2014 Toyota 4Runner Problems & Owner Complaints

Electrical System 24

“My gear shift became difficult to shift. As I was driving it, when I physically shifted to the Drive position, the display didn't confirm "D", but I could drive. As I was driving, the car shifted to Neutral without me shifting, but did not show "N" on the display. My car stopped accelerating and revved higher. This occurred as I was driving on the road around 45 mph. I could not tell on the display that I was not in Drive. I pulled over safely luckily. I Continued to try to get it to drive to get it to a dealership to look at. They reported it was PRNDL switch issue. TECH FOUND INTERNAL…”
NHTSA complaint #11501788, 2023

“The horn stopped functioning. This is a safety hazard because i am not able to alert other drivers. The vehicle has only been inspected by the Toyota Dealer. No codes and no lights were displayed.Fearing for my family's safety, I paid for the repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #11465513, 2022

“THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED ON EVERY DOOR IN MY CAR. I'VE HAD THEM FIXED BUT NOW THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED.”
NHTSA complaint #11400058, 2021

Unknown Or Other 11

“The handsfree calling/talking is unusable neither party can hear the other due to it echoing and has very distortion. So I'm unable to use my handsfree talking while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11542714, 2023

“My gear shift became difficult to shift. As I was driving it, when I physically shifted to the Drive position, the display didn't confirm "D", but I could drive. As I was driving, the car shifted to Neutral without me shifting, but did not show "N" on the display. My car stopped accelerating and revved higher. This occurred as I was driving on the road around 45 mph. I could not tell on the display that I was not in Drive. I pulled over safely luckily. I Continued to try to get it to drive to get it to a dealership to look at. They reported it was PRNDL switch issue. TECH FOUND INTERNAL…”
NHTSA complaint #11501788, 2023

“Three of the four locks do not work on a consistent basis. My car got broken into because the locks don't work. I just replaced three of the four locks for around $1,200.00. Neither the key fob nor the actual key would open the doors on the vehicle. This is an extreme safety issue in case of emergency, and it really makes me mad. It is a well-known defect which is commented on countless vehicle websites. There were no warning messages, the locks just stopped working.”
NHTSA complaint #11497648, 2022

Air Bags 8 3 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“Vehicle was involved in an accident where the driver side airbag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11657608, 2025 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“I had a collision and rear ended a truck. My front left bumper was completely damaged. My chest hit the steering wheel. My airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11670137, 2025 · crash

“TAKATA RECALL - I WAS IN A SERIOUS WRECK AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLYED”
NHTSA complaint #11066719, 2015 · crash

Structure 8 1 crash 1 injury

“GREATLY REDUCED SAFETY IN FRONTAL IMPACT DURING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO CORRODED FRAME COMPONENTS CAUSED BY FACTORY INSTALLED FOAM PIECES THAT RETAIN RAIN WATER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED, PERSONALLY BY ME, ON MULTIPLE TOYOTA 4RUNNERS OF MODEL YEARS 2014-2016 SO FAR. THE CORROSION DAMAGE ON MY VEHICLE MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND NOT ADEQUATE TO BE TOWED FROM THE FRONT HOOKS INCASE OF AN EMERGENCY. I TRIED TO BRING THIS CONCERN TO A LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THAT WAS OF NO HELP. IMAGES ARE ATTACHED BELOW THAT SHOW HOW THE FACTORY FOAM PIECES SURROUNDING THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11376235, 2020 · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS THE SECOND CAR WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN SO I COULD MAKE A LEFT. SUDDENLY A HONDA CRV MADE AN OPEN RIGHT TURN AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND MYSELF. MY TOYOTA SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE COMPARED TO THE DAMAGE OF THE CRV. WHEN I LOOK AT MY CAR I FIND THAT THERE IS NO STEEL BUMPER AT THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY. SINCE THERE IS NO BUMPER TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE THE ENTIRE PANELS ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SHIFTED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. THIS IS MEDIOCRE AND FRAUDULENT ENGINEERING FROM TOYOTA. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE.”
NHTSA complaint #11006487, 2017 · crash

“White Paint Peeling From Metal Body Panels”
NHTSA complaint #11729684, 2024

Steering 7

“Intermediate steering shaft u joint Steering is difficult. Vehicle only has 80000 miles Just out of warranty as of 5/23”
NHTSA complaint #11535423, 2023

“The steering became almost unresponsive and I could not turn the steering wheel while driving. I brought it to a repair shop and they said the intermediate steering shaft and u-joints were rotted out and rusted to where it seized up. The vehicle only has 55k miles on it and I don’t live by the ocean. The parts were repaired by a shop and steering feels like new again. Had this seized up on the highway or at high speeds it could have been very bad. There were no warning lamps or issues with steering before”
NHTSA complaint #11436144, 2021

“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE / STEERING WHEEL SHAKES "VIOLENTLY". ALMOST TO THE POINT THAT IT IS HARD TO HOLD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL. AND IF I'M DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STOP. I HAVE HAD TO SWERVE AROUND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE MY BRAKES COULD NOT STOP MY VEHICLE IN TIME. IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS ISSUE I HAVE HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AT 71K MILES, 83K MILES, 100K MILES WITH THE LAST TIME BEING WITH GENUINE TOYOTA ROTORS. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WILL DRIVE GREAT FOR ABOUT 10K MILES AND THAN GO BACK TO…”
NHTSA complaint #11416317, 2021

Engine 6

“I am reporting what I believe is a design defect involving the Secondary Air Injection (SAI) System on my 2014 Toyota 4Runner. My vehicle illuminated the Check Engine Light and stored Diagnostic Trouble Code P2440 (Secondary Air Injection System Switching Valve Stuck Open). During my inspection, I found that the factory-installed foam air pump filter had completely deteriorated and was missing. The filter appears to have disintegrated over time rather than being removed during maintenance. The filter is intended to prevent contaminants from entering the Secondary Air Injection pump and switc…”
NHTSA complaint #11753646, 2026

“My exhaust pipe rusted apart after the muffler causing the hot exhaust to expel upward and melt a rubber grommet on the floor. Then it proceeded to shoot into cargo area, melting the carpet backing and Styrofoam pad and insulation under the cargo area carpeting. This happened on an 11 hour road trip with the cargo area full of vacation stuff. I'm concerned about this being a potential fire and carbon monoxide issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11629264, 2024

“My gear shift became difficult to shift. As I was driving it, when I physically shifted to the Drive position, the display didn't confirm "D", but I could drive. As I was driving, the car shifted to Neutral without me shifting, but did not show "N" on the display. My car stopped accelerating and revved higher. This occurred as I was driving on the road around 45 mph. I could not tell on the display that I was not in Drive. I pulled over safely luckily. I Continued to try to get it to drive to get it to a dealership to look at. They reported it was PRNDL switch issue. TECH FOUND INTERNAL…”
NHTSA complaint #11501788, 2023

Fuel/Propulsion System 6

“Fuel level sensor in gas tank not working properly”
NHTSA complaint #11453120, 2022

“I notice my gas wasn't lasting long. One day I was pumping gas and noticed that underneath my 4-runner gas was pouring out from the top of my fuel tank. Took it to the dealership and they repaired the charcoal canister, canister assembly and purge valve assembly. Cost me $953.48 with parts and labor. Very dangerous due to it could have started a fire while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11542712, 2021

“Car would have trouble starting. Once i got it to start it would stall when stopped”
NHTSA complaint #11419689, 2021

Service Brakes 5 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. AFTER PLACING THE SHIFTER IN THE REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH BEFORE CRASHING INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.....UPDATED 02/06/17 *BF CONSUMER STATED CRASHED INTO THIRD VEHICLE. UPDATED 8/30/18*JB”
NHTSA complaint #10927004, 2016 · crash

“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE / STEERING WHEEL SHAKES "VIOLENTLY". ALMOST TO THE POINT THAT IT IS HARD TO HOLD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL. AND IF I'M DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STOP. I HAVE HAD TO SWERVE AROUND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE MY BRAKES COULD NOT STOP MY VEHICLE IN TIME. IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS ISSUE I HAVE HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AT 71K MILES, 83K MILES, 100K MILES WITH THE LAST TIME BEING WITH GENUINE TOYOTA ROTORS. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WILL DRIVE GREAT FOR ABOUT 10K MILES AND THAN GO BACK TO…”
NHTSA complaint #11416317, 2021

“THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO STOP AND THE BRAKES ARE SPONGY, IVE DRIVEN A FEW 4RUNNERS AND THEY ARE ALL LIKE THAT AND ITS DANGEROUS. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE MAKES A HORRIBLE TICKING SOUND WHEN IDLING AND SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW UP”
NHTSA complaint #11397767, 2021

Fuel System 4

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11329444, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED. NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED NALLEY TOYOTA OF ROSWELL (11130 ALPHARETTA HWY, ROSWELL, GA 30076, (770) 763-7398), AND WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NO LON…”
NHTSA complaint #11324661, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CAVENDER TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER (5802 STEMMONS, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238, (877)676-9734, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND CONFIRMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #11322521, 2020

Suspension 3

“THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE X-REAS SYSTEM WHICH INTER LINKS THE STRUTS ON OPPOSITE CORNERS OF THE VEHICLE TO PROVIDE FLATTER CORNERING. TOYOTA SAYS THE SYSTEM SHOULD LAST WELL OVER 100,000 MILES. BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT THE SHOCKS START LEAKING FROM THE CENTER JOINT AT LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. LEAKING SHOCKS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS A FULL SET OF 4. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS PROHIBITIVE, IN EXCESS OF $3000 CURRENTLY. LOSS OF SHOCK PERFORMANCE CAN CAUSE EXCESS BOUNCE AND SWAY, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A CRASH”
NHTSA complaint #11365015, 2020

“MY 2014 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAS WHAT I CALL A DEATH WOBBLE. AS YOU START DOWN THE ROAD AND GET UP TO SPEED, 55-65 MPH, THE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I AM ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE HAD A FEW MECHANIC SHOPS LOOK AT IT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT. THEY HAVE DONE ALIGNMENTS, CHECKED TRANSFER CASE (4WD), CV AXLES ON FRONT, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, SWAPPED TIRES, REPLACED ROTORS AND ROAD FORCE BALANCED TIRES. THE LAST MECHANIC SAID I SHOULD PARK IT UNTIL IT'S FIGURED OUT BUT I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AS I'M STILL PAYING ON THIS ONE AND IT'S MY ONLY VEHICLE. I HAVE NE…”
NHTSA complaint #11321840, 2020

“VEHICLE SHAKES "VIOLENTLY" UPON PUTTING BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AT OR ABOVE 60 MPH. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT'S A BRAKE PAD/ROTOR PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THIS IN TO TOYOTA MY VEHICLE HAD MAYBE 28,000 MILES, I TOOK IT IN TODAY 3/20/17 AND IT HAS 35,000 AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING SO I TOOK IT TO A BRAKE REPAIR SHOP AND EXPLAINED WHAT TOYOTA HAD SAID, THE EMPLOYEE AND ACTUAL OWNER OF THE SHOP TOLD ME "I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOUR MONEY HOWEVER IT WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE YOUR BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE PERFECT. THAT IS ACT…”
NHTSA complaint #10967305, 2016

Visibility 2 2 injury

“MOLD IN BRAND NEW TOYOTA 4RUNNER HVAC MAKING ME AND MY FAMILY ILL TOYOTA APPEARS TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND IGNORING IT, AT BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM IN BOTH NEW AND OLDER TOYOTA'S NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF THE ISSUE. FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS INVESTIGATED SIMILAR ISSUES. NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS AND NUMEROUS LITIGATION ON THE PROBLEM. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10662290, 2014 · 2 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2014 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the sunroof exploded without impact. There were no injuries sustained. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,941.”
NHTSA complaint #11531831, 2023

Wheels 2

“MY 2014 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAS WHAT I CALL A DEATH WOBBLE. AS YOU START DOWN THE ROAD AND GET UP TO SPEED, 55-65 MPH, THE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I AM ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE HAD A FEW MECHANIC SHOPS LOOK AT IT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT. THEY HAVE DONE ALIGNMENTS, CHECKED TRANSFER CASE (4WD), CV AXLES ON FRONT, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, SWAPPED TIRES, REPLACED ROTORS AND ROAD FORCE BALANCED TIRES. THE LAST MECHANIC SAID I SHOULD PARK IT UNTIL IT'S FIGURED OUT BUT I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AS I'M STILL PAYING ON THIS ONE AND IT'S MY ONLY VEHICLE. I HAVE NE…”
NHTSA complaint #11321840, 2020

“VEHICLE SHAKES "VIOLENTLY" UPON PUTTING BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AT OR ABOVE 60 MPH. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT'S A BRAKE PAD/ROTOR PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THIS IN TO TOYOTA MY VEHICLE HAD MAYBE 28,000 MILES, I TOOK IT IN TODAY 3/20/17 AND IT HAS 35,000 AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING SO I TOOK IT TO A BRAKE REPAIR SHOP AND EXPLAINED WHAT TOYOTA HAD SAID, THE EMPLOYEE AND ACTUAL OWNER OF THE SHOP TOLD ME "I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOUR MONEY HOWEVER IT WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE YOUR BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE PERFECT. THAT IS ACT…”
NHTSA complaint #10967305, 2016

Equipment 1

“I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY RADIO/BACKUP CAMERA SYSTEM FREEZING AND RESTARTING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2015. I HAVE NOW HAD MY PASSENGER FRONT DOOR ACTUATOR GO OUT LAST MONTH. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND INCONVENIENCE.”
NHTSA complaint #11163441, 2018

Power Train 1

“Stumbling/Studering and hesitation when accelerating took it to dealership and they performed a tune-up and complete fuel system service when to pick it up and still doing the same thing. Dealership rechecked it and said Torque converter was faulty. Had to replace transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11542722, 2019

Tires 1

“The contact owns a 2014 Toyota 4Runner. The contact purchased four Bridgestone tires in 2022, Tire Line: Alenza AS Ultra, Tire Size: 245/60/R20, DOT Number: 1RBTEAAU1. The contact stated that all four tires had developed cracks on the sidewalls and by the tire beads. The tires were replacement tires. The tire dealer was contacted and advised the contact that it was normal wear on the tires. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The vehicle failure mileage was 80,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11723397, 2026

Vehicle Speed Control 1 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. AFTER PLACING THE SHIFTER IN THE REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH BEFORE CRASHING INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.....UPDATED 02/06/17 *BF CONSUMER STATED CRASHED INTO THIRD VEHICLE. UPDATED 8/30/18*JB”
NHTSA complaint #10927004, 2016 · crash

Visibility/Wiper 1