2012 Toyota 4RUNNER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER has 112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (63% of all complaints), specifically: i was first one waiting at the light, traveling eastbound on butler/airport rd. when the light turned green, i proceeded through the intersection. when i was about halfway to three-quarters through the intersection, i noticed a mini cooper approaching rapidly, heading northbound on shute rd. i knew . ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 5 crash reports 8 injuries

112

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

70 complaints

63%

• I WAS FIRST ONE WAITING AT THE LIGHT, TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON BUTLER/AIRPORT RD. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I WAS ABOUT HALFWAY TO THREE-QUARTERS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, I NOTICED A MINI COOPER APPROACHING RAPIDLY, HEADING NORTHBOUND ON SHUTE RD. I KNEW
• I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS VEHICLE (VEHICLE PURCHASED IN ZONE A PER THE RECALL). I INQUIRED ABOUT A RENTAL FROM TOYOTA CORPORATE AS STATED WOULD BE ALLOWED IN THE REMEDY NOTICE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS SAFE TO SIT IN UNTIL AT LEAST MAY OF 2018 (CONTRARY TO THE REC
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“I WAS FIRST ONE WAITING AT THE LIGHT, TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON BUTLER/AIRPORT RD. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I WAS ABOUT HALFWAY TO THREE-QUARTERS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, I NOTICED A MINI COOPER APPROACHING RAPIDLY, HEADING NORTHBOUND ON SHUTE RD. I KNEW ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

7 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE MATERIAL
• WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON LEVEL GROUND, VEHICLE BEGAN TO CREEP FORWARD WITH FOOT STILL PRESSED FIRMLY ON BRAKE. UNLESS BRAKE IS PRESSED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO CREEP FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AND IN GEAR. PAID MORE ATTENTION TO BRAKES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS AND ALSO NOTICED
• APPLIED BRAKES FIRMLY AT YELLOW LIGHT AND VEHICLE NOSE DIVED, BRAKES LOCKED AND VEHICLE STATED TO SKID. LET UP ON PEDAL AND APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN AND VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT FURTHER DRAMA. DID NOT FEEL THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM PULSE THE PEDAL OR HEAR THE SYSTEM GROWL. SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE MATERIAL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

6 complaints

• THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT GET ANYTHING CLOSE TO THE 22MPG HIGHWAY MILES PER GALLON AS POSTED ON THE WINDOW STICKER. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE COMPUTER IS FAULTY AND DOES NOT CALCULATE THE MILEAGE PROPERLY AND THAT IS THE WAY THEY ALL ARE. BUT, I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS FOR EVERY TANK OF GAS PURCHA
• I CAME HOME LAST NIGHT AT ABOUT 9:30 PM AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. THIS MORNING AT 7:30 AM I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM NEAR THE REAR WHEELS OF THE CAR. MY BEST GUESS WAS THE FUEL PUMP WAS STILL RUNNING (I HAD A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WITH A FUEL PUMP NOT RUNNIN
• TOYOTA USES NEW GREEN (ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY) WIRING THAT IS TASTY TO RODENTS AND OTHER PEST- THEY ARE AWARE THAT IT CAN ATTRACT ANIMALS TO EAT THE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ON THEIR VEHICLES AND REFUSE TO COVER THE DAMAGES INCURRED ON THE WARRANTY - THEY REFER THE CUSTOMERS TO SEEK MONETARY AIDE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT GET ANYTHING CLOSE TO THE 22MPG HIGHWAY MILES PER GALLON AS POSTED ON THE WINDOW STICKER. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE COMPUTER IS FAULTY AND DOES NOT CALCULATE THE MILEAGE PROPERLY AND THAT IS THE WAY THEY ALL ARE. BUT, I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS FOR EVERY TANK OF GAS PURCHA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

6 complaints

• I CAME HOME LAST NIGHT AT ABOUT 9:30 PM AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. THIS MORNING AT 7:30 AM I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM NEAR THE REAR WHEELS OF THE CAR. MY BEST GUESS WAS THE FUEL PUMP WAS STILL RUNNING (I HAD A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WITH A FUEL PUMP NOT RUNNIN
• TOYOTA USES NEW GREEN (ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY) WIRING THAT IS TASTY TO RODENTS AND OTHER PEST- THEY ARE AWARE THAT IT CAN ATTRACT ANIMALS TO EAT THE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ON THEIR VEHICLES AND REFUSE TO COVER THE DAMAGES INCURRED ON THE WARRANTY - THEY REFER THE CUSTOMERS TO SEEK MONETARY AIDE
• AFTER OIL CHANGE THE ECO LIGHT IS NOT ON, KEEP OFF THE OIL USED WAS 5W30. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I CAME HOME LAST NIGHT AT ABOUT 9:30 PM AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. THIS MORNING AT 7:30 AM I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM NEAR THE REAR WHEELS OF THE CAR. MY BEST GUESS WAS THE FUEL PUMP WAS STILL RUNNING (I HAD A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WITH A FUEL PUMP NOT RUNNIN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

6 complaints

• SQUIRRELS KEEP EATING MY ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY ACCESS THE ENGINE BAY THROUGH THE OPENINGS IN THE WHEEL WELLS AFTER JUMPING ON TOP OF THE TIRES. THE RESULTS HAVE DISABLED MY ABS, 4WD, LIMITED SLIP, ETC. I'VE TRIED RODENT REPELLENT, FOX URINE, AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE. NOTHIN
• GOT CODE P2440 AND WAS QUOTED 2000. FOR REPAIR AND ONLY JUST 47107 MILES
• I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. I CHECKED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR PREPARING TO BRAKE IN TRAFFIC. BEFORE MY EYES RETURNED TO THE FRONT I WAS CRASHING INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME PUSHING HIM INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I GOT SO CLOSE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“SQUIRRELS KEEP EATING MY ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY ACCESS THE ENGINE BAY THROUGH THE OPENINGS IN THE WHEEL WELLS AFTER JUMPING ON TOP OF THE TIRES. THE RESULTS HAVE DISABLED MY ABS, 4WD, LIMITED SLIP, ETC. I'VE TRIED RODENT REPELLENT, FOX URINE, AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE. NOTHIN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 112 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS FIRST ONE WAITING AT THE LIGHT, TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON BUTLER/AIRPORT RD. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I WAS ABOUT HALFWAY TO THREE-QUARTERS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, I NOTICED A MINI COOPER APPROACHING RAPIDLY, HEADING NORTHBOUND ON SHUTE RD. I KNEW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE MATERIAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT GET ANYTHING CLOSE TO THE 22MPG HIGHWAY MILES PER GALLON AS POSTED ON THE WINDOW STICKER. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE COMPUTER IS FAULTY AND DOES NOT CALCULATE THE MILEAGE PROPERLY AND THAT IS THE WAY THEY ALL ARE. BUT, I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS FOR EVERY TANK OF GAS PURCHA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I CAME HOME LAST NIGHT AT ABOUT 9:30 PM AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. THIS MORNING AT 7:30 AM I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM NEAR THE REAR WHEELS OF THE CAR. MY BEST GUESS WAS THE FUEL PUMP WAS STILL RUNNING (I HAD A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WITH A FUEL PUMP NOT RUNNIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)