About this problem
Air bag complaints cover several different faults: bags that did not deploy in a crash, bags that went off without a crash, warning lights that stay on, and inflators that were recalled because they could rupture. The common thread is that the system is a safety device you cannot test yourself. A lit air bag light means the system has found a fault and may not work in a crash, so it should be checked promptly.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Toyota 4Runner since 2012, 124 (18%) describe air bag recalls and warning lights, making it the most reported problem we track on the 4Runner. The reports cluster on the 2012, 2013 and 2015 model years, and the 2012 drew the most, with 52. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 10,000 and 61,000 miles. 44 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. 6 recalls are related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Most 4Runner air bag complaints come from 2012 to 2015 trucks and are about Takata air bag inflator recalls, plus some air bag warning lights. Very few describe other faults.
How it gets fixed
Air bag recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.
Typical cost: Free under recall.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Takata recall: conflicting information for determining if vehicle is subject to recall. Called auto airbag settlement center and they said aforementioned vehicle was subject to recall and dealers may not yet be aware or have info to call in vehicle."
2015 Toyota 4Runner, 600 miles
"Takata recall - I got a notice in the mail about this defect in my vehicle almost a year ago. It claims that whomever rides in the passenger side is at risk of potential death due to faulty airbag components."
2012 Toyota 4Runner, 60,000 miles
"My horn is not working as a result of a spiral wire in the steering wheel is shorted out. Within the same wire set is the wire that controls the airbag. Thus, I do not know if the airbag is working or not."
2013 Toyota 4Runner, 155,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
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, Louis
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model y
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan),
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling one 2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicle manufactured November 1, 2016 and one 2017 Lexus GX460 vehicle manufactured November 16, 2016.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins
Toyota has sent dealers 6 bulletins that mention this problem on the 4Runner. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ?
This communication is informing Toyota of a delamination issue within an I.c.
CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation.
Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision.
Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment.
Information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Government investigations
Engineering analysis EA21002 · 2012–2017 · opened Sep 2021
Before you buy a 4Runner
- Check by VIN for open air bag recalls.
- Watch that the air bag light goes out after start.
Questions
Which Toyota 4Runner years have air bag recalls and warning lights?
Complaints are highest for the 2012, 2013, 2015 model years. The 2012 drew the most, with 52 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 33,000 miles, and half reported it between 10,000 and 61,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Free under recall.