2017 Toyota 4Runner Problems & Owner Complaints

Unknown Or Other 14 1 crash 1 fire

“I WAS DRIVING MY 4 RUNNER DOWN THE THREE LANE CITY ROAD DOING ABOUT 40-45 MPS WHEN MY NAVIGATION SCREEN SHUT OFF AND TRIED TO RECONNECT TO MY PHONE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN A MATTER OF 5-7 MINUTES. SINCE I WAS DRIVING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH EITHER MY PHONE OR MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM. IT ACTED AS IT IF WAS JUST TRYING TO RECONNECT TO MY PHONE WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY TURNING OFF AND REBOOTING AS IF I WAS JUST STARTING THE CAR .THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON TO A VERY BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD WHEN IN MID TURN, IT FELT LIKE I HAD LOST POWER STEERING. I CHECKED THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11315748, 2020 · fire

“The car was running while in park. Our son got and and shifted the car into reverse from the passenger seat. The gear shift will engage without applying the brake or even without running and in park. The car crashed into one of our other vehicles parked behind the 4 runner. There is a malfunction with the automatic shift locking mechanism otherwise known as the safety interlock.”
NHTSA complaint #11750215, 2026 · crash

“I was driving on the highway with no one around me. Temperature was around 60 degrees at 7:15am. My sunroof glass shattered as if it was a gunshot and the glass was pointed outward. It terrified my special needs child and myself and took a while for her to calm down. I drove it home later and opened up the sunroof to shattered glass everywhere. I have looked online and it is a known defect. I have a dash cam as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11684102, 2025

Service Brakes 9

“Failed brake master cylinder, this is still a rather new vehicle and the mechanics said this is unlikely in a new low mileage vehicle. I did research and this has only happened a few times, seems like a safety recall should be put in place.”
NHTSA complaint #11452492, 2022

“While driving at full speed on the freeway, another vehicle stopped suddenly in front of me. My brake pedal was soft and went down almost to the floor. Rapid pulsing of brakes, as would be expected with the ABS (antilock brake system), did not occur. I pulled around to the shoulder and barely managed to stop in time to avoid a collision, which was quite a frightening experience. I have had a few similar incidents since then, and have noticed that the brake pedal is a bit soft until pumping the pedal a few times. A local dealer diagnosed the problem and said the "ABS actuator assembly" has f…”
NHTSA complaint #11439109, 2021

“IN MOTION, FROM STREET TURNING INTO STORE PARKING LOT, BRAKES FADED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. LIFTED OFF AND APPLIED PEDAL TO STOP. NO LEAKS, PLENTY OF FLUID. I WILL CHECK WITH ANOTHER DEALER. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW CASES OF THIS ON THE T4R FORUMS. DEALERS CAN NOT DUPLICATE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER FOR. OPINIONS ARE ELECTRICAL ANTILOCK ISSUES.? (THERE IS NO AIR IN LINES, NO LEAKS AND NO CODES)”
NHTSA complaint #11139574, 2018

Electrical System 5

“For the 2nd time in 5 weeks, the main wiring harness and knock sensor have been eaten and destroyed by rodents. This has caused thousands of dollars worth of damage, and it's due to the soy based wiring used in the wiring harness. I cannot keep this vehicle outside for any period of time without the threat of the harnesses getting chewed.”
NHTSA complaint #11722858, 2026

“TOYOTA ENTUNE (IPHONE APP) WILL NOT PAIR WITH YOUR PHONE OR DISCONNECTS DURING USE BECAUSE APP DOES NOT MAINTAIN THE USER'S LOGIN CREDENTIALS. THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN THE VEHICLE'S ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND PHONE IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT, SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM WON'T WORK WITHOUT THE PHONE'S APP RUNNING AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL - SOMETIMES IT WON'T WORK EVEN WHEN THE APP IS RUNNING. OFTEN, WHEN THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM FAILS TO CONNECT IT STOPS FUNCTIONING AND POPS UP MESSAGES THAT REQUIRE USER INPUT WHILE DRIVING. MANY TIMES THE PHONE APPEARS TO BE CONNECTED UNTIL AFTER YOU START…”
NHTSA complaint #11090079, 2018

“CAR STALLED ON THE FREE WAY WHILE DRIVING . THE DASH BOARD HAD A WARNING TO CHECK ENGINE AT DEALER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (TANSKY SAWMILL, DUBLIN OH). THEY RESET THE CAR AND IT WAS RETURNED TO US. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSTICS DETECTED TWO ERROR CODES REPORTED A) P0A0F, B) P3190 CURRENTLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY”
NHTSA complaint #11051617, 2017

Air Bags 3 2 crash 3 injury

“A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, DRIVING 50 MPH. PASSENGER SIDE HIT, ALL 8 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG UNDER STEERING WHEEL, CUT UP MY LEGS HORRIBLY, VERY SWOLLEN, REFUSED HOSPITAL DUE TO COVID 19 FEAR. THE AIRBAGS CUT UP MY LEFT ARM AND MY DAUGHTER'S RIGHT ARM(SHE WAS PASSENGER). VERY HAPPY THAT WE WERE SAFE, BUT THE SERIOUS CUTS ON MY BODY SEEMED QUITE SEVERE FOR THE HIT WHICH WAS ON PASSENGER SIDE AND BY A DEER.”
NHTSA complaint #11329874, 2020 · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS LOCATED AT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS, THE REAR CURTAIN AIR BAGS LOCATED AT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR, AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AIR BAGS ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND WHEEL WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BURNS ON THE LEFT ARM DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WA…”
NHTSA complaint #11044936, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“ON 7/22/2019, OUR 4RUNNER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY. SPEED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT WAS APPROXIMATELY 55MPG AFTER HARD BRAKING FROM APPROXIMATELY 65MPH. NONE OF THE 4RUNNER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS DESTROYED. SEE PHOTOS.”
NHTSA complaint #11234158, 2019 · crash

Engine 2

“Throttle has a lag when depressing gas pedal (occasionally a dead petal symptom) research indicates a TSB T-SB-0166-10 exist that relates to this issue. Lack of Toyota dealer assistance with this issue when contacted (Toyota of Round Rock Texas 78664) This issues is a safety concern when operating vehicle due to lack of throttle response when accelerating into traffic. When issue occurs, vehicle "stalls" and creates a dangerous situation that eventually will result is an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11649210, 2025

“CAR STALLED ON THE FREE WAY WHILE DRIVING . THE DASH BOARD HAD A WARNING TO CHECK ENGINE AT DEALER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (TANSKY SAWMILL, DUBLIN OH). THEY RESET THE CAR AND IT WAS RETURNED TO US. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSTICS DETECTED TWO ERROR CODES REPORTED A) P0A0F, B) P3190 CURRENTLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY”
NHTSA complaint #11051617, 2017

Fuel/Propulsion System 2

“2017 Toyota 4 runner SR5 While driving on the highway the vehicle stopped apparently the fuel pump stopped working and could not get going anymore. I had a mechanic come to the house with a PC and test it. He told me that’s a change that will need to take place in a garage. Luckily I was able to stop on the side and paid someone to bring car home”
NHTSA complaint #11663273, 2025

“Throttle has a lag when depressing gas pedal (occasionally a dead petal symptom) research indicates a TSB T-SB-0166-10 exist that relates to this issue. Lack of Toyota dealer assistance with this issue when contacted (Toyota of Round Rock Texas 78664) This issues is a safety concern when operating vehicle due to lack of throttle response when accelerating into traffic. When issue occurs, vehicle "stalls" and creates a dangerous situation that eventually will result is an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11649210, 2025

Steering 2

“Front struts are leaking which are causing the vehicle to drive inconsistently. The struts should not have to be replaced this soon when the vehicle is being used on normal condition roads. After researching, it appears this is a manufacturer, Toyota, issue, that is known, and Toyota should be issuing a recall for replacement due to the number of incidences that are known on the 4-Runner.”
NHTSA complaint #11631443, 2024

“PEELING STEERING WHEEL ON IT'S OWN. NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. NO RINGS, SUNSCREEN, LOTION OR CLEANERS USED. CAUSES LOSS OF GRIP OF WHEEL AND CONTINUED DETERIORATION ALTERS STEEERING WHEEL. THERE IS A CHANGE.ORG PETITION.”
NHTSA complaint #11267825, 2019

Structure 2 2 injury

“A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, DRIVING 50 MPH. PASSENGER SIDE HIT, ALL 8 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG UNDER STEERING WHEEL, CUT UP MY LEGS HORRIBLY, VERY SWOLLEN, REFUSED HOSPITAL DUE TO COVID 19 FEAR. THE AIRBAGS CUT UP MY LEFT ARM AND MY DAUGHTER'S RIGHT ARM(SHE WAS PASSENGER). VERY HAPPY THAT WE WERE SAFE, BUT THE SERIOUS CUTS ON MY BODY SEEMED QUITE SEVERE FOR THE HIT WHICH WAS ON PASSENGER SIDE AND BY A DEER.”
NHTSA complaint #11329874, 2020 · 2 injury(ies)

“ABOUT A YEAR AFTER OWNING MY MAGNETIC GRAY 4RUNNER I STARTED NOTICING FLAWS ON MY HOOD AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE ALMOST LIKE THE CLEAR COAT WAS BUBBLING UP. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE DEALERSHIP DURING A ROUTINE VISIT AND THE SUPERVISOR SAID IT WILL BE NOTED IN THE VEHICLES RECORD. I ROUTINELY WASH MY VEHICLE AND DO NOT LET ANYTHING SIT ON MY VEHICLE SUCH AS SAP OR BIRD DROPPINGS AND THE VEHICLE IS IN A GARAGE. IT IS NOW A YEAR LATER AND I AM NOTICING MORE SPOTS. KNOWING NOW THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD ISSUES BEFORE WITH DEFECTIVE CLEAR COAT ON THEIR VEHICLES I AM WONDERING IF THEIR IS ANYTHING…”
NHTSA complaint #11319289, 2018

Suspension 2

“Front struts are leaking which are causing the vehicle to drive inconsistently. The struts should not have to be replaced this soon when the vehicle is being used on normal condition roads. After researching, it appears this is a manufacturer, Toyota, issue, that is known, and Toyota should be issuing a recall for replacement due to the number of incidences that are known on the 4-Runner.”
NHTSA complaint #11631443, 2024

“TRUCK SHIMMY'S WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER 50MPH. FRONT TIRES ARE DAMAGED FROM CUPPING. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE AS WELL AS TIRE ALIGNMENT AND ROTATION. DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT.”
NHTSA complaint #11341919, 2020

Vehicle Speed Control 2

“Text sent to Toyota. Copy to NHTSA. Hello, my name is [XXX]. I am writing to both Toyota and NHTSA with what I perceive as a safety problem. I have owned three Toyotas including a 2017 4runner. I have been pleased with them except for one characteristic they all shared. The turn signal sound volume is just too low. My son's F-150 and my wife's Audi A4 both have very clear and distinct turn signal sounds that I can clearly hear over normal conversation or the radio playing. The Toyota does not. Why? In a nation with aging baby-boomers, whose hearing is diminishing, it would seem ob…”
NHTSA complaint #11461283, 2022

“TRUCK SHIMMY'S WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER 50MPH. FRONT TIRES ARE DAMAGED FROM CUPPING. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE AS WELL AS TIRE ALIGNMENT AND ROTATION. DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT.”
NHTSA complaint #11341919, 2020

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“I have owned my vehicle since 2017 and since then I have had to change the locks over 10 times. this has been ongoing since purchasing my car. Some were originally covered with the warranty but since it expired, i have paid dealerships out of pocket. I have a lock give out almost yearly. Right now my car has 3 of the 4 door locks not working and the 4th just started acting up as well. I have checked for recalls because it doesn't make sense that they would go out yearly and the dealerships have even told me there should be recalls because my year 4runner always has lock issues. my safety conce…”
NHTSA complaint #11600914, 2018

Power Train 1

“Front struts are leaking which are causing the vehicle to drive inconsistently. The struts should not have to be replaced this soon when the vehicle is being used on normal condition roads. After researching, it appears this is a manufacturer, Toyota, issue, that is known, and Toyota should be issuing a recall for replacement due to the number of incidences that are known on the 4-Runner.”
NHTSA complaint #11631443, 2024

Seat Belts 1 2 injury

“A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, DRIVING 50 MPH. PASSENGER SIDE HIT, ALL 8 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG UNDER STEERING WHEEL, CUT UP MY LEGS HORRIBLY, VERY SWOLLEN, REFUSED HOSPITAL DUE TO COVID 19 FEAR. THE AIRBAGS CUT UP MY LEFT ARM AND MY DAUGHTER'S RIGHT ARM(SHE WAS PASSENGER). VERY HAPPY THAT WE WERE SAFE, BUT THE SERIOUS CUTS ON MY BODY SEEMED QUITE SEVERE FOR THE HIT WHICH WAS ON PASSENGER SIDE AND BY A DEER.”
NHTSA complaint #11329874, 2020 · 2 injury(ies)

Seats 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED AND MADE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AVONDALE TOYOTA (10005 WEST PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, (844) 610-894) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME//SUPPORT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANDERSON TOYOTA (6510 SHOWPLACE AVE, LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ 86404, (928) 764-2886), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ADJUST THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…”
NHTSA complaint #11101898, 2018

Wheels 1

“TRUCK SHIMMY'S WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER 50MPH. FRONT TIRES ARE DAMAGED FROM CUPPING. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE AS WELL AS TIRE ALIGNMENT AND ROTATION. DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT.”
NHTSA complaint #11341919, 2020