2018 Toyota 4runner problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (9) · Service Brakes (6) · Suspension (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota 4runner model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
36 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2020-11-04 · campaign 20V682000 · 1,525,742 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus I
Risk: 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 assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an
Suspension 2019-09-20 · campaign 19V670000 · 34 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET19B.
Equipment:other:labels 2018-10-25 · campaign 18V753000 · 1,295 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners and mail them corrected certification labels, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET18A.
Equipment:other:labels 2017-12-20 · campaign 17V831000 · 649 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
Structure:body:hood 2017-11-29 · campaign 17V763000 · 431 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17C.
Service bulletins (192)
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
Electrical System 2025-08-20 · T-TT-0790-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using bluetooth hands free. this is caused by the phone hands free volume being too low.
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
the air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. the procedures outlined in this service bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 192 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-26 · Service Brakes“on [xxx], my husband was driving our 2018 toyota 4runner limited home from coventry, ct, with me in the passenger seat. at the second-to-last stop sign on our route, a yellow slip indicator light suddenly appeared on the dashboard. we did not know why. we wondered if we had accidentally touched a control near the steering wheel. the brakes still wo…”
2026-10-17 · Steering“maplewood toyota dealership service negligence resulted in a severe, 2-tooth mechanical misalignment of the steering intermediate shaft splines. the vehicle was subsequently driven for 11 months under extreme structural binding, inducing unmeasurable metallurgy fatigue on a primary control linkage, internal hydraulic valve balancing failure within …”
2026-07-16 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 86,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2018 toyota 4runner. the contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy per a carfax report. the vehicle was a dealer sale. at the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 65,862. however, the carfax report indicated that the mileage was 61,000 in april 2022; 90,000 in february 2023; and 54,000 …”
2026-03-27 · Service Brakes“the dealership direct motor, located in manassas, virginia, sold me this car in poor condition. on sunday the 22nd, i picked up the car around 10 pm. they didn't show me any information about the car. when i picked it up, i saw that the front bumper and rear door were damaged, and the airbag lights were on, which is dangerous. i returned the car fi…”
2026-01-10 · Suspension“this vehicle was purchased from don chalmers ford in rio rancho on 1129, 2025, upon purchasing a 2018 toyota foreigner limited i traded in a 2020 acura rdx with only 50,000 miles. the salesman seemed to trustworthy. he showed me the carfax clean had no accidents no recalls then i receive some paperwork stating this vehicle is eligible for a buyback…”
2025-03-25 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“while my father was exiting his 2018 toyota 4runner sr5, the vehicle unexpectedly started reversing fairly quickly, despite no foot being on the brake. he was dragged by the vehicle while attempting to stop it outside the car, and it continued moving backwards then down a hill before crashing into a fence, causing significant damage to both the car…”
2025-03-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel pump make noises and i can hear it …”
2024-08-31 · Suspension“the front shock springs cracked and snapped due to cold weather. i have been waiting for 2 months for the replacement parts and cannot drive my vehicle. the parts are 4 months out on a waiting list. the vehicle is not safe to drive. the dealer has inpected the vehicle and said it is not safe to drive for safety reasons. there were no warning and i …”
2024-07-28 · Service Brakes“ while attempting to stop vehicle for a traffic light brake pedal suddenly goes almost to the floor. this occurrence is random and unpredictable. no dash lights or messages come on indicating any problem. brake master cylinder is at the proper level and no signs of leakage. the vehicle has not yet been inspected by any technicians. vehicle is ava…”
2024-07-18 · Engine“two transfer case seals failed at 64,000 miles. caused excessive oil to leak out of transfer case and onto the exhaust. safety was put as risk by potential full failure of transfer case which can cause loss of power at speed or leaking oil on exhaust causing a fire. problem was verified by armstrong automotive and repaired. no warning lights were p…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.