2012 Toyota 4Runner Problems & Owner Complaints

Air Bags 70 3 crash 4 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 51 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISON, HE SWERVED, LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SLIDING INTO A TREE IN THE SNOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT 18 MPH PER THE ELECTRONIC DATA RECORDER (EDR). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER DISLOCATED HIS LEFT SHOULDER AS WELL AS LEG INJURIES DUE TO HITTING THE DASHBOARD. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE AND THE PASSENGER SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION SEVERAL DAYS LATER. A POLICE REPORT W…”
NHTSA complaint #11308584, 2020 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, WHILE IT WAS RAINING, WITH A VEHICLE DRIVING IN THE ONCOMING LANE, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT OF THE ROADWAY NOT TO PREVENT A CRASH WITH THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE TIRE HIT A PATCH OF SNOW, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEFT HAND, SHOULDER, AND WHIPLASH INJURIES WHILE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A DISLOCATED SHOULDER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FLOOR SPA…”
NHTSA complaint #11306773, 2020 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I WAS FIRST ONE WAITING AT THE LIGHT, TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON BUTLER/AIRPORT RD. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I WAS ABOUT HALFWAY TO THREE-QUARTERS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, I NOTICED A MINI COOPER APPROACHING RAPIDLY, HEADING NORTHBOUND ON SHUTE RD. I KNEW SHE WAS GOING TO HIT ME, SO I ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE LEFT TO AVOID A HIGH IMPACT COLLISION. I DIDN'T HEAR HER BRAKES UNTIL THE POINT OF IMPACT, SHE T-BONED MY 4RUNNER HITTING ME IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE WHEEL WELL. MY 4RUNNER THAN TIPPED AND ROLLED UPSIDE DOWN. I WAITED UNTIL THE 4RUNNER STO…”
NHTSA complaint #10619067, 2014 · crash

Service Brakes 7 1 crash 2 injury

“APPROXIMATELY 7:45 AM ON 9/18/19, MY SON WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK, HAD AN ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT WITH HIM AT THE TIME. WHEN HE SHOWED UP AT HOME AFTER THE INCIDENT, HE EXPLAINED HOW HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. HE ARTICULATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, IT WAS AS IF HE VEHICLE SPED UP. REMEMBERING YEARS BACK DURING A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH SOME OTHER TOYOTA'S. THE VERDICT WAS THE PLACE MATS INTERFERED WITH THE PEDALS. WHEN I RELEASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE TOW LOT, I CHECKED AND THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AS THE FLOOR MA…”
NHTSA complaint #11268551, 2019 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I PURCHASED A 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA FROM CFL TOYOTA. THE VIN IS [XXX]AT THE FIRST MAINTENANCE, I REPORTED INSTANCES OF "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION." THE CFL TOYOTA MECHANIC AND, LATER THE TOYOTA OF ORLANDO CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THAT THE EVENT IS RELATED TO THE FACT THAT FOR TOYOTAS, THE ENGINE IS USED TO "GEAR DOWN" AND ASSIST IN BRAKING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ABOUT 6 TIMES IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK. ON 1-MAY-2014, AT THE SANDLAKE ROAD ENTRANCE TO LOWES HARDWARE NEAR JOHN YOUNG PARKWAY IN ORLANDO FL, WHILE STOPPED IN LINE TO ENTER A HIGHWAY,…”
NHTSA complaint #10588392, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO GRADUALLY BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10608566, 2013

Electrical System 6

“THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. WHILE NOT MOVING AND THEN SHIFITING INTO REVERSE, THE SCREEN DOES NOT CHANGE OR CHANGES TO SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE CAMERA. IT USUALLY STOPS WORKING AFTER SEVERAL STOPS AND SHIFTS INTO REVERSE. SOMETIMES IT GOES 2 OR 3 DAYS WITHOUT DISPLAYING AND THEN STARTS WORKING AGAIN ANOTHER DAY.”
NHTSA complaint #11383575, 2020

“I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY BELTWAY 08 WHEN TEHRAN TRASMISION OF MY CAR RUN OUT LAST SATURDAY 02/04/2018”
NHTSA complaint #10953790, 2017

“SQUIRRELS KEEP EATING MY ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY ACCESS THE ENGINE BAY THROUGH THE OPENINGS IN THE WHEEL WELLS AFTER JUMPING ON TOP OF THE TIRES. THE RESULTS HAVE DISABLED MY ABS, 4WD, LIMITED SLIP, ETC. I'VE TRIED RODENT REPELLENT, FOX URINE, AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE. NOTHING HELPS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STOP USING SOY BASED WIRING, AND THEY NEED TO CLOSE THE HOLES IN THE WHEEL WELLS.”
NHTSA complaint #10859964, 2016

Unknown Or Other 6 1 crash 2 injury

“I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. I CHECKED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR PREPARING TO BRAKE IN TRAFFIC. BEFORE MY EYES RETURNED TO THE FRONT I WAS CRASHING INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME PUSHING HIM INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I GOT SO CLOSE SO FAST I BELIEVE WHEN I WENT TO BREAK THE GAS PEDDLE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDDLE ALSO ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDDLE. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH I WAS IN SHOCK.AND I COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. NOW I BELIEVE THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY RIGHT FOOT AS I WENT TO BREAK MY FOOT HIT THE GAS FIRST CAUSING MY CAR…”
NHTSA complaint #11033294, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. WHILE NOT MOVING AND THEN SHIFITING INTO REVERSE, THE SCREEN DOES NOT CHANGE OR CHANGES TO SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE CAMERA. IT USUALLY STOPS WORKING AFTER SEVERAL STOPS AND SHIFTS INTO REVERSE. SOMETIMES IT GOES 2 OR 3 DAYS WITHOUT DISPLAYING AND THEN STARTS WORKING AGAIN ANOTHER DAY.”
NHTSA complaint #11383575, 2020

“THE WIRING IN MY STEERING COLUMN CONNECTED TO THE HORN IN THE CLOCK SPRING HAS CAUSED MY HORN TO NOT WORK . I GOT MY CAR DIAGNOSED AND THEY SAID THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT COST $1020.31 TO GET FIXED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING I CAUSED OR COULD HAVE PREVENTED .I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND EVERYONE ELSE OUT ON THE ROAD. IT'S ILLEGAL TO NOT HAVE A HORN AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX IT . APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME OLDER MODEL 4RUNNERS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL UNSAFE KNOWING I CANNOT USE MY HORN AND THAT IT MAY CAUSE MY AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY . CAN SOMEO…”
NHTSA complaint #11054793, 2017

Engine 5 1 fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL SMELL EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AROUND HIS FEET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP NOISE AND AFTER MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10672541, 2015 · fire

“Vehicle radiator light came on, shortly thereafter (5-10 min) vehicle overheated. Waited for vehicle to cool down, then drove home. The following day drove the vehicle to dealership. After an inspection the dealer stated the heads are cracked and needed to be replaced. When I asked how this could happen to a car that is regularly serviced with only 90k miles his response was "the original heads were made of weaker metal, the replacement ones are upgraded. We haven't had any come-backs on the ones we've replaced". I then asked, well how many vehicles has this impacted? Sounds like thi…”
NHTSA complaint #11473715, 2022

“I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY BELTWAY 08 WHEN TEHRAN TRASMISION OF MY CAR RUN OUT LAST SATURDAY 02/04/2018”
NHTSA complaint #10953790, 2017

Steering 5

“Consistent steering wheel shake between 60-65 mph. This is a very well known issue on the 2010-2024 4Runners and it drives me and many others crazy, and feels unsafe to drive with. Will happen almost anytime I’m on the highway. My vehicle only has 48k miles. This needs to be addressed.”
NHTSA complaint #11724239, 2026

“THE WIRING IN MY STEERING COLUMN CONNECTED TO THE HORN IN THE CLOCK SPRING HAS CAUSED MY HORN TO NOT WORK . I GOT MY CAR DIAGNOSED AND THEY SAID THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT COST $1020.31 TO GET FIXED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING I CAUSED OR COULD HAVE PREVENTED .I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND EVERYONE ELSE OUT ON THE ROAD. IT'S ILLEGAL TO NOT HAVE A HORN AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX IT . APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME OLDER MODEL 4RUNNERS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL UNSAFE KNOWING I CANNOT USE MY HORN AND THAT IT MAY CAUSE MY AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY . CAN SOMEO…”
NHTSA complaint #11054793, 2017

“WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERS OR VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. REPLACED TIRES WITH NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. READ THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE R& R STEERING RACK PRELOAD SPRING. BUT TOYOTA DENIES ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 4RUNNERS. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND MANY POSTS CONCERNING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN I AM CONSTANTLY REPLACING OR ROTATING TIRES TO AVOID CHOPPING IN THE TIRES. TOYOTA SAYS THERE IS NOTING WRONG.”
NHTSA complaint #10721349, 2015

Fuel System 4

“I was driving on the expressway, at about 70 to 75 miles. Suddenly the vehicle just slowed down to 40 miles per hour. I almost got hit from the back by a truck. But, then it suddenly picked back up. this has happened several times but the shop nor the dealer could tell me what was wrong. I finally took it to another shop and they said it was the fuel pump. So I start researching to see if there were recalls on the fuel pump and yes their are. But not for my vehicle year. They are for 2013 to 2020. What can I do about that? This started about 3 to 4 months ago.”
NHTSA complaint #11435033, 2021

“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The Police Department called and arranged for the vehicle to be towed to an authorized dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump had disintegrated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11467348, 2018

“I CAME HOME LAST NIGHT AT ABOUT 9:30 PM AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. THIS MORNING AT 7:30 AM I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM NEAR THE REAR WHEELS OF THE CAR. MY BEST GUESS WAS THE FUEL PUMP WAS STILL RUNNING (I HAD A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WITH A FUEL PUMP NOT RUNNING WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON WITH A 2000 JAGUAR ABOUT A YEAR AGO). I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND OFF WITHOUT CRANKING THE ENGINE, THE BUZZING CONTINUED. I STARTED THE 4RUNNER, RAN IT FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS, AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. BUZZING STOPPED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10532819, 2013

Fuel/Propulsion System 2

“LEAVING THE SONIC DRIVE IN PARKING LOT MY VECHILE DIED AS I WAS TURNING ON THE STREET. IT SHOWED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD A 1/4 TANK OF GAS BUT THE TANK WAS EMPTY”
NHTSA complaint #11319249, 2020

“TOYOTA USES NEW GREEN (ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY) WIRING THAT IS TASTY TO RODENTS AND OTHER PEST- THEY ARE AWARE THAT IT CAN ATTRACT ANIMALS TO EAT THE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ON THEIR VEHICLES AND REFUSE TO COVER THE DAMAGES INCURRED ON THE WARRANTY - THEY REFER THE CUSTOMERS TO SEEK MONETARY AIDE FROM THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY - IN MY CASE IT WAS $3000.00 IN DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE FOR A RAT EATING THE WIRES /ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MY INSURANCE PAID FOR IT - BUT HOW CAN I BE ASSURED IT WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. ?? TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10644989, 2014

Structure 2 1 injury

“LIFTGATE STRUTS ON HATCH FAILED YESTERDAY. WHILE I WAS GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK OF MY 2012 4 RUNNER ONE OF THE LIFTGATE STRUTS GAVE OUT AND THE HATCH CAME DOWN ON ME AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD. I HAVE KNOT AND A SORE NECK FROM THIS. MY CONCERN IS WHAT IF IT HAD BEEN ONE OF MY CHILDREN BACK THERE GETTING SOMETHING FROM THE CAR WHEN IT GAVE WAY, THEY WOULD OF BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON THING FOR THE LIFT GATE STRUTS TO GO OUT, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10711953, 2015 · 1 injury(ies)

“SQUIRRELS KEEP EATING MY ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY ACCESS THE ENGINE BAY THROUGH THE OPENINGS IN THE WHEEL WELLS AFTER JUMPING ON TOP OF THE TIRES. THE RESULTS HAVE DISABLED MY ABS, 4WD, LIMITED SLIP, ETC. I'VE TRIED RODENT REPELLENT, FOX URINE, AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE. NOTHING HELPS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STOP USING SOY BASED WIRING, AND THEY NEED TO CLOSE THE HOLES IN THE WHEEL WELLS.”
NHTSA complaint #10859964, 2016

Suspension 2

“I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY BELTWAY 08 WHEN TEHRAN TRASMISION OF MY CAR RUN OUT LAST SATURDAY 02/04/2018”
NHTSA complaint #10953790, 2017

“APPLIED BRAKES FIRMLY AT YELLOW LIGHT AND VEHICLE NOSE DIVED, BRAKES LOCKED AND VEHICLE STATED TO SKID. LET UP ON PEDAL AND APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN AND VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT FURTHER DRAMA. DID NOT FEEL THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM PULSE THE PEDAL OR HEAR THE SYSTEM GROWL. SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED UNDER SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP BEFORE THE LIGHT CHANGED FROM YELLOW TO RED. LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION ALWAYS REQUIRED TO AVOID VEHICLE NOSE DIVING. LIGHT APPLICATION OF BRAKES DOESN'T SLOW IT VERY WELL. BRAKES SEEM TO BE VERY TOUCHY. LAST VEHICLE WAS A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHICH…”
NHTSA complaint #10468291, 2012

Vehicle Speed Control 2 1 crash 2 injury

“APPROXIMATELY 7:45 AM ON 9/18/19, MY SON WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK, HAD AN ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT WITH HIM AT THE TIME. WHEN HE SHOWED UP AT HOME AFTER THE INCIDENT, HE EXPLAINED HOW HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. HE ARTICULATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, IT WAS AS IF HE VEHICLE SPED UP. REMEMBERING YEARS BACK DURING A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH SOME OTHER TOYOTA'S. THE VERDICT WAS THE PLACE MATS INTERFERED WITH THE PEDALS. WHEN I RELEASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE TOW LOT, I CHECKED AND THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AS THE FLOOR MA…”
NHTSA complaint #11268551, 2019 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I PURCHASED A 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA FROM CFL TOYOTA. THE VIN IS [XXX]AT THE FIRST MAINTENANCE, I REPORTED INSTANCES OF "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION." THE CFL TOYOTA MECHANIC AND, LATER THE TOYOTA OF ORLANDO CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THAT THE EVENT IS RELATED TO THE FACT THAT FOR TOYOTAS, THE ENGINE IS USED TO "GEAR DOWN" AND ASSIST IN BRAKING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ABOUT 6 TIMES IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK. ON 1-MAY-2014, AT THE SANDLAKE ROAD ENTRANCE TO LOWES HARDWARE NEAR JOHN YOUNG PARKWAY IN ORLANDO FL, WHILE STOPPED IN LINE TO ENTER A HIGHWAY,…”
NHTSA complaint #10588392, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1 1 crash 2 injury

“APPROXIMATELY 7:45 AM ON 9/18/19, MY SON WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK, HAD AN ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT WITH HIM AT THE TIME. WHEN HE SHOWED UP AT HOME AFTER THE INCIDENT, HE EXPLAINED HOW HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. HE ARTICULATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, IT WAS AS IF HE VEHICLE SPED UP. REMEMBERING YEARS BACK DURING A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH SOME OTHER TOYOTA'S. THE VERDICT WAS THE PLACE MATS INTERFERED WITH THE PEDALS. WHEN I RELEASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE TOW LOT, I CHECKED AND THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AS THE FLOOR MA…”
NHTSA complaint #11268551, 2019 · crash · 2 injury(ies)