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2018 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 58.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

36 reports with mileage · 22 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2026
Air BagsEngineService Brakes

The dealership Direct Motor, located in Manassas, Virginia, sold me this car in poor condition. On Sunday the 22nd, I picked up the car around 10 PM. They didn't show me any information about the car. When I picked it up, I saw that the front bumper and rear door were damaged, and the airbag lights were on, which is dangerous. I…

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The dealership Direct Motor, located in Manassas, Virginia, sold me this car in poor condition. On Sunday the 22nd, I picked up the car around 10 PM. They didn't show me any information about the car. When I picked it up, I saw that the front bumper and rear door were damaged, and the airbag lights were on, which is dangerous. I returned the car first thing Monday morning and asked them to exchange it. They refused. I asked for my money back, which is $3,000, and they refused again. Then I went back on Wednesday and filled out a form explaining why I returned the car. They said they would return my money, but now they're not responding. They're trying to scam me.

NHTSA ODI #11727554

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2024
Engine

Two transfer case seals failed at 64,000 miles. Caused excessive oil to leak out of transfer case and onto the exhaust. Safety was put as risk by potential full failure of transfer case which can cause loss of power at speed or leaking oil on exhaust causing a fire. Problem was verified by Armstrong Automotive and repaired. No w…

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Two transfer case seals failed at 64,000 miles. Caused excessive oil to leak out of transfer case and onto the exhaust. Safety was put as risk by potential full failure of transfer case which can cause loss of power at speed or leaking oil on exhaust causing a fire. Problem was verified by Armstrong Automotive and repaired. No warning lights were present. Problem found after smelling burning oil and noticing smoking coming from underneath vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11603235

8,000 miles · Mar 24, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON BELTWAY AND SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, BRAKING, AND STEERING CAPABILITIES. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. PHONE ATTACHED VIA CIGARETTE OUTLET WAS ZAPPED. MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY CUSTOMER HAS ENDURED DUE TO THIS TOTAL VEHIC…

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VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON BELTWAY AND SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, BRAKING, AND STEERING CAPABILITIES. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. PHONE ATTACHED VIA CIGARETTE OUTLET WAS ZAPPED. MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY CUSTOMER HAS ENDURED DUE TO THIS TOTAL VEHICLE MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI #11404761

24,700 miles · Mar 14, 2021
EnginePower Train

2018 4RUNNER TRD OFF ROAD PREMIUM. 24733MILES (AT THE TIME THIS REVIEW IS WRITTEN) STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT ACCELERATE BUT WITH OUT DOING IT. (VERY FEW NOT THAT PRONOUCE) TOOK IT TO DEALER ON APRIL 2020 AROUND (14900MILES). THEY DID A RECALL CHECK AND SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING AND THAY MY TRUCK WAS FINE. MARCH 2021 IT HAPPEN …

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2018 4RUNNER TRD OFF ROAD PREMIUM. 24733MILES (AT THE TIME THIS REVIEW IS WRITTEN) STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT ACCELERATE BUT WITH OUT DOING IT. (VERY FEW NOT THAT PRONOUCE) TOOK IT TO DEALER ON APRIL 2020 AROUND (14900MILES). THEY DID A RECALL CHECK AND SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING AND THAY MY TRUCK WAS FINE. MARCH 2021 IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT NOW IT WAS DOING IT VERY STRONGLY. TRUCK STARTED TO STALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED TO APPEAR 4WD INDICATOR FLASHES RAPIDLY CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE CHECK ENGINE MULTI-TERRAIN FLASHES CONTINUESLY TRAC OFF LIGHT ECO LIGHT TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL CHECK THE PROBLEM. CALL THEM TO SEE IF THEY HAPPEN TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WERE WORKING ON IT DOING THE RECALL SERVICE (AGAIN). NEXT DAY THEY CALL ME AND SAID THEY DID THE RECALL (WHICH THERE IS NOT REMEDY AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME 3-8-21) AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE PROBLEM AND THAT I NEED TO PAY TO GET IT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY FOUND METAL DEBRIS ON IT. WENT THERE RIGHT AWAY THEY EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT THEY SAID IT LOOKS TO BE THE PROBLEM. FAST FORWARD THEY CALL ME AGAIN AND SAID PROBLEM WAS DIFFERENT (GETTING OTHER PARTY INVOLVED). THE 3RD PARTY WENT IN TO CHECK THE PROBLEM THEY SAID IT WAS TO BE TOLD A VERY DIFFERENT HISTORY SAYING THEY FOUND GEAR OIL INSIDE TRANSMISSION AND THEY WERE SURE (NOT BECAUSE ANY TESTING) BUT BECAUSE IT LOOKS AND SMELLS LIKE IT (WHEN THE OIL THEY SHOWED ME AT FIRS WAS BURNED OIL) VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY TOLD ME BEFORE AND NOW THE TRUCK TRANSFER CASE WAS ON THE PROBLEM AS WELL. ALL I KNOW IS TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM AND NOW A PRACTICLY NEW TRUCK HAS TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #11402837

47,000 miles · Dec 29, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A POPPING NOISE OCCURRED THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING AN ABNORMAL SOUND THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMAL. THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A POPPING NOISE OCCURRED THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING AN ABNORMAL SOUND THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMAL. THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED HAAS TOYOTA WORLD (20400, I-45, SPRING, TX 77373) TWICE, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #11385434

Official recalls

5

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

19V670000 · Steering; Suspension

Sep 20, 2019

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET19B.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence: Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET19B.

Steering

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence: Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET19B.

18V753000 · Equipment:other:labels

Oct 25, 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."

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

17V831000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 20, 2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.

17V763000 · Structure:body:hood

Nov 29, 2017

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17C.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.