Used Toyota 4Runner Buyer's Guide (2014–2024)
Check the Takata air bag and fuel pump recalls, front and rear differential noise, distributor accessory recalls and the 2014 to 2015 paint program.
Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The facelifted fifth generation 4Runner was sold from 2014 to 2024. It is a body on frame SUV that buyers pick for off road use, long life and strong resale value. Prices stay high, so it pays to check the details.
Every 4Runner in this span has a 4.0L V6 and a 5-speed automatic, with rear or four wheel drive. Trims run from the SR5 to the Limited, TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro. The basic design changed little over these years.
Recalls on this truck are few, and many come from regional Toyota distributors that added accessories. The big ones are the Takata passenger air bag recalls on 2014 to 2016 trucks and the fuel pump recalls on 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 trucks. Toyota bulletins also cover differential noises, brake squeal and white paint peeling.
- 4.0L V6 (1GR-FE)
Fifth generation, facelifted model (2014 to 2024). The fifth generation started in 2010, and this guide covers 2014 on., sold as model years 2014–2024.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L V6, rear wheel drive | 2014–2024 | 5-speed automatic | Offered on some trims. Check the rear differential whine bulletin on 2014 to 2019 trucks. |
| 4.0L V6, four wheel drive | 2014–2024 | 5-speed automatic | Part time 4WD on most trims, full time on the Limited. Check the front differential bulletins. |
- SR5 and SR5 Premium The core trims, with rear or four wheel drive.
- Trail and TRD Off-Road Off road trims. The Trail name changed to TRD Off-Road partway through this span.
- Limited Top comfort trim with full time 4WD.
- TRD Pro Off road flagship from 2015, with special shocks.
- Special editions Names like Nightshade, Venture and TRD Sport came and went over these years.
- 2017 36 NHTSA owner complaints and five recalls, all of them distributor accessory or label recalls. It is outside the Takata air bag and fuel pump recalls. Check the front and rear differential bulletins.
- 2020 33 complaints and one recall in NHTSA's data, a distributor wheel label recall. Check the brake squeal, TRD Pro shock and drive shaft boot bulletins.
- 2021 36 complaints and one recall in NHTSA's data. Check the front differential growl bulletin and the Safety Connect update. Newer trucks have had less time to collect complaints.
- 2014 Takata passenger air bag and fuel pump recalls, the white paint program, and 77 NHTSA owner complaints.
- 2015 The most complaints of any year here (85, with 17 coded to air bags), nine recalls including Takata and fuel pump, and the white paint program.
- 2016 Takata air bag recalls, eight recalls in all, and 79 complaints.
- 2018 to 2019 Fuel pump recall 20V-682 and the steering and suspension bolt recall 19V-670 on some trucks, plus the front and rear differential bulletins. 58 and 65 complaints.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
NHTSA recall 19V-005 covers certain 2014 to 2016 4Runners in phases by state, starting with hot, humid states like Florida, Texas and California. The front passenger air bag inflator may explode because its propellant breaks down after years of heat and humidity, which can throw sharp metal pieces at the people inside. Dealers replace the inflator or the air bag assembly for free. Recall 19V-741 covers 4Runners whose inflator was already replaced earlier with one of the same design. Under a Takata class action settlement, Toyota also set up program 22TE04 to cover these inflators for a set time after the recall repair.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls, look at the dash for signs of past air bag work, and check that the air bag warning light comes on at start and then goes out.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-005 · NHTSA recall 19V-741 · NHTSA owner complaints, 2015 Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Customer Support Program 22TE04: Takata settlement coverage (on NHTSA)
NHTSA recall 20V-012 covers certain 2014 and 2015 4Runners, and recall 20V-682 covers certain 2018 and 2019 4Runners. The fuel pump inside the tank may fail and stall the engine while driving. Dealers replace it with an improved pump for free. After a class action settlement, Toyota program 23TE04 covers the low pressure fuel pump on 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 4Runners that were in these recalls until July 15, 2036 or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls, road test for hesitation or stalling, scan for lean or fuel system codes, and read the records for the pump replacement.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 20V-012 · NHTSA recall 20V-682 · Toyota Customer Support Program 23TE04: fuel pump settlement coverage (on NHTSA)
Toyota bulletin T-SB-0012-19 says some 2016 to 2019 4Runners with 4WD built before a production change may make a cyclical groaning or grinding noise from the front differential in 2WD that goes away in 4WD. The fix is a new front differential. Bulletin T-SB-0075-23 says some 2021 to 2024 4Runners with 4WD may growl or groan from the front at about 30 to 50 mph in 2WD, more so in the cold. The fix adds a damper and may replace the front differential. Both repairs fall under Toyota's powertrain warranty of 60 months or 60,000 miles.
WE CHECK We road test in 2WD at 30 to 50 mph and again in 4WD to compare, listen for groaning or grinding from the front, and look for differential leaks.
SOURCE Toyota service bulletin T-SB-0012-19 (on NHTSA) · Toyota service bulletin T-SB-0075-23 (on NHTSA)
Toyota bulletin T-SB-0074-19 says some 2014 to 2019 4Runners may whine or groan from the rear at about 40 to 60 mph, at a steady speed or with light throttle. Toyota says rear differential vibration carries through the frame and body, and the bulletin gives repairs for trucks built before and after a production change.
WE CHECK We road test at 40 to 60 mph with steady and light throttle, listen for whine from the rear, and check the rear differential for leaks or damage.
NHTSA recall 19V-670 covers certain 2018 and 2019 4Runners from Southeast Toyota Distributors. Some steering and suspension parts may not have been tightened properly when accessories were installed. Loose fasteners can cause a loss of control. Dealers inspect and tighten them for free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall, look at the steering and suspension fasteners for marks of movement, and feel for wander or clunks on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-670
Many 4Runners in the Southeast and Gulf States regions got add-on parts from those Toyota distributors, and several were recalled. Recall 14V-828 covers running boards and other accessories that may come loose on some 2014 and 2015 trucks. Recall 17V-291 covers the TFORCE roof rack on some 2016 and 2017 trucks. Recall 17V-425 covers hood scoops that may come off, and 17V-763 covers a billet grille overlay that may detach. Recalls 15V-515 and 16V-577 cover add-on exhaust tips that can burn someone standing behind the truck. Recall 21V-963 covers 2022 trucks whose high beam may quit after accessory fog lights were added. Many other recalls just fix weight labels.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for every open recall, including distributor ones, and look at running boards, roof racks, grille and hood add-ons and exhaust tips for loose mounts.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 14V-828 · NHTSA recall 17V-291 · NHTSA recall 17V-425 · NHTSA recall 17V-763 · NHTSA recall 15V-515 · NHTSA recall 16V-577 · NHTSA recall 21V-963
Toyota bulletin T-SB-0051-22 says some 2019 to 2021 4Runners may squeal or squeak from the front brakes under light to moderate braking. It applies to all 2019 and 2020 trucks and early 2021 trucks. A 2025 Toyota tech tip says some owners of 2023 and 2024 4Runners report a loose parking brake pedal, or a parking brake that will not hold well on steep hills. The fix is the parking brake adjustment in the repair manual.
WE CHECK We listen for brake squeal on the road test, measure what we can of the pads and rotors, and test the parking brake on a slope.
SOURCE Toyota service bulletin T-SB-0051-22 (on NHTSA) · Toyota tech tip T-TT-0788-25: 2023 and 2024 4Runner parking brake (on NHTSA)
Toyota bulletin T-SB-0094-20 says some 2019 and 2020 TRD Pro 4Runners may knock from the front shocks over small bumps when it is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Toyota released improved shocks. Bulletin T-SB-0079-21 says some 2019 and 2020 4Runners may leak grease from the inner boot of a front drive shaft, even with less than 25,000 miles and no damage to the boot. The fix is a new boot.
WE CHECK We look at the front drive shaft boots for grease, check the shocks for leaks, and listen for knocks over bumps on the road test.
SOURCE Toyota service bulletin T-SB-0094-20 (on NHTSA) · Toyota service bulletin T-SB-0079-21 (on NHTSA)
Toyota program ZKG covers peeling of the factory paint on certain 2008 to 2015 4Runners painted Blizzard Pearl or Super White. After December 11, 2022, coverage is 10 years from the date of first use, regardless of mileage, so it has run out on most 2014 and 2015 trucks. A Toyota dealer must confirm the peeling is covered.
WE CHECK We look over the paint for peeling or flaking, check for repainted panels, and note the in service date so you know whether any coverage is left.
SOURCE Toyota Customer Support Program ZKG dealer letter (on NHTSA)
Toyota service campaign 22TC01 covers certain 2021 and 2022 4Runners built from late May to early August 2021. Bad programming in the data module can stop the driver and the Safety Connect operator from hearing each other during an emergency call. Dealers update the software for free. Toyota program 23TJ01 covers certain 2023 4Runners built from early November to late December 2022 that left the factory with only one smart key and a mechanical key, because of a chip shortage. Dealers supply the second smart key.
WE CHECK We read the records for the 22TC01 update, test the Safety Connect button if the service is active, and count the smart keys that come with the truck.
SOURCE Toyota Special Service Campaign 22TC01 (on NHTSA) · Toyota Second Key Delivery Program 23TJ01 (on NHTSA)
- Check the VIN for open recalls, including distributor recalls.
- Check the air bag warning light and look for past air bag work on 2014 to 2016 trucks.
- Road test in 2WD and 4WD and listen to both differentials.
- Road test for stalling or hesitation and scan for fuel system codes.
- Look underneath for off road damage, frame rust and leaks.
- Check the front drive shaft boots and shocks for leaks.
- Test the brakes for squeal and the parking brake on a slope.
- Look for peeling paint on white 2014 and 2015 trucks.
- Proof of Takata air bag recall work on 2014 to 2016 trucks (19V-005 or 19V-741).
- Fuel pump replacement under 20V-012 on 2014 and 2015 trucks or 20V-682 on 2018 and 2019 trucks.
- Front or rear differential repairs for groan or whine, and differential fluid changes.
- Recall work on any distributor accessories, like running boards, roof racks or the 19V-670 steering bolts.
- Transmission and transfer case fluid service, especially on trucks used off road or for towing.
- Regular oil changes and front brake service.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Toyota 4Runner you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
Does the 4Runner have a Takata air bag recall?
What is the 4Runner fuel pump recall?
Why does my 4Runner groan in 2WD?
Why does my 4Runner whine at highway speed?
What are distributor accessory recalls?
Which used 4Runner years are best?
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