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Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2016 Toyota 4RunnerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 81 owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner. Most complaints involve electrical system (18) and air bags (10). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
81
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V005000

Structure: hood

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.

StructureReported Nov 29, 2017NHTSA 17V763000
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

81 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system18
  2. Air bags10
  3. Structure9
  4. Suspension9
  5. Power train6
  6. Engine6
  7. Service brakes5
  8. Fuel/propulsion system4
  9. Visibility/wiper4

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

By model year

Complaints for each 4Runner model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996165
1997264
1998264
1999332
2000493
2001190
2002251
2003708
2004678
2005425
2006381
2007154
200896
200922
2010147
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201586
201681
201736
201860
201965
202033
202136
202239
202333
202410
202560
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

18 reports1 fire
“I drive for a living and yesterday I was driving while this happened 3 separate times. I was going 70 mph on the highway when my radio, usb ports blower motor and dash cluster power went out. I was terrified that my car would shut off while driving. Upon checking the car over, I noticed the battery mount was broken/missing pieces. The upper portion had become lose due to the broken parts and had stuck itself to my positive battery terminal. Lots of sparks when I tried to remove it. I finally got it broke loose using a piece of wood instead of my hands. Very scary.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2025Electrical systemODI 11644480

Air bags

10 reports4 crashes
“We were traveling down the mountain of Mt. Nebo in Dardanelle, AR, around 1:08pm on Friday, May 22, 2026. It had been misty rain for a few hours. As we were traveling down the switchbacks of the mountain, we pressed on the brake to slow the vehicle; however, the vehicle did not slow down any. Since we were coming to the next curve in the switchback, the decision was made to drive the car into a tree vs. risking flipping the car over the side of the mountain. When the vehicle collided with the tree, none of the air bags deployed. The point of impact was the front driver corner of the car. The car was traveling around 20 MPH at the time of impact (to the best of our knowledge). Problem #1-brake system failure Problem #2-Air bags failed to deploy -What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The brake system & air bags. Both are available for inspection. -How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Risk of death associated with the crash. -Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Unavailable at this time due to the extensive damage caused from the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2026Air bags, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11740147

Structure

9 reports1 crash
“The paint is failing on this vehicle. The color is 8S6 Nautical Blue Metallic. The paint is peeling on the roof, hood, and two doors. The failure has been confirmed by a body shop.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2026StructureODI 11741642
All 2016 4Runner problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
4Runner 2WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400467
4Runner 4WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L, Part-time 4WD · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
172118$3,550478
4Runner 4WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
172118$3,550478
  • 4Runner 2WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 4Runner 4WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L, Part-time 4WD
    17 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • 4Runner 4WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    17 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Toyota 4Runner SUV 2WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
24.6%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota 4Runner SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
24.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 10110Vehicle 10109
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 4Runner questions

How many recalls does the 2016 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 2016 Toyota 4Runner problems?

Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (18), air bags (10), structure (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Toyota 4Runner at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Toyota 4Runner 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026