2025 Toyota 4Runner

As a capable Vehicle of towing 6000 lbs off road. The spare is a temporary spare with warnings to drive at max 50 mph no longer 50 miles. This a truck body on frame. The Limited 4runner is equipped with the Temporary while the same exact truck in the Platinum Trim, both with stock 20 inch wheels , is a Full Size Spare. Logic and safety concerns make it a dangerous situation!

NHTSA ID

11754457

Incident

Oct 10, 2025

I am a fire investigator for the Olathe (KS) Fire Department. On July 3, 2026 at 1255 hrs our crews were called to a vehicle fire for the above listed car. The vehicle was reportedly being driven when smoke entered the passenger compartment causing the driver to pull over. He opened the rear tailgate and saw flames coming from the base of the rear cargo area. He called 911. Olathe PD utilized a fire extinguisher and Olathe FD units extinguished the fire. I responded to conduct an origin and cause investigation. I determined that the fire originated at/near the battery/electronics bay of the rear cargo area. I did not conduct any destructive testing. The driver reported that this is a loaner car from the dealer while his vehicle is being serviced. There was no evidence of vehicle collision or other mechanical problems. The driver did not report noting an vehicle issues prior to the smoke.

NHTSA ID

11753722

Incident

Jul 3, 2026

Distracting clicking/rattling noise on front dash

NHTSA ID

11753216

Incident

Jul 28, 2026

The LKA system steers the vehicle into the oncoming lane of travel under specific and repeatable conditions. The defect occurs as follows: While the vehicle is traveling and the LKA system is following the left lane marking, the vehicle approaches a marked left-hand turn lane or turnout where no fog line is present on the right-hand side of the road. In this situation, the system abruptly attempts to steer the vehicle toward the turn lane. Because the turn lane is positioned to the left of the driver’s actual lane of travel, this steering input pulls the vehicle toward and into the oncoming lane of traffic. This steering intervention happens without warning and without any input from the driver. Given that it moves the vehicle into a lane carrying oncoming traffic, it presents a direct risk of a head-on collision. Manufacturer Response I contacted Toyota regarding this issue and was told that this behavior is normal, and that the system will use whatever lane marking is available to determine its steering path. Toyota did not indicate that a fix or software update was planned. I do not consider “the system follows whatever line it has” an acceptable explanation for a feature that actively steers a vehicle into oncoming traffic. Why This Is a Safety Defect 1.The system takes an abrupt steering action with no driver input and no warning. 2.The result of that action is movement into a lane used by oncoming traffic, which is the most dangerous possible outcome of a lane keep assist malfunction. 3.The condition that triggers this behavior (a marked left turn lane with no right-side fog line) is common on ordinary two-lane roads and is not something a driver can always anticipate or avoid. 4.The manufacturer has acknowledged the behavior exists and has characterized it as expected operation rather than a defect.

NHTSA ID

11752643

Incident

Jul 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the message “Headlights On” was erroneously displayed. The fuel gauge indicated 71 percent. Additionally, the 12-volt charging system malfunctioned with the message “See the Dealer” displayed. Several unknown orange warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the warning lights turned off. The window on the passenger’s side was violently shaking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure, but an undisclosed software was reprogrammed. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed about a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was contacted, and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11751751

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

The driver’s side window rattles in its tracks when open 2-3”, and when all the way down. Any rough roads will induce the rattle. Toyota master technician has confirmed the rattle in my vehicle and a new 4Runner, which displays the same problem. It appears to be a defective design.

NHTSA ID

11750618

Incident

Jul 13, 2026

Traveling on highway with no other cars anywhere around. Going 80 mph on an 80 degree day when sun roof on 2025 Toyota 4 runner exploded. Sun roof was closed at the time, but could have had devastating consequences if it had been open. Toyota rep did not take a look at the broken glass to check for imperfections or manufacturing issues, just told us we needed to make an insurance claim.

NHTSA ID

11746050

Incident

Jun 13, 2026

We were traveling north on hwy 23 in southern Minnesota pulling a 5000 lb trailer in the rain and it was windy. When the road split to 4 lane I stepped on the gas to speed up from 55 to 65 and the vehicle studderd and lost all power. Many warning lights cam on and I think it said stop within .3 miles. We pulled to the side of the road and basically coasted to a stop. It was on hybrid power. We called the nearest Toyota dealership and they suggested restarting the vehicle and see if we could make it to them. The engine did restart still with all the warnings on and we were able to drive it to the dealer being really gentle with the throttle. They pulled codes and it was intake related. They removed the air filter and it was dripping wet. The raised intake ingests water when it's raining and if it's working hard enough it pulls it through the filter into the intake and causes the vehicle to suddenly lose power which could possibly cause a accident. I am also concerned about water pulling dirt with it into the motor and causing damage. I have driven the vehicle in the rain since this happened but not pulling a trailer and really working it and so far it hasn't shut down on me yet but I've pulled the filter and it was wet. I have brought this issue to my dealer but they said they are not aware of a problem. I will attach a video of the wet filter I pulled from the air box after driving in a rain storm and a video of the warning lights that appeared. I don't think the dealership I took it too has any records of it because it was just after closing and they used a handheld scanner. They just dried our filter off and cleared the codes.

NHTSA ID

11745715

Incident

May 22, 2026

Some 2024 – 2026 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 – 2026 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving in reverse.

Some 2024 – 2026 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 – 2026 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving in reverse.

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 12, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0006-26.

Some 2024 – 2026 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 – 2026 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving in reverse.

Some of the screws holding the front spoiler to the front bumper can become loose over time and the spoiler can partially detach at the outer edge of the vehicle. In some cases, the front spoiler can rub against other vehicle components during driving and cause an intermittent noise.

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 26TD01 Front Spoiler Hardware Certain 2025 Model Year 4Runner and 4Runner HV