RecallMyCar

2012 Toyota 4Runner Recalls, Complaints & Specs

8 safety recalls list the 2012 Toyota 4Runner, and owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

8
safety recalls
96
owner complaints to NHTSA
5 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
19
MPG combined (EPA)

8 safety recalls for the 2012 Toyota 4Runner

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 19V741000 Reported 928,220 vehicles potentially affected Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

    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 ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012…

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.…

  2. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 19V005000 Reported 1,299,448 vehicles potentially affected Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

    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, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina,…

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota…

  3. Equipment and hinge and attachments (structure)

    NHTSA 17V425000 Reported 3,547 vehicles potentially affected Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

    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.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for…

  4. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 17V006000 Reported 577,875 vehicles potentially affected Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

    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, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free…

  5. Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 16V577000 Reported 425 vehicles potentially affected Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

    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 people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind…

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began September 15, 2016. Owners may contact SET…

  6. Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 15V515000 Reported 2,530 vehicles potentially affected Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

    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 and possibly burn them while they are standing behind the…

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began on September 22, 2015. Owners may contact…

  7. Seats and air bags: sensor/control module-inactive

    NHTSA 13V014000 Reported 3,235 vehicles potentially affected Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

    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 year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model…

    Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota…

  8. Electrical (equipment)

    NHTSA 12V120000 Reported 363 vehicles potentially affected GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.

    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 vehicle’s controller area network (can).

    Remedy: Gulf states toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the remote engine starter with a new one free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about june 4, 2012. Owners may contact toyota at…

96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2012 Toyota 4Runner have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 9 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 51,553 miles. Complaints peaked in 2017 with 66 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Consistent steering wheel shake between 60-65 mph. This is a very well known issue on the 2010-2024 4Runners and it drives me and many others crazy, and feels unsafe to drive with. Will happen almost”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 13, 2026 · Steering

“Vehicle radiator light came on, shortly thereafter (5-10 min) vehicle overheated. Waited for vehicle to cool down, then drove home. The following day drove the vehicle to dealership. After an inspecti”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 13, 2022 · Engine

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2012 Toyota 4Runner (4Runner 2WD, 4Runner 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined19 mpg
City / Highway17 / 22–23
FuelRegular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine6 cyl, 4 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Compare Toyota 4Runner model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Toyota 4Runner model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1984 Toyota 4Runner02
1985 Toyota 4Runner02
1986 Toyota 4Runner08
1987 Toyota 4Runner05
1988 Toyota 4Runner19
1989 Toyota 4Runner16
1990 Toyota 4Runner178
1991 Toyota 4Runner143
1992 Toyota 4Runner153
1993 Toyota 4Runner151
1994 Toyota 4Runner112
1995 Toyota 4Runner147
1996 Toyota 4Runner272
1997 Toyota 4Runner1139
1998 Toyota 4Runner1130
1999 Toyota 4Runner0220
2000 Toyota 4Runner0379
2001 Toyota 4Runner1154
2002 Toyota 4Runner1192
2003 Toyota 4Runner3527
2004 Toyota 4Runner2612
2005 Toyota 4Runner5410
2006 Toyota 4Runner5381
2007 Toyota 4Runner5154
2008 Toyota 4Runner596
2009 Toyota 4Runner622
2010 Toyota 4Runner12145
2011 Toyota 4Runner10163
2012 Toyota 4Runner896
2013 Toyota 4Runner636
2014 Toyota 4Runner777
2015 Toyota 4Runner986
2016 Toyota 4Runner879
2017 Toyota 4Runner536
2018 Toyota 4Runner558
2019 Toyota 4Runner465
2020 Toyota 4Runner133
2021 Toyota 4Runner136
2022 Toyota 4Runner339
2023 Toyota 4Runner132
2024 Toyota 4Runner19
2025 Toyota 4Runner159
2026 Toyota 4Runner27

Checking a specific 2012 Toyota 4Runner

How do I know if my 2012 Toyota 4Runner has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 8 campaigns currently list the 2012 Toyota 4Runner; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Toyota dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 12V120000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Toyota models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.