Toyota 4Runner years to avoid
The Toyota 4Runner years to avoid are 2004, 2003, 2000, 2005, 2006, 1999, 1997, 2002, 1998, 2001, 2007, 1996, 1995, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2017 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1985 is the cleanest year on record.
7,697
Total complaints
47
Recall campaigns
1984–2026
Years covered
22
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
4Runner years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 923 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 906 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 638 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 573 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 520 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 446 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 363 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 306 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 303 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 240 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 204 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 203 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 201 | |
| 2011 | High complaints + open investigation | 182 | |
| 2010 | High complaints + open investigation | 175 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 134 | |
| 2015 | Open safety investigation | 116 | |
| 2012 | Open safety investigation | 112 | |
| 2016 | Open safety investigation | 104 | |
| 2014 | Open safety investigation | 90 | |
| 2013 | Open safety investigation | 48 | |
| 2017 | Open safety investigation | 47 |
Every 4Runner year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 54 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 42 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 55 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 54 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 43 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 87 | 4 | |
| 2018 | 77 | 5 | |
| 2017avoid | 47 | 5 | |
| 2016avoid | 104 | 8 | |
| 2015avoid | 116 | 9 | |
| 2014avoid | 90 | 7 | |
| 2013avoid | 48 | 6 | |
| 2012avoid | 112 | 8 | |
| 2011avoid | 182 | 10 | |
| 2010avoid | 175 | 12 | |
| 2009 | 33 | 6 | |
| 2008avoid | 134 | 5 | |
| 2007avoid | 204 | 5 | |
| 2006avoid | 520 | 5 | |
| 2005avoid | 573 | 5 | |
| 2004avoid | 923 | 2 | |
| 2003avoid | 906 | 3 | |
| 2002avoid | 306 | 3 | |
| 2001avoid | 240 | 3 | |
| 2000avoid | 638 | 2 | |
| 1999avoid | 446 | 2 | |
| 1998avoid | 303 | 4 | |
| 1997avoid | 363 | 4 | |
| 1996avoid | 203 | 5 | |
| 1995avoid | 201 | 4 | |
| 1994 | 76 | 4 | |
| 1993 | 58 | 3 | |
| 1992 | 73 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 55 | 2 | |
| 1990 | 95 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 12 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 7 | 0 | |
| 1986 | 13 | 0 | |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1984 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Toyota 4Runner years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the 4Runner years to avoid are 2004, 2003, 2000, 2005, 2006, 1999, 1997, 2002, 1998, 2001, 2007, 1996, 1995, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2017. The cleanest year on record is 1985.
What is the best year for the Toyota 4Runner?
By complaint volume, 1985 has the cleanest NHTSA record among 4Runner years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Toyota 4Runner have?
Across all model years, the 4Runner has 47 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 7,697 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.