2019 Toyota 4Runner Problems & Complaints

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

Owners have filed 65 complaints about the 2019 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 fuel & propulsion system (13 complaints, typically around 10,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year.

65complaints
4recalls
5crashes
1fires
3injuries
0deaths

Most common 2019 Toyota 4Runner problems

  • Fuel & propulsion system~10,000 miles
    1320%
  • Other / not specified~12,000 miles
    1218%
  • Steering
    1015%
  • Electrical system~22,000 miles
    812%
  • Suspension~32,000 miles
    711%
  • Engine & cooling~22,000 miles
    69%
  • Brakes~2,000 miles
    58%
  • Air bags~62,000 miles
    58%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~9,000 miles
    46%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~1,000 miles
    46%
  • Wheels & tires~19,000 miles
    46%
  • Body & structure~32,000 miles
    35%
  • Seat belts~22,000 miles
    23%
  • Driver assistance
    23%
  • Locks & latches~40,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 65 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 →

2019 Toyota 4Runner recalls (4)

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 20V-682 · Nov 4, 2020 · 1,525,742 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 19V-670 · Sep 20, 2019 · 34 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 19V-244 · Mar 27, 2019 · 3,634 vehicles

Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible.

Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 18V-753 · Oct 25, 2018 · 1,295 vehicles

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.

What 2019 Toyota 4Runner owners say

Fuel & propulsion system

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was a 15-second delay in the vehicle response. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Delivery › Fuel pump · 10,000 miles · Oct 2019

My 2019 Toyota 4Runner was inhabited by a rat that chewed the wiring harness in at least 3 different areas. The damage occurred between 8pm and 7am. The vehicle started with lights on the dash illuminated. The car was out into drive and was jerking. Reverse had the same result. After inspecting under the hood of the car wires were seen chewed partially and a few completely severed. A rat was seen under the manifold cover. I used an air hose to evict it and had the car towed to dealership. The bill was just under $1000 to repair. I was warned it could have been worse ($6000) if harness needed changing. I was told "I was lucky". After researching I discovered this is a problem because of soy based wiring. It's an attractant for rodents.

Nov 2021

Steering

Steering wheel out of control while driving. My car lost control and crashed. I contacted Toyota Motor North America.Inc. But they said their inspection didn't find evidence that the incident was the result of a defect in my vehicle.

Dec 2022 · crash · 1 injury

I have experienced a persistent steering and suspension-related issue with my 2019 Toyota 4Runner since early ownership, beginning at approximately 6,800 miles. The vehicle repeatedly pulls/drifts to the right at highway speeds and requires constant steering correction. I have also experienced steering wheel vibration and instability, particularly at speeds above approximately 50-60 MPH. Over several years, the vehicle has undergone multiple alignments, tire rotations, balancing procedures, and dealership inspections; however, the condition has never been resolved. Toyota dealership records document abnormal tire wear including feathering and cupping. Recent service documentation states the alignment could only be adjusted "to best ability." A prior independent inspection identified possible lower control arm bushing concerns. …

Feb 2019

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact waited an hour and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that while her mother was driving 5 MPH, she heard abnormal grinding sounds, and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact also stated that she had smelled a strong burning odor while driving and the subframe of the vehicle was corroded. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

15,000 miles · Apr 2020

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at 45 MPH, he noticed that the vehicle was shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated and the vehicle continued to shudder while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that rodents were consuming the food-based wires that were coming out of the wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

33,000 miles · Feb 2022

2019 Toyota 4Runner engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automaticRWD17 / 21 / 18
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic4WD17 / 20 / 18
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automaticAWD17 / 20 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 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 2019 Toyota 4Runner?

The fuel & propulsion system — 13 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the steering (10) and electrical system (8).

How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota 4Runner have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2019 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 2019 Toyota 4Runner problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 15,000 miles; 96% 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.