2012 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
73% of complaints: air bags — 70 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS FIRST ONE WAITING AT THE LIGHT, TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON BUTLER/AIRPORT RD. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140805
6% of complaints: service brakes — 6 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: steering — 5 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
Consistent steering wheel shake between 60-65 mph. This is a very well known issue on the 2010-2024 4Runners and it drives me and many others crazy, and feels unsafe to drive with. Will happen almost anytime Iâm on the highway.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260313
5% of complaints: engine — 5 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL SMELL EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AROUND HIS FEET.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150114
SAFETY TIMELINE
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 4RUNNER AND SIENNA VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH NON-ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT REMOTE ENGINE STARTERS. A MALFUNCTION IN THE AUDIOVOX ELECTRONICS BRAND REMOT
Remedy: GULF STATES TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REMOTE ENGINE STARTER WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 4, 2012. OWNERS MAY C
Campaign 12V120000 — 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 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began on September 22, 2015.
Campaign 15V515000 — check if this car was fixed
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began September 15, 2016.
Campaign 16V577000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever...
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.
Campaign 17V006000 — check if this car was fixed
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
Campaign 17V425000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.
Campaign 19V005000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (70 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V120000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V014000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V515000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V577000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V006000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V425000 (equipment, structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V005000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 73% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
8 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.