2010 Toyota 4Runner Driver assistance Problems

Car keeps running out of gas while driving, due to faulty readings on the gas gauge and electronic readout. I have been driving this car for 11 years and never ran out of gas until running out 3 times in the past 2 months. Today was the 3rd occurrence, gas gauge showed over 1/4 tank and 85 miles to go until empty. Previous incident was similar with 1/4 tank and showing 65 miles to go. (Pictures attached). The miles to go reading seems to be increasing with each incident (1st incident showed 25 miles, second incident 65 miles, then 85 miles today). No low fuel indicator light or warning has appeared on ANY of these 3 occasions. This is a very dangerous situation potentially causing loss of life as drivers have SECONDS to navigate their vehicle off the highway, while quickly losing speed and loss of steering. No indication that fuel is low, while instead providing incorrect (inflated) dashboard data. Vehicle is going into the shop tomorrow. Found multiple reports of this same incident on [XXX] [XXX] ) which indicate problem with sending unit. Please review and consider further action or communication to other 4Runner owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11558871

Incident

Dec 6, 2023

03/04/2019- I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DRY ROAD IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH. A GRADUAL TURN, AND I STRESS GRADUAL, CAME UP AND UPON TURNING THE WHEEL TO TAKE THE SLIGHT CURB THE VSC/ ANTI SLIP BRAKING KICKED IN AND THE COMPUTER 'SENSED' I LOST CONTROLLED AT WHICH POINT IT TOOK OVER AND LOCKED THE BRAKES UP. THIS ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMPUTER TOOK AWAY ALL OF MY CONTROL, STRAIGHTENED MY CAR OUT SENDING ME OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIED UP RIVER BED TOTALLING MY TRUCK COMPLETELY. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, FRONT END DESTROYED, THANK GOD I WASNT SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT TRUST ME WHEN I SAY IT COULDVE BEEN MUCH MUCH WORSE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IVE READ MULTIPLE, ALMOST IDENTICAL STORIES INVOLVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS, UNPREDICTABLE AND HAS LEFT ME VEHICLELESS IN A FINANCIAL BIND. I WILL ALSO MENTION THIS WASNT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED UNWARRANTED. THIS JUST HAPPENED TO BE THE FIRST TIME IT CAUSED SERIOUS ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11184444

Incident

Mar 4, 2019

Mileage

229,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT SLOWER SPEEDS THE ENGINE SEEMS TO QUIT FOR ABOUT 5SEC THEN IT COMES ON AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THIS COULD HAPPEN ANYTIME.

NHTSA ID

11161493

Incident

Dec 11, 2018

Mileage

55,000 mi

THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL IS MUCH TOO SENSITIVE. AS A TURN IS TAKEN AT SPEED THE VEHICLE ELECTRONICS TAKE OVER AND CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY. FOR EXAMPLE, IF TURNING ON A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, IF IT SENSES A TIRE ROTATION DISCREPANCY IT STEERS THE VEHICLE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS REPRODUCIBLE DEMONSTRATING THAT THIS IS THE WAY THAT IT IS DESIGNED AND NOT AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE. CHANGING TIRES HELPS SOMEWHAT BUT DOES NOT MITIGATE IT ENTIRELY. I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN MANY TIMES TO TOYOTA UNDER WARRANTY AND NOTHING IS FOUND AND NOTHING IS DONE TO IMPROVE IT. ONLINE HELP DIRECTLY WITH TOYOTA LIKEWISE HAS NOT LEAD TO ANY IMPROVEMENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY REASONS INCLUDING DIRECTING THE VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC AND IT IS VERY DISCONCERTING TO SUDDENLY HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEN NEGOTIATING A TURN, PARTICULARLY ON NARROW ROADS OR SHARP TURNS. I EVEN HAD TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISOR IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT HAPPENED. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11040940

Incident

May 12, 2010

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONTAL PASSENGER INFLATOR; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/02/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10971704

Incident

Jun 24, 2016

VEHICLE RANDOMLY AND SUDDENLY REVS ITSELF BOTH FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND WHILE DRIVING. WHEN DRIVING DOWNHILL AND I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO REV ITSELF AROUND 3000 RPM THEN WHEN I START TO TRAVEL UPHILL IT WILL DOWN SHIFT TO ABOUT 1500 RPM. THIS SEEMS BACKWARDS. TAPPING BRAKES DOES NOT CAUSE IT TO DOWNSHIFT AS NEEDED, DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT TO APPLY BRAKES AND VEHICLE CONTINUES TO REV ITSELF HIGHER NOR DOES IT SEEM RIGHT TO TAKE FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO REV UP. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO IDLE IS TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL AND SPEED UP WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN ALREADY GOING DOWNHILL. WHEN TRAVELLING IN A PARKING LOT IT REV ITSELF UP AND WILL JUMP FORWARD. FROM A STOPPED POSITION SUCH AS IN MY DRIVEWAY OR AT A STOPLIGHT I WILL PRESS THE GAS AND IT WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE BUT IT WILL REV UP TO ABOUT 3500. NONE OF THESE ISSUES CAN BE DUPLICATED BY THE DEALERSHIP OF COURSE. AT ONE POINT THEY FINALLY CHANGED OUT SOME TYPE OF COMPONENT IN SHIFT MECHANISM AND THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. THERE IS NEVER A CODE INDICATING THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG ALTHOUGH THE TRAC LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON AND NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 YEARS AND KNOW WHEN A CAR IS NOT DRIVING PROPERLY. THIS IS MY 2D 4 RUNNER. FIRST WAS AN '03 AND HAD SIMILAR ISSUES BUT SINCE WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD I FINALLY CONVINCED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT TOYOTAS COST. THIS ONE WAS PURCHASED USED AND HAS MORE MILES ON IT BUT IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MY ORIGINAL. THE ONLY WAY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET DEALERSHIP TO BELIEVE ME IS TO ASK THE SERVICE MANAGER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS THEN THEY ARE LIKE OH I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN. ANOTHER INCIDENT WAS ON A SNOW PACKED ROAD. TRAVELLING 10MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED I LOST CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

10871126

Incident

Feb 1, 2015

AFTER STARTING MY VEHICLE THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF. MY ANTI LOCK BRAKING AND TRACTION CONTROL DO NOT WORK NOW. I JUST FOUND OUT TOYOTA IS RECALLING SEVERAL MODELS FROM 2012 AND 2013 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED. DO I HAVE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY BEFORE IT IS ADDED TO THE RECALL??? SOUNDS LIKE A LAWSUIT TO ME. I HAVE A 2010 4RUNNER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10564692

Incident

Feb 11, 2014

Mileage

65,870 mi

22DEC12 49F ENTERED CORNER AT 50MPH, ROADS SLIGHTLY WET. 4RUNNER DECIDED THE CAR WAS SLIPPING AND THE PANIC BEEPS WENT OFF AND THE CAR APPLIED BRAKES. UNFORTUNATELY THE COMPUTER STRAIGHTENED THE CAR OUT AND POINTED IT OFF THE ROAD. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE CAR BACK INTO THE CORNER AND FINALLY THE COMPUTER STOPPED THE PANIC. AFTER THIS I WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL VIA THE ENABLE/DISABLE BUTTON UNTIL I HAD TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I WAS FOLLOWING A CAR INTO THE CORNER AND THAT CAR NAVIGATED THE CORNER FINE. ALSO, SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE, 10 TIMES IT HAS ASSUMED I WAS PANIC BRAKING. LITERALLY, THE 4RUNNER SLAMS ON THE BRAKES AND BRINGS THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. LUCKILY THERE HAS BEEN NO ONE BEHIND ME DURING THESE EVENTS. IN THE WINTER OF 2011, THE 4RUNNER LOST CONTROL ON AN ICY ROAD AT FAIRLY LOW SPEED. I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE COMPUTER WAS TRYING TO GET CONTROL BACK. I SUSPECT THE COMPUTER GOT CONFUSED BECAUSE I COULD HAVE TOTALLY GOTTEN CONTROL BACK. THE TRACTION CONTROL IS NEVER REALLY OFF. YOU CAN TURN IT OFF, BUT IT WILL KICK BACK ON WHEN IT THINKS YOU ARE NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10497803

Incident

Dec 22, 2012

Mileage

29,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING INTO TOWN (APPROX. 12 MILES) AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 40 MPH AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. I HAD TO APPLY ALL MY WEIGHT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE DID NOT RETURN TO IDLE SPEED WHEN I WAS STOPPED. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND THE RPM INDICATED 1500 REVS. I KICKED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED, 700 REVS. THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE PEDAL. I CAN NOT FIND ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. IS THERE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID

10475440

Incident

Sep 14, 2012

Mileage

35,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,500. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/16/10*JB

NHTSA ID

10346822

Incident

Jul 14, 2010

Mileage

3,500 mi

THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE NEW 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND HANDLING FOR THIS VEHICLE. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL TRAVELS A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE SOUNDS SQUEAKY AND NOTCHY AND DELAYS IN STOPPING. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DO NOT INTERACT QUICKLY AND OFTEN TIMES ENGAGED AT THE VERY END OF THE BRAKE DISTANCE AND CREATES A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNSETTLING FEELING. THE HEIGHT CLEARANCE IS ALSO A CONCERN BECAUSE WHEN CROSS WINDS HIT THE VEHICLE IT CREATES A VERY UNSETTLING FEELING AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWAY AND GET UNDER THE VEHICLE MAKING PRONE TO LOSS CONTROL. THAT WIND DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXCESSIVE; THE MILDEST OF WINDS WILL CAUSE A DISRUPTION. SEVERAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO HAVE A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REVIEW AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND THEY HAVE COME BACK AND STATED THAT IT OPERATES ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. NO ONE OTHER THAN TOYOTA KNOWS OF THOSE SPECIFICATIONS AND THEY WILL NOT DISCLOSE THEM UNTIL ENOUGH PEOPLE HIGHLIGHT THIS ISSUE BY COMPLAINING. TO ADD FURTHER INSULT TO INJURY, TOYOTA HAS PLACED AN ADMINISTRATIVE HOLD ON ANY REPAIRS UNLESS THEY SANCTION IT. IN ONE OF THE LATEST USES, I HAD A DEER CROSS MY PATH AND I TRIED TO STOP AND THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING ALONG AND THE BRAKES GRABBED AFTER 12 FEET. I MISSED THE DEER BUT I WAS FORCED TO RELIVE THE ISSUE OF HOW FAULTY THE BRAKES ARE FOR THIS VEHICLE. IT REINFORCED THE ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WE NEED FOR TOYOTA TO OWN UP TO THIS HIDDEN DEFECT. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THESE VEHICLES SEEM TO CONTROL EVERY OPERATING ASPECT OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT APPEARS AT ISSUE AS WELL. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 01/20/11 THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO HIS COMPLAINT UPDATED IVOQ 03/01/11

NHTSA ID

10341587

Incident

Jan 9, 2010

Mileage

640 mi

TOYOTA ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. YOU NEED TO CHECK EMI (ELECTROMAGNECTIC INTERFERENCE), RFI (RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE) ON EXACT SITES OF PROBLEM. INSTANCE OF RUNAWAY, SAN DIEGO, CA, SUBJECT EAST, INTERSTATE 8, YOU HAVE MIRAMAR USMC AIRFIELD, ALSO SAN DIEGO AIRPORT, BOTH HAVE RADAR. OREGON CITY, OR, SUBJECT HAD PROBLEMS, AFTER FIX, NUMEROUS AIRFIELDS THERE WITH RADAR. JUST BOUGHT 2007, CHEVY HHR, TWICE AT EXACT SAME SPOT, EVENT OCCURRED AND WENT AWAY IN LESS THAN 1/4 MILE, HIGHWAY 3, NORTH BOUND, MASSACHUSETTS TO NEW HAMPSHIRE, EVENT OCCURRED TWICE, ENGINE COOLANT TEMP. JUMPED 10 DEGREES F., WENT FROM 192 TO 202 F. SECOND TIME OUTSIDE TEMP. DIC, (DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER) MONITOR REPORTED "ICE CONDITION", 32 DEGREES IS NEEDED FOR THIS TO COME ON, 5 DEGREE MINUS JUMP, 37 TO 32 F., FROM MASSACHUSETTS, INTERSTATE 495 TO ROUTE 3, TEMP WAS 36 TO 37 F., THE ENTIRE TIME. MANCHESTER AIRPORT IS IN LINE OF SITE FROM HIGHWAY, ROUTE 3 NORTH, AT THIS LOCATION, FAA CONTROL CENTER NEAR BY. PROBLEM COULD ALSO BE RELATED TO CELL PHONE, REPEATER TOWERS. HAVEN'T COME ACROSS ANY EMI, RFI TESTS DONE ON NEW CARS, 2005 AND UP. MY CHEVY HHR HAS NO SHIELDING FOR THIS PROBLEM, NO SHIELDED CABLE THAT I CAN FINE, ON COMM. SYSTEMS. MY BACKGROUND, 20 YEARS MILITARY ELECTRONICS, RETIRED MSGT, AIR FORCE RESERVE, 30 YEARS COMMERCIAL ELECTRONICS, PRESENTLY WORKING FOR BAE IEWS MERRICMACK, NH. PROPIETARY INFORMATION, MILITARY AND COMPANY (BAE) STATUS. NO FURTHER TRANSMISSION, WITH OUT, GOVERNMENT OR COMPANY APPROVAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10320576

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

FEBRUARY 22, 2010, MY 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ACCELERATED FIERCELY, MY HEAD WAS SLAMMED INTO THE HEADREST. I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AT THE CROSSWALK; IF A PERSON HAD BEEN IN THE CROSSWALK I WOULD HAVE KILLED THEM. THE CAR WENT BACK TO NORMAL AS SUDDENLY AS IT ACCELERATED. TERRIFYING! MY HEAD STILL ACHES. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND REPORTED INCIDENT. THE MANAGER TOOK A FLASH LIGHT AND LOOKED AT THE GAS PEDAL AND FLOOR MAT AND SAID 'IT SEEMS TO BE OKAY YOU HAVE THE ??? NEW PEDAL, BUT OUR MECHANIC CAN CHECK IT OUT IF YOU LIKE.' LEFT CAR AT DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED A CALL LATER THAT DAY THAT MY CAR WAS READY AND THE MASTER MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE MY ISSUE AND I CAN PICK UP MY CAR. SENT EMAILS TO TOYOTA CORPORATE; RECEIVED A CALL FROM PETER, SENIOR REP AND HE SAID I COULD GET A SECOND OPINION AT ANOTHER DEALER. I EXPLAINED I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED THROUGH THE CROSSWALK; HE ENDED THE CONVERSATION BY SAYING SOMEONE FROM MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WOULD PICK UP THE CAR AND CHECK IT OUT AGAIN. FEBRUARY 25TH A MANAGER FROM TOYOTA CAME TO MY HOME AND PICKED UP MY CAR TO RUN MORE TESTS. MARCH 1, 2010, MY CAR REMAINS AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315161

Incident

Feb 22, 2010

Mileage

1,670 mi