MYRModel Year Report

2009 Toyota 4RUNNER

○ Not enough data
2009 Toyota 4RUNNER
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:49:38.174Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
22

Too few to rank

Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 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: 528 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2009: 22 complaints 2009 22 2010: 146 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 87 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 60 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 31 complaints 2024: 10 complaints 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 1999 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 528 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2005 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2009: 22 complaints 2009 22 2010: 146 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 87 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2017 2018: 60 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 31 complaints 2023 2024: 10 complaints 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1986 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1992 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1994 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1998 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2000 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 528 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2004 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2009: 22 complaints 2009 22 2010: 146 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 87 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2016 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 60 complaints 2018 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2022 2023: 31 complaints 2024: 10 complaints 2024 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026

2009: 22 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19852
19868
19875
19889
19896
199079
199143
199253
199352
199412
199547
199672
1997139
1998130
1999220
2000379
2001154
2002192
2003528
2004612
2005410
2006381
2007154
200896
200922
2010146
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201587
201681
201736
201860
201965
202032
202136
202239
202331
202410
202560
20268

Known problem areas

Only 22 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Power train

10 of 22 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Electrical system

4 of 22 total reports mention: electrical system.

CRASHFIRE
Show 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-21

Also filed under Engine and fuel system, gasoline

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, 2010-08-10

Structure

3 of 22 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing body and frame and members.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while pulling out of a driveway, the contact observed a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and the steering wheel violently yanked to the right.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-13

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, 2009-11-21

Also filed under Seats

Suspension

2 of 22 total reports mention: suspension.

CRASH
Show 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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-27

Also filed under Steering

Steering

2 of 22 total reports mention: steering.

CRASH

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2010-02-16Recall queryClosed 2011-03-01 Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
  2. R
    2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2010-05-27Equipment10V035000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2011-04-13Vehicle speed control11V113000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2013-03-21Air bags, seats13V014000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2015-01-29Seats14V743000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2016-07-14Seats16V396000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
  • Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
  • Recall 11V113000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
  • Recall 14V743000 · Seats
  • Recall 16V396000 · Seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.