2014
New 2020
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Toyota 4Runner Change Vehicle

While almost every other midsized SUV had moved to car-based construction, the 4Runner remained an old-school, body-on-frame SUV, which was great for off-roading but not much else. The ride is unsettled and handling is mediocre at best. Limited trim versions have a sport suspension package with somewhat better control, but a stiffer ride. Off-road is where the 4Runner excels.
Alerts
There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
2014
New 2020
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Toyota 4Runner

Reliability
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Owner Satisfaction
See All
Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Marginal
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit,
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
NA
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
NA
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
NA
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
NA
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
NA
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS available; standard from 2001. ESC standard from 2001. Side and head protection air bags available from 2003, standard from 2008.
Road Test

While almost every other midsized SUV had moved to car-based construction, the 4Runner remained an old-school, body-on-frame SUV, which was great for off-roading but not much else. The ride is unsettled and handling is mediocre at best. Limited trim versions have a sport suspension package with somewhat better control, but a stiffer ride.

Off-road is where the 4Runner excels. Ground clearance is generous and underbody skid plates are standard. The four-wheel-drive system includes a low range for tough off-road duty, but the system is part-time only. Automatic four-wheel drive is available only in the top-level Limited trim.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear, 2 third
Drive Wheels
4WD , Rear
Warranty

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
4-door SUV
Transmissions Available
  • 5-speed Automatic
Engines Available
  • 4-liter V6 (270 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2014 Toyota 4Runner owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Display screen freezes up

"Head unit was replaced last month because navigation had failed and would not locate car. New head unit freezes at random, especially when using satellite radio. New head unit ordered, waiting for parts"

Anonymous, AZ (2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4.0-L V6)

"While driving, the display screen freezes. The radio stops playing, and all functions freeze. The after about 5-8 minutes it seems to just re-boot and all is fine. Happened 5 times in 4 months"

Art M., MD (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)

"Entire system freezes occasionally and requires reboot to work again"

Anonymous, CO (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)

"The display screen freezes at least once while driving. Since everything is linked through Entune, you can't do anything with your nav system or radio until the entire system resets. Toyota was very difficult to work with even after bringing up this software problem multiple times and the issue still hasn't been fixed!! I love my Toyota but I want to drive it off a cliff every time the display screen freezes"

Amanda P., NC (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)

"Radio would lock up and turn off and turn back on again and any GPS was lost. Did factory updates 3 times before issues seemed to be good for the most part. Took 3 months and videos of issue to get resolution. Still not confident in solution long term. Poor service and support by Toyots"

Anonymous, NC (2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4.0-L V6)

"It simply goes blank, the music goes off, and after a while it resumes working"

Mary O., OR (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

"iPod freezes and must be rebooted constantly when connected to stereo system"

Michael H., CA (2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4.0-L V6)

"Several time during the last year while using the navigation system during trips it would quit working while driving. The screen would freeze up and the system would shut down and reboot. When it came back on it was necessary for me to reenter dest"

Dave N., WV (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

"Constant problems with GPS freezing or going blank"

Danny T., TX (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

"The instruction book does not work for my system. My system has a different method for entering a location, which, by the way is so tedious as to be unusable. The instructions for turning off the voice do not work. I cannot get the right scale on the map. I don't use it. Maps are better, and I don't mean Google maps, I mean paper maps"

Mary O., OR (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

"Music,GPS, locks up then goes blank. It reboots but goes off again shortly thereafter. Very unsettling when depending on GPS directions"

Anonymous, AB (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)

"The navigation is difficult to update and has frozen up on me several times during navigation without any external input. It seems random"

Daniel T., AE (2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4.0-L V6)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"Before a requested update, the system was unreliable in pairing with different phones"

Anonymous, TX (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

"My phone is randomly dropped from the connection both during and no during phone calls"

Daniel T., AE (2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4.0-L V6)

"Voice recognition is awful. It maybe gets 1 of 5 words correct, even after trying to use it for 2 years"

Amanda P., NC (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)
Radio

"This just reflects my previous issue with display freeze and radio stopped playing"

Art M., MD (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)
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Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Seals and/or weather-stripping

"weather stripping on rear passenger door was not installed correctly from factory. had a hassle getting dealer to fix"

Douglas B., UT (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

"Weather stripping around back hatch was loose from factory. Brought it back to dealer three times for repair, still isn't right"

Anonymous, TX (2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4.0-L V6)
Squeaks or rattles

"dash board seems really cheap and every bump causes the sections on the dash to rub and squeak. super annoying"

Douglas B., UT (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

"Driver window rattle"

Anonymous, CA (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

"Don't know what it is. Dealer can't find it. Only hear rattle when I close driver's door after driving it an hour or more. Never happened on any prior 4Runner and I have owned 4Runners since 1990"

Art H., CO (2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4.0-L V6)

"Driver's seat back lumbar support pops and snaps when pressure changes (e.g. hitting a bump or taking a turn.) Infuriating. Has been "repaired" 3x, waiting to meet with Toyota regional rep to escalate and get resolved under warranty"

Anonymous, AZ (2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4.0-L V6)
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Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Blower (fan) motor

"very low airflow in either heating or cooling operations, even on highest selectable speed. Difficult to heat cvar in winter and difficult to cool car in summer"

Robert G., CO (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)

"The blower motor is a variable speed type and would periodically stop working, with no air flowing through the vents. Had the dealership look at it and was told to kick the bottom of the dash to allow the motor to start working again. I replaced the motor with an aftermarket version"

Anonymous, AR (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)
Refrigerant leaks

"Continuing problem with regulating refrigerant level"

Doug T., VA (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

4WD/AWD components

"when driving in 4wheel drive mode i hear and feel a rubbing noise when i make a sharp turn"

Edwin M., IL (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)
Differential

"Differential sounded like my 1948 Nash.... made lots of noise when you let up on the gas"

Anonymous, TX (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)
Traction control

"Anytime the traction control activates, a very loud noise is heard toward the front of the vehicle"

Anonymous, TX (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Difficult to fill up gas tank

"Toyotas have always had a problem with getting the last two gallons of fuel into the tank...includes previously owned 2000 Tundra, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2014 4-Runners"

Robert G., CO (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)
Engine knock or ping

"On start up the engine had loud knock until it warmed up some of the time (one start out of 10)"

Anonymous, TX (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Master cylinder

"Very soft pedal that almost goes to the floor. Dealership has not addressed issue yet"

Anonymous, OH (2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)
Antilock system (ABS)

"If braking hard/fast the brakes tend to lock up and skid, especially on wet surfaces. Never had a vehicle that does this"

Eddie C., TX (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

What Owners Say

Alternator

"Ended up being the oil pump noise and failure, did not have a category to list this issue. Dealer said it was alternator but it was oil pump making loud whining noise. Toyota would not respond to issue when it started at 65K. Ignored me the whole time"

Anonymous, NC (2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4.0-L V6)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"Roof rack moulding Double sided tape replaced / repaired by dealer No problem"

Michael M., WA (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Keyless entry

"Had to replace the soleniids in every door. I have owned many toyotas and they have all had intermittent solenoid problems. Otherwise they have all been great cars"

Anonymous, TX (2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

Change Vehicle