2016 Toyota 4Runner Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner. Part of Generation 5 — 2010–2024.

20152017
Complaints
101
per 10K Sold
9.0
US Sales
111,952
Crashes
8
Fires
2
Injuries
10
Fatalities
Recalls
8

Worst 2016 Toyota 4Runner Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#117 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:27,257 mi
Fires:1
#29 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:37,250 mi
Crash-related:3
#39 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:24,335 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner.

Electrical Faults
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
27,257
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
37,250
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
24,335
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
6,121
Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
34,333
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
22,700
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Backup Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Toyota 4Runner

8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,233,605 vehicles.

19V741000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~928,220 affected

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 GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

19V005000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,299,448 affected

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, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

17V763000Structure:body:hood
~431 affected

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.

17V425000Other Equipment · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
~3,547 affected

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.

17V291000Other Equipment
~1,019 affected

Gulf States Toyota, Inc (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2016-2017 4Runner vehicles equipped with the TFORCE accessory package. The fasteners for the aftermarket roof rack may have been improperly tightened.

16V937000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~2 affected

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. The affected vehicles are equipped with Takata PSPI-LD front passenger air bag inflators that may have been manufactured without ignition booster tablets. As a result, in the event of a crash, the air bag may not fully inflate during deployment of the primary stage. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

16V236000Equipment:other:labels · Tires
~94 affected

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

16V228000Equipment:other:labels
~844 affected

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 22, 2014, to March 23, 2016 and equipped with accessories installed by Gulf States. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Other Toyota 4Runner Years

2016 Toyota 4Runner — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2016 Toyota 4Runner has 101 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 17 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (17 complaints, avg 27,257 mi); Airbags (9 complaints, avg 37,250 mi); Suspension Failures (9 complaints, avg 24,335 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 26,420 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner include 8 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,233,605 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota 4Runner reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2016 Toyota 4Runner

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

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