Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Toyota 4Runner problems

Owners filed 81 complaints about the 2016 Toyota 4Runner with NHTSA between Jun 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (18).

Complaints
81
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Wheels4
  11. Steering4
  12. Back over prevention3
  13. Vehicle speed control3
  14. Carry handle, shell, base1

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
20166
201711
20189
201910
202011
20217
20223
20235
20242
20257
202610

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

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 crashes3 related recalls
“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 crash2 related recalls
“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

Suspension

9 reports1 crash
“This vehicle has experienced the front coil spring cracking on the right front, the left front cracked at 114K miles. This is a very common issue with 2015-2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD-Pro, it is a design defect in the way the coil spring terminates and sits on the top hat and bottom spring perch. Toyota has discontinued the defective parts and redesigned the spring perch on the updated strut and uses a different spring, but it is not recalled and should be as this is a safety defect. A broken coil spring can cause sudden loss of control of the vehicle resulting in a crash and even death.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2025SuspensionODI 11657438

Power train

6 reports
“This vehicle transmission is demonstrating transmission shuddering problems, We have returned this car three time for the same repair. The highly reputable transmission has cited direct purchases of this part from Toyota has constantly have quality issues with the torque converter, This problem was inspected and confirmed by dealer and independent service center. They both concluded the same diagnose, There were no warning messages. We fear travelling on interstate roads is hazardous.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2023Power trainODI 11534002

Engine

6 reports
“MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOME AND WHEN I WENT OUT IN THE MORNING TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL MY VEHICLE STARTED MISFIRING ALL THE CHECKS ENGINE LIGHTS WERE LIGHTED UP EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON MY PANEL LIT UP. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. COME TO FIND OUT THAT ALL MY WIRING UNDER THE HOOD HAD BEEN EATEN OR CHEWED UP BY RATS. IT COST ME $500.00 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED (TAPED) LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN . AND LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AFTER THAT IT HAPPENED AGAIN! I READ SOMEWHERE THAT YOUR VEHICLES ARE KNOWN TO ATTRACT RATS AND THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER TO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. IS THERE ANY WAY YOU GUYS ARE PLANNING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ANY TIME SOON ? IT'S BECOMING VERY EXPENSIVE FOR ME .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2018EngineODI 11161258
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.