2009 Toyota 4Runner owner complaints

I have a 2001 Toyota 4runner. The rear differential leaks oil through pin holes, and from what I have read, mine is not the only one. The car barely has 100,000 miles on it, and the differential should last as long as the car. The risk is that it will run dry, seize, and the rear wheels will lock up causing an accident. This is clearly a defect by Toyota reducing the cost of their material the construct the differential housing with. *tr

I am filing this, my second, complaint about my 2009 Toyota 4runner. My first complaint was filed in february 2010. I complained to my dealership about the problem since right after purchasing the 4runner which we bought brand new in may 2009. The problem occurred when slowing down to turn corners to about 15 MPH, and then stepping on the accelerator to speed up, the car revs, sometimes 2500-3000 rpms before the transmission engages and we lurch forward. Now, 17 months later and many trips and e-mails to my dealership, who can't get a response from Toyota that makes sense, and my 4runner still exhibits the same problem. My husband had a kidney transplant in august 2009, which requires travel to a big city about 90 miles from home several times a month, that has heavy traffic flow. Last wee

2009 4 runner transmission: same as other complaints about slipping and lag time in engaging into gear at low speeds (like when slowing down to make turns or go over speed bumps). Obviously not shifting correctly and is a safety issue when turning across traffic and the vehicle does not respond properly when the accelerator is depressed. Toyota needs to investigate this as it looks like a recurring problem for this year and a safety issue. *tr

In a parking lot, while trying to stop and park on reverse, the vehicle kept accelerated on d (drive). I had not change the stick yet to reverse. I was just trying to stop. I had to step on the brakes very hard to control the car and turn off the engine and change the stick to p (parking). The rear right wheel left a mark on the pavement. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and turning, the vehicle lost accelerating power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000. Updated 03/21/13*lj the consumer stated the transmission slipped (revved to high rpms) while attempting to accelerate after slowing down below 15 MPH (while making turns or slowing for traffic). This has caused dangerous situations where significant lag time between depressing the gas pedal and when the transmission engaged while making a left turn across oncoming traffic or when a quick acceleration was needed after slowing do

2009 4runner transmission slips (revs to high rpms) while attempting to accelerate after slowing below 15 MPH (while making turns or slowing for traffic). This has caused dangerous situations where a significant lag time between depressing the gas pedal and when the transmission engages while making a left hand turn across on coming traffic or when a quick acceleration is needed after slowing. The potential for an accident is high. Toyota should address this situation before someone gets into a serious accident as several other reports of this condition have been reported. *tr

I purchased my 2009 4runner new last year. From the minute I drove it off the lot I noticed a problem with the transmission. Any time the vehicle slows below 15mph and then the accelerator is depressed, the engine revs to a high RPM as if searching for a gear and does not accelerate as commanded. This is very prevalent in slow traffic, slowing for a yield sign or turning corners. The biggest safety concern is in slippery road conditions. When the vehicle finally does find a gear to shift into, it lurches forward. The shifting into gear from a high RPM on slick surfaces could cause the wheels to spin out. I almost experienced a loss of control of the vehicle because of this. I've brought it in to get repaired at the dealership twice. All they do is flash the ECM and the problem persists.

I am filing my second complaint about my 2009 Toyota 4runner. My first complaint was filed in february 2010. I complained to my dealership about the problem since right after purchasing the 4runner which we bought brand new in may 2009. The problem occurred when slowing down to turn corners to about 15 MPH, and then stepping on the accelerator to speed up, the car revs, sometimes 2500-3000 rpms before the transmission engages and we lurch forward. Now, 17 months later and many trips and e-mails to my dealership, who can't get a response from Toyota that makes sense, and my 4runner still exhibits the same problem. My husband had a kidney transplant in august 2009, which requires travel to a big city about 90 miles from home several times a month, that has heavy traffic flow. Last week, I ha

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, they crashed into a cow which caused damaged to the front of vehicle. The contact was concerned the air bags failed to deploy. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted.the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The manufacturer was contacted however no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 145,000. *ln

I was driving in the left/fast lane on a toll road when another vehicle who was speeding in excess of 55mph entering the toll road crossing and cutting off the other lanes of traffic running into me on the passenger side forcing me into the concrete wall/barrier head on. His vehicle swung into again into my passenger rear side then bounced off. I was stunned, in shock, unable to exit on my side and didn't see it coming. I was thrown left into the frame and window and jerked around even though I had my seat belt fastened. The air bags did not deploy. I had front and side curtain airbags and had only just purchased the 4runner a few months prior. It was declared to be totaled. I permanently injured my neck, back and broke my nose. In addition, I have anxiety and panic attacks about driving.

Steering was very hard to do and really jerky.took it to dealership and was told that the rack and pin needed to be completely corroded and needed to be replaced. Yet another part I have to eat the cost due to corrosion. I have read multiple complaints about the same problems. Why is nothing being done?

Less than 80k miles and frame is completely rotting apart. While driving approximately 40 MPH I lost control because the control arm completely separated from the frame! Completely unsafe and death traps

I sat in the rear seat of a 2010 Toyota 4runner. I am 6'1". I had clearance above my head. However, the roof is domed only above the seat. When I leaned forward my head contacted the roof. I believe serious head injuries are possible due to the interior design of this vehicle for taller passengers. *tr

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while pulling out of a driveway, the contact observed a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and the steering wheel violently yanked to the right. Additionally, the contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle pulled to the left inadvertently. The vehicle was stopped and inspected. The contact observed that the front passenger’s side tire was dangling by the rocker arm and the subframe. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side subframe and the rocker arms needed to be replaced due to extreme corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The fai

When my wife stepped on the gas to pull into a parking spot,the 4runner just lurched forward into a fence. Luckily no one was in front of the 4runner. The bumper and fence was damaged. She is now very scared to drive the 4runner. *tr

Driving along a two lane u.s. Highway at the posted speed, I noticed that my fuel gauge was showing fully empty, and the warning light was flashing. Pushing the odometer trip button, I noticed that I had not yet reached the mileage for a "normal" fill up, where I routinely get 20-21 MPG. At the end of that trip,when I turned the vehicle off and restarted it, the fuel gauge showed half full. Using the trip odometer, I drove an additional estimated 30 miles to home. The fuel gauge continued to display half full. The next morning, I drove approximately 3 miles to the gas station, and was surprised when it took almost 15 gallons to fill the tank. The needle on the gauge then went to full. Since then it has only come down to one half, yet my mileage now is at the point (261-270) where I n

Upon acceleration, the vehicle hesitates for 2-3 seconds. This happens on starting off, driving down the road, pulling into traffic. I have had it to the dealer 15-20 times and they can't find the cause. They said it had to fail for at least 5 seconds for it to register on the computer module. It never lasts more than 2-3 seconds and, I consider it 'very dangerous'. Dates above are appx. It does it every day. *tr

My granddaughter was driving a 2009 that I bought her for graduation in may 2010. In june 2010 she and some friends were driving and a fire started in the console area. There were flames and smoke. They stopped the car, went up to someone's house and got water to pour into the car and put out the fire out. If they hadn't been quick thinking, the car would be toast. Also, if they had wrecked and could not get out of the car, they would have had severe burns or death. We want the car fixed under warranty rather than our insurance. It was several weeks before Toyota finally hired an independent engineering firm to determine the cause and we still don't have a solution. The car has been at the dealer almost 2 months. *tr

Excessive rust on frame with jeopardized integrity at joins connecting brakes, fuel lines and suspensions system.

On 4/8/22, the rear window of our 2009 Toyota 4runner just shattered and fell apart for no reason. We took it to get replaced at Safelite on 4/13/22 and one of their techs asked if we knew what caused the glass to break and we told him we had no idea. We told him it just broke out of nowhere from some strange reason, and he told us that it looks like the window breaking was caused by the overheating of the rear defroster and that it was a common issue with 2009 4runners. We were in shock to find this out and are grateful that our son or dog was not in the back seat when this happened. I found out online that Toyota issued a recall for this issue (Warranty Program ZG7) and I spoke with a Toyota customer service rep to see if we could be reimbursed the $100 we paid out of pocket for this man