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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-TOYOTA-4RUNNER
2016 · toyota

toyota 4Runner problems

5 safety recalls. 75 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

2
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
17 reports · avg $850
severe
airbags
9 reports · avg $1,100
severe
suspension
9 reports · avg $900
severe
body
5 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
powertrain
4 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
4 reports · avg $700
moderate
visibility
4 reports · avg $350
moderate
engine
3 reports · avg $3,100
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 4Runner · other
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…
12/20/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11384284.0
2016 4Runner · electrical
RODENTS CHEWED UP WIRING HARNESS FOR FUEL INJECTOR. VEHICLE PARKED IN ENCODED GARAGE.
12/17/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11055111.0
2016 4Runner · electrical
BOUGHT A USED 2016 4RUNNER. HAD IT 3 WEEKS AND A RODENT CHEWED THE WIRES ON THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS. TOYOTA (THAT I HAVE 2 WARRANTIES THROUGH) DOES NOT COVER RODENT DAMAGE EVEN THOUGH THE MATERIAL THAT THEY USE ATTRACTS RODENTS APPARENTLY FROM MY RESEARCH. I HAVE $3500-$5500 IN…
12/16/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10935876.0
2016 4Runner · suspension
WHENEVER I GO OVER POTHOLES AND BUMPS MY CAR MAKES CLUNKING NOISES AND SOUNDS HORRIBLE.
12/16/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10935905.0

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
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 5

critical NHTSA 19V741000 17/10/2019

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 09/01/2019

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 16V937000 21/12/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling one 2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicle manufactured November 1, 2016 and one 2017 Lexus GX460 vehicle manufactured November 16, 2016

The improper inflation of the passenger air bag may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Toyota dealers have replaced the passenger side air bag modules, free of charge. Toyota notified the affected dealers on December 15, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G06, GLR.
View all 5 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 17 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. 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 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 75 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 14 hours ago. 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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