5th gen Toyota 4Runner 2010–2024

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Failed door lock actuator All years

  What to check: Unlock with the fob, then open every door from outside.

  The outside handle stops opening the door. Trail4Runner's writer calls it common among owners, and CarComplaints lists broken door locks among the worst 2010 and 2014 problems.

  Sources ^1,2,3

• X-REAS shock leaks Limited

  What to check: Look for wet, oily shocks.

  Two owners of 2011 4Runners in one thread had leaking shocks, at about 86,000 and 125,000 miles. CarComplaints ranks X-REAS leaks third among 2016 problems.

  Sources ^4,5

• Rust All years One source so far

  What to check: Look at the frame, the door bottoms, the liftgate and the door sills.

  Three members in one thread agree that salted roads will rust any 4Runner that is not undercoated and washed. They name the door bottoms, liftgate and sills as places to look.

  Sources ⁶

• Slow or freezing touch screen All years One source so far

  What to check: Switch between screens and sources, and watch for lag or a freeze.

  Autotrader reports complaints that the Entune system freezes or is slow.

  Sources ⁷

Complaints by year

• 2010 147 complaints
• 2011 163 complaints
• 2012 96 complaints
• 2013 36 complaints
• 2014 77 complaints
• 2015 86 complaints
• 2016 80 complaints
• 2017 36 complaints
• 2018 59 complaints
• 2019 65 complaints
• 2020 33 complaints
• 2021 36 complaints
• 2022 39 complaints
• 2023 33 complaints
• 2024 9 complaints

Counted from NHTSA's complaints on 23 October 2026. A newer year has had less time to draw them.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: 4.0L V6 V6 One source so far

  Autotrader's writer ranks it among the best V6 engines ever built. The 5th gen is the last 4Runner to use it.⁷

• Sought after: 2020 and later 2020–2024 One source so far

  Autotrader recommends these years for Toyota Safety Sense-P, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.⁷

• Avoid: 2010 to 2012 model years 2010–2012 Less sought after One source so far

  Autotrader reports owner complaints about brakes, electrical faults, rust and peeling paint on these years, and says to take care rather than to stay away.⁷

• Avoid: 2013 to 2016 model years 2013–2016 Less sought after

  SlashGear names these years to avoid, citing complaint counts and recalls. Autotrader disagrees and is fine with 2013 to 2015.^8,7

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.