2025 Toyota 4Runner Problems

Brakes squeak/squeal very loudly and often, no matter if it’s cold, rainy, hot or humid. It was only squeaking/squealing when applying the brakes while backing up but now starting to squeak/squeal when applying the brakes while moving forward. Seems to be getting worse. Spoke to the dealer and they say there’s nothing they can do until Toyota comes up with a fix.

The brake system emits a high-pitched noise, which seems to be worn down to the discs when used in drive mode and reverse mode. At any moment, they could stop working or cause an accident. The problem was reported to the dealership on October 28, 2025, when the vehicle had only 3,171 miles. The vehicle is still under warranty. It has been inspected by the dealership. To date, it has not been repaired. The dealership reports that this problem has occurred in most of these vehicles. There were no warning lights or warning messages. The situation first occurred when the vehicle had approximately 3,100 miles and was reported to the dealership at 3,171 miles.

Distracting clicking/rattling noise on front dash

2025 4Runner had loose window glass on driver and passenger side,hood wobbles and rear spoiler loose hoping for a recall.

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.

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.

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.

While going around turns (left or right) over 30mph the vehicle has knocking that can be felt coming through the steering wheel. This is not the driver assist feedback. If the turn are longer (like highway on ramp) you can hear a slight clunk associated with the knocking that is felt.

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.

On at least 3 occasions the multimedia touch-screen display console has gone blank without warning lamps/messages. This causes a hazardous condition for 2 main reasons: 1. The GPS navigation system is not visible and one has to pull over in traffic, find a safe place to park, and then change to one’s cell phone system. 2. When this occurs, the reverse camera is no longer visible, thus increasing the chance to crashing into rear crossing traffic or pedestrians. On [XXX], (odometer 16339 mi) I reported it to SW Toyota in Lawton OK. They said that other owners had reported this problem but that it would take months to receive the replacement display, so I should take it in to the Toyota dealer in my home dealership in MS. I did so on 1/16/25, (odometer 17637mi). This dealership, J. Allen Toyota, Gulfport, MS, inspected the vehicle and said that they could not reproduce the problem. They advised me to return if the display turned off permanently. I asked if there was a TSB or recall on this problem and they replied in the negative. I have just read that Toyota has issued a recall on the 2024 & 2025 Tundra, which according to Gemini AI shares the same part as the 2025 4Runner. Therefore, I strongly recommend that this recall be broadened to include the 2025 4Runner. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving my 2025 Toyota 4Runner in rainy conditions, the vehicle’s stamped hood channels act as a reservoir, trapping and pooling large volumes of standing water. Upon braking or decelerating—even at low, around-town speeds—the pooled water surges forward off the front nose of the hood onto the windshield. The vehicle's forward aerodynamics catch this massive sheet of water and instantly launch it backward across the entire windshield, causing total and sudden loss of forward visibility. This creates an unpredictable, immediate crash hazard that catches the driver completely off guard, as the windshield wipers cannot clear the sudden volume of water fast enough to maintain a safe view of the road. This occurs around town driving (25mph to 45mph) and highway speeds (60mph - 70mph). I understand you can turn the wipers on high, but it catches you off guard when it happens.

Two separate occasions while driving this car and using the wipers in rain there was been almost zero visibility to the point where we can almost not see while driving in the rain. I have owned three Toyotas and this is the first time I have ever experienced this issue. It almost as if the wipers don't move fast enough to clear the water off the windshield or the wipers aren't making contact the entire time wiping the glass. I took my car to the dealer and the wipers move the same as the exact make model and year. I feel this is a design flaw and could be responsible for a serious crash due to not being able to use this car well in the rain.

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.

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The vehicle lost motive power while attempting to access the freeway on three occasions. The reduced power mode message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and initially they were unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer again, where it was diagnosed that the sensor needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was open. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

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.

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.

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The vehicle lost motive power while attempting to access the freeway on three occasions. The reduced power mode message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and initially they were unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer again, where it was diagnosed that the sensor needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was open. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

We were parked on a slight incline loading items onto a carrier onto the back of the vehicle. We heard the electronic brake release and the vehicle started to roll backwards down the hill towards us. My husband jumped in the driver's seat and slammed on the brake pedal. He confirmed that the vehicle was still in park.

The contact owned a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact observed a large piece of debris in the roadway. The contact stated that traffic ahead was maneuvering erratically to avoid the debris, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle left the roadway, struck several trees, and then collided with a brick wall. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy during the crash. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the leg, arm, and back and was transported to a local emergency room for medical treatment. The contact stated that surgery might be required due to the nerve injuries sustained in the crash. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and was deemed a total loss. The contact believed that the failure may have been related to an improper repair for a battery replacement previously performed by the dealer. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,500.

The contact was a police officer calling on behalf of the owner of a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the owner was attempting to park the vehicle in a parking spot, the vehicle began to independently accelerate up a hill. The owner then placed the vehicle into reverse(R) as the vehicle continued to accelerate while in reverse. The contact stated that the owner had their foot firmly pressed on the brake pedal as the vehicle continued to accelerate. The owner then struck two parked vehicles and another moving vehicle that was entering the parking lot. The vehicle continued to accelerate in reverse(R), crossed a side street, and entered a grassy area before the vehicle abruptly shut off. The contact was unaware if any warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. The air bags did not deploy at any time during the failure. The officer stated that no injuries were reported and no medical attention was given. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an unknown location. The contact was unaware whether the matter was reported to the dealer or the manufacturer. The whereabouts of the vehicle were unknown. The failure mileage was unknown.

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.

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!

Was driving along at approximately 25 mph and had a major sudden failure of the right rear tire