vehicle. Recall campaigns mentioned: 06V253000 (speed control) and 11V113000 (vehicle speed control); some owners did not receive notification before failure.
Cruise control malfunction on hills and grades
Cruise control exhibits erratic behavior on uphill grades and hills. System waits too long to accelerate, then suddenly floors the gas, causing transmission to downshift multiple gears and engine to race well past desired speed. Speed then drops too low and cycle repeats. Described as 'dangerous' and 'absolutely worthless.'
When: Since purchase (new in 2005); occurs during highway driving at cruise control set speeds (e.g., 65 MPH)
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed acceleration response on hills; Abrupt and aggressive downshifting (2+ gears); Engine races above set speed; Speed overshoots set point by 3–5 MPH; Speed then drops below set point; Cycling behavior repeats
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs cited in narratives
Cruise control failure to deactivate
Cruise control will not deactivate when brake pedal is pressed at highway speeds. Vehicle continues to accelerate past intended speed despite driver's attempt to brake and disengage cruise control. Accelerator pedal may also stick concurrently.
When: Highway driving at 65 MPH with cruise control active
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control remains active despite brake pressure; Vehicle accelerates past intended speed; Accelerator pedal sticking observed; Brake application insufficient to override cruise control
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; dealer technicians provided no assistance
Idle surging
Engine surges from normal idle (~500 RPM) up to 750–800 RPM with no warning while vehicle is stopped with foot lightly on brake. Occurs frequently but at random intervals.
When: While stopped at traffic light with foot on brake
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended RPM increase at idle; Random and frequent occurrence; No warning prior to surge
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to address the problem
Sticking accelerator pedal
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck or difficult to release, causing vehicle to maintain or increase speed. Occurs while lane-changing or during normal driving. Foot traffic mat rules out in at least one case where mat was confirmed not near pedal.
When: During lane changes at 30 MPH; sporadic occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal becomes stuck; Vehicle maintains high speed; Repeated brake application required to stop; Pedal does not return freely
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to identify cause; vehicle traded in at dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer blamed floor mat in one case; owner disputed this assessment
Hesitation when accelerating in cold/icy conditions
Excessive hesitation when gas pedal is depressed during winter and icy conditions while vehicle is stopped. Computer control allows vehicle to move forward very slowly for 5–10 seconds after pedal depression. Creates safety hazard when entering intersections on yellow lights or approaching stop signs.
When: Winter conditions only; recurs each winter since purchase
Symptoms owners cite: 5–10 second delay before acceleration at stop; Very slow forward movement despite pedal depression; Unsafe intersection entry; Close calls with oncoming traffic
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs made; dealer states vehicle working properly
Clunking and forward jolt at full stop
Loud clunk sound and vehicle jolts forward right after coming to a full stop. Occurs infrequently but repeatedly. Began around 20,000 miles.
When: When coming to a full stop; begins around 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunk noise during braking; Vehicle lurches forward after brake is fully applied; Intermittent occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota unable to note any problems at 3,600 miles
Secondary air injection pump malfunction
Secondary air injection (air pump) assembly stuck in off position, triggering check engine light and vehicle stability control (VSC) trac warning. Vehicle enters limp mode and is restricted to maximum speed of 30 MPH.
When: Occurs on 2005 4Runner with same engine architecture as affected 2007–2010 Tundra and 2008–2010 Sequoia models
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; VSC trac warning light; Limp mode activation; Maximum speed limited to 30 MPH; Air pump stuck in off position
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost $2,048.73 at dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota offers extended warranty and reimbursement for 2007–2010 Tundra and 2008–2010 Sequoia models with same issue but denies coverage for 2005 4Runner
Engine failure with metal fragments in oil
Vehicle fails to restart after sudden acceleration incident. Mechanic discovers metal fragments in engine oil, indicating internal engine damage. Vehicle included in recall campaign but was not repaired before sale.
When: At 120,000 miles; occurred after sudden acceleration event
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration at 35 MPH; Brake failure (brake pedal depression ineffective); Vehicle fails to restart after incident; Metal fragments present in engine oil
Repairs/costs cited: Metal fragments found in oil; vehicle towed to dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle included in NHTSA recall campaign 11V113000 (vehicle speed control) but was never repaired; manufacturer notified of problem
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2005 Toyota 4Runner?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2005 Toyota 4Runner?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 35,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 48,675. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/4Runner.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.