2025 Toyota 4Runner

As I was sitting at a red light I was rear ended quite forcefully and 2 of the 3 seatbelts released upon crash impact. Me, the driver hit my face on the steering wheel and my grandson in the backseat flew forward into the passenger front seat his twin brother was sitting in. I am also concerned that none of the airbags went off but the crash caused us to go forward in our seats as well as broken glass on back windows and tailgate.

NHTSA ID

11764433

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

On August 29, 2026, I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake when I noticed the vehicle moving forward even though I was pressing the brake pedal. I immediately entered a nearby parking lot at very low speed. I had significant difficulty stopping and used the electronic parking brake to help keep the vehicle stopped. While still inside, I noticed a strong burning smell and smoke. After exiting, I saw smoke coming from the passenger side. I walked to that side and saw flames coming from the area near the passenger-side tire. I attempted to extinguish the fire with a small amount of water. I then opened the hood and observed fire in the same general passenger-side area, including near the tire and around the battery area. The heat/fire was severe enough to crack and damage the windshield. I called 911, and the fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an authorized Toyota dealership, where it is currently available for inspection. The cause has not yet been determined. After the incident, the Toyota app displayed 9 active alerts, including Brake System Malfunction, ABS Malfunction, Low Brake Fluid, Parking Brake System Malfunction, Vehicle Stability Control System Malfunction, Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction, Smart Stop System Malfunction, and Drive-Start Control System Malfunction. The vehicle had approximately 13,310 miles. There were no injuries or collision.

NHTSA ID

11760685

Incident

Aug 29, 2026

The steering system malfunctioned. The vehicle is at the dealer for inspection/repair. When driving the steering is loose, when you go over bumps there is an audible thump in the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle is at the dealer in Rockwall Texas for the 3rd time for this issue. The lower steering shaft was deemed defective by the technician due to excessive play on the first visit. Even with the defective steering component the vehicle was returned to me in that condition due to a lack of parts. I returned the vehicle because it was not safe to drive. The part was ordered/received and installed. After picking up the vehicle it was evident immediately that the vehicle still had the same issue. The vehicle is now at the dealer waiting on an upper steering shaft that was deemed to have excessive play. The part is on backorder. There are no warning lights associated with this issue. Symptoms include: Clunking noise in driver area when going over bumps and vehicle wanders excessively at speed on uneven surfaces.

NHTSA ID

11760219

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

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

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