Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
96
Latest Mar 13, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Jun 11, 2012
What this page shows
Our database holds 96 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Toyota 4Runner. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 96 · page 1 of 4
Steering
Filed Mar 13, 2026
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 ID
11724239
Incident
Mar 13, 2026
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2022
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 this should be covered under a recall? His response "We've had quite a few in the past month or so, seems to be happening when vehicles get to the 70-80k range." Sounds to me like Mazda knew the heads were made from inferior products which is why they upgraded the part on newer models.
NHTSA ID
11473715
Incident
Jul 12, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Jun 3, 2022
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 ID
11467348
Incident
Apr 18, 2018
Mileage
87,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 30, 2021
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 ID
11435033
Incident
Jun 13, 2021
Airbags
Filed May 4, 2021
2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE A RECALL NOTICE MAILED TO A CURRENT ADDRESS. *JS
NHTSA ID
11414833
Incident
May 4, 2021
Electrical
Filed Dec 15, 2020
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 ID
11383575
Incident
Dec 14, 2020
Mileage
85,000 mi
Filed May 9, 2020
MY VEHICLE FRAME AND GAS TANK PROTECTOR SHIELD IS RUSTING ABNORMALLY WAY FASTER THAN IT SHOULD BE. *TR
NHTSA ID
11323999
Incident
May 1, 2012
Mileage
170,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 25, 2020
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 ID
11319249
Incident
Jan 24, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 23, 2020
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WHICH HAS A CURRENT AIR BAG RECALL. THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE BEFORE OUR MILITARY PCS TRANSFER OVERSEAS. THEY BECAME AVAILABLE AFTER MY MOVE OVERSEAS, BUT TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO ASSIST IN REPLACING MY AIRBAGS. I AM NOT GETTING READY TO TRANSFER BACK TO THE U.S. AND THIS MIGHT AFFECT MY SHIPMENT OF POV. ANY ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. -LCDR [XXX], USCG (LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
11319004
Incident
Jan 9, 2017
Airbags
Filed Feb 11, 2020
Crash reported2 injuries reported
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 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER AN AIR BAGS RECALL AT TOYOTA OF PORTLAND (55 NE BROADWAY ST, PORTLAND, OR 97232) IN 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AS THE EDR INFORMATION WAS RETRIEVED BY THEM AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
NHTSA ID
11308584
Incident
Jan 30, 2020
Mileage
118,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 3, 2020
Crash reported2 injuries reported
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 SPACE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD SHIFTED FORWARD SIX TO EIGHT INCHES INJURING THE PASSENGER'S RIGHT LEG. BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT COLLISION CENTER AND LATER TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.
NHTSA ID
11306773
Incident
Jan 30, 2020
Mileage
118,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 8, 2019
Crash reported2 injuries reported
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 MAT WAS SECURE. I HAVE DRIVEN TOYOTA VEHICLES SINCE THE EARLY NINETY'S AND HAVE OWNED FIVE. CHECKING FOR RECALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS I FOUND MULTIPLE INCIDENTS ON RECORD. THE PANIC BRAKING SYSTEM SURPRISED ME THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED IT. LOW SPEEDS (25MPH OR LESS) I THOUGHT A TRUE ASSET BUT BECAUSE OF THE QUICK STOPPING, HIGHER SPEEDS WORRIED ME. NEVER NEEDED THE PANIC BRAKE BUT ONCE. SOME HOW, I BELIEVE THE COMMUNICATION (AI) WITH THE PANIC, ANTI-LOCK, BRAKING SYSTEM, AND THE WAY IT COMMUNICATES SPEED AND CONDITIONS IS THE CULPRIT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS IN POSSESSION OF THE 4RUNNER AND I STILL HAVE THE TITLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO ADVISE HOW TO PROCEED. THEY SEEM ANXIOUS TO GET THE TITLE BUT I AM ANIMATE TO KNOW IF CONDITIONS OR VEHICLE DEFECTS PLAYED A PART IN THE ACCIDENT. WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, THEY AVOIDED THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ID
11268551
Incident
Sep 18, 2019
Mileage
97,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V005000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LARRY H. MILLER COLORADO SPRINGS (15 E MOTOR WAY, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905, (719) 623-4850) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ID
11190951
Incident
Mar 20, 2019
Airbags
Filed Feb 13, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SUN TOYOTA (3001 US-19, HOLIDAY, FL 34691, (727) 310-3070) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ID
11072493
Incident
Mar 9, 2017
Airbags
Filed Dec 15, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" I CONTACTED THE AUTO DEALER WHO SOLD THE VEHICLE, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE AIR BAG ISSUE. THAT WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. AS OF TODAT (DEC 15, 2017) THE DEALER TAKES NO ACTION TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ID
11054959
Incident
Jul 30, 2017
Steering
Filed Dec 14, 2017
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 SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
NHTSA ID
11054793
Incident
Sep 8, 2017
Airbags
Filed Dec 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL WITH NO INCIDENTS
NHTSA ID
11054547
Incident
Dec 12, 2017
Airbags
Filed Nov 16, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ID
11046886
Incident
Jan 17, 2017
Airbags
Filed Nov 14, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN FEBRUARY OF 2017. THE DEALER (ERNIE PALMER TOYOTA, 1290 CASSAT AVE, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 32205) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ID
11045947
Incident
Feb 9, 2017
Airbags
Filed Nov 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ID
11045844
Incident
Jan 9, 2017
Airbags
Filed Nov 2, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - I GOT A NOTICE IN THE MAIL ABOUT THIS DEFECT IN MY VEHICLE ALMOST A YEAR AGO. IT CLAIMS THAT WHOMEVER RIDES IN THE PASSENGER SIDE IS AT RISK OF POTENTIAL DEATH DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAG COMPONENTS. IT GOES ON TO WARN THAT NO ONE SHOULD RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL A REMEDY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS OUR MAIN VEHICLE AND MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. MY WIFE HAS TO REGULARLY RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, PUTTING HER LIFE IN CONSTANT DANGER, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO OTHER OPTION AVAILABLE. I KEEP CHECKING WEEK AFTER WEEK TO SEE IF A PLAN HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION, BUT WEEK AFTER WEEK NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. MY PATIENCE IS GROWING THIN, AND I FEEL HELPLESS TO KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE.
NHTSA ID
11042776
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 2, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - IS TAKING MUCH TOO LONG. MY CONCERN AND TOYOTA WARNING EXPRESSED ABOUT THE RECALL IS IT CREATES A DANGER TO FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS AND DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO USE THE VEHICLE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT AS WELL AS UNSAFE. II HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND KEEP GETTING NOTICES BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. WHEN WILL REMEDY BE AVAILABLE?
NHTSA ID
11042609
Incident
Nov 2, 2017
Airbags
Filed Oct 31, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN 10 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED ON JANUARY 9, 2017, YET THERE IS STILL NO SOLUTION/REMEDY FOR IT BY TOYOTA. THE RECALL STATUS IS STILL LISTED AS "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". IN THE MEANTIME, THOUSANDS OF US 4RUNNER DRIVERS ARE AT RISK TO INJURY OR DEATH DUE TO THIS DEFECT. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA ID
11041617
Incident
Jan 9, 2017
Airbags
Filed Oct 31, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE MY TOYOTA 4R AIRBAGS. TOYOTA SAYS THEY HAVE NO PARTS & DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE PARTS. I CAN'T KEEP DRIVING AROUND WITH DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS
NHTSA ID
11041548
Incident
Jan 9, 2017
Mileage
42,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 30, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (HENDRICK TOYOTA NORTH CHARLESTON, 7151 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406, (843) 804-6648) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF UPDATED 8/21/18*JB
NHTSA ID
11041407
Incident
Feb 20, 2017
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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