2018 Toyota 4Runner Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 25, 2026 · Filed: October 26, 2026

On [XXX], my husband was driving our 2018 Toyota 4Runner Limited home from Coventry, CT, with me in the passenger seat. At the second-to-last STOP sign on our route, a yellow slip indicator light suddenly appeared on the dashboard. We did not know why. We wondered if we had accidentally touched a control near the steering wheel. The brakes still worked normally, and my husband stopped completely. I photographed the warning light. Since we were only a few minutes from home, we continued cautiously, planning to check the warning once home. Shortly afterward, we were driving downhill on [XXX] toward the next STOP sign at [XXX]. My husband applied the brakes, but the vehicle did not slow as expected. It continued downhill, gained speed, and entered [XXX] without stopping. [XXX] is normally busy. Fortunately, no vehicles were directly in our path, and no collision or injuries occurred. My husband turned on the hazard lights and drove slowly while looking for a safe place to stop. The normal brakes still could not bring the vehicle to a complete stop. He eventually stopped at a repair shop using emergency measures. We left the vehicle there because it was unsafe to drive. Afterward, my husband noticed that a rear brake pad appeared loose or detached and the rotor appeared deeply grooved. We do not know whether this caused the braking failure or whether the earlier warning light was related. The vehicle remains parked and available for inspection. No mechanic has inspected it, the problem has not been reproduced, and the cause is UNKNOWN. We reported the incident to Toyota USA on October 26 and contacted a Toyota dealer. We request that NHTSA document and evaluate this serious safety incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: January 5, 2026 · Filed: October 17, 2026

Maplewood Toyota dealership service negligence resulted in a severe, 2-tooth mechanical misalignment of the steering intermediate shaft splines. The vehicle was subsequently driven for 11 months under extreme structural binding, inducing unmeasurable metallurgy fatigue on a primary control linkage, internal hydraulic valve balancing failure within the steering gear assembly, and excessive over-tensioning of the primary airbag restraint electronics. Reusing these compromised components creates an active crash hazard and an unreasonable risk of sudden component failure. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS & REPEATED DIAGNOSTIC FAILURES: In January 2026, an authorized franchise facility (Maplewood Toyota) replaced a steering universal joint and incorrectly reassembled the linkage out of index by two full splines, bypassing factory matchmarking protocols. This error left the steering wheel heavily off-center and created a severe, constant pull to the right. Over the next 11 months, the vehicle was brought into the authorized dealer network for four separate service visits across multiple Toyota franchise locations to address the persistent pulling and unstable tracking. The authorized network systematically failed to identify the physical, visual misalignment during these safety inspections. In October 2026, the dealership finally admitted to the 2-tooth offset. Rather than executing a safety-compliant overhaul of a primary control tract that had been bound for nearly a year, the dealership executed an unacceptable cosmetic shortcut: they unbolted the intermediate shaft, slid the old parts back to center, replaced only the interior column housing, and released the vehicle. ACTIVE SAFETY HAZARDS & RISK OF CRASH: Despite the physical realignment of the splines, the underlying safety risks remain severe and unaddressed: A. CATASTROPHIC SPLINE STRIPPING RISK: Forcing hardened steel steering splines out of index and torquing them down introduces material crushing and cross-threading to the

Incident: July 16, 2026 · Filed: July 16, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota 4Runner. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy per a Carfax report. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 65,862. However, the Carfax report indicated that the mileage was 61,000 in April 2022; 90,000 in February 2023; and 54,000 towards the end of the month in February 2023. The contact stated that the current approximate mileage was 86,000.

Incident: March 22, 2026 · Filed: March 27, 2026

The dealership Direct Motor, located in Manassas, Virginia, sold me this car in poor condition. On Sunday the 22nd, I picked up the car around 10 PM. They didn't show me any information about the car. When I picked it up, I saw that the front bumper and rear door were damaged, and the airbag lights were on, which is dangerous. I returned the car first thing Monday morning and asked them to exchange it. They refused. I asked for my money back, which is $3,000, and they refused again. Then I went back on Wednesday and filled out a form explaining why I returned the car. They said they would return my money, but now they're not responding. They're trying to scam me.

Incident: November 29, 2025 · Filed: January 10, 2026

this vehicle was purchased from Don Chalmers Ford in Rio Rancho on 1129, 2025, upon purchasing a 2018 Toyota foreigner Limited I traded in a 2020 Acura RDX with only 50,000 miles. The salesman seemed to trustworthy. He showed me the Carfax Clean had no accidents no recalls then I receive some paperwork stating this vehicle is eligible for a buyback. I still have not received the license plate or registration. No one informed me that this vehicle is eligible for a buyback meaning I paid way too much for this vehicle. I’m having problems with suspension brakes steering wheel shaking at high speeds leaks lights on several problems. The dealership promised they would fix everything they have ignored me. I am frustrated. This is not a safe vehicle. I have PTSD from totaling my 1998 Toyota 4 runner October 11 of 2025. I was clear that I need a safe vehicle. My kids were in my vehicle when I totaled my 1998. I have been given the runaround since the second day my son saw oil leaking from the vehicle. Lights went on many different things began to happen like explain this is the second day the seventh day the 14th day and every day once a week after leaving several text messages phone calls I spoke to Zach the sales guy Steve the guy that purchased his parts he purchased a sensor in a black lining that goes be behind the tire on the passenger side. I have found overspray lights are on something to do with the tires, I am not safe in this vehicle I told them it was not a valid purchase and to please reimburse me give me my 2020 Acura that I only had 50,000 miles. Excellent condition. I didn’t know that I was gonna be manipulated lie to lack of information was disclosed to me. I didn’t know it was eligible for buyback. I overpaid for a vehicle that is not safe and should not be on their lot. I’m ready to go the general manager of the president. I have eight fractures in my spine with head injuries. My 18-year-old was in the car with me thank God we are our life today. I’m sad

Incident: March 21, 2025 · Filed: March 25, 2025

While my father was exiting his 2018 Toyota 4Runner SR5, the vehicle unexpectedly started reversing fairly quickly, despite no foot being on the brake. He was dragged by the vehicle while attempting to stop it outside the car, and it continued moving backwards then down a hill before crashing into a fence, causing significant damage to both the car and the fence. This vehicle should not have rolled back at this speed, and it appears to be related to a potential design flaw in the vehicle’s brake-shift interlock system or automatic reverse functionality. This incident is concerning, and after reviewing discussions in various forums, it seems that similar issues may not be isolated to this particular vehicle and could point to a larger defect in Toyota vehicles. I am very disappointed that there are no built-in safety features that could have prevented this incident. It is extremely concerning that the vehicle shifted into reverse while the driver was in the process of exiting. A vehicle should not be able to reserve this quickly or move into reverse unintentionally without the driver’s control. This poses a serious safety risk to drivers and bystandards, and I strongly urge the NHTSA to investigate this issue and determine whether a defect or design flaw contributed to the incident. Implementing proper safeguards could prevent similar accidents in the future.

Incident: March 10, 2025 · Filed: March 15, 2025

Fuel pump make noises and I can hear it

Incident: July 10, 2024 · Filed: August 31, 2024

The front shock springs cracked and snapped due to cold weather. I have been waiting for 2 months for the replacement parts and cannot drive my vehicle. The parts are 4 months out on a waiting list. The vehicle is not safe to drive. The dealer has inpected the vehicle and said it is not safe to drive for safety reasons. There were no warning and I only found out when I went to replace the original tires. The car has 25K miles.

Incident: July 19, 2024 · Filed: July 28, 2024

While attempting to stop vehicle for a traffic light brake pedal suddenly goes almost to the floor. This occurrence is random and unpredictable. No dash lights or messages come on indicating any problem. Brake master cylinder is at the proper level and no signs of leakage. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by any technicians. Vehicle is available for inspection by NHTSA. As a retired Police officer and former FAA certified Airframe & Powerplant mechanic I am familiar with hydraulic systems. I believe that this issue if not identified and addressed by the manufacture will cause bodily harm to the operator and possibly other vehicles or pedestrians. There has also been a lot of chatter on Toyota forums about the same problem.

Incident: July 6, 2024 · Filed: July 18, 2024

Two transfer case seals failed at 64,000 miles. Caused excessive oil to leak out of transfer case and onto the exhaust. Safety was put as risk by potential full failure of transfer case which can cause loss of power at speed or leaking oil on exhaust causing a fire. Problem was verified by Armstrong Automotive and repaired. No warning lights were present. Problem found after smelling burning oil and noticing smoking coming from underneath vehicle.