Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and was unable to accelerate, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The contact was also made aware that the mechanic discovered excessive corrosion covering the entire subframe of the vehicle. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 205,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle abruptly accelerated and crashed into three unoccupied vehicles. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 06V253000 (speed control) several years ago. The failure mileage was 49,000. The vehicle was inspected by Toyota affiliate and presently in communication with Toyota. Updated 03/31/15 updated 06/24/2015
I have a Toyota 4 runner that suddenly accelerated as I pulled into a parking space jumped over the 6" curb and straight through the front doors of a business. I know my foot was not on the accelerator as I was almost stopped and ready to put the car in park.
In miami, fl. At intersection of waterway drive and sw. 72 ave. Made left turn under rain, (all day raining) I lost control of the vehicle after turn. Came to a stand still and momentarily, I accelerated towards a tree aprox. 15 feet away, vehicle crashed against tree so severely that passenger side of frame bent bad (declared total lost by state farm insurance). Air bag did not deploy. I hit my against head against the windshield, hit steering wheel with rib cage, I was taken to south miami hospital emergency room. After two cat scans and two x-rays I was sent home to follow- up with my primary care physician I am still in pain mainly neck an shoulders and lately my lower back. Still have trouble sleeping, etc. Cannot do house chores. Pcp forbidden any type of exercise for the time being. Please advise. …
Tl contact previously owned a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH on normal road conditions when the brakes were applied and the vehicle began to lunge forward, into the proceeding vehicle. The police was not notified. There were no injuries. The opposing vehicle sustained severe damages. The failure was intermittent during sudden braking occurrences. The contact was involved in three collisions as a result of the vehicle accelerating to include damages to the vehicle. The vehicle was damaged and repaired each time the crash occurred. The failure mileage was 5,000. The VIN was unknown. The contact no longer owns the vehicle.
I was pulling into my garage very slowly and when I stepped on the brake, the car accelerated rapidly like it was shot out of a cannon. I went through the back of the garage (sheet rock, 2x4, freezer and other items that were stored in the garage). I was air born and landed about 10 feet from the house with my foot still on the brake. The airbags did not deploy and I hit my face on the steering wheel, injuring my nose and required 7 stitches in my lip. I could've been killed but god was on my side.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4 runner. She stated that while making a left turn into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, leaped forward and crashed into a brick wall. The Toyota dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. Two identical failure occurred previously; however,they didn't result in a crash. No repairs had been made to correct the failure. The current and failure mileages were under 35,000. Updated 01/07/10.
On sat. Aug. 14, 2010 my 2005 Toyota 4runner accelerated backwards at a high rate of speed as I was attempting to back out of my sister's driveway. I had my foot on the brake at the time and tried to stop the car but could not. I put it in park, nothing happened, then I turned it off and we stopped. We actually backed into a grove of small trees and shrubs which caught us. The car was scratched up a little but not much damage was done. I did call the police and made a report. My younger sister was with me. The backwards acceleration was smooth and did not knock us around much and the stop was kind of smooth. After I turned it off I could not use the brakes anymore but at least we stopped. It was very frightening and I am afraid to drive the car any more. It is parked at my house. First I rented a car and now have borrowed one from a relative. …
On October 30, 2011, I was driving off the new london connecticut highway exit and as I was applying my foot on the brake to slow down, my vehicle would not stop, it felt that it was picking up speed instead. I pumped the brakes couple times and pressed on the pedal as far as it could go to the floor. A great fear came over me and my heart started racing, my whole body stiffened, trying hard to focus, I turned my ignition key off in order for my vehicle to stop. By that time the accident occurred.I live in connecticut. I discovered that my warranty was not registered with Toyota financial service insurance. I was also informed by Toyota motor sales USA inc. That a recall on my vehicle was not corrected by the dealership before they sold it to me. …
Defect occurs during winter conditions only. While stopped & icy conditions exist, the vehicle has excessive hesitation when the gas pedal is depressed. The computer control allows the vehicle to move forward very slowly for at least 5 to 10 seconds after the pedal is depressed. When at a stop sign or light, this condition has lead to close calls while I have inched into the intersection. Not having the ability to accelerate to avoid oncoming vehicles has been problematic. The dealer noted the vehicle is working properly. The mechanics noted another customer had their vehicle in for the same issue & told him the same thing. Note that this condition has occurred each winter since I purchased the vehicle, but there appeared to be little that the dealer would "fix" since they did not believe there was a problem. …
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 Lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 Toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Remedy: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early April 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any Toyota all-weather floor mat.
Acceleration complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2005 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, 7% of the model year's 425 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota 4Runner acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-113 (accelerator pedal, Feb 24, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota 4Runner acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.