2005 Toyota 4 Runner problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor (3) · Seats (2) · Wheels (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota 4 Runner model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (227)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 227 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2006-08-07 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder · 23,000 mi“2005 4 runner v8 had complete break failure at about 23000 miles. vehicle failed to stop at intersection. pulled vehicle into parking lot and the vehicle still did not stop. emergency break had to be applied to slow vehicle down. took vehicle to dealership and tests found that there was a malfunction in master cylinder. this could have been a very …”
2006-04-18 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor“there is an awful rotten egg sulfur smell being emitted from my 2005 toyota 4 runner when driving with back window open. after doing much research, i see there have been many tsb's issued for 4 runners dating back to 2003 and up to the 2006 models. i brought my car into the dealer, but they tell me my engine is not covered under the tsb's issued. i…”
2006-01-30 · Electrical System · 2 mi“dt*: the contact stated the vehicle surges forward while the air conditioner is on. the vehicle has automatic climate control. heavy pressure has to be applied to the brake when stopping in order to prevent the vehicle from continuing to surge forward when the air conditioner is turned on.. the rpms increase up to 200 - 300 when the air condit…”
2006-01-10 · Visibility:glass, Side/Rear · 14,808 mi“2005 toyota 4runner sport v8 - 14800 miles - built may 2005. the drivers side rear seat window spontaneously shattered. air temperature was approximately 40 degrees with a light rain. the vehicle had been driven approx 18 miles after being parked inside overnight. the vehicle was going approximately 60 mph on a smooth highway with no vehicles n…”
2005-12-30 · Suspension · 4,500 mi“vehicle pulls/drifts to the right at highway speed. steering flutter conditions exist. consequences include steering and suspension component wear and tear. vehicle under went two wheel balances, two wheel alignments, a tire rotation, and inspection by a field specialist on 6 separate repair attempts. as of today, condition still exists. manufactur…”
2005-12-05 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 2,000 mi“while stopped, my 2005 4runner moves forward when compressor engages. the rpm at idle will fluctuate between 750 and 1100. during the later portion of fluctuation, abnormal brake pressure is needed to keep the 4runner from moving forward. idle speeds can reach 25 mph on flat surface and 45 on moderate slope. if you are cruising at 60 mph and remove…”
2005-09-16 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly“dt: the first time the owner drove the car he noticed the problem. the weight of the driver caused the driver's seat to shift. there was not a loose feeling but there a movement in the seat. the seat felt unstable and insecure. the owner was concerned that the seat could come off was the track. he owner first contacted the dealership, who tight…”
2005-08-23 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor“ dt: the contact stated that there was a rotten egg odor in vehicle. the service dealer referred the consumer to the manufacturer, and they stated that the odor was coming from the fuel that was being used in the vehicle because new england fuel had a higher rate of sulfur. *ak …”
2005-07-28 · Seats“driver's seat on brand new 2005 toyota 4 runner moves and rattles while driving. dealer replaced seat frame assembly on one occasion and problem still exists. after dealer examined problem again they contacted toyota and were told this seat problem is a known "design defect" that they are trying to fix. i have been told that i have to live with t…”
2005-07-17 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor · 100 mi“i have a 2005 toyota 4runner sport and there is a horrible sulfur smell that is emitted into the cabin while reaching rpm's of approximately 3000 - 5000.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.