Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Toyota 4Runner problems

Owners filed 86 complaints about the 2015 Toyota 4Runner with NHTSA between Feb 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (17).

Complaints
86
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags17
  2. Electrical system13
  3. Suspension10
  4. Fuel/propulsion system8
  5. Steering8
  6. Structure8
  7. Vehicle speed control8
  8. Engine7
  9. Power train4
  10. Service brakes4
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  12. Seats2
  13. Fuel system, gasoline2
  14. Visibility2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20159
20168
201711
201814
20199
202019
20213
20223
20234
20242
20253
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

17 reports7 crashes2 related recalls
“I was just in my second front end collision and for the second time, my front airbags did not deploy. The first instance, I hit a deer head on going 75 mph on the interstate. Last week, I T-bone F150 at 35mph - hard enough to make that truck spin around - and had injuries to my head, knee, and hand, and yet the airbag did not deploy once again. In both cases, my car sustained over $10,000 and damage to the front end.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11582973

Electrical system

13 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED KERRY TOYOTA SERVICE FLORENCE (6050 HOPEFUL CHURCH RD, FLORENCE, KY 41042; (859) 371-1518) AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER'S SIDE LOCK ACTUATOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2020Electrical systemODI 11362165

Suspension

10 reports
“Front Coil Spring Cracking (TRD Pro Models) I observed cracking of the front coil spring, a design defect in the spring's termination and how it sits on the top hat and bottom perch. This can lead to a sudden loss of control and a crash. Furthermore, pieces of the broken spring coil can fly out underneath the vehicle and cause serious injury to person and/or damage property, when vehicle is driven at highway speeds.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2025SuspensionODI 11666476

Fuel/propulsion system

8 reports
“Toyota 4 runner had a recall for the fuel pump. I have been having starting issues with it ever since. The power is good and the starter tries to turn the vehicle over. But the vehicle won't start. I have taken it to multiple locations for service through out the chicago land area. Also once the vehicle finally does start. The R.P.M.s will suddenly increase and decrease to the point that the vehicle turns off while in drive. I can provide print outs when the vehicle gets fixed, if ever. I purchased the vehicle as CPO.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2021Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11434690

Steering

8 reports
“All of a sudden it was so difficult to steer I ended up off my driveway and almost took out my chain link fence. Two hands on left side of the steering wheel and yanked with all my strength. Then across my drive to the left. If this had happened turning onto a highway someone could have been killed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2024SteeringODI 11573296

Structure

8 reports2 related recalls
“Noticed the frame on the passenger side of the vehicle is rusting and I’m concerned about a safety issue. I know there was a rust-related class action on earlier model Toyota’s. The rust is most prevalent on the solder joints, which has me concerned about driving safety.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2022StructureODI 11468597
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.