Model year
2012 Toyota 4Runner
NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 96 complaints for the 2012 Toyota 4Runner (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (70), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6), SERVICE BRAKES (6). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 19 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 483 complaints
- 2001 185 complaints
- 2002 225 complaints
- 2003 696 complaints
- 2004 678 complaints
- 2005 425 complaints
- 2006 381 complaints
- 2007 154 complaints
- 2008 96 complaints
- 2009 22 complaints
- 2010 147 complaints
- 2011 163 complaints
- 2012 96 complaints
- 2013 36 complaints
- 2014 77 complaints
- 2015 87 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
- 2025 60 complaints
- 2026 7 complaints
Recalls
19V741000 · Oct 17, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus…
19V005000 · Jan 9, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida,…
17V425000 · Jul 3, 2017
EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
17V006000 · Jan 9, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama,…
16V577000 · Aug 3, 2016
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact…
15V515000 · Aug 13, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people…
13V014000 · Jan 16, 2013
SEATS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model…
12V120000 · Mar 23, 2012
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 4RUNNER AND SIENNA VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH NON-ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT REMOTE ENGINE STARTERS. A MALFUNCTION IN THE AUDIOVOX ELECTRONICS BRAND REMOTE ENGINE STARTER MODULE CAN PREVENT NORMAL COMMUNICATION OF THE VEHICLEÂS…
Complaints
96 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 5, fire flag on 1, injury field 9, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV 2WD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 · possibility 0.246 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV AWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 · possibility 0.246 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Runner 2WD · 4L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| 4Runner 4WD · 4L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| 4Runner 4WD · 4L · Automatic (S5) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Toyota 4Runner at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.