2009 Toyota 4RUNNER
Only 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
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.
Only 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
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
Only 22 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
7 of 22 total reports mention: power train.
4 of 22 total reports mention: electrical system.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
WHEN MY WIFE STEPPED ON THE GAS TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT,THE 4RUNNER JUST LURCHED FORWARD INTO A FENCE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF THE 4RUNNER. THE BUMPER AND FENCE WAS DAMAGED. SHE IS NOW VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THE 4RUNNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20130821
MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2009 THAT I BOUGHT HER FOR GRADUATION IN MAY 2010. IN JUNE 2010 SHE AND SOME FRIENDS WERE DRIVING AND A FIRE STARTED IN THE CONSOLE AREA. THERE WERE FLAMES AND SMOKE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100810
3 of 22 total reports mention: power train.
2 of 22 total reports mention: suspension.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
LESS THAN 80K MILES AND FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTING APART. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH I LOST CONTROL BECAUSE THE CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME! COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND DEATH TRAPS
NHTSA ODI report, 20190527
2 of 22 total reports mention: structure.
Show complaint excerpts
I SAT IN THE REAR SEAT OF A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I AM 6'1". I HAD CLEARANCE ABOVE MY HEAD. HOWEVER, THE ROOF IS DOMED ONLY ABOVE THE SEAT. WHEN I LEANED FORWARD MY HEAD CONTACTED THE ROOF.
NHTSA ODI report, 20091121
SAFETY 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 models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, an
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contac
Campaign 13V014000 — 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
2009 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (3 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 13V014000 (air bags, seats) 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 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
6 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.