2016 Toyota 4Runner Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 14,000 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

I drive for a living and yesterday I was driving while this happened 3 separate times. I was going 70 mph on the highway when my radio, usb ports blower motor and dash cluster power went out. I was terrified that my car would shut off while driving. Upon checking the car over, I noticed the battery mount was broken/missing pieces. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that rodents had chewed through the soy-based…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 29,922 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

On March 6, I was on South bound on Rt 29 in Culpeper County VA at the posted speed limit of 55mph when I hit a debris item on the road. I do not know what it was but it impacted the front skid plate and seems to be no other damage from the impact. There was no contact with the bumper, wheels or otherwise. There was no sudden change in…Owner complaint, filed 2026

- The Roll Over Side Curtain Airbags deployed and hit my head. Both sides deployed. - I was in 4Wheel Low Range. Driving with a group of trucks. The obstacle was a set of mud ruts. - All witnesses did not understand, nor have seen this happen. - Toyota sent me a report based on their review of the vehicle. They said the Roll Over sensors…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 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

This vehicle has experienced the front coil spring cracking on the right front, the left front cracked at 114K miles. This is a very common issue with 2015-2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD-Pro, it is a design defect in the way the coil spring terminates and sits on the top hat and bottom spring perch. Toyota has discontinued the defective parts…Owner complaint, filed 2025

X-REAS sport enhancement system is failing in a vehicle (2016 Toyota 4 Runner) with 58,000 miles that has always been driven on city streets. Front struts and rear shock absorbers are both leaking and require replacement.Owner complaint, filed 2023

Parts named most: Body (9).

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 paint is failing on this vehicle. The color is 8S6 Nautical Blue Metallic. The paint is peeling on the roof, hood, and two doors. The failure has been confirmed by a body shop.Owner complaint, filed 2026

I am reporting premature clear coat failure on a 2016 Toyota 4Runner in Magnetic Gray Metallic. The vehicle has approximately 120,000 miles and has been properly maintained, including regular washing and professional ceramic coating. The clear coat on the hood and roof (horizontal panels) is severely peeling and delaminating. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 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

My vehicle was parked in front of my home and when I went out in the morning to take my children to school my vehicle started misfiring all the checks engine lights were lighted up every warning light on my panel lit up. I had my vehicle towed back to the dealer. Come to find out that all my wiring under the hood had been eaten or chewed…Owner complaint, filed 2018

Since new, I have documented at least 20 occurrences of lack of acceleration, several times almost resulting in an accident. All occurrences happen from a stopped position, then applying at least half accelerator pedal, the truck will initially accelerate, then pause for several seconds, very scary when crossing traffic or going through…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 10 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

This vehicle transmission is demonstrating transmission shuddering problems, We have returned this car three time for the same repair. The highly reputable transmission has cited direct purchases of this part from Toyota has constantly have quality issues with the torque converter, This problem was inspected and confirmed by dealer and…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Vehicle was parked in my driveway which has a moderate slope. Engine was not running. Despite being in park, the vehicle rolled down the driveway and only stopped when it hit my mailbox at the curb. I complained about the matter to toyota. They inspected the vehicle and concluded "we did not find evidence of a defect with the…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 22,000 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

Driving home, on us 1, about 60-65mph, I had to suddenly brake. The vehicle brakes locked up,and yanked me to the right , pulling me off road. I took my foot off and was able to correct and move back onto the pavement. The ABS, active handling and brake lights with warning buzzer began. I had no brakes for a few moments, pedal going to…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 25,000 miles

Have an intermittent issue with the right front tire locking during breaking. Feels like the you suddenly mashed the break pedal to the floor. Happened on dry pavement while going straight down the road approx 50mph constant break pressure. Has done this at slower speeds going forward and backing up, just seems to drag the rf tire while…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 16,500 miles

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

Wiring harness to rear window defogger melted causing the rear window to crack and shatter. Safe lite replaced the window and recommended the harness not be reconnected. Told me it was not uncommon. Vehicle was not being used at the time. It was in my driveway when the window blew outward. Inspected by Safe lite, Reported to Liberty…Owner complaint, filed 2025

It is a common complaint on the 4runner forums, the low beam head lights don't generate enough light to see at night. One video i saw measured the out put at less then 250lumns. The average halogen bulb put out 700lumns of light. I am constantly having to use high beams to see down the road. Consumers are forced to purchase and install…Owner complaint, filed 2021

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

My 4Runner is hard starting all the time. I’ve replaced the battery, tested the alternator etc. It sounds exactly like the problem of the fuel pump recall. The 4Runner was recalled from 2014-2015, my car was technically put together in Sept 2015, but is labeled a 2016. I believe my fuel pump is failing. I am extremely nervous it is going…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Fuel pump failed , vehicle stalled driving 70 down highway.. I have read there is a Recall in place for 2014, 2015, 2017,2018 4 runners. Why not 2016?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

Vehicle steering is very loose and is very difficult to control if attempting to brake while driving over rough surfaces. Vehicle wanders at highway speeds and is very sensitive to water puddles on wet roads or slight changes in wind while driving.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 46,000 miles

Started with shaking while driving, then they say they couldn't reproduce the same feeling. Then the front car would squeak like and old coil, they say they can't reproduce that. Now they said I needed new brakes and then the ABS, brake, and skid control lights keep coming on and off which coincides with a coil/click feeling under the…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 31,153 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Rear view camera / backup camera randomly displays blanks screen. Screen has no other issues noted. Has been occurring over the past couple years.Owner complaint, filed 2026

I have a 2016 Toyota 4Runner at 143,011 miles. When it hit 125,000 mile mark the backup camera stopped working intermittently. The screen in the car goes blank. Turning the car on/off or changing gears does not affect this issue. It’s random and seems to becoming more frequent as more miles are put on. I will take it in however when I…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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

75 MPH impact on interstate, 4 runner complete loss. Engine protruded into foot well and not a single airbag was deployed. Injuries include - concussions, broken nose, head lacerations, head and neck problems.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 53,000 miles

The vehicle has had a multitude of issues. I am on my 3rd different set of tires this year (including the original tires). No matter how many times the tires are balanced, the steering wheel shakes rather violently at certain speeds. The tires have been balanced and re-balanced (including road-force balanced, etc.). On-line forums…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 46,000 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

Throttle control system failure on 2016 toyota 4runner. While driving the vehicle the orange service engine amd trac orange loght illuminated. Once that happen d the throttle body became totally non-responsive. No matter how much I pressed the throttle it was non-responsibilve. I was able to safely pull off the road. I had to restart the…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 27,000 miles

This vehicle is junk. Has no power, excessive vibration, constant ticking, all over the road, cruise control speeds up uncontrollably, sits lopsided, extremely loud, brakes and steering lock up.,lacks heat, poor visibility . All these and more occurr while starting and driving vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 230 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

Picked up a Gal to go out on a date. Turned the vehicle on and got about 1 mile down the road when I started to smell , like a hot , burning electrical smoke . My Date , sitting in the passenger seat says Her seat is get warm , then says , it's getting really hot ! I looked at the seat warmer switch and noticed and said , weird , the…Owner complaint, filed 2024