VehicleVerdict

2005 Toyota 4Runner problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 573 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.6 times the median 4Runner year — the 2005 model ranks #4 of 43 4Runner years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 189 reports (33% of the total).

573

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

18

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other 4Runner years?

4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted923 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 13 complaints1987: 7 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 95 complaints1991: 55 complaints1992: 73 complaints1993: 58 complaints1994: 76 complaints1995: 201 complaints1996: 203 complaints1997: 363 complaints1998: 303 complaints1999: 446 complaints2000: 638 complaints2001: 240 complaints2002: 306 complaints2003: 906 complaints2004: 923 complaints2005: 573 complaints2006: 520 complaints2007: 204 complaints2008: 134 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 175 complaints2011: 182 complaints2012: 112 complaints2013: 48 complaints2014: 90 complaints2015: 116 complaints2016: 104 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 77 complaints2019: 87 complaints2020: 43 complaints2021: 54 complaints2022: 55 complaints2023: 42 complaints2024: 11 complaints2025: 54 complaints2026: 7 complaints
4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 4Runner years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Toyota 4Runner problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure18933%
Suspension7713%
Other6812%
Brakes326%
Engine305%
Steering295%
Visibility & Wipers295%
Speed Control295%
Transmission254%
Tires & Wheels203%
Airbags193%
Electrical System132%
Seats61%
Fuel System61%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2005 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V396000SeatsJune 2, 2016 · 7,749 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

16V065000AirbagsFebruary 5, 2016 · 320,409 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

Consequence

If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

11V113000Speed ControlFebruary 24, 2011 · 1,363,244 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

10V035000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 271,417 units

Defect

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE VERY SLOWLY AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY LIKE IT WAS SHOT OUT OF A CANNON. I WENT THROUGH THE BACK OF THE GARAGE (SHEET ROCK, 2X4, FREEZER AND OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE STORED IN THE GARAGE). I WAS AIR BORN AND LANDED ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 8, 2013 · crash

“MY REAR FRAME ROTTED OUT CAUSING MY CONTROL ARM TO BREAK OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL CAUSING A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 11, 2017 · crash

“MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER , 2005 WAS SPEEDING AND I COULDN'T CONTROL TO STOP IT. FINALLY I MANAGED TO STEER AND HIT THE MEDIAN OF THE HIGHWAY AND IT STOPPED. THERE WAS A DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND INJURY. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE ACCIDENT BUT THEY ARE NOT FULLY COOPERATING TO INSPECT AND FIX MY CAR. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 13, 2009 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY TRAFFIC STARTED TO SLOW. I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE CAR SEEMED TO LURCH FORWARD. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED A MONTH BEFORE AND MY WIFE HAS EXPERIENCED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 10, 2007 · crash

“LEAKING EXHAUST MANIFOLDS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN THIS IS ON THE V8 4RUNNER. EXHAUST WILL GO INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. TOYOTA WILL NOT HELP IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE MANIFOLDS. THE CHARGE IS 2500 TO REPLACE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE. IT IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 11, 2013

2005 Toyota 4Runner — common questions

Is the 2005 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 573 complaints put the 2005 model at #4 of 43 4Runner years. It is one of the 4Runner years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 4Runner problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (189 complaints), suspension (77 complaints), other (68 complaints).

Does the 2005 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Toyota 4Runner under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota 4Runner years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among 4Runner years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.