2012 Toyota 4Runner problems and recalls
73% of owner complaints on the 2012 Toyota 4Runner related to the Air Bags (70 of 96).
96
Complaints
8
Recalls
5
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
9
Injuries
81.1
Severity index
Severity index 81.1 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.
Ranked 36 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 72% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.
Components cited in complaints
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 70 | 72.9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 7 | 7.3% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 | 6.2% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 | 6.2% |
| STEERING | 5 | 5.2% |
| ENGINE | 5 | 5.2% |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 4 | 4.2% |
| GASOLINE | 3 | 3.1% |
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 66 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 1 |
Filings in 2020 to 2022 ran 0.1x those in 2017 to 2019 (10 against 69).
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V005000 | 09/01/2019 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 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 Alabama, California, Florida, Ge |
| 19V741000 | 17/10/2019 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 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, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, |
| 17V425000 | 03/07/2017 | STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 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. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle. |
| 17V006000 | 09/01/2017 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 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 registered, in Alabama, California |
| 16V577000 | 03/08/2016 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact peop |
| 15V515000 | 13/08/2015 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and |
| 12V120000 | 23/03/2012 | EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL | 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 REMOTE ENGINE STARTER MODULE CAN PREVENT NORMAL COMMUNICATION OF THE VEHICLES CONTRO |
| 13V014000 | 16/01/2013 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE | 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, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model ye |
Other Toyota 4Runner model years
Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.
- 2013sev 59.5
- 2014sev 67.2
- 2015sev 93.5
- 2016sev 77.6
- 2017sev 75.7
- 2018sev 70.2
- 2019sev 67.7
- 2020sev 81.9
- 2021sev 63.9
- 2022sev 102.8
- 2023sev 100.0
- 2025sev 51.9
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.