2014 Toyota 4RUNNER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2014 Toyota 4RUNNER has 90 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: yesterday morning when starting my 2014 4runner the trac off light stayed illuminated along with the check engine light. i took the vehicle to the dealership and it was discovered that the vehicle was damaged by rodents (chewing, droppings). an electrical wire had been completely chewed through. i t. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 5 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

24 complaints

27%

• YESTERDAY MORNING WHEN STARTING MY 2014 4RUNNER THE TRAC OFF LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BY RODENTS (CHEWING, DROPPINGS). AN ELECTRICAL WIRE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY CHEWED THROUGH. I T
• WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC PANEL THAT CONTROLS THE RADIO, NAVIGATION, REAR VIEW CAMERA AND OTHER FUNCTIONS WILL FREEZE AND THEN RESET. IT WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES IN SOME INSTANCES CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE SYSTEMS THE SYSTEM CONTROLS. THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED ON MULTIPLE FORUMS
• DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK. AFFECTS KEY FOB DOOR LOCKS AND REMOTE START CAPABILITY. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES.

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

“YESTERDAY MORNING WHEN STARTING MY 2014 4RUNNER THE TRAC OFF LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BY RODENTS (CHEWING, DROPPINGS). AN ELECTRICAL WIRE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY CHEWED THROUGH. I T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

12 complaints

13%

• MY VEHICLE IS IN GOOD TO VERY GOOD CONDITION EXCEPT THAT THE FRAME IS DEFAULTS AND EXCESSIVELY RUSTED AND WILL NOT PASS ANOTHER INSPECTION, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE 2000 TACOMA THAT HAD THE FRAME RECALL. WE HAVE OWNED SIX TOYOTAS AND WHAT TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. I AM AWAR
• MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE EXPRESSWAY, WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE AND WIND COMING FROM THE SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND REMAINING GLASS WAS POINTED AWAY FROM THE ROOF. THE VISOR FOR THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED. TEMPERATURE ABOUT 90F AND NO CLOUDS, TIME OF DAY ABOUT
• THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO A DEFECT IN THE TOYOTA ENTUNE PREMIUM AUDIO SYSTEM WITH NAVIGATION. AUDIO SOFTWARE VERSION 0101A5. UNIT IS PRODUCED BY PANASONIC. MODEL 57080. THE SYSTEM RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING "FREEZES" THEREBY PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM LOWERING OR MUTING RADIO VOLUME. THE VOLUME CA

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

“MY VEHICLE IS IN GOOD TO VERY GOOD CONDITION EXCEPT THAT THE FRAME IS DEFAULTS AND EXCESSIVELY RUSTED AND WILL NOT PASS ANOTHER INSPECTION, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE 2000 TACOMA THAT HAD THE FRAME RECALL. WE HAVE OWNED SIX TOYOTAS AND WHAT TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. I AM AWAR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

10 complaints

11%

• VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET ON 12/24/18 WHEN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM (ENGINE, ELECTRICAL ETC.) COMPLETELY QUIT. I WAS NEAR A STOP LIGHT, SO I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND RESUMED TRAVEL. ON 12//27/18 I WAS IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN. AT THIS TIME NO
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REP
• TOYOTA SENT OUT A SAFETY RECALL NO. 20V-012 FOR THE FUEL PUMP STATING "IF A VEHICLE STALL OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH." YET, THEY HAVE NO REMEDY NOW, AND NO REMEDY IN THE FUTURE TO FIX THIS. *TR

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

“VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET ON 12/24/18 WHEN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM (ENGINE, ELECTRICAL ETC.) COMPLETELY QUIT. I WAS NEAR A STOP LIGHT, SO I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND RESUMED TRAVEL. ON 12//27/18 I WAS IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN. AT THIS TIME NO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

8 complaints

• NOW WHEN WE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY KEEPS FLASHING. WHEN KEY IS ON IT DOESN'T FLASH. *TR
• CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAGS I HAVE RECEIVED 2 RECALLS ON THIS CAR BOTH TIMES I CALL THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT
• TAKATA RECALL - I WAS IN A SERIOUS WRECK AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLYED

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“NOW WHEN WE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY KEEPS FLASHING. WHEN KEY IS ON IT DOESN'T FLASH. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

8 complaints

• THE WINDSHIELD ON THIS VEHICLE HAS CAUSED EYE STRAIN, DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES OR COMMUTING REPEATEDLY. IT IS UNNOTICEABLE DURING SHORT TRIPS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD WITH A NEW TOYOTA GLASS FACTORY WINDSHIELD, AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. T
• THE MOON ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OR BESIDE US. THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND THAT WAS LIKE A GUN SHOT. OPENED THE COVER ON THE MOON ROOF AND NOTICED THE GLASS HAD SHATTERED. SHORTLY THERE AFTER SEVERAL LARGE PARTS AND NUM
• I WAS THE SECOND CAR WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN SO I COULD MAKE A LEFT. SUDDENLY A HONDA CRV MADE AN OPEN RIGHT TURN AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND MYSELF. MY TOYOTA SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE COMPARED TO THE DAMAGE OF THE CRV. WHEN I LOOK AT MY CAR I FIND THAT THERE IS NO STEEL BUMPER A

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

“THE WINDSHIELD ON THIS VEHICLE HAS CAUSED EYE STRAIN, DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES OR COMMUTING REPEATEDLY. IT IS UNNOTICEABLE DURING SHORT TRIPS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD WITH A NEW TOYOTA GLASS FACTORY WINDSHIELD, AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 90 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: YESTERDAY MORNING WHEN STARTING MY 2014 4RUNNER THE TRAC OFF LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BY RODENTS (CHEWING, DROPPINGS). AN ELECTRICAL WIRE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY CHEWED THROUGH. I T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: MY VEHICLE IS IN GOOD TO VERY GOOD CONDITION EXCEPT THAT THE FRAME IS DEFAULTS AND EXCESSIVELY RUSTED AND WILL NOT PASS ANOTHER INSPECTION, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE 2000 TACOMA THAT HAD THE FRAME RECALL. WE HAVE OWNED SIX TOYOTAS AND WHAT TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. I AM AWAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET ON 12/24/18 WHEN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM (ENGINE, ELECTRICAL ETC.) COMPLETELY QUIT. I WAS NEAR A STOP LIGHT, SO I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND RESUMED TRAVEL. ON 12//27/18 I WAS IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN. AT THIS TIME NO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: NOW WHEN WE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY KEEPS FLASHING. WHEN KEY IS ON IT DOESN'T FLASH. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)