Toyota 4Runner (5th Gen) Buyer's Guide: Years to Avoid (2010-2024)
Toyota · 4Runner · 5th gen · 2010–2024
The 2010-2024 4Runner is one of the longest-lasting vehicles on the road, and it was the last 4Runner with a V6. Its weak points are frame rust in salt states, old Takata airbag recalls, failing door lock actuators and a highway-speed steering shake. Here's what to check on a used one.
Mirko9 min read
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The fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner (2010-2024) has a 33.1% chance of reaching 250,000 miles, third best of any vehicle in iSeeCars' 2026 longevity study and more than six times the 5.3% average, TFLcar reported. It ran for 15 model years with the same 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic, and the 2025 redesign replaced that V6 with a turbo four-cylinder. That's a big part of why clean fifth-gen trucks still sell for strong money.
Its record is short. The problems that matter on a used one are rust underneath if it lived where roads are salted, the Takata airbag recalls on 2010-2016 trucks, door lock actuators that quit on 2014-2016 models, and a steering wheel shake at highway speed that some owners never get fixed. None of these is the engine.
Generation Overview
The fifth generation (Toyota's N280 platform) went on sale for 2010. It's a body-on-frame SUV built on the same basic chassis as the Lexus GX 460. Every truck after 2010 uses the 4.0L 1GR-FE V6, rated at 270 hp and 278 lb-ft, with a five-speed automatic. For 2010 only, the 2WD SR5 could also be had with a 2.7L four-cylinder. 4WD trucks use either part-time 4WD (SR5, Trail and TRD Off-Road) or full-time 4WD (Limited).
| Year | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Launch. SR5, Trail and Limited trims. 2.7L four-cylinder offered on 2WD SR5 for this year only |
| 2014 | Refresh: new front and rear styling, updated interior, Entune infotainment |
| 2015 | TRD Pro added |
| 2017 | TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium replace Trail |
| 2020 | Toyota Safety Sense P (automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning) standard; new touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| 2022-2024 | TRD Sport and special editions added. 2024 is the final year before the sixth generation |
The 2025 4Runner moved to a new platform with a 2.4L turbo four, standard or as the i-FORCE MAX hybrid, and an eight-speed automatic, according to Kelley Blue Book.
The tradeoff for the fifth gen's simple powertrain is fuel. EPA ratings for a 4WD 2020 are 16 mpg city, 19 highway and 17 combined on fueleconomy.gov. At October's national average of about $4.29 a gallon, 15,000 miles a year costs roughly $3,800 in gas.
Known Issues
These come from NHTSA's recall database and the 994 owner complaints NHTSA had on file for 2010-2024 4Runners as of October 2026. Recalls are free at any Toyota dealer, whoever owns the truck. Check any VIN at NHTSA.
Frame and Underbody Rust
What it is: The 4Runner's frame and underbody brackets are steel, and in states that salt their roads, they rust. Owners describe heat shields and skid plate brackets rusting off and frame scale building up within a few years. Toyota's frame corrosion programs covered older Tacomas, Tundras and Sequoias, not this 4Runner, so any repair is on the owner.
Who it affects: Any year that spent winters in the salt belt. Trucks from the South and West are usually clean.
Severity: High in salt states. Rust that has eaten into the frame can make a truck worth far less than its asking price, and it's the one problem on this list a shop may not be able to fix economically.
What to watch for: Get under the truck with a flashlight before anything else. Look at the frame rails above the rear axle, the crossmembers, the skid plate mounts and the spare tire area. Surface rust is normal. Flaking, swelling or holes are not. A fresh coat of undercoating on a high-mileage northern truck can hide what's underneath.
Takata Airbag Recalls (2010-2016)
What it is: 2010-2016 4Runners are covered by several recalls for Takata front passenger airbag inflators, which can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin. They include 16V340 (2010-2011), 18V024 (2013), 19V005 (2014-2016) and 19V741 (2010-2016). Airbags make up 92 of the 146 NHTSA complaints for the 2010 4Runner and 112 of the 163 for the 2011, and nearly all of them are owners waiting for replacement parts, not reports of an airbag failing.
Who it affects: 2010-2016.
Severity: Critical while unrepaired. The fix is free.
What to watch for: Run the VIN. Most of these trucks were repaired years ago, but a truck that changed hands several times, or one with a salvage title, can still have an open airbag recall.
Door Lock Actuator Failure (mainly 2014-2016)
What it is: The door lock motor is built into the latch assembly, and when it fails, that door stops locking and unlocking with the remote or the switch. Of the 39 NHTSA complaints that describe it, 32 are for 2014-2016 trucks, often just after the factory warranty ran out, and several owners lost three or four doors one after another. There's no recall.
Who it affects: Mostly 2014-2016. Reports drop off after 2017.
Severity: Low for safety, annoying for cost. The repair usually means replacing the whole latch assembly.
What to watch for: Lock and unlock every door with the remote, the driver's switch and each door's own lock. A door that's slow or makes a buzzing sound is on its way out.
Steering Wheel Shake at Highway Speed
What it is: A shake or "nibble" in the steering wheel, usually between about 55 and 65 mph. It shows up in complaints from almost every year, with the most on 2015, 2018-2019 and 2021-2023 trucks. Owners report multiple balances and alignments without a fix. Forum owners who did fix it most often credit a road-force balance on a lug-centric balancer, since the wheels are hub-centric and a standard cone balance can miss it. There's no recall or confirmed root cause.
Who it affects: All years, more often on trucks with larger aftermarket tires.
Severity: Low to medium. It's an irritation more than a hazard, but on a truck you're paying $35,000 for, it's worth knowing before you buy.
What to watch for: Drive at a steady 60-65 mph on a smooth road for at least a few minutes. If the wheel shakes, ask what's been tried. A seller with receipts for three balances and an alignment has told you the shake is probably staying.
Fuel Pump Recall (2018-2019)
What it is: A Denso low-pressure fuel pump can stop working, which can make the engine run rough or stall while driving. Recall 20V682 expanded an earlier campaign (20V012) and covers some 2018-2019 4Runners along with millions of other Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
Who it affects: Some 2018-2019.
Severity: High while unrepaired.
What to watch for: Confirm the recall is complete. A truck that hesitates, surges or struggles to start is a reason to stop and get it diagnosed.
Sub-Variant Issues
KDSS (optional on Trail and TRD Off-Road trims): Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System lets the anti-roll bars loosen off-road for more wheel travel, using hydraulic cylinders, lines and an accumulator. In salt states the lines and fittings corrode and leak. A truck that sits crooked, or one with oily residue around the front sway bar or the rear accumulator, needs a closer look. This adds another layer of risk on a northern truck, and it's worth confirming whether the truck you're looking at has KDSS at all.
TRD Pro (2015-2017) front coil springs: A handful of owners report cracked front coil springs on early TRD Pros. Check the springs on any 2015-2017 TRD Pro and ask if they've been replaced.
Brake pedal that sinks: 26 complaints across the generation describe a soft brake pedal or one that slowly sinks to the floor, with no leak found. Make sure the pedal is firm and stays put when you hold the truck at a stop.
Infotainment (2014-2019): Owners report the Entune screen freezing or rebooting while driving. It's an annoyance, and the 2020 update with CarPlay and Android Auto is a common reason buyers stretch for a 2020 or later.
Lifted and modified trucks: Many 4Runners carry lifts, larger tires and aftermarket bumpers. Some dealer-installed accessories have their own recalls, which a VIN check will show. Heavy modifications speed up wear on ball joints, CV axles and wheel bearings, and they can void what's left of any warranty.
Which years to buy
There's no bad year in this generation. The choice is mostly between price and features:
- 2010-2013 are the cheapest. Check the Takata recalls and rust carefully, and expect older interiors and electronics.
- 2014-2019 have the updated styling and interior. 2014-2016 carry most of the door lock complaints, and 2018-2019 need the fuel pump recall checked.
- 2020-2024 add standard Toyota Safety Sense and CarPlay and have the fewest complaints. They also cost the most.
Asking prices reflect that. CarWhere's August 2026 listing data put median asking prices at about $24,950 for a 2016, $35,980 for a 2020 and $47,404 for a 2024.
What NHTSA complaints show
As of October 2026, NHTSA had 146 complaints for the 2010 4Runner, 163 for the 2011, 96 for the 2012, 36 for the 2013, 77 for the 2014, 86 for the 2015, 80 for the 2016, 36 for the 2017, 59 for the 2018, 65 for the 2019, 33 for the 2020, 36 for the 2021, 39 for the 2022, 33 for the 2023 and 9 for the 2024. The 2010-2012 numbers are high mainly because of the Takata recall complaints. Complaint counts aren't verified and aren't adjusted for sales.
Your Car Is Not This Article
This page covers what's documented about the generation. The 4Runner you're looking at has its own history: where it spent its winters, whether its recalls were done, and whether it's been lifted, towed with or used hard off-road. A Squeezed report pulls the exact risk profile for your specific year and trim, including open recalls. Run a report before you make an offer.
If you're cross-shopping a Tacoma, our Tacoma buyer's guide covers its own weak points.
Sources
- NHTSA, Recalls database and complaints data for the 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner (retrieved October 20, 2026)
- TFLcar, These Vehicles Are Most Likely to Make It Past 250,000 Miles (iSeeCars 2026 study, September 2026)
- Kelley Blue Book, Toyota Reveals All-New 2025 4Runner
- U.S. Department of Energy and EPA, fueleconomy.gov (2020 4Runner 4WD)
- CarWhere, Toyota 4Runner Depreciation (August 2026 listing data)
- 4Runners.com forum, 5th Gen Steering Wheel Shake: Solutions Only
FAQ
What are the most common problems with the Toyota 4Runner (2010-2024)?
Frame and underbody rust on trucks from salt states, open Takata airbag recalls on 2010-2016 models, door lock actuator failures concentrated in 2014-2016, and a steering wheel shake around 55-65 mph that some owners can't get fixed. The 4.0L V6 and five-speed automatic are not common problem areas.
Is the Toyota 4Runner (2010-2024) reliable?
Yes. iSeeCars' 2026 study gave the 4Runner a 33.1% chance of reaching 250,000 miles, third best of any vehicle. On a used one, rust, recall completion and how hard it's been used off-road matter more than the model year.
Are there Toyota 4Runner (2010-2024) years to avoid?
No single year stands out. 2010-2012 have the most complaints, mainly about Takata airbag recall parts, and 2014-2016 have most of the door lock complaints. 2020-2024 have the fewest complaints and add standard Toyota Safety Sense and CarPlay, at a higher price.