2016 Toyota 4runner Safety Report
2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SAFETY ANALYSIS
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Toyota 4runner
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Toyota 4runner. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (8) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (75) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Toyota 4runner with 30 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Toyota 4runner before buying across this generation. |
Toyota 4runner Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota 4runner years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Toyota 4runner | 35 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Toyota 4runner | 85 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Toyota 4runner | 56 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Toyota 4runner | 61 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Toyota 4runner | 30 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Toyota 4runner | 32 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Toyota 4runner Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Toyota 4runner, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Toyota onlyAir Bags
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlySuspension
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyStructure
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Toyota onlyFuel/Propulsion System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Toyota 4runner
Reliability Score
The 2016 Toyota 4runner receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Toyota 4runner
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Toyota 4runner
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Toyota 4runner:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator Module Toyota is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner and 2014-2016 models due to potential inflator module failure. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Structure: Body: Hood: Hinge And Attachments Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles for potential hood hinge and attachment issues. |
Medium | Occasional | 114k-143k miles |
| Fuel/Propulsion System Common issues include front coil spring cracking, especially on the right front side. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility/Wiper Exterior body clear coat peeling and rearview camera display issues are reported. |
Medium | Common | 120k-143k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Toyota 4runner:
Issues with the electrical system, including the X-REAS sport enhancement system, have been reported.
Recalls due to inflator module failure have been issued.
Front coil spring cracking is a common issue.
Hood hinge and attachment issues have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2016 Toyota 4runner
The following 8 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Toyota 4runner by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are...
Summary: 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, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17C.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 this recall is SET17B.
Summary: Gulf States Toyota, Inc (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2016-2017 4Runner vehicles equipped with the TFORCE accessory package. The fasteners for the aftermarket roof rack may have been improperly tightened.
Consequence: If the roof rack fasteners loosen, the roof rack may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the roof rack fasteners, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Gulf States' number for this recall is 17R1.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling one 2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicle manufactured November 1, 2016 and one 2017 Lexus GX460 vehicle manufactured November 16, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with Takata PSPI-LD front passenger air bag inflators that may have been manufactured without ignition booster tablets. As a result, in the event of a crash, the air bag may not fully inflate during deployment of the primary stage. As such, these vehicles fail to comply w...
Consequence: The improper inflation of the passenger air bag may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota dealers have replaced the passenger side air bag modules, free of charge. Toyota notified the affected dealers on December 15, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G06, GLR.
Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars....
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Summary: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 22, 2014, to March 23, 2016 and equipped with accessories installed by Gulf States. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will install an accurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 1, 2016. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Gulf States' number for this recall is 16R2.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Toyota 4runner
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Toyota 4runner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 reported injuries or fatalities.
On March 6, I was on South bound on Rt 29 in Culpeper County VA at the posted speed limit of 55mph when I hit a debris item on the road. I do not know what it was but it impacted the front skid plate and seems to be no other damage from the impact. There was no contact with the bumper, wheels or otherwise. There was no sudden change in speed or loss of control at all. The most dangerous result...
I am reporting premature clear coat failure on a 2016 Toyota 4Runner in Magnetic Gray Metallic. The vehicle has approximately 120,000 miles and has been properly maintained, including regular washing and professional ceramic coating. The clear coat on the hood and roof (horizontal panels) is severely peeling and delaminating. The protective clear layer has failed, and the base coat is beginning to...
My 4Runner is hard starting all the time. I’ve replaced the battery, tested the alternator etc. It sounds exactly like the problem of the fuel pump recall. The 4Runner was recalled from 2014-2015, my car was technically put together in Sept 2015, but is labeled a 2016. I believe my fuel pump is failing. I am extremely nervous it is going to not start one day while I am out camping.
Rear view camera / backup camera randomly displays blanks screen. Screen has no other issues noted. Has been occurring over the past couple years.
I have a 2016 Toyota 4Runner at 143,011 miles. When it hit 125,000 mile mark the backup camera stopped working intermittently. The screen in the car goes blank. Turning the car on/off or changing gears does not affect this issue. It’s random and seems to becoming more frequent as more miles are put on. I will take it in however when I called them they said since it’s not a known issue I will have ...
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera displayed a blank screen. An independent mechanic or dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,293.
PAINT CLEAR COAT BUBBLING ISSUES REGARDING ROOF AND REAR BUMPER
Wiring harness to rear window defogger melted causing the rear window to crack and shatter. Safe lite replaced the window and recommended the harness not be reconnected. Told me it was not uncommon. Vehicle was not being used at the time. It was in my driveway when the window blew outward. Inspected by Safe lite, Reported to Liberty Mutual. No warning light, rear defogger was not in use, car was ...
On 5/11/2025, my husband and I were returning home from the grocery store. I was operating the vehicle at the time of the incident. Upon arriving at our residence, I pulled into our driveway, which has a slight downward incline. As in our usual practice, I attempted to stop in front of the garage to unload groceries before entering, as the hatch of our vehicle can come in contact with the garage d...
This vehicle has experienced the front coil spring cracking on the right front, the left front cracked at 114K miles. This is a very common issue with 2015-2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD-Pro, it is a design defect in the way the coil spring terminates and sits on the top hat and bottom spring perch. Toyota has discontinued the defective parts and redesigned the spring perch on the updated strut and uses ...
I drive for a living and yesterday I was driving while this happened 3 separate times. I was going 70 mph on the highway when my radio, usb ports blower motor and dash cluster power went out. I was terrified that my car would shut off while driving. Upon checking the car over, I noticed the battery mount was broken/missing pieces. The upper portion had become lose due to the broken parts and had s...
The entire exterior body clear coat is peeling off. This started about 1.5 years ago on the tailgate. It has now spread to the hood and the top of the vehicle. I called Toyota customer care, and they indicated this a known widespread problem with this vehicle make and model. So far, only the pearl white color has been recalled as the result of numerous consumer complaints. My vehicle color is...
Picked up a Gal to go out on a date. Turned the vehicle on and got about 1 mile down the road when I started to smell , like a hot , burning electrical smoke . My Date , sitting in the passenger seat says Her seat is get warm , then says , it's getting really hot ! I looked at the seat warmer switch and noticed and said , weird , the switch isn't even on . Then the smoke became very apparent as w...
X-REAS sport enhancement system is failing in a vehicle (2016 Toyota 4 Runner) with 58,000 miles that has always been driven on city streets. Front struts and rear shock absorbers are both leaking and require replacement.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota 4Runner equipped with an Ironman 4x4 USA, Part: Pro Forge upper control arm. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E051000 (Suspension) however, the contact stated that after calling and leaving messages with the manufacturer regarding the recall, the contact had not received a call back. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a...
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 diagn...
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that rodents had chewed through the soy-based wiring. The electrical wiring was replaced out of pocket; howeve...
Passenger side back seat seatbelt broke under normal wear and tear.
- The Roll Over Side Curtain Airbags deployed and hit my head. Both sides deployed. - I was in 4Wheel Low Range. Driving with a group of trucks. The obstacle was a set of mud ruts. - All witnesses did not understand, nor have seen this happen. - Toyota sent me a report based on their review of the vehicle. They said the Roll Over sensors detected a roll-over event. They advised that it is a "pr...
Fuel pump failed , vehicle stalled driving 70 down highway.. I have read there is a Recall in place for 2014, 2015, 2017,2018 4 runners. Why not 2016?
Showing 20 of 75 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Toyota 4runner
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Opened 2021-09-17
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 20...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Toyota 4runner
Has the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 8 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
The 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 75 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 3/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER involve electrical system (10 complaints), air bags (8 complaints), suspension (6 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, structure, fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER is acceptable with caveats. It has 75 complaints, 8 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (8 complaints), 3. SUSPENSION (6 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints), 5. STRUCTURE (5 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 10 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Regularly inspect the airbags, electrical system, suspension, and structure for any signs of wear or damage. Address issues promptly to ensure safety. The 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 75 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 75 owner complaints, 8 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator Module and Structure: Body: Hood: Hinge and Attachments.
What are the known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER include: Airbags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator Module, Structure: Body: Hood: Hinge and Attachments, Fuel/Propulsion System, Visibility/Wiper. These are based on patterns found across 75 NHTSA complaints. 8 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
Yes, there are recalls for airbag inflator module failures and hood hinge and attachment issues.
What are the common issues with the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
Common issues include front coil spring cracking, electrical system failures, and rearview camera display issues.
How can I prevent clear coat peeling on my 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
Regularly inspect and maintain the exterior, and address any issues with the fuel/propulsion system to prevent clear coat peeling.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Regularly inspect the airbags, electrical system, suspension, and structure for any signs of wear or damage. Address issues promptly to ensure safety.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Toyota 4runner
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Toyota 4runner. The data includes 75 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 8 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Toyota 4runner an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16