Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 8% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% | 8,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% | 27,000 miles |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% | 49,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% | 32,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 6% | 74,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% | 98,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% | 6,000 miles |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% | 35,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% | 12,000 miles |
| 2008 | 16 | 17% | 21,000 miles |
| 2007 | 21 | 14% | 33,000 miles |
| 2006 | 17 | 4% | 59,000 miles |
| 2005 | 29 | 7% | 49,000 miles |
| 2004 | 34 | 5% | 79,000 miles |
| 2003 | 29 | 4% | 58,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 5% | 113,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% | 135,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 2% | 113,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 2% | 130,000 miles |
| 1998 | 8 | 3% | 152,000 miles |
| 1997 | 11 | 4% | 107,000 miles |
| 1996 | 5 | 3% | 90,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On numerous occasions, while driving in a straight line with our adaptive cruise control on, our 2022 Toyota 4Runner will automatically actuate the vehicle's brakes when approaching a slower or stationary vehicle that is either to the left or right, but not directly in front of our vehicle. This sudden speed reduction has almost caused any following vehicles to almost collide with the back of our 4Runner. It has happened to us at speeds between 30 MPH and 65 MPH. When it happens, one has to quickly tap the brakes to deactivate the adaptive cruise control then get on the accelerator pedal to avoid a collision with any following vehicle. We have taken our 4Runner into two separate Toyota dealerships on three separate occasions to have this problem diagnosed and repaired. The first dealership told us repeatedly that there is no issue. …
This had happened a year ago. I was driving and my anti collision brake just started to make a beeping noise and was telling me to call a toyota dealer. And before that the anti collision brake would go off when there was nothing in front of me. A few months later my cruise control and lane assist also stopped working. I took it in for a diagnostic and they couldn't tell me the real problem and that it would be 1500 to actually know what the issue is. I have never been in an accident in this car and its annoying that I bought it because of the safety features that I now cant use.
Throttle control system failure on 2016 Toyota 4runner. While driving the vehicle the orange service engine amd trac orange loght illuminated. Once that happen d the throttle body became totally non-responsive. No matter how much I pressed the throttle it was non-responsibilve. I was able to safely pull off the road. I had to restart the vehicle twice, on the second restart but the warning lights remained on but throttle appeared to be functioning normal. The dealership was able to replicate the issue and advised the vehicle was not safe to drive and provided a loaner. The service tech and service advisor explained how rare this is especially on a 12 month old vehicle with under 30K miles on it. They ordered a new throttle body and we'll see if it fixes the issue. Given Toyota's recent history with 'sudden accelleration' I thought I should report this just in case.
This vehicle is junk. Has no power, excessive vibration, constant ticking, all over the road, cruise control speeds up uncontrollably, sits lopsided, extremely loud, brakes and steering lock up.,lacks heat, poor visibility . All these and more occurr while starting and driving vehicle.
Not sure. Wife was driving 2015 4runner into parking lot at low speed and it jumped a tree. Not at all saying it is a Toyota issue - just to be on safe side reporting. Air bags did not deploy. Understanding is it just ended up there when she was parking. Epic photo - all the same - worth documenting. She advised she was stopped or just stopped prior to the tree-climb. Pax side was daughter and taking her in for medical today due to complaints of pain and weakness. Police came but did not issue report.
I have a 2015 4runner (VIN: [redacted]) I purchased brand new. It currently has less than 50K miles on it. A few weeks ago it started periodically going into ?limp? Mode while driving at highway speeds. My two toddlers were in the vehicle the first time this happened; I almost lost control since the ?tractional control? Disabled concurrently. I took the vehicle to multiple mechanics who confirmed the diagnostic code p2445 (secondary air injection pump). I was shocked to hear this because the vehicle is relatively new and exceptionally well maintained. I looked online and the failure of this component appears to be a systemic issue with Toyota 4runners and tacomas. The fact that this component failed after a short duration in such a sudden and violent way is very dangerous. …
While the vehicle was sitting and idling the engine light came on along with vse light and experienced rough idling and erratic throttle response. When my wife tried to put in reverse and back out no throttle was produced to move vehicle. She turned car off and restarted engine light remained on along with vse light. She was able to make it home with rough idling and extremely erratic throttle response. This happened one other time within a five day window until we were able to get to the dealership for service appointment. Dealership contends throttle body is bad at 39,000 miles due to the three problems codes pulled from vehicle. Although scheduled preventative maintenance was performed @ 30,000 miles with throttle body cleaning this part still failed. The erratic throttle response from this part is very dangerous for anyone that experiences this while driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the cruise control was set to 70 MPH, and when the vehicle began to travel downhill, it accelerated to speeds of 80 to 85 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as intended and the vehicles speed would exceed whatever the cruise control was engaged to when traveling downhill. The contact was also informed that the speed was supposed to vary by 3 to 8 MPH. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed. The failure mileage and current mileages were 5,600.
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 Lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 Toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Remedy: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early April 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any Toyota all-weather floor mat.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota 4Runner years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (34), 2003 (29), 2005 (29), 2007 (21) and 2006 (17) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Toyota 4Runner acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 11V-113 (accelerator pedal, Feb 24, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota 4Runner acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (20 mentions), followed by the cruise control (4).
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.