Carlexica

2025 Toyota 4RUNNER: problems, recalls and reliability

1 recall and 60 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (34% of complaints).

Data updated weekly · 5 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2025

1
recalls
60
owner complaints
2
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★
4-star NHTSA overall safety ratingWeak spot: service brakes (34%)2 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Service Brakes (brakes)34% · 21 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)11% · 7 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)11% · 7 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)6% · 4 complaints
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)3% · 2 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)3% · 2 complaints
“As I was sitting at a red light I was rear ended quite forcefully and 2 of the 3 seatbelts released upon crash impact. Me, the driver hit my face on the steering wheel and my grandson in the backseat flew forward into the passenger front seat his twin brother was sitting in. I am also concerned that none of the airbags went off but the crash caused us to go forward in our seats as well as broken glass on back windows and tailgate.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2026
“The driver’s side window rattles in its tracks when open 2-3”, and when all the way down. Any rough roads will induce the rattle. Toyota master technician has confirmed the rattle in my vehicle and a new 4Runner, which displays the same problem. It appears to be a defective design.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
“There is a known issue, under recall T-SB-0006-26. My brakes squeal VERY loudly when I move in reverse. Toyota acknowledges that 2025 4Runners are affected, but claim my specific VIN is not covered.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“Traveling on highway with no other cars anywhere around. Going 80 mph on an 80 degree day when sun roof on 2025 Toyota 4 runner exploded. Sun roof was closed at the time, but could have had devastating consequences if it had been open. Toyota rep did not take a look at the broken glass to check for imperfections or manufacturing issues, just told us we needed to make an insurance claim.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2026
“Purchased used car from champion motorsports. I was handed a clean carfax report and was told the sunroof had no issues. 8 days later the seal around the sunroof came off and allowed water into the car. I scheduled a repair and brought it to passionauto body. On June 16th they notified me the car was unsafe to drive due to two support brackets being cutout and not replaced. After some research Toyota of calumet city had top coverage in some service notes. Car was also brought back to the shop on December 15th 2025 due to the sunroof not closing. Of course there were no notes on the service ticket.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2026
“While going around turns (left or right) over 30mph the vehicle has knocking that can be felt coming through the steering wheel. This is not the driver assist feedback. If the turn are longer (like highway on ramp) you can hear a slight clunk associated with the knocking that is felt.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2026
“This vehicle’s brakes loudly squeal when in reverse and when just stopping at a stop sign. After a few weeks of purchase I brought it to the Toyota service team in St. Peter’s to fix since it’s under warranty. They said they do not have a fix for the issue! Driving this vehicle scares me and I don’t feel safe. Please help. This is a major safety hazard. Supposedly, these vehicle was brought in and “fixed” for the same brake issue. It clearly has not been fixed. I have video evidence but your platform won’t allow me to upload a video.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2026
“The parking collision assistance feature continues to beep loudly if there is snow on the sensors as it thinks there is something close to the sensor. If driving and unable to clear snow off the sensors in the front a fault will eventually show on the gauge cluster. This is a false reading and needs to be addressed. This is a program issue and needs fixing. As the loud noise while driving is a complete distraction and can cause an accident.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Dec 2025
“Two separate occasions while driving this car and using the wipers in rain there was been almost zero visibility to the point where we can almost not see while driving in the rain. I have owned three Toyotas and this is the first time I have ever experienced this issue. It almost as if the wipers don't move fast enough to clear the water off the windshield or the wipers aren't making contact the entire time wiping the glass. I took my car to the dealer and the wipers move the same as the exact make model and year. I feel this is a design flaw and could be responsible for a serious crash due to not being able to use this car well in the rain.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2025
“The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the AC outlet in the cargo area had an open ground. The contact became aware of the AC outlet failure while on a road trip, when the heated mat for the dog's crate failed to heat after being plugged into the AC outlet. The contact tested the AC outlet with a continuity tester, which showed an open ground fault. The contact was concerned that the failure could cause an electrical shock and fire hazard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the AC outlet was replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 700.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2025

When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 1 campaign

Instrument cluster/panel (electrical system)25V595000 · Sep 2025

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2025 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Body stylesSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]

How other years compare

Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all 4RUNNER years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.

Check your exact 4RUNNER by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?

NHTSA has 60 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2025 Toyota 4RUNNER. The most complained-about area is service brakes (34% of complaints).

Does the 2025 Toyota 4RUNNER have open recalls?

1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning electrical system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.