AI Damage2018 Toyota 4runner: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Toyota 4runner filed 59 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and air bags. The maker issued 105 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 59
- involving a crash
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 105
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- Steering: 12 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Air bags: 8 complaints (14% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Structure: 5 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Engine: 5 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 59 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 12 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| Structure | 5 | 2 | 28 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Fuel system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 23 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
This vehicle should not have rolled back at this speed, and it appears to be related to a potential design flaw in the vehicle’s brake-shift interlock system or automatic reverse functionality.
My vehicle was in a collision at 55 miles an hour. Hit 3 grown cows in the highway at nighttime. Totaled my vehicle in the airbags, never deployed period Turn off.
Husband fell asleep at the wheel going 80mph and hit a huge exit sign which hit the entire front bumper as well as the driver side passenger door and no airbags deployed.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota 4Runner. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy per a Carfax report. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 65,862.
When I picked it up, I saw that the front bumper and rear door were damaged, and the airbag lights were on, which is dangerous. I returned the car first thing Monday morning and asked them to exchange it. They refused. I asked for my money back, which is $3,000, and they refused again.
I’m having problems with suspension brakes steering wheel shaking at high speeds leaks lights on several problems. The dealership promised they would fix everything they have ignored me. I am frustrated. This is not a safe vehicle. I have PTSD from totaling my 1998 Toyota 4 runner October 11 of 2025.
The front shock springs cracked and snapped due to cold weather. I have been waiting for 2 months for the replacement parts and cannot drive my vehicle. The parts are 4 months out on a waiting list. The vehicle is not safe to drive.
No dash lights or messages come on indicating any problem. Brake master cylinder is at the proper level and no signs of leakage. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by any technicians. Vehicle is available for inspection by NHTSA.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 801 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 38% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 4runner has 41 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 59, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free
This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination.
- This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for…
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life…
This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC)…
NHTSA lists 105 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota 4runner?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, air bags, service brakes. Total complaints: 59. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (15%), warning lights, check engine (10%), windows, sunroof (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Toyota 4runner?
NHTSA lists 105 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Toyota 4runner from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.