Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2026)

8 consumer complaints on file.

#11774483October 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle information center showed "Hybrid System Failure" while driving in heavy rain for 4 hours. All 4 wheels began violently shuddering and speed slowed down (limp mode?). It was very difficult to control vehicle during this time, and I was looking for an exit on the [XXX] in heavy traffic with no place to pull off. I found an exit some miles (~7 miles?) away and parked in an Outlet Mall (XXX Outlet shops). Repeated tries to start the vehicle still showed "Hybrid System Failure" on the vehicle information center. After about 1 hour, I tried starting the vehicle again and it was normal. I took it to a Toyota dealer the following day (Monday) and have attached the report. Vehicle had 5,000 miles on it and it was purchased XXX. The wheels violently shuddering, with no place to pull over in heavy truck traffic made this an exceptionally dangerous situation. I suspect that these hybrid vehicles cannot handle rain. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755992August 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2026 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, after disconnecting the trailer wiring harness, the message Tow/Haul Mode or a Trailer Coverage Indicator appeared even though the vehicle was no longer hauling the trailer. The message "No Trailer Detected" was occasionally displayed. The contact stated that the indicator deactivated, and the lane assistance and emergency steering feature were displayed while driving. The Lane Assistance, and the wheel did not vibrate or jerk into the correct position. Additionally, the blind spot monitoring system failed to detect vehicles in the blind spot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753918July 31, 2026
POWER TRAIN, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
**Vehicle:** 2026 Toyota 4Runner SR5- -700Miles I am reporting a persistent vibration issue that appears to come from the engine bay and is transmitted through the driver's side floorboard into the driver's left foot and leg. The vibration is most noticeable when the transmission is engaged and the vehicle is under load. If the transmission is disengaged while the vehicle is still moving, the vibration disappears, even though the driveshaft, axles, and other drivetrain components are still rotating. This suggests the issue may be related to the engine or transmission rather than the tires or other rotating components. My daily one-way commute is approximately 30 minutes. By the time I arrive at work, I experience a noticeable vibration sensation in both feet, especially my left foot. The sensation continues for more than an hour after driving and is concerning enough that I believe it could have health implications if the issue continues over time. I have found reports from other owners describing similar vibration concerns, which suggests this may not be an isolated incident. I believe this issue deserves investigation because continuous vibration transmitted directly to the driver's foot and leg can affect driver comfort and may have potential health and safety implications during extended driving. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this complaint and determine whether this condition represents a broader vehicle defect requiring investigation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738355May 16, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle less than 1 month old and less than 500 miles had a total transmission failure causing a unsafe driving situation while driving , no warning of impending failure resulting loud banging noise and vibration , sudden loss of speed while driving and dashboard lighting up with different warnings. Very stressful situation trying to exit traffic safely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729314April 5, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The Toyota 4Runner (5th and 6th Generations) lacks a dedicated 'Approach Lighting' function, creating a critical personal safety and trip-and-fall hazard during nighttime entry. Users are forced to navigate the vehicle's perimeter in total darkness, increasing the risk of injury from unseen obstacles or security threats. I am requesting an investigation into this lighting logic omission and a remedy via a software update to the Lighting Control Module to ensure owner safety for all generations of the 4Runner platform.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722512March 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
At approximately 520 miles, while performing a low speed left hand turn, the vehicle experienced a sudden mechanical "thunk" in the drivetrain followed by an immediate loss of motive power (Limp Mode) in my new 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. The engine revved significantly, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, creating a hazardous situation in the intersection of oncoming traffic. A diagnostic health check at an authorized dealer confirmed stored DTC fault codes P281671 and P08BA71, indicating that Pressure Control Solenoids Actuators "H" and "L" were in a "stuck" state. The vehicle's Freeze Frame Data recorded a catastrophic internal transmission slip, showing an engine speed of 1767 RPM while the vehicle was moving at only 4 MPH in 2nd gear. There are no previous warning signs or symptoms of this problem before the transmission failure. It was sudden and unexpected. The manufacturer’s technical service protocols (such as T-SB-0094-24/T-SB-0076-24) for these specific solenoid codes on this specific 8-speed hybrid transmission (L580F) – which is equipped on my vehicle – identify this as an internal mechanical actuator failure requiring full transmission, torque converter, and hybrid module replacement. However, the manufacturer has denied the repair because the vehicle’s specific VIN is not yet listed on a service bulletin and that they could not reproduce it in a short test drive. The manufacturer’s official recommendation is to continue operating the vehicle with a documented and non-repaired powertrain defect until a second failure occurs in traffic. I am reporting this as a significant safety risk, as a recurring loss of motive power during critical driving maneuvers puts myself and other motorists in danger. The vehicle and its stored diagnostic data are available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721093February 28, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
With the slanted windshield and location of the rearview mirror creates a blind spot when looking to the upper right. Both my husband and I have trouble seeing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715365February 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The car has the iforce max powertrain. At low speeds or in stop and go traffic, when the car has come to a stop, the car will lurch forward, which could potentially cause an accident. I took car to dealership and they said this is normal operation of the hybrid system and there is no fix. This is a huge safety issue if the car pushes itself forward and potentially causing an accident. The transmission system is very unrefined.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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