2017 Toyota 4runner Safety Report
2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Toyota 4runner
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 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 (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (35) | 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 | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Toyota 4runner | 56 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Toyota 4runner | 75 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Toyota 4runner | 61 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Toyota 4runner | 85 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Toyota 4runner | 30 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Toyota 4runner | 32 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Toyota 4runner Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 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.
Unknown Or Other
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyService Brakes
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Toyota onlyElectrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Toyota onlyAir Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyFuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyEngine,Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Toyota 4runner
Reliability Score
The 2017 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 2017 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 2017 Toyota 4runner
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Toyota 4runner:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodent Damage Main wiring harness and knock sensor damaged by rodents, causing thousands of dollars in repairs. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Sunroof Shatter Sunroof glass shattered unexpectedly, causing potential injury. |
Medium | Occasional | 0-30k miles |
| Fuel Pump Failure Fuel pump stopped working, causing the vehicle to stop on the highway. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Deployment Airbags deployed in a deer collision, cutting the passenger's leg. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Toyota 4runner:
Service brakes have been reported as a common issue.
Electrical system issues, including rodent damage, have been reported.
Airbags have deployed in unexpected situations.
Fuel pump failure has been reported.
Recall Details for the 2017 Toyota 4runner
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Toyota 4runner by NHTSA:
Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners and mail them corrected certification labels, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET18A.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
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: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Toyota 4runner
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Toyota 4runner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
For the 2nd time in 5 weeks, the main wiring harness and knock sensor have been eaten and destroyed by rodents. This has caused thousands of dollars worth of damage, and it's due to the soy based wiring used in the wiring harness. I cannot keep this vehicle outside for any period of time without the threat of the harnesses getting chewed.
I was driving on the highway with no one around me. Temperature was around 60 degrees at 7:15am. My sunroof glass shattered as if it was a gunshot and the glass was pointed outward. It terrified my special needs child and myself and took a while for her to calm down. I drove it home later and opened up the sunroof to shattered glass everywhere. I have looked online and it is a known defect. I have...
2017 Toyota 4 runner SR5 While driving on the highway the vehicle stopped apparently the fuel pump stopped working and could not get going anymore. I had a mechanic come to the house with a PC and test it. He told me that’s a change that will need to take place in a garage. Luckily I was able to stop on the side and paid someone to bring car home
Throttle has a lag when depressing gas pedal (occasionally a dead petal symptom) research indicates a TSB T-SB-0166-10 exist that relates to this issue. Lack of Toyota dealer assistance with this issue when contacted (Toyota of Round Rock Texas 78664) This issues is a safety concern when operating vehicle due to lack of throttle response when accelerating into traffic. When issue occurs, vehicl...
Front struts are leaking which are causing the vehicle to drive inconsistently. The struts should not have to be replaced this soon when the vehicle is being used on normal condition roads. After researching, it appears this is a manufacturer, Toyota, issue, that is known, and Toyota should be issuing a recall for replacement due to the number of incidences that are known on the 4-Runner.
I have owned my vehicle since 2017 and since then I have had to change the locks over 10 times. this has been ongoing since purchasing my car. Some were originally covered with the warranty but since it expired, i have paid dealerships out of pocket. I have a lock give out almost yearly. Right now my car has 3 of the 4 door locks not working and the 4th just started acting up as well. I have check...
Car Theft Brentwood
Text sent to Toyota. Copy to NHTSA. Hello, my name is [XXX]. I am writing to both Toyota and NHTSA with what I perceive as a safety problem. I have owned three Toyotas including a 2017 4runner. I have been pleased with them except for one characteristic they all shared. The turn signal sound volume is just too low. My son's F-150 and my wife's Audi A4 both have very clear and distinct turn...
Failed brake master cylinder, this is still a rather new vehicle and the mechanics said this is unlikely in a new low mileage vehicle. I did research and this has only happened a few times, seems like a safety recall should be put in place.
While driving at full speed on the freeway, another vehicle stopped suddenly in front of me. My brake pedal was soft and went down almost to the floor. Rapid pulsing of brakes, as would be expected with the ABS (antilock brake system), did not occur. I pulled around to the shoulder and barely managed to stop in time to avoid a collision, which was quite a frightening experience. I have had a few ...
TRUCK SHIMMY'S WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER 50MPH. FRONT TIRES ARE DAMAGED FROM CUPPING. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE AS WELL AS TIRE ALIGNMENT AND ROTATION. DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT.
A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, DRIVING 50 MPH. PASSENGER SIDE HIT, ALL 8 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG UNDER STEERING WHEEL, CUT UP MY LEGS HORRIBLY, VERY SWOLLEN, REFUSED HOSPITAL DUE TO COVID 19 FEAR. THE AIRBAGS CUT UP MY LEFT ARM AND MY DAUGHTER'S RIGHT ARM(SHE WAS PASSENGER). VERY HAPPY THAT WE WERE SAFE, BUT THE SERIOUS CUTS ON MY BODY SEEMED QUITE SEVERE FOR THE HIT WHICH WAS ...
ABOUT A YEAR AFTER OWNING MY MAGNETIC GRAY 4RUNNER I STARTED NOTICING FLAWS ON MY HOOD AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE ALMOST LIKE THE CLEAR COAT WAS BUBBLING UP. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE DEALERSHIP DURING A ROUTINE VISIT AND THE SUPERVISOR SAID IT WILL BE NOTED IN THE VEHICLES RECORD. I ROUTINELY WASH MY VEHICLE AND DO NOT LET ANYTHING SIT ON MY VEHICLE SUCH AS SAP OR BIRD DROPPINGS AND THE VEHICLE...
I WAS DRIVING MY 4 RUNNER DOWN THE THREE LANE CITY ROAD DOING ABOUT 40-45 MPS WHEN MY NAVIGATION SCREEN SHUT OFF AND TRIED TO RECONNECT TO MY PHONE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN A MATTER OF 5-7 MINUTES. SINCE I WAS DRIVING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH EITHER MY PHONE OR MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM. IT ACTED AS IT IF WAS JUST TRYING TO RECONNECT TO MY PHONE WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY TURNING OFF AND REBOOTIN...
WEIR SOUND ON PASSENGER SIDE (UNDER THE HOOD )WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST MOVING . ONLY ONE TIME BUT IT HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER VEHICLE PARKED AND TURN OFF ENGINE
AC BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT
PEELING STEERING WHEEL ON IT'S OWN. NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. NO RINGS, SUNSCREEN, LOTION OR CLEANERS USED. CAUSES LOSS OF GRIP OF WHEEL AND CONTINUED DETERIORATION ALTERS STEEERING WHEEL. THERE IS A CHANGE.ORG PETITION.
ON 7/22/2019, OUR 4RUNNER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY. SPEED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT WAS APPROXIMATELY 55MPG AFTER HARD BRAKING FROM APPROXIMATELY 65MPH. NONE OF THE 4RUNNER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS DESTROYED. SEE PHOTOS.
IN MOTION, FROM STREET TURNING INTO STORE PARKING LOT, BRAKES FADED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. LIFTED OFF AND APPLIED PEDAL TO STOP. NO LEAKS, PLENTY OF FLUID. I WILL CHECK WITH ANOTHER DEALER. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW CASES OF THIS ON THE T4R FORUMS. DEALERS CAN NOT DUPLICATE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER FOR. OPINIONS ARE ELECTRICAL ANTILOCK ISSUES.? (THERE IS NO AIR IN LINES, NO LEA...
WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES WITH FULL FORCE WHILE DRIVING; THE BRAKES LOCK UP FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WITH HARD FORCE AT SPEEDS AT AROUND 35 MPH OR HIGHER. LUCKILY I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND CAR HANDLER AND WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICK ENOUGH TO CONTROL THE ...
Showing 20 of 35 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 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 2017 Toyota 4runner
Has the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
The 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 35 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The 2017 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 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER involve unknown or other (9 complaints), service brakes (9 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, fuel/propulsion system, engine,fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER is acceptable with caveats. It has 35 complaints, 5 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 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (9 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES (9 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (2 complaints), 5. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 9 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Be cautious of potential rodent damage to the electrical system and unexpected airbag deployment. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 35 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 35 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Rodent Damage and Sunroof Shatter.
What are the known issues with the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Known issues with the 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER include: Rodent Damage, Sunroof Shatter, Fuel Pump Failure, Airbag Deployment. These are based on patterns found across 35 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2017 Toyota 4Runner?
Common issues include service brake problems, electrical system damage from rodents, unexpected airbag deployment, and fuel pump failure.
Have there been any recalls for the 2017 Toyota 4Runner?
Yes, recalls have been issued for issues with labels, hood, and temporary spare tires.
What should I do if I experience unexpected airbag deployment?
Contact Toyota immediately and report the issue to the NHTSA.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential rodent damage to the electrical system and unexpected airbag deployment. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Toyota 4runner
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Toyota 4runner. The data includes 35 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 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