Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 her brother-in-law was inspecting the vehicle battery, he activated the rear windshield defroster and the rear windshield exploded. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was taken to an auto glass repair mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the defroster motor and the rear windshield wiring had melted. The auto glass repair mechanic replaced the rear windshield and referred the contact to the dealer for the defroster motor replacement. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The rear windshield shattered suddenly without any apparent reason. At first I thought something had smashed onto our car because there was a loud smashing sound as it a sheet of ice fell on the roof of the car, but it was not a snowy or icy day and there was no rock or branch by the car. It was rainy and cold and I had the wipers and defroster on so the only thing I could think of as the problem was the temperature of the glass and defroster caused the glass to shatter. I had all three of my children in the car (all under 6 years of age) in the backseat and I was lucky none of the shattered glass projected into the air on to them. The entire windshield was shattered.
I was driving my 4Runner and the rear glass exploded and shattered. This is a known issue with Toyota and documented in T-SB-0189-17 and warranty enhancement ZG7. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the glass shattering. Toyota refuses to cover the repair costs and the estimate provided by the dealer is $1,200. Photos were taken in my garage when I got home immediately after the explosion occurred.
Rear hatch glass broke during defroster operation. Started to smell a burning smell and then moments later the entire rear hatch glass shattered. Known issue by Toyota. They issued a brief Warranty Enhancement Program (ZG7) in March 2017 thru April 2018 but are refusing to honor current issues.
This morning dec-23-2019,raining 60 degree, I was driving on 91 fwy with rear defrost on for rain fog inside. About 15 min after left my home,I hear big pop noise and my rear lift gate glass shattered. I though I had a drive by gun shot,I start searching internet and found there is issue on rear defrost line glass over heat shattered glass. I visited 4 runner owner's forum and I found lot a people experience for same blown rear glass. I called dealership for this issue,and no one recognize it . Further search,,,,I found warrant enhancement program-zf7. And this program announce to dealer ship March 2017 with warranty 9 more year extend from a date of purchase?? Mine is 2005 and even 9 more year warranty still not covered time of their recognition of this program. I called Toyota and they denying for expire date of it. …
The rear window exploded on it's own with glass shattering everywhere while the defrost function was on. This is a very serious safety issue and design flaw that should be remedied before it happens. Toyota acknowledges the design flaw yet allows this dangerous occurrence to happen with consumers before doing anything about it. They say to bring it in for inspection but nothing that they can see until it has exploded. Toyota customer service representative named ryan informed me today there is nothing Toyota can do for me. They need to reimburse consumers for replacement no matter the time frame because it is a serious safety issue and it is a design flaw!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 15 MPH, the rear windshield exploded and the glass shattered into pieces without any impact or warning. The contact called rick hendrick Toyota of fayetteville at [phone] (located at 1969 skibo road, fayetteville, nc 28314) and was informed that the extended warranty for that specific part had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty expired and that nothing could be done. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 154,391.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear window shattered. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but the contact was informed that there would be no way of knowing the cause of the shattered window. The vehicle was inspected by an independent window mechanic, who discovered a burned circuit board and faulty cables associated with the defogger system. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While driving on the highway with the rear defroster activated, the rear window exploded. The vehicle behind the contact's vehicle was showered with glass. There were no injuries. The contact researched the failure and found that the manufacturer issued a short extended warranty for the defective defroster. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 260,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a crackling sound for a few seconds and the rear hatchback window exploded without warning or an impact occurring. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of cool spring (1875 w mcewen dr, franklin, tn 37067, [phone]) where the vehicle was repaired. Contact called the manufacturer, but they did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000.
Window & Wiper complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2005 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, 6% of the model year's 425 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota 4Runner window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota 4Runner window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 154,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.