2008 Toyota 4RUNNER
This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1990 | 78 |
| 1991 | 43 |
| 1992 | 53 |
| 1993 | 51 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1995 | 47 |
| 1996 | 72 |
| 1997 | 139 |
| 1998 | 130 |
| 1999 | 220 |
| 2000 | 379 |
| 2001 | 154 |
| 2002 | 192 |
| 2003 | 527 |
| 2004 | 612 |
| 2005 | 409 |
| 2006 | 380 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 96 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2010 | 145 |
| 2011 | 163 |
| 2012 | 96 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 76 |
| 2015 | 86 |
| 2016 | 77 |
| 2017 | 35 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2019 | 64 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 48 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
17% of complaints: power train — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY15% of complaints: structure — 14 distinct reports on file.
14% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 13 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF ENGINE WHICH DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING. HIGH SPEED, TURNED OFF ENGINE IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP, BUT CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH A TREE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20130525
I WAS IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS IN DEC 2009-JAN 2010 WHERE THE TEMPERATURES WERE VERY LOW AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUTDOORS. TEMPS WERE MID 20S IN THE DAY TIME AND MID TEENS AT NIGHT. NO ICING WAS AN ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100228
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I KNOW IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, BUT A YEAR AGO I HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT FITS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SUDDEN ACCELLERATION.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100225
11% of complaints: suspension — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
MY FRAME BRACKETS THAT HOLD MY SUSPENSION AND OTHER PARTS LIKE MY FUEL TANK AND DRIVELINE ARE RUSTING OFF AND MY MECHANIC SAYS DON'T BOTHER BECAUSE IT'LL COST MORE THAN THE TRUCK IS WORTH. IT NEEDS A FULL FRAME CHANGE!!
NHTSA ODI report, 20180729
10% of complaints: service brakes — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
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
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
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
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2...
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015.
Campaign 14V743000 — check if this car was fixed
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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (13 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 14V743000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 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.