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ProblemsByVin File / 2015-TOYOTA-4RUNNER NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2015 · Toyota

Toyota 4Runner problems

85 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2015 4Runner?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
16 reports · fails ~34,094 mi · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
12 reports · fails ~42,735 mi · avg $850
moderate
steering
8 reports · fails ~29,450 mi · avg $700
moderate
body
7 reports · fails ~29,972 mi · avg $1,500
severe
suspension
7 reports · fails ~62,992 mi · avg $900
moderate
cruise control
4 reports · fails ~22,802 mi · avg $600
severe
powertrain
4 reports · fails ~47,500 mi · avg $2,500
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2015 4Runner's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2015 4Runner?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2015 4Runner · airbags
Letter from senator grassley on behalf of constituent re 2015 Toyota 4 runner subject to recall notice and no settlement. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair. *js
2015 4Runner · steering
Steering wheel shake and vibration at approximately 55-65mph. Alignment and multiple wheel balancing appointments have not fixed this problem.
2015 4Runner · electrical
The front passenger side door will not lock or unlock. I am sure you can understand the safety hazards with this issue. This door will not lock or unlock with key fob or with the locking system inside the car.
12/27/2018 · at 50,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11163674.0 · see electrical pattern →
2015 4Runner · steering
At 20,202 the SUV's steering wheel would shake when brakes were applied. The dealer noted that the rotors were warped, glazed and had heat spots. Vehicle qualified for replacement brakes under warranty, replaced brake pads and rotors front only. Since repair, the front wheel…
12/24/2018 · at 47,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11163297.0 · see steering pattern →
View all 85 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2015 Toyota 4Runner? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
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$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 15V515000 August 13, 2015

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015

Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began on September 22, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for the recall is SET15D.
severe NHTSA 16V577000 August 3, 2016

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014

Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began September 15, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16D.

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2015 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Toyota 4Runner is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2015 Toyota 4Runner?

The 2015 Toyota 4Runner is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2015 Toyota 4Runner?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 16 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 34,094 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 34,094 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Toyota 4Runner has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2015 Toyota 4Runner?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 85 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Toyota/4Runner. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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