AI Damage2025 Toyota 4runner: common problems
Owners of the 2025 Toyota 4runner filed 60 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. The maker issued 45 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 60
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 45
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 43% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 12% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 6 Backover prevention 3% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 3% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 26 complaints (43% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Structure: 7 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Steering: 4 complaints (7% of all).
- Air bags: 3 complaints (5% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.4 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 60 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 26 | 0 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 | 8 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
As I was sitting at a red light I was rear ended quite forcefully and 2 of the 3 seatbelts released upon crash impact. Me, the driver hit my face on the steering wheel and my grandson in the backseat flew forward into the passenger front seat his twin brother was sitting in.
The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy during the crash. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the leg, arm, and back and was transported to a local emergency room for medical treatment.
The contact was unaware if any warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. The air bags did not deploy at any time during the failure. The officer stated that no injuries were reported and no medical attention was given. A police report was filed.
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.
When driving the steering is loose, when you go over bumps there is an audible thump in the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle is at the dealer in Rockwall Texas for the 3rd time for this issue. The lower steering shaft was deemed defective by the technician due to excessive play on the first visit.
As a capable Vehicle of towing 6000 lbs off road. The spare is a temporary spare with warnings to drive at max 50 mph no longer 50 miles. This a truck body on frame.
I am a fire investigator for the Olathe (KS) Fire Department. On July 3, 2026 at 1255 hrs our crews were called to a vehicle fire for the above listed car. The vehicle was reportedly being driven when smoke entered the passenger compartment causing the driver to pull over.
2.The result of that action is movement into a lane used by oncoming traffic, which is the most dangerous possible outcome of a lane keep assi
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 794 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 60, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some of the screws holding the front spoiler to the front bumper can become loose over time and the…
Some of the screws holding the front spoiler to the front bumper can become loose over time and the spoiler can partially detach at the outer edge of the vehicle. In some cases, the front spoiler can rub against other…
- Some 2024 – 2026 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 – 2026 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles…
Some 2024 – 2026 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 – 2026 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving in reverse.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 12, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0006-26.
- TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 26TD01 Front Spoiler Hardware Certain 2025 Model Year…
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 26TD01 Front Spoiler Hardware Certain 2025 Model Year 4Runner and 4Runner HV
- 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…
- Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying our new car customers
Customer feedback indicates the following areas deserve special attention when performing PDS: •Careful inspection for paint chips/scratches and body dents/dings. •Proper operation of electrical accessories (including…
- Some 2024 – 2025 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may…
Some 2024 – 2025 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving in reverse.
- The new TPMS sensors in 2025 4Runner series and 2024-2025 Land Cruiser vehicles are equipped with a noise…
The new TPMS sensors in 2025 4Runner series and 2024-2025 Land Cruiser vehicles are equipped with a noise reduction mode that reduces battery consumption when exposed to specific frequency radio waves.
- 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…
- To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to…
To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the…
- The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master…
The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased and can never be reused…
- Some 2021 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles may require the download and installation of vehicle specific…
Some 2021 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles may require the download and installation of vehicle specific software or configuration software when the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is replaced. GTS+ software has been…
NHTSA lists 45 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 2025 Toyota 4runner?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, structure. Total complaints: 60. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (28%), windows, sunroof (17%), warning lights, check engine (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2025 Toyota 4runner?
NHTSA lists 45 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 2025 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 2025 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.