
2016 Toyota 4RUNNER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER has 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 77. The most common issue is electrical problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: toyota uses engine wiring that has a soy based coating. this encourages rodents to chew on them. we were camped (parked) and when we tried to drive the car it shuddered and the check engine light was on along with several other indicators. the car was running on five cylinders. we managed to get it . There are 8 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
104
Total Complaints
8
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
18 complaints- • TOYOTA USES ENGINE WIRING THAT HAS A SOY BASED COATING. THIS ENCOURAGES RODENTS TO CHEW ON THEM. WE WERE CAMPED (PARKED) AND WHEN WE TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR IT SHUDDERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER INDICATORS. THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON FIVE CYLINDERS. WE MANAGED TO GET IT
- • THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS 4RUNNER IN OCTOBER 2015 THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE STOPPED WORKING AND WHEN WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT RODENTS HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE WIRE HOUSING CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. INITIALLY THEY WERE NOT GOING TO WARRANTY THE ISSUE BUT AFTER FURTHER AGGRESSIVE D
- • BOUGHT A USED 2016 4RUNNER. HAD IT 3 WEEKS AND A RODENT CHEWED THE WIRES ON THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS. TOYOTA (THAT I HAVE 2 WARRANTIES THROUGH) DOES NOT COVER RODENT DAMAGE EVEN THOUGH THE MATERIAL THAT THEY USE ATTRACTS RODENTS APPARENTLY FROM MY RESEARCH. I HAVE $3500-$5500 IN DAMAGE AND MY CAR HAS
“TOYOTA USES ENGINE WIRING THAT HAS A SOY BASED COATING. THIS ENCOURAGES RODENTS TO CHEW ON THEM. WE WERE CAMPED (PARKED) AND WHEN WE TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR IT SHUDDERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER INDICATORS. THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON FIVE CYLINDERS. WE MANAGED TO GET IT ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER
Based on 58 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 25K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ELECTRICAL
OTHER
ENGINE
SUSPENSION
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (8)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Toyota 4RUNNER Service Intervals
0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.
These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2016 4RUNNER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 104 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TOYOTA USES ENGINE WIRING THAT HAS A SOY BASED COATING. THIS ENCOURAGES RODENTS TO CHEW ON THEM. WE WERE CAMPED (PARKED) AND WHEN WE TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR IT SHUDDERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER INDICATORS. THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON FIVE CYLINDERS. WE MANAGED TO GET IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS 4RUNNER IN OCTOBER 2015 THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE STOPPED WORKING AND WHEN WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT RODENTS HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE WIRE HOUSING CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. INITIALLY THEY WERE NOT GOING TO WARRANTY THE ISSUE BUT AFTER FURTHER AGGRESSIVE D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: "TAKATA RECALL " ALSO STICKING GAS PEDAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: TRD PRO MODEL FRONT SHOCKS MAKE A CLUNK BELOW 40 DEGREES. TOYOTA T-SB-0054-16 TOYOTA WON'T LOOK AT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Toyota 4RUNNER — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 104
- Recalls
- 8
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 9
- Injury reports
- 10
- Segment avg
- 77
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER