2005 Toyota 4RUNNER problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about body & structure. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
104
Recalls
5
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Median mileage
160,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Body & Structure is the most-reported problem area, named in 62 of 104 complaints (60%).
  • Suspension (28) and steering (10) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 160,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury.
  • The 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 2nd of 22 Toyota 4RUNNER model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2005 Toyota 4RUNNER problems by category

  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    62 complaints
  • Suspension
    28 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    25 complaints
  • Steering
    10 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    8 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    5 complaints
  • Engine
    4 complaints
  • Electrical System
    3 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Structure:body56
Suspension27
Unknown or other25
Steering10
Visibility/wiper7
Power train5
Engine4
Structure3

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k460k–100k9100k–150k28150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER complaints that list mileage.

2005 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls (5)

  • Recall 16V396000Jun 2, 20167,749 vehicles
    SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

    Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

  • Recall 16V065000Feb 5, 2016320,409 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

    Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

  • Recall 11V113000Feb 24, 20111,363,244 vehicles
    VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

    Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

    Remedy: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early april 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any toyota all-weather floor mat. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

  • Recall 10V036000Feb 3, 2010153,418 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

  • Recall 10V035000Feb 3, 2010271,417 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

    Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • DP18002Opened Aug 17, 2018Closed Mar 18, 2022

    Frame corrosion

    On August 7, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Gary Weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (MY) 2002 - 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experien…

  • RQ10003Opened Feb 16, 2010Closed Mar 1, 2011led to recall 11V112000

    Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration

    On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additiona…

Recent 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 23, 2026TXEngine
    Head gasket failure. 2005 toyota 4runner generation are notorious for head gasket failure. Due to the poor manufacturing of the gasket it has been deteriorating and has allowed coolant to leak into the cylinder causing misfires and possibly more damage internally. including permanent mechanical breakdown or a completely ruined engine block. High risk of Hydrolock, Damaged Engine Bearings and Sludge, Severe Overheating, Catalytic Converter Failure. Any of these effects cause…
    NHTSA complaint #11766306 · source
  2. Filed May 14, 2026WABody & StructureSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain
    I have a 2005 Toyota 4runner with frame rust that has caused everything under my 4runner to rust. Toyota knows these frames have problems with rust and corrosion and have done nothing, I am far from being the only one with this complaint or problem. It is up for inspection anytime. I have taken it to get work done at shops and been turned away because of the amount of rust on all bolts, lines, all metal under truck causing it to be a liability. I cant even get my skid plates…
    NHTSA complaint #11737968 · source
  3. Filed Jan 29, 2026342,912 miCAElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 217,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 342,912.
    NHTSA complaint #11714323 · source
  4. Filed Aug 4, 2025205,000 miOHBody & StructureEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and was unable to accelerate, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The contact was also made aware that the mechanic discovered excessive corrosion covering the entire…
    NHTSA complaint #11678278 · source
  5. Filed Jul 9, 2025VABody & StructureTransmission & Drivetrain
    - The undercarriage and frame have had premature rusting for years. The car is otherwise in excellent condition due to my care of it over the last 20 years. 5 years ago, a service person at my local Toyota dealership said, "I'm really disappointed in Toyota, I've never seen rust like this." I have now recently been told by a local service shop that it's time to get a new car. The lines are all corroded for the power steering, etc, and he was unable to even "touch them," and…
    NHTSA complaint #11672178 · source
  6. Filed Jun 27, 2025TXBody & StructureEngineOther / Unknown
    When I first saw the pictures on the internet, I noticed that the front underside appeared to have rust issues. (Frontal shot) I contacted that sales person and he blew me off when I requested photos of the underbody. After several attempts, he finally sent a couple of pictures. The pictures obviously did not show the major rust issues as I have provided. The pictures were carefully fabricated not to show the major rust issues. It was apparent that the vehicle was taken off…
    NHTSA complaint #11669643 · source
  7. Filed May 29, 2025MIOther / UnknownSuspension
    ENTIRE body frame has excessive rust, holes, and cracks. It is available for inspection. Toyota dealership says it is safe to drive for now but it is failing. I feel any cracks, rust, holes, separation of frame components places all occupants and anyone near the vehicle at risk for when anything fails - this could be when the vehicle is on the expressway in motion (such as when the GM ignition switch failures happened), causing catastrophic loss of life, injuries, and damage…
    NHTSA complaint #11663625 · source
  8. Filed May 27, 2025OHBody & StructureOther / Unknown
    Frame rot. The frame on the 4Runner is a known problem for excessive rot. My frame is shot. There is no reason a frame on a 2005 should be rotted. I was advised by my mechanic that my frame is dangerously close to snapping in half. This needs fixed by Toyota!
    NHTSA complaint #11663092 · source

Compare the 2005 Toyota 4RUNNER with another vehicle →

Other 2005 Toyota models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology