Toyota 4Runner Airbag Problems

Airbag complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  53
• Side/window
  2
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  2
• Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
  2
• Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
  1
• Air bag/restraint control module
  1
• Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  3521%
• 25k–50k
  1610%
• 50k–75k
  3722%
• 75k–100k
  2616%
• 100k–150k
  3119%
• 150k+
  2012%

What owners report

The contact owned a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact observed a large piece of debris in the roadway. The contact stated that traffic ahead was maneuvering erratically to avoid the debris, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle left the roadway, struck several trees, and then collided with a brick wall. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy during the crash. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the leg, arm, and back and was transported to a local emergency room for medical treatment. The contact stated that surgery might be required due to the nerve injuries sustained in the crash. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and was deemed a total loss. …

The contact was a police officer calling on behalf of the owner of a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the owner was attempting to park the vehicle in a parking spot, the vehicle began to independently accelerate up a hill. The owner then placed the vehicle into reverse(R) as the vehicle continued to accelerate while in reverse. The contact stated that the owner had their foot firmly pressed on the brake pedal as the vehicle continued to accelerate. The owner then struck two parked vehicles and another moving vehicle that was entering the parking lot. The vehicle continued to accelerate in reverse(R), crossed a side street, and entered a grassy area before the vehicle abruptly shut off. The contact was unaware if any warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. The air bags did not deploy at any time during the failure. …

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. Additionally, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact's service dog accompanied the contact in the vehicle and was seated in the front passenger's seat. The contact sustained injuries and was transported to the local hospital. The contact received treatment for headaches, whiplash, and back pain. A Police report was filed, however, the information was unavailable. The contact stated that the service dog sustained injuries and was later treated for muscle tightness. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for the physical damage to be repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer regarding the air bag failure. …

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota 4 Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was in a single-car head-on collision. The contact stated during the collision there was an odor of the air bag deployment, however, the air bags did not deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital due to their head hitting the steering wheel. The contact stated no other parties were involved. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who confirmed the air bags had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

The contact owned a 2020 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while the driver who was her father crashed into another vehicle, the air bags failed to deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the braking alert for getting too close to a vehicle failed to illuminate. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the driver sustained two injuries and the contact sustained two injuries. Medical attention was sought. The contact was unaware of the other passengers from the other vehicle sustained any injuries. The vehicle was damaged and towed to a tow lot. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.

The 4runner struck a vehicle that ran a red light. The 4runner was at approximately 35 miles per hour and struck the other vehicle, a Nissan altima side on with enough force to propel that vehicle two lanes into another vehicle. The airbags failed to deploy on the 4runner but did deploy on the altima. The roads were drive and visibility was clear. Injuries to the 4runner driver included: head from contact with grab bar above drivers door, neck, back, wrists, fingers and arms. Altima driver had to be removed by paramedics and rushed to the hospital. Investigation of the vehicle computer showed the vehicle was unknowingly sold to me with errors in the multi-terrain, ESC and pre-collision system. Vehicle was purchased in November of 2019. See attached photos for verification.

The contact owned a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and hauling a trailer, the rear driver's side tire blew out, and due to the weight shift the passenger's side trailer tire blew out as well, causing the trailer to be tilted before crashing into a cement barrier. There was no warning prior to the blowouts or the crash. The trailer was towed from the scene and the vehicle was towed off the highway. The contact stated that the front of the driver's side of the vehicle was damaged, and driver's side rear of the vehicle was damaged by the trailer. The contact stated that a Police report was filed but was not available. The contact stated that her husband sustained a gash on the forehead from striking his head on the dashboard, and her daughter had burns from the seat belt. Medical attention was not sought. …

I was in an accident where the vehicle ran into the guard rail while on the interstate. The vehicle had significant damage and has now been declared a Total Loss by the insurance company. With the amount of damage to the front side of the vehicle, the airbag did not deploy and leaves us wondering with such damage, why it didn't deploy!

Related recalls (7)

NHTSA investigations