Is the 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?

The 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER has 77 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER?

Top problems: STEERING (11 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (9 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, STEERING, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER?

The 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER is approximately $1,758/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Toyota 4RUNNER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER has 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 77. The most common issue is steering problems (14% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 toyota 4runner. while driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel started to vibrate as the vehicle pulled to the right. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and powered off the engine. the vehicle. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 8 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

11 complaints

14%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE AS THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE
• DRIVING LEGALLY AT 70 MPH ON OHIO INTERSTATE, SHARP CROSS WINDS DURING A PERIOD OF AMBIENT WIND OF 23 MPH, CAUSED VEHICLE TO CROSS DIVIDING LINES IN AN UNSAFE MANNER. VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO HAVE "SOFT" OR "SLOPPY" STEERING, WHICH IS "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THAT VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, AND UNDE
• THE RACK & PINION OR STEERING DOES NOT RETURN TO A "HOME" POSITION. SIMPLY PUT, IF YOU TURN AROUND A CORNER, THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT EASILY RETURN TO "STRAIGHT". IF YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT PATH AND TURN THE STEERING EVEN ONE DEGREE, LET GO OF THE WHEEL, IT WILL CONTINUE THAT PATH UNTIL

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE AS THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER

Based on 48 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 21K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 1K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (5)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS25/10/2018

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners and mail them corrected certification labels, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET18A.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Based 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 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,758

Full coverage / month

$147

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

+5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1758

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota 4RUNNER Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

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 2018 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

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 77 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE AS THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TOYOTA "ALL WEATHER FLOOR LINERS" ARE COLLAPSING AT THE SIDES AND BECOMING A TRIPPING HAZARD. TOYOTA PART NUMBER PT908-89160-02. WITHIN WEEK OF BUYING NEW CAR, THE FLOOR LINER ON PASSENGER SIDE WAS COLLAPSING ON THE SIDES. REPORTED TO DEALER. HE CHECKED WITH TOYOTA REP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. SINCE DISCOVERING THE RECALL, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE FUEL PU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I CAME UPON A DEER JUST STANDING THERE. I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING IT AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL AT APPROX 60MPH.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)