2012 Toyota 4RunnerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota 4Runner. Most complaints involve air bags (70) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles.
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
70 reports3 crashes
“2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE A RECALL NOTICE MAILED TO A CURRENT ADDRESS. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed May 4, 2021·Air bagsODI 11414833
Electrical system
6 reports
“THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. WHILE NOT MOVING AND THEN SHIFITING INTO REVERSE, THE SCREEN DOES NOT CHANGE OR CHANGES TO SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE CAMERA. IT USUALLY STOPS WORKING AFTER SEVERAL STOPS AND SHIFTS INTO REVERSE. SOMETIMES IT GOES 2 OR 3 DAYS WITHOUT DISPLAYING AND THEN STARTS WORKING AGAIN ANOTHER DAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Dec 15, 2020·Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11383575
Service brakes
6 reports
“THE BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE SLIP. WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY AND YOU NEED TO STOP FOR ACCIDENTS AND YOU BRAKE THE VEHICLE SLIPS AND ALMOST WANTS TO ROLE OVER. WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO COMPLETE STOP AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT MOVES FORWARD ALMOST 6 INCHES. THERE COULD BE SEVERAL REASONS WHY THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH ABS SYSTEMS, COULD BE HYDRAULICS, COULD BE THE SENSORS, IT COULD BE PULSATION. DIAGNOSIS FOR THIS REQUIRES PRECISION NOT A SIMPLE TEST DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS NORMAL AND THAT'S HOW LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL WORKS BUT IT SLIPS OFTEN AND ON EVEN ROADS. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM FOR THEM AND I WON'T WANT TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS TO SHOW THEM HOW THE BRAKES SLIP. ITS A SAFETY CONCERN. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER SINCE I AM STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAY THEY WONT DO ANYTHING. BOTTOM LINE THE BRAKES ARE NOT SAFE AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT A ROLL OVER OR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Dec 19, 2014·Service brakesODI 10667278
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota 4Runner have?
8 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota 4Runner problems?
Owners filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (70), electrical system (6), service brakes (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2012 Toyota 4Runner get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Toyota 4Runner at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
How safe is the 2012 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Toyota 4Runner 4 out of 5 stars overall.