RoadVitals

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
7
+2 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 4, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Toyota 4Runner, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), driver assistance and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 30 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)330.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Exterior lighting110.0%
  • Other / unspecified110.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

May 4, 2026
94 units potentially affected
The defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2026 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label states the incorrect load carrying capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk: An incorrect load carrying capacity label may lead to improper loading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: GST will mail a new modification label to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 26R1.
Gulf States Toyota, Inc.Manufacturer number 26R1View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, after disconnecting the trailer wiring harness, the message Tow/Haul Mode or a Trailer Coverage Indicator appeared even though the vehicle was no longer hauling the trailer. The message "No Trailer Detected" was occasionally displayed. The contact stated that the indicator deactivated, and the lane assistance and emergency steering feature were displayed while driving. The Lane Assistance, and the wheel did not vibrate or jerk into the correct position. Additionally, the blind spot monitoring system failed to detect vehicles in the blind spot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 300.

NHTSA ID
11755992
Incident
Jun 19, 2026
Mileage
300 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 31, 2026

**Vehicle:** 2026 Toyota 4Runner SR5- -700Miles I am reporting a persistent vibration issue that appears to come from the engine bay and is transmitted through the driver's side floorboard into the driver's left foot and leg. The vibration is most noticeable when the transmission is engaged and the vehicle is under load. If the transmission is disengaged while the vehicle is still moving, the vibration disappears, even though the driveshaft, axles, and other drivetrain components are still rotating. This suggests the issue may be related to the engine or transmission rather than the tires or other rotating components. My daily one-way commute is approximately 30 minutes. By the time I arrive at work, I experience a noticeable vibration sensation in both feet, especially my left foot. The sensation continues for more than an hour after driving and is concerning enough that I believe it could have health implications if the issue continues over time. I have found reports from other owners describing similar vibration concerns, which suggests this may not be an isolated incident. I believe this issue deserves investigation because continuous vibration transmitted directly to the driver's foot and leg can affect driver comfort and may have potential health and safety implications during extended driving. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this complaint and determine whether this condition represents a broader vehicle defect requiring investigation.

NHTSA ID
11753918
Incident
Jul 31, 2026
Filed May 16, 2026

Vehicle less than 1 month old and less than 500 miles had a total transmission failure causing a unsafe driving situation while driving , no warning of impending failure resulting loud banging noise and vibration , sudden loss of speed while driving and dashboard lighting up with different warnings. Very stressful situation trying to exit traffic safely.

NHTSA ID
11738355
Incident
May 12, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2026

The Toyota 4Runner (5th and 6th Generations) lacks a dedicated 'Approach Lighting' function, creating a critical personal safety and trip-and-fall hazard during nighttime entry. Users are forced to navigate the vehicle's perimeter in total darkness, increasing the risk of injury from unseen obstacles or security threats. I am requesting an investigation into this lighting logic omission and a remedy via a software update to the Lighting Control Module to ensure owner safety for all generations of the 4Runner platform.

NHTSA ID
11729314
Incident
Apr 5, 2026
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 6, 2026

At approximately 520 miles, while performing a low speed left hand turn, the vehicle experienced a sudden mechanical "thunk" in the drivetrain followed by an immediate loss of motive power (Limp Mode) in my new 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. The engine revved significantly, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, creating a hazardous situation in the intersection of oncoming traffic. A diagnostic health check at an authorized dealer confirmed stored DTC fault codes P281671 and P08BA71, indicating that Pressure Control Solenoids Actuators "H" and "L" were in a "stuck" state. The vehicle's Freeze Frame Data recorded a catastrophic internal transmission slip, showing an engine speed of 1767 RPM while the vehicle was moving at only 4 MPH in 2nd gear. There are no previous warning signs or symptoms of this problem before the transmission failure. It was sudden and unexpected. The manufacturer’s technical service protocols (such as T-SB-0094-24/T-SB-0076-24) for these specific solenoid codes on this specific 8-speed hybrid transmission (L580F) – which is equipped on my vehicle – identify this as an internal mechanical actuator failure requiring full transmission, torque converter, and hybrid module replacement. However, the manufacturer has denied the repair because the vehicle’s specific VIN is not yet listed on a service bulletin and that they could not reproduce it in a short test drive. The manufacturer’s official recommendation is to continue operating the vehicle with a documented and non-repaired powertrain defect until a second failure occurs in traffic. I am reporting this as a significant safety risk, as a recurring loss of motive power during critical driving maneuvers puts myself and other motorists in danger. The vehicle and its stored diagnostic data are available for inspection.

NHTSA ID
11722512
Incident
Feb 27, 2026
Visibility
Filed Feb 28, 2026

With the slanted windshield and location of the rearview mirror creates a blind spot when looking to the upper right. Both my husband and I have trouble seeing.

NHTSA ID
11721093
Incident
Feb 27, 2026
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 3, 2026

The car has the iforce max powertrain. At low speeds or in stop and go traffic, when the car has come to a stop, the car will lurch forward, which could potentially cause an accident. I took car to dealership and they said this is normal operation of the hybrid system and there is no fix. This is a huge safety issue if the car pushes itself forward and potentially causing an accident. The transmission system is very unrefined.

NHTSA ID
11715365
Incident
Jan 14, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0006-26 Rev2

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

T-SB-0003-26 Rev1

2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may also utilize retainers for passenger side and rear seat floor mats. During Pre-Delivery Service (PDS), follow the appropriate Installation Procedure to attach the driver side, and if applicable, the passenger side and rear seatfloor mats to the vehicle carpet using the floor mat retainers.

T-SB-0004-26 Rev1

During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery, it is important that the tires remain on the vehicle in the same location and in the same direction of rotation.

T-SB-0002-26 Rev1

Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition. The following guidelines should be performed to minimize vehicle component/part degradation due to extendedvehicle storage conditions. Long-term storage can affect a vehicle’s systems and components. Any problems that are found should be corrected immediately.

T-SB-0005-26 Rev1

A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life. These conditions include storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, and battery load. Because of these factors, battery inspection and maintenance are required in order to ensure proper operation and optimal battery life.

T-SB-0006-26 Rev1

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota 4Runner by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing710
2025541049.7
2024810
2023301051.7
2022393058.8
2021341051.1
2020311044.0
2019644058.1
2018585056.9
2017365163.7
2016788165.4
2015869159.1
2014777159.4
2013366157.3
2012968158.8
201116310157.4
201014512156.6
2009226160.0
2008965158.6
20071545153.2
20063805260.0
20054245256.6
20046782253.0
20036953253.5
20022243155.7
20011853049.9
20004832049.0
19993302051.2
19982504052.1
19972614055.1
19961615054.3
19951724159.2
1994644263.2
1993513259.9
1992533260.1
1991432455.7
1990782465.1
1989611
1988910
1987500
1986800
1985200
1984200

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.