MYRModel Year Report

2005 Toyota 4RUNNER

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Toyota 4RUNNER
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota 4RUNNER Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 78 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 51 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 409 complaints 2005 2006: 380 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 76 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 77 complaints 2017: 35 complaints 2018: 57 complaints 2019: 64 complaints 2020: 31 complaints 2020 2021: 34 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 8 complaints 2025: 48 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2005: 409 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19852
19868
19875
19889
19896
199078
199143
199253
199351
199412
199547
199672
1997139
1998130
1999220
2000379
2001154
2002192
2003527
2004612
2005409
2006380
2007154
200896
200922
2010145
2011163
201296
201336
201476
201586
201677
201735
201857
201964
202031
202134
202239
202330
20248
202548
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 40%

40% of complaints: structure — 163 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY REAR FRAME ROTTED OUT CAUSING MY CONTROL ARM TO BREAK OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL CAUSING A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181120

I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE VERY SLOWLY AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY LIKE IT WAS SHOT OUT OF A CANNON. I WENT THROUGH THE BACK OF THE GARAGE (SHEET ROCK, 2X4, FREEZER AND OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE STORED IN THE GARAGE).

NHTSA ODI report, 20130414

SUSPENSION 18%

18% of complaints: suspension — 72 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY REAR FRAME ROTTED OUT CAUSING MY CONTROL ARM TO BREAK OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL CAUSING A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181120

Frame of the vehicle is showing rust corrosion. The frame are the same as the tacomas that were released the same year. The tacomas were granted frame replacement by Toyota but 4Runners weren’t.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231103

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 27 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ON OCTOBER 30, 2011, I WAS DRIVING OFF THE NEW LONDON CONNECTICUT HIGHWAY EXIT AND AS I WAS APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, IT FELT THAT IT WAS PICKING UP SPEED INSTEAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130419

I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE VERY SLOWLY AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY LIKE IT WAS SHOT OUT OF A CANNON. I WENT THROUGH THE BACK OF THE GARAGE (SHEET ROCK, 2X4, FREEZER AND OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE STORED IN THE GARAGE).

NHTSA ODI report, 20130414

ENGINE 5%

5% of complaints: engine — 20 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 409
I 20100216 — RQ (closed 20110301)

Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration

R 20100527 — equipment

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT S

Campaign 10V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECAL

Campaign 10V035000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110413 — vehicle speed control

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSIT

Remedy: THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT

Campaign 11V113000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160714 — seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser,...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161201 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side...

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371.

Campaign 16V065000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180817 — DP (closed 20220318)

Frame corrosion

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (163 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (72 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V036000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V035000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V113000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V065000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2003 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER?

The most-reported component is structure:body, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.