Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2015-TOYOTA-4RUNNER NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota

2015 Toyota 4Runner problems

The 2015 Toyota 4Runner has 2 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 85 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.

The 2015 Toyota 4Runner has 85 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 16 complaints, typically surfacing around 34,094 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Toyota 4Runner owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2012 4Runner 96 8
2013 4Runner 36 6
2014 4Runner 77 7
2015 4Runner (this page) 85 9
2016 4Runner 77 8
2017 4Runner 36 5
2018 4Runner 58 5
2015 Toyota 4Runner
Photo: Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Toyota 4Runner
0 5 10
Reliability score
5.2 / 10

Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.

2
Critical
7
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.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall

Overall 4/5
Frontal crash 4/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 3/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2015 Toyota 4Runner SUV 2WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2015 Toyota 4Runner? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 34,094 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 9 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 5.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2015 Toyota 4Runner

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

Embed this reliability snapshot

Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →

<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2015-toyota-4runner/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2015 Toyota 4Runner reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2015-toyota-4runner/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2015 Toyota 4Runner reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

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.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 9

critical NHTSA 19V741000 October 17, 2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
critical NHTSA 19V005000 January 9, 2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
severe NHTSA 20V012000 January 13, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
View all 9 recalls →

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?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.2 out of 10 based on 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Toyota 4Runner has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

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 5.2/10 — around the segment average; 9 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2015 Toyota 4Runner?

Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 16 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 34,094 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2015 Toyota 4Runner a good used car to buy?

It scores 5.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 85 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 34,094 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

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 1 day 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.
Sponsored
Get a free warranty quote →