Almost every 4Runner year is a good buy; the 2017, 2020 and 2021 have the fewest complaints. The 2012 is the one to check most carefully, because Takata air bag recalls make up most of its complaints.
Best years: 201720202021 Years to avoid: none stand out
Every 4Runner year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known 4Runner problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | - | 1 | Structure | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 33 | - | 1 | Other | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 39 | 32 | 3 | Other | Good year |
| 2021 | 36 | 25 | 1 | Steering | Good buy |
| 2020 | 33 | 26 | 1 | Other | Good buy |
| 2019 | 65 | 49 | 4 | Fuel System | Good year |
| 2018 | 60 | 43 | 5 | Steering | Good year |
| 2017 | 36 | 28 | 5 | Other | Good buy |
| 2016 | 81 | 72 | 8 | Electrical | Average |
| 2015 | 86 | 89 | 9 | Air bags | Average |
| 2014 | 77 | 100 | 7 | Electrical | Average |
| 2013 | 36 | 74 | 6 | Other | Average |
| 2012 | 96 | 197 | 8 | Air bags | Watch out |
About the 4Runner
The 4Runner is a body-on-frame SUV that Toyota barely changed from 2010 to 2024. That shows in the data: its complaint rate is one of the lowest of any model we track, about a tenth of the average SUV's. The main things to check are open air bag recalls on older cars and the usual wear of an off-road vehicle.
- 2010-2024: Fifth generation, with only small updates. Takata air bag recalls on 2012-2013; door lock actuators and brake feel on others.
- 2025 on: Sixth generation, too new to judge.
Government investigations into the 4Runner
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Engineering analysis EA21002 · 2012–2017 · opened Sep 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
4Runner vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Toyota 4Runner?
2017 and 2020 and 2021. Almost every 4Runner year is a good buy; the 2017, 2020 and 2021 have the fewest complaints. The 2012 is the one to check most carefully, because Takata air bag recalls make up most of its complaints.
Which Toyota 4Runner years should I avoid?
No year stands out as clearly bad. Check the recall list for the exact year you are looking at.
Is the Toyota 4Runner reliable?
Yes. It has one of the lowest complaint rates per car sold of any model we track. Most complaints on older cars are about Takata air bag recalls, which are free to fix.
Based on 688 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.