2015 Toyota 4Runner Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was just in my second front end collision and for the second time, my front airbags did not deploy. The first instance, I hit a deer head on going 75 mph on the interstate. Last week, I T-bone F150 at 35mph - hard enough to make that truck spin around - and had injuries to my head, knee, and hand, and yet the airbag did not deploy once…Owner complaint, filed 2024

My 4 runner was hit on the passenger side while crossing a intersection. The truck that hit my 4 runner was going at least 40 miles per hr and was a heavy duty pickup truck. On impact the airbags did NOT deploy but the 4 runner went haywire.Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2015 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that he was unable to lock and unlock the passenger's side door. The contact contacted kerry toyota service florence (6050 hopeful church rd, florence, ky 41042; (859) 371-1518) and the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective passenger's side lock actuator. The contact was…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 50,000 miles

When the vehicle is put in reverse the computer screen rear view camera image becomes blury, the image shakes rapidly and static with neon lines would appear distorting the camera footage. It made the rear camera screen view unusable and unreliable. This happened off and on for over 2 years and during each service I would ask toyota of…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 20,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Drove the car on empty tank and I had issues the following day after I refilled $60 gas.Car stalling/ hard to turn on, doesn’t stay on.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Toyota 4 runner had a recall for the fuel pump. I have been having starting issues with it ever since. The power is good and the starter tries to turn the vehicle over. But the vehicle won't start. I have taken it to multiple locations for service through out the chicago land area. Also once the vehicle finally does start. The R.P.M.s…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Front Coil Spring Cracking (TRD Pro Models) I observed cracking of the front coil spring, a design defect in the spring's termination and how it sits on the top hat and bottom perch. This can lead to a sudden loss of control and a crash. Furthermore, pieces of the broken spring coil can fly out underneath the vehicle and cause serious…Owner complaint, filed 2025

'The "KDSS" (kinetic dynamic suspension system) valve located on the frame under the driver's door had corroded to the point where the oil in the system had begun to leak out. The warning light did come on the dashboard days prior to the leak. Vehicle was taken to a Toyota dealership, where they assessed there was low pressure in the…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while braking from 40 MPH, the instrument panel flickered until the vehicle completely stalled. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V659000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted.…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 199,000 miles

My transmission went off with no warnings and my vehicle has been serviced at the Toyota dealer since I bought it and they never mentioned to me there was an issue with my transmission which is very odd. So I was wondering is this is normal or if there others owners with the same problem. Now I don’t have a vehicle because the…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (8).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The door lock actuators have failed on both the driver side and passenger side front doors. Unfortunately this is a know issue across this model along with others and can be found in several forums. The problem is that the actuator gets stuck and at one point I was locked inside my car and once I was locked outside my car. If there was…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Noticed the frame on the passenger side of the vehicle is rusting and I’m concerned about a safety issue. I know there was a rust-related class action on earlier model Toyota’s. The rust is most prevalent on the solder joints, which has me concerned about driving safety.Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

All of a sudden it was so difficult to steer I ended up off my driveway and almost took out my chain link fence. Two hands on left side of the steering wheel and yanked with all my strength. Then across my drive to the left. If this had happened turning onto a highway someone could have been killed.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Steering shudder at 58-70 MPH has become almost unbearable. No warning lights whatsoever - ever! Vehicle has had this issue since 30K miles (110K currently) and Toyota always is "unable to replicate the issue" or tells people this is common on the 4 Runners and Tacoma's. I won't go to dealers anymore since Toyota knows it's a problem and…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

When accelerating through a turn from a stop, if for any reason you lift off the accelerator pedal and then reapply pressure to the accelerator pedal, no acceleration takes place. It is if you are not pressing the accelerator at all, no matter how hard you press. This has almost resulted in several collisions because the car is no longer…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 17,000 miles

My fiance was driving our daughter to preschool. She was pulling into a parking space to her right. She stopped for some pedestrians right before pulling in. Took her foot off the brake and the car suddenly [VIN] into the fence in front of the parking space.Owner complaint, filed 2015

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 47,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

While braking aggressively on a dry street in a straight line, the ABS system kicked in for a brief second and then it released the brakes all together - resulting in complete loss of all braking capability. Braking capability was restored after the pedals was released all together and re applied. This happened twice over the past 6…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 57,000 miles

Brakes are not adequate for model. Rotors warp around 15k and keep warping when replaced or resurfaced. Braking is not solid, is slow, and steering wheel shake results when warping occurs. Brakes do not adequately grab. Brakes also are slow to react with ABS on corners, make sounds and brakes are [VIN] for model. All of this has happened…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 15,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

Found water in the add actuator. 4runner was 2k miles out of warranty when the issue came up. 4WD indicator light would blink endlessly. Could not make it up the muddy road to my house because the 4WD would not engage. I was unable to use any of the 4WD functions. Some days it would turn off traction control and the ABS light would come…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 67,000 miles

I came home from work and reversed my 4runner into my garage as I normally do. The next morning, my 4runner starts and the engine sounds normal but it won't move when I shift the gear from park to drive. I stepped on the gas while leaving the gear in drive, the rpm moves but the 4runner stayed in the same spot.Owner complaint, filed 2020

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2015 toyota 4runner. While driving 60 MPH, an explosive noise was heard. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and discovered that the sun roof exploded without impact or warning. There were no injuries. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The contact called jim hudson toyota at (803)…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 56,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 60 MPH, a loud abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle. The contact had to pull over to the side of the road. After inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the sun roof shattered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that a rock caused the…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 3,500 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The front driver seat plastic skirting clips broke causing the seat skirting to twist upward against the drivers leg. Seems like a design flaw where the power seat will move more than the plastic clips can handle resulting in wear then broken clips. Toyota of san luis obispo, ca replaced the skirting while the vehicle while was under…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 24,000 miles

Rear seat cover has repeatedly come loose. Has been returned to the dealer four times for repair but they have been unable to fix / resolve this issue. Seat cover is made of the "soft tex" simulated leather and held in place with j hooks. Last service was on 6/13/16 invoice tocs486186 - frank toyota, national city, caOwner complaint, filed 2016, at 25,829 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

Has a steering wheel shimmy between 60-70 MPH, causing premature wear on tires. Just bought 80k mile warranty tires are they are completely bald at 20k miles even after being rotated every 5k miles, balances, and alignments. Unable to keep vehicle aligned and in balance no matter how soon I have it done after just having it done (once in…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 40,000 miles