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Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2025 Toyota 4RunnerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 60 owner complaints for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner. Most complaints involve service brakes (24) and electrical system (8). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2025
Owner complaints
60
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

Electrical systemReported Sep 11, 2025NHTSA 25V595000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

60 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2025 – Oct 2026
  1. Service brakes24
  2. Electrical system8
  3. Structure7
  4. Steering4
  5. Air bags3
  6. Engine2
  7. Visibility/wiper2
  8. Power train2
  9. Back over prevention2

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
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
3
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

Service brakes

24 reports1 fire
“There is a known issue, under recall T-SB-0006-26. My brakes squeal VERY loudly when I move in reverse. Toyota acknowledges that 2025 4Runners are affected, but claim my specific VIN is not covered.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Service brakesODI 11767819

Electrical system

8 reports1 crash2 fires
“On August 29, 2026, I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake when I noticed the vehicle moving forward even though I was pressing the brake pedal. I immediately entered a nearby parking lot at very low speed. I had significant difficulty stopping and used the electronic parking brake to help keep the vehicle stopped. While still inside, I noticed a strong burning smell and smoke. After exiting, I saw smoke coming from the passenger side. I walked to that side and saw flames coming from the area near the passenger-side tire. I attempted to extinguish the fire with a small amount of water. I then opened the hood and observed fire in the same general passenger-side area, including near the tire and around the battery area. The heat/fire was severe enough to crack and damage the windshield. I called 911, and the fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an authorized Toyota dealership, where it is currently available for inspection. The cause has not yet been determined. After the incident, the Toyota app displayed 9 active alerts, including Brake System Malfunction, ABS Malfunction, Low Brake…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesFire reportedODI 11760685

Structure

7 reports
“Side view mirrors shake to the point you cannot see out of them. Car has 2K miles on it and has been to the dealer 5 times over the past month for resolution. Dealer and toyota have escalated to a more advanced technical team, they took a look at it and informed me it is a normal characteristic of the vehicle with no fix. This is unacceptable and not safe to drive on the highway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2025StructureODI 11683354
All 2025 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

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo hybrid · 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive · Rear-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 4WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
232423$2,800380
4Runner 4WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid · 4-Wheel Drive
232423$2,800380
4Runner 2WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Rear-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900399
4Runner 2WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start · Rear-Wheel Drive
202422$2,900404
4Runner 4WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050417
4Runner 4WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start · 4-Wheel Drive
202421$3,050415
  • 4Runner 4WD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid
    23 city · 24 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • 4Runner 4WD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid
    23 city · 24 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • 4Runner 2WD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 4Runner 2WD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start
    20 city · 24 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 4Runner 4WD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • 4Runner 4WD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start
    20 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    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

3 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Toyota 4Runner SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota 4Runner SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota 4Runner SUV RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 20832Vehicle 20831Vehicle 20830
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

2025 4Runner questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Toyota 4Runner have?

1 safety recall 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 2025 Toyota 4Runner problems?

Owners filed 60 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (24), electrical system (8), structure (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Toyota 4Runner get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Toyota 4Runner at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Toyota 4Runner?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Toyota 4Runner 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026