There are 4 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2016 Toyota 4Runnerin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
This vehicle transmission is demonstrating transmission shuddering problems, We have returned this car three time for the same repair. The highly reputable transmission has cited direct purchases of this part from Toyota has constantly have quality issues with the torque converter, This problem was inspected and confirmed by dealer and independent service center. They both concluded the same diagnose, There were no warning messages. We fear travelling on interstate roads is hazardous.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS A MODERATE SLOPE. ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. DESPITE BEING IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND ONLY STOPPED WHEN IT HIT MY MAILBOX AT THE CURB. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE MATTER TO TOYOTA. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED "WE DID NOT FIND EVIDENCE OF A DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR SHIFT SELECTOR [SIC] CAUSED THIS INCIDENT." THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING THERE FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET. I DID NOT BUMP THE SHIFT LEVER OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COME OUT OF PARK. I SPOKE WITH THE TOYOTA ENGINEER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND HE TOLD ME HE COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. I AM CONCERNED THERE IS A SAFETY DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY, I WILL ALWAYS USE THE PARKING BRAKE IN THE FUTURE. ATTACHED IS TOYOTA'S LETTER TO ME SAYING THEY DID NOT FIND A DEFECT AND MY LETTER IN RESPONSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.
Above 55 mph uncontrollable shaking of entire vehicle. The wheels have been balanced and rotated with no help.
THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS 4RUNNER IN OCTOBER 2015 THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE STOPPED WORKING AND WHEN WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT RODENTS HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE WIRE HOUSING CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. INITIALLY THEY WERE NOT GOING TO WARRANTY THE ISSUE BUT AFTER FURTHER AGGRESSIVE DISCUSSION BY ME IT WAS COVERED. APPARENTLY TOYOTA USES A SOY BASED SPRAY OR COATING ON THE WIRING THAT ATTRACTS RODENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE BUT THE 4WD WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND 4WD DID NOT ENGAGE. WE HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM A NEIGHBOR WITH A 2015 4RUNNER THAT A SIMILAR SITUATION HAPPENED TO THEM BUT IT AFFECTED THEIR WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026