VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Toyota 4Runner1990–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Toyota 4Runner
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Toyota 4Runner Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 485 complaints
17 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
2 recalls · 477 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
1 recall · 310 complaints
28 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the 4Runner became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 16, 2026.
Toyota 4Runner — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 82 | 41 | 68 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 40 | — | — | 69 | 56 | 64 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 10 | 2 | — | 82 | 69 | 77 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 26 | 1 | — | 77 | 79 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 2 | 28 | 1 | — | 73 | 86 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 24 | 3 | — | 76 | 89 | 81 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 23 | 6 | — | 73 | 88 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 39 | 2 | — | 66 | 84 | 72 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 3 | 29 | — | — | 71 | 78 | 73 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 14 | — | — | 81 | 71 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 4 | 60 | 12 | — | 57 | 64 | 59 | Good |
| 2015 | 4 | 74 | 10 | — | 57 | 57 | 57 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 53 | 3 | — | 57 | 51 | 55 | Good |
| 2013 | 3 | 24 | — | — | 74 | 46 | 64 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 5 | 52 | 5 | — | 57 | 42 | 52 | Good |
| 2011 | 6 | 87 | 3 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 2010 | 6 | 94 | 5 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 2009 | 3 | 22 | 1 | — | 74 | 39 | 62 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 2 | 67 | 6 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 2007 | 2 | 108 | 4 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 2006 | 2 | 238 | 23 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
| 2005 | 2 | 260 | 8 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
| 2004 | 2 | 485 | 17 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 2 | 477 | 10 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 1 | 146 | 9 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 2001 | 1 | 119 | 5 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 2000 | 1 | 310 | 28 | 2 | 57 | 39 | 51 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 1 | 246 | 16 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
| 1998 | 2 | 144 | 16 | 1 | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
| 1997 | 2 | 192 | 29 | 5 | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
| 1996 | 3 | 93 | 7 | 2 | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 1995 | 3 | 99 | 7 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 1994 | 3 | 29 | 4 | — | 67 | 39 | 57 | Excellent |
| 1993 | 3 | 16 | — | — | 78 | 39 | 64 | Excellent |
| 1992 | 3 | 43 | 5 | 1 | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 1991 | 2 | 23 | 1 | — | 75 | 39 | 62 | Excellent |
| 1990 | 2 | 52 | 5 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Toyota 4Runner Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the 4Runner compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 81).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 78).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year 4Runner to buy?+
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner scores highest on our Buyer Score (81/100) — combining a reliability score of 76/100 with a value score of 89/100. It has 0 recalls and 24 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which 4Runner years have the most problems?+
The 2004, 2003, 2000 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2004 4Runner leads with 2 recalls and 485 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common 4Runner problems?+
The most frequently reported Toyota 4Runner issues involve: STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, AIR BAGS. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.