2015 Toyota 4Runner Problems & Complaints

Average16% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 4Runner at the same age

Owners have filed 87 complaints about the 2015 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 air bags (17 complaints, typically around 22,000 miles). 9 recalls cover this model year.

87complaints
9recalls
10crashes
0fires
9injuries
0deaths

Most common 2015 Toyota 4Runner problems

  • Air bags~22,000 miles
    1720%
  • Other / not specified~45,000 miles
    1416%
  • Electrical system~45,000 miles
    1315%
  • Suspension~40,000 miles
    1011%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~126,000 miles
    1011%
  • Engine & cooling~28,000 miles
    910%
  • Speed control & acceleration~49,000 miles
    89%
  • Body & structure~42,000 miles
    89%
  • Steering~40,000 miles
    89%
  • Brakes~47,000 miles
    45%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~67,000 miles
    45%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~20,000 miles
    33%
  • Stability & traction control~49,000 miles
    33%
  • Seats~26,000 miles
    22%
  • Seat belts~25,000 miles
    11%
  • Wheels & tires~40,000 miles
    11%
  • Lights~76,000 miles
    11%
  • Locks & latches
    11%

Share of the 87 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 →

2015 Toyota 4Runner recalls (9)

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.

Structure › Body › Hood

NHTSA recall 17V-763 · Nov 29, 2017 · 431 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

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.

Show 3 more recalls

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 16V-228 · Apr 20, 2016 · 844 vehicles

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 22, 2014, to March 23, 2016 and equipped with accessories installed by Gulf States. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories.

Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will install an accurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 1, 2016. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074.

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.

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 2015 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 2015 Toyota 4Runner owners say

Air bags

I was just in my second front end collision and for the second time, my front airbags did not deploy. The first instance, I hit a deer head on going 75 mph on the interstate. Last week, I T-bone F150 at 35mph - hard enough to make that truck spin around - and had injuries to my head, knee, and hand, and yet the airbag did not deploy once again. In both cases, my car sustained over $10,000 and damage to the front end.

Apr 2024 · crash · 1 injury

My 4 runner was hit on the passenger side while crossing a intersection. The truck that hit my 4 runner was going at least 40 miles per hr and was a heavy duty pickup truck. On impact the airbags did NOT deploy but the 4 runner went haywire.

Mar 2023 · crash · 2 injuries

Electrical system

When the vehicle is put in reverse the computer screen rear view camera image becomes blury, the image shakes rapidly and static with neon lines would appear distorting the camera footage. It made the rear camera screen view unusable and unreliable. This happened off and on for over 2 years and during each service I would ask Toyota of san luis obispo, ca to diagnose and fix the problem. They would tell me they were not able to duplicate the problem and that they updated the computer chip and it "should be good". This did not resolve the problem. I was able to video tape the problem and showed the video to the service manager. He had me send him my video and said he needed to talk to corporate. …

20,000 miles · Sep 2017

Entune radio/navigation system continually crashes and stalls while driving causing safety hazard if driver has to continually reset the radio power while driving. This usually happens more so when the navigation system is engaged. It will crash out of no where, use to just happen with instructions were being given through the speaker now its random. Happens also when with just music playing, will be unable to change stations or control volume with buttons or nobs. This seems to be happening to a large amount of customers who have no way of solving the issue. Might be need for safety recall as people May need to continually reset or try to figure out whats wrong while driving. …

15,000 miles · Nov 2016

Suspension

This is our third Toyota 4Runner with the "X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension System". There has been some type of failure of this system on all 3 of the 4Runners we have owned. The latest problem with this suspension system on our 2015 4Runner was discovered during a Toyota dealership service appointment at 42,091 miles. It was recommended the full X-REAS system, front and rear shocks with lines and actuators be completely replaced since both front shocks are leaking fluid at a cost of $4,000. Since this is our third 4Runner with this suspension and related problems it is our fear that this suspension system might fail when driving and possibly cause an incident with who knows what could happen. …

Sep 2021

'The "KDSS" (kinetic dynamic suspension system) valve located on the frame under the driver's door had corroded to the point where the oil in the system had begun to leak out. The warning light did come on the dashboard days prior to the leak. Vehicle was taken to a Toyota dealership, where they assessed there was low pressure in the system. The service advisor advised that if the system loses all the fluid, the suspension and handling may be affected when steering or braking at high speeds or when making sharp turns.

Mar 2022

2015 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 2015 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

Based on 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 4Runner rates average: 16% 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 2015 Toyota 4Runner?

The air bags — 17 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (13) and suspension (10).

How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota 4Runner have?

There are 9 recalls for the 2015 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 2015 Toyota 4Runner problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 39,000 miles; 65% 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.