2014 Toyota 4Runner Problems & Complaints

Average34% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 4Runner at the same age

Owners have filed 77 complaints about the 2014 Toyota 4Runner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the 4Runner at the same age. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (24 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). 7 recalls cover this model year.

77complaints
7recalls
5crashes
1fires
4injuries
0deaths

Most common 2014 Toyota 4Runner problems

  • Electrical system~50,000 miles
    2431%
  • Other / not specified~40,000 miles
    1114%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~63,000 miles
    1013%
  • Air bags~70,000 miles
    810%
  • Body & structure~31,000 miles
    810%
  • Steering~71,000 miles
    79%
  • Engine & cooling~63,000 miles
    68%
  • Brakes~71,000 miles
    56%
  • Suspension~50,000 miles
    34%
  • Wheels & tires~80,000 miles
    34%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~141,000 miles
    23%
  • A/C & heater~1,000 miles
    11%
  • Speed control & acceleration~32,000 miles
    11%
  • Equipment & accessories~92,000 miles
    11%
  • Transmission & drivetrain
    11%

Share of the 77 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Toyota 4Runner complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2617216126125033048318522569667842538115496221471639636778780365965333639339607
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota 4Runner. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best 4Runner years: 2013, 2017, 2024. Years to avoid: 2025, 2011, 2003, 2004. Compare all years →

2014 Toyota 4Runner recalls (7)

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 20V-012 · Jan 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-741 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles

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, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-005 · Jan 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 vehicles

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, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.

Equipment

NHTSA recall 17V-425 · Jul 3, 2017 · 3,547 vehicles

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.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

NHTSA recall 16V-577 · Aug 3, 2016 · 425 vehicles

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 people and possibly burn them while they are standing…

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began September 15, 2016.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

NHTSA recall 15V-515 · Aug 13, 2015 · 2,530 vehicles

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 possibly burn them while they are standing behind…

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began on September 22, 2015.

Show 1 more recall

Equipment

NHTSA recall 14V-828 · Dec 30, 2014 · 3,958 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2014 Toyota 4Runner:

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

What 2014 Toyota 4Runner owners say

Electrical system all 24 →

My gear shift became difficult to shift. As I was driving it, when I physically shifted to the Drive position, the display didn't confirm "D", but I could drive. As I was driving, the car shifted to Neutral without me shifting, but did not show "N" on the display. My car stopped accelerating and revved higher. This occurred as I was driving on the road around 45 mph. I could not tell on the display that I was not in Drive. I pulled over safely luckily. I Continued to try to get it to drive to get it to a dealership to look at. They reported it was PRNDL switch issue. TECH FOUND INTERNAL CORROSION IN TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR CREATING A PHYSICAL RESISTANCE IN SENSOR WHICH PREVENTED VEHICLE FROM PROPERLY INDICATING GEAR. TECH REPLACED TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR, ADJUSTED SENSORWITH TECHSTREAM DATA LIST, AND PERFORMED HEALTH CHECK This is not the first they have seen either. …

Jan 2023

The horn stopped functioning. This is a safety hazard because i am not able to alert other drivers. The vehicle has only been inspected by the Toyota Dealer. No codes and no lights were displayed.Fearing for my family's safety, I paid for the repairs.

Apr 2022

Fuel & propulsion system

I notice my gas wasn't lasting long. One day I was pumping gas and noticed that underneath my 4-runner gas was pouring out from the top of my fuel tank. Took it to the dealership and they repaired the charcoal canister, canister assembly and purge valve assembly. Cost me $953.48 with parts and labor. Very dangerous due to it could have started a fire while driving.

Sep 2021

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered while driving at an undisclosed speed. No warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V012000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called nalley Toyota of roswell (11130 alpharetta hwy, roswell, ga 30076, [phone]), and was informed the part was not available and that the vehicle should no longer be driven until the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the part would be available by June and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 53,459. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

53,000 miles · May 2020

Air bags

I had a collision and rear ended a truck. My front left bumper was completely damaged. My chest hit the steering wheel. My airbags did not deploy.

Jun 2025 · crash

Vehicle was involved in an accident where the driver side airbag did not deploy.

Apr 2025 · crash · fire · 1 injury

2014 Toyota 4Runner engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automaticRWD17 / 22 / 19
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic4WD17 / 21 / 18
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automaticAWD17 / 21 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

Based on 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 4Runner rates average: 34% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 4Runner at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Toyota 4Runner?

The electrical system — 24 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (10) and air bags (8).

How many recalls does the 2014 Toyota 4Runner have?

There are 7 recalls for the 2014 Toyota 4Runner, the most recent from January 13, 2020 (fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Toyota 4Runner?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2017 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2011, 2003 and 2004. See the full Toyota 4Runner years comparison.

At what mileage do 2014 Toyota 4Runner problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 51% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.