Most common 2018 Toyota 4Runner problems
Share of the 59 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota 4Runner complaints by model year
Best 4Runner years: 2013, 2017, 2024. Years to avoid: 2025, 2011, 2003, 2004. Compare all years →
2018 Toyota 4Runner recalls (5)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021.
Suspension
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded.
Remedy: SET will notify owners and mail them corrected certification labels, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET18A.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Structure › Body › Hood
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.
What 2018 Toyota 4Runner owners say
Steering
There was a clunking noise coming from the front end when steering. Got worse over time. Also had a vibration in the front end at speeds above 45 mph. Dealer recommended replacement of upper steering column shaft assembly and dust boot cover along with lower intermediate steering shaft. The manufacturer knows about this problem because there is a NHTSA Campaign Number 19V67000 that states the suspension and steering fasteners were improperly tightened. This should be a recall and I should not have to pay for their mistakes! If it had come loose, there would be a loss of control leading to an accident! The dealer/manufacturer did not send out any notice or warning.
Vehicle steering shakes between 60-65 mph. After 4 different sets of tires in 3 weeks, multiple road force balances, tire rotations, an alignment, an alignment checks, brakes checked, a "visual inspection" of suspension components from two Toyota dealerships, the vehicle continues to vibrate at highways speeds.
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,500.
On7/2022 when I came out of my house in the evening my 2018 4Runner was not been running for hours But I heard my Fuel pump running with no keys in the switch Would not stop running until I turned the switch on and then turned it back off and then fuel pump stopped running I reported to my dealer but they didn't seem interested so I am Sending this to you any thing I tell the dealer where I got my 2018 4Runner Service dealer seems to go unheard. I got my 2018 4 runner brand new in 2018 and I was having issues with the 4Runner Shaking in the front end and steering wheel and took it back more than 5 times but only to be told it was nothing but. I am still having problems with it but they have not fixed it or anything
Air bags
The dealership Direct Motor, located in Manassas, Virginia, sold me this car in poor condition. On Sunday the 22nd, I picked up the car around 10 PM. They didn't show me any information about the car. When I picked it up, I saw that the front bumper and rear door were damaged, and the airbag lights were on, which is dangerous. I returned the car first thing Monday morning and asked them to exchange it. They refused. I asked for my money back, which is $3,000, and they refused again. Then I went back on Wednesday and filled out a form explaining why I returned the car. They said they would return my money, but now they're not responding. They're trying to scam me.
Maplewood Toyota dealership service negligence resulted in a severe, 2-tooth mechanical misalignment of the steering intermediate shaft splines. The vehicle was subsequently driven for 11 months under extreme structural binding, inducing unmeasurable metallurgy fatigue on a primary control linkage, internal hydraulic valve balancing failure within the steering gear assembly, and excessive over-tensioning of the primary airbag restraint electronics. Reusing these compromised components creates an active crash hazard and an unreasonable risk of sudden component failure. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS & REPEATED DIAGNOSTIC FAILURES: In January 2026, an authorized franchise facility (Maplewood Toyota) replaced a steering universal joint and incorrectly reassembled the linkage out of index by two full splines, bypassing factory matchmarking protocols. …
2018 Toyota 4Runner engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 21 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 20 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 20 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Toyota 4Runner a good car?
Based on 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 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 2018 Toyota 4Runner?
The steering — 12 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (9) and air bags (8).
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota 4Runner have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2018 Toyota 4Runner, the most recent from November 4, 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 2018 Toyota 4Runner problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 21,000 miles; 89% 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.