2019 Toyota 4Runner Owner Complaints

I have experienced a persistent steering and suspension-related issue with my 2019 Toyota 4Runner since early ownership, beginning at approximately 6,800 miles. The vehicle repeatedly pulls/drifts to the right at highway speeds and requires constant steering correction. I have also experienced steering wheel vibration and instability, particularly at speeds above approximately 50–60 MPH. Over several years, the vehicle has undergone multiple alignments, tire rotations, balancing procedures, and dealership inspections; however, the condition has never been resolved. Toyota dealership records document abnormal tire wear including feathering and cupping. Recent service documentation states the alignment could only be adjusted “to best ability.” A prior independent inspection identified possible lower control arm bushing concerns. Despite this, the vehicle was reportedly operating “within factory specifications.” The condition has persisted through multiple sets of tires and repeated service visits. The ongoing steering pull, vibration, and instability create a safety concern during highway driving because the vehicle does not consistently track straight and requires repeated steering correction. The issue has been reproducible over multiple years and has not been permanently corrected despite repeated repair attempts and inspections. No warning lights were present at the time of the condition.

NHTSA ID

11736154

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

My 2019 Toyota 4Runner has experienced an ongoing steering and suspension issue since early in its life. The vehicle required an alignment at approximately 6,800 miles and has required repeated alignments since. At approximately 48,000 miles, a separate repair facility identified lower control arm bushing concerns. The issue was not properly corrected, and the vehicle continued to require repeated alignment adjustments. At approximately 66,000+ miles, the condition remains unresolved and continues to affect steering stability. The vehicle can pull or require correction to maintain proper lane position during normal driving. There have been multiple repair attempts, but the root cause has not been identified or repaired. This condition may present a safety concern due to reduced steering stability and potential loss of proper vehicle control.

NHTSA ID

11734421

Incident

Jun 26, 2019

Vehicle Back-up camera works intermittantly, sometimes working when placed in reverse, other times showing a black screen when placed in reverse. Has not been a consistent enough problem for dealer repair/troubleshooting. A google search shows many 5th Gen 4runner online web forms with lots of reports involving pinched, stretched, worn camera wiring harnesses inside the rear hatch or in the rubber wire boot between the body and rear hatch.

NHTSA ID

11727011

Incident

Jan 19, 2026

My 2019 Toyota 4Runner is experiencing a faulty backup camera, the display shows a frozen or blank image when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash. The current Toyota backup camera recall includes 2020 and later models, however it does not include 2019 4runners. A faulty backup camera in a 2019 vehicle is as much a safety issue as a backup camera in a 2020 vehicle. The backup camera is currently inoperable and is expensive to fix, it has not been replaced as of this complaint.

NHTSA ID

11700430

Incident

Mar 17, 2025

The contact owned a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and hauling a trailer, the rear driver’s side tire blew out, and due to the weight shift the passenger’s side trailer tire blew out as well, causing the trailer to be tilted before crashing into a cement barrier. There was no warning prior to the blowouts or the crash. The trailer was towed from the scene and the vehicle was towed off the highway. The contact stated that the front of the driver’s side of the vehicle was damaged, and driver’s side rear of the vehicle was damaged by the trailer. The contact stated that a Police report was filed but was not available. The contact stated that her husband sustained a gash on the forehead from striking his head on the dashboard, and her daughter had burns from the seat belt. Medical attention was not sought. The vehicle was towed to Auto Collision Center - Corpus Christi where it was deemed totaled. The contact stated that the manufacturer then sent a representative to inspect the vehicle who informed the contact that the vehicle had operated as designed. The representative informed the contact that due to the angle of the impact, the air bags sensors operated as designed and did not deploy the air bags. The contact disagreed and contacted the FTC. However, a recorded message stated that due to the Government shutdown calls would not be answered, and the contact called the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA ID

11698181

Incident

Jul 7, 2025

Mileage

62,000 mi

The airbag sensor in my 2019 Toyota 4Runner has failed, causing the airbag warning light to remain illuminated. This indicates the airbag system may not deploy properly in a collision, which is a serious safety concern. The vehicle has approximately 95,600 miles, has been well maintained, and has not been in any accident that would affect the airbag system. The dealership confirmed the failure but said I must pay approximately $6,224.43 for the repair because the vehicle is out of warranty. This is a critical safety component that should not fail under normal use, and the repair cost places an unreasonable burden on the consumer. I am requesting this be reviewed as a potential safety defect.

NHTSA ID

11697862

Incident

Jun 2, 2025

Passenger air bag light indicates air bag off intermediately although my wife is sitting in the seat. Vehicle was examined by Toyota dealer and could not duplicate problem, it is however available for inspection upon request. We feel very uneasy with the air bag not on all the time with passenger in the seat in case of an accident. Dealer could not duplicate problem. There has not been any warning lights and the Technician also indicated that there were no diagnostic codes!

NHTSA ID

11692312

Incident

Jul 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster displayed a blank screen. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while reversing. In addition, the radio volume independently adjusted up and down independently, and independently powered off independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11690854

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

My vehicle keeps leaking inside from the AC drip line and it's been cleared multiple times and it still keeps happening and it floods the whole bottom of the passenger side floorboard and becomes soaked through which can cause erosion, electrical issues, mold growth and other problems as well.

NHTSA ID

11652743

Incident

Apr 4, 2025

Seat belt is not retracting to fit front passenger and after it buckles it stays loose. The seat belt device, intended to protect occupants during a crash is not retracting at all after it buckles. Seat belt in the front passenger seating position is presenting a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11643843

Incident

Jan 19, 2024

I took my 2019 Toyota 4 Runner Limited Edition for maintenance/repair and it was identified the entire under carriage and frame is rusting out creating safety issues. This vehicle has never has never been flooded or exposed to northern salted roads. The garage repair shop was afraid to repair the vehicle as they identified this is a huge safety issue. They could not understand that a 5 year old car with under 65K miles on it would have extensive rust damage and deemed it unsafe. They referred me to take it to the TOYOTA dealership and to call TOYOTA Brand Engagement Center headquarters to report the issue. That phone number is 1-800-331-4331. Apparently this is a known issue for TOYOTA 4Runners and other models under their brand as I found many complaints from owners on the web. I reached out to TOYOTA and they denied any awareness of an issue and responsibility. The case number is #[XXX]. They also told me I need to pay out of pocket to fix whatever the recommendation of the dealership provided to repair and fix. I was appalled at the quick and dismissiveness attitude without any additional further investigation and assistance to help out knowing this is not a normal case of rust for a car. I believe there is a defect and safety manufacturing issue on the vehicle even if is not a current recall and why I am reporting such a huge safety issue. So I took it to the TOYOTA dealership where they also agreed this is NOT normal wear and tear for a car of "length of time" and mileage on it and is a safety issue. They also spoke to the case manager at TOYOTA Brand Engagement Center and also denied them any assistance for repairing of the vehicle. The VIN# is [XXX] . I can provide photos of the damage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11634981

Incident

Jan 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was discovered that the undercarriage was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, the vehicle jerked and almost crashed into another vehicle. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and pulled over the shoulder of the roadway to inspect the vehicle. The contact noticed that the shock absorber brackets were rusted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the shock absorber, carrier differential, gasket, gasket plug, and bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,500.

NHTSA ID

11617554

Incident

Sep 21, 2024

Mileage

31,500 mi

I was in an accident where the vehicle ran into the guard rail while on the interstate. The vehicle had significant damage and has now been declared a Total Loss by the insurance company. With the amount of damage to the front side of the vehicle, the airbag did not deploy and leaves us wondering with such damage, why it didn't deploy!

NHTSA ID

11611186

Incident

Aug 5, 2024

Transmission went out at 84000 miles. Accelerated into lane then nothing wouldn’t go into traffic.

NHTSA ID

11605323

Incident

Jul 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the shock absorber and springs on the suspension were making abnormal sounds while the vehicle was rolling over a dip or bump in the roadway. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and became aware that the springs and shocks showed premature wear and corrosion. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0094-20 (Front Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ID

11588373

Incident

Mar 13, 2023

Mileage

48,000 mi

My vehicle is throwing the ABS light and slamming my breaks. I’ve taken it to Toyota, it’s not showing any codes so they can’t diagnosis it to fix the issue. It may go two weeks and drive fine, and then it does it again. Whether I’m going 10mph or 55mph, it will do this. Very scary and very unsafe.

NHTSA ID

11569703

Incident

Jan 24, 2024

I was driving down the road with no other cars in front or behind me and no impact was made on my sunroof when it just spontaneously exploded. The noise was so loud I jerked my wheel and almost crashed into a ditch. Large chunks of glass and tiny glass slivers were all over myself and my car and my ears were ringing.

NHTSA ID

11553295

Incident

Nov 2, 2023

My 2019 Toyota 4 runner was on and in park in my driveway. When the ignition was turned off the vehicle rolled back out of the driveway while still in park

NHTSA ID

11528610

Incident

Jun 23, 2023

Tires are good ! When I got this SUV it only has 15 k miles I got shimmy on my steering wheel This not acceptable We need a recall on this issues it's very dangerous Please Toyota when need to solve this issues

NHTSA ID

11524197

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

Steering wheel out of control while driving. My car lost control and crashed. I contacted Toyota Motor North America.Inc. But they said their inspection didn’t find evidence that the incident was the result of a defect in my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11509903

Incident

Dec 11, 2022

Shaking steering wheel 60-70mph

NHTSA ID

11507244

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was a 15-second delay in the vehicle response. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA ID

11491186

Incident

Oct 27, 2019

Mileage

10,000 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while attempting to lock the doors with the key fob, the front passenger’s side door failed to lock as desired. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the actuator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. Shortly after the repair, the front passenger’s side window failed to lower and raise. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer and reattached the window’s wiring harness due to the harness detaching. Shortly after the second repair, the same window failed again and the lock on the driver’s door failed to lock. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11490943

Incident

Apr 26, 2022

Mileage

40,000 mi

Abs lights and and Trac light on by itself without reason.

NHTSA ID

11462946

Incident

May 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that he noticed corrosion underneath the vehicle and on the lug nuts. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to locate any failure on the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to second local dealer, Clearwater Toyota (21799 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33765: (800) 667-9051) and the vehicle was diagnosed with needing multiple unknown components and serial bolts to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000. Toyota case number is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”*JB

NHTSA ID

11460675

Incident

Apr 4, 2022

Mileage

19,000 mi