2018 Toyota 4runner Safety Report
2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Toyota 4runner
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 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 (56) | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota 4runner | 61 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Toyota 4runner | 35 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Toyota 4runner | 30 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Toyota 4runner | 75 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Toyota 4runner | 32 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Toyota 4runner | 85 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Toyota 4runner Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 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
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlySteering
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Toyota onlyService Brakes
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Toyota onlyAir Bags
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyFuel System, Gasoline
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Toyota onlyStructure
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Toyota 4runner
Reliability Score
The 2018 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 2018 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 2018 Toyota 4runner
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Toyota 4runner:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump Recalled by Toyota for noise and potential failure. Regular maintenance is advised. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Recalled by Southeast Toyota for unexpected vehicle movement. Check for recalls and address issues promptly. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Recalled by Toyota for potential failure. Regular maintenance is crucial. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Structure Recalled for hood and body issues. Check for recalls and address any structural concerns. |
Low | 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 2018 Toyota 4runner:
Fuel pump noise and potential failure.
Unexpected vehicle movement.
Potential failure.
Hood and body issues.
Recall Details for the 2018 Toyota 4runner
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Toyota 4runner by NHTSA:
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus I...
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota cust...
Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.
Consequence: Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET19B.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Toyota 4runner
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Toyota 4runner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
this vehicle was purchased from Don Chalmers Ford in Rio Rancho on 1129, 2025, upon purchasing a 2018 Toyota foreigner Limited I traded in a 2020 Acura RDX with only 50,000 miles. The salesman seemed to trustworthy. He showed me the Carfax Clean had no accidents no recalls then I receive some paperwork stating this vehicle is eligible for a buyback. I still have not received the license plate or r...
While my father was exiting his 2018 Toyota 4Runner SR5, the vehicle unexpectedly started reversing fairly quickly, despite no foot being on the brake. He was dragged by the vehicle while attempting to stop it outside the car, and it continued moving backwards then down a hill before crashing into a fence, causing significant damage to both the car and the fence. This vehicle should not have rolle...
Fuel pump make noises and I can hear it
The front shock springs cracked and snapped due to cold weather. I have been waiting for 2 months for the replacement parts and cannot drive my vehicle. The parts are 4 months out on a waiting list. The vehicle is not safe to drive. The dealer has inpected the vehicle and said it is not safe to drive for safety reasons. There were no warning and I only found out when I went to replace the original...
While attempting to stop vehicle for a traffic light brake pedal suddenly goes almost to the floor. This occurrence is random and unpredictable. No dash lights or messages come on indicating any problem. Brake master cylinder is at the proper level and no signs of leakage. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by any technicians. Vehicle is available for inspection by NHTSA. As a retired Police...
Two transfer case seals failed at 64,000 miles. Caused excessive oil to leak out of transfer case and onto the exhaust. Safety was put as risk by potential full failure of transfer case which can cause loss of power at speed or leaking oil on exhaust causing a fire. Problem was verified by Armstrong Automotive and repaired. No warning lights were present. Problem found after smelling burning oil a...
I do not know what component or system failed. I was at an appointment with my son when the receptionist informed me that my car alarm was going off and there was smoke coming out of it. I went out to investigate and it sounded like the engine was attempting to start continuously. My key fob would not unlock the car. The engine continued to attempt to start and i was certain the car was going to...
My vehicle was in a collision at 55 miles an hour. Hit 3 grown cows in the highway at nighttime. Totaled my vehicle in the airbags, never deployed period Turn off.
Vehicle was parked in garage. Inspecting vehicle at 22:00, noise was heard. Source of noise was fuel pump located behind drivers side rear tire. Garage smelled of gasoline. Vehicle was turned off at 15:00 that day. Started up Vehicle with no issues and let run for 1.5 minutes then turned off. Noise was still present until Vehicle was locked via remote. Vehicle was not locked after being turned of...
Apparently rodents have gone to the engine and ate the soy wires to the harness. This in turn has cost me over $1000 to fix. The only warning was when the warning lights came on and four runner started to shake when started.
There was a clunking noise coming from the front end when steering. Got worse over time. Also had a vibration in the front end at speeds above 45 mph. Dealer recommended replacement of upper steering column shaft assembly and dust boot cover along with lower intermediate steering shaft. The manufacturer knows about this problem because there is a NHTSA Campaign Number 19V67000 that states the su...
Recently I have had issues with the brake pressure. The brakes have been bled multiple times assuring there is not air in the lines. My mechanic could not find an issue with the brakes at all, yet when I come to a complete stop, the car starts to creep forward sometimes unnoticeable and the brake pedal slowly sinks. I have to put my car in park to keep from rolling into vehicles at stop lights and...
On7/2022 when I came out of my house in the evening my 2018 4Runner was not been running for hours But I heard my Fuel pump running with no keys in the switch Would not stop running until I turned the switch on and then turned it back off and then fuel pump stopped running I reported to my dealer but they didn’t seem interested so I am Sending this to you any thing I tell the dealer where I...
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the frame holding the radiator of the vehicle was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator frame was corroded; however, the dealer applied paint to the structure instead of replacing the part under warranty. The contact later noticed that the radiator frame was corroded. The vehicle...
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The appro...
The front differential in our 2018 Toyota 4Runner failed. This caused damage to one of the front axels of the vehicle. The failure can cause difficulties in turning the vehicle. The failure can lead to catastrophic failure of the axels, leading to the wheels to lock up. The problem is reoccurring in model years 2016-2019. Toyota is aware of the problem and has issued bulletins (see Toyota T...
Vehicle steering shakes between 60-65 mph. After 4 different sets of tires in 3 weeks, multiple road force balances, tire rotations, an alignment, an alignment checks, brakes checked, a “visual inspection” of suspension components from two Toyota dealerships, the vehicle continues to vibrate at highways speeds.
Yes tire is available Tire has bad spot on sidewalk goes all the way to belt Looks like this tire might blow out which could cause crash Tuscaloosa Toyato first noticed it at our 30,000 mile maintenance service on June 9 2021 No inspection yet No warning have no ideal how long been like this
I noticed a crack forming in the windshield without seeing any signs of an impact. I took it in and Toyota had found a small indentation along the crack line that they claimed to be what caused the crack. This indentation along the crack line was superficial and did not have any of the "spider legs" type crack lines out of it. I have had older vehicles in the Pacific Northwest without this issue, ...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. TUSCALOOSA TOYOTA (3325 SKYLAND BLVD E, TUSCALOOSA, AL 35405, (205) 553-3325) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT S...
Showing 20 of 56 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Toyota 4runner
Has the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 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 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
The 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 56 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The 2018 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 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER involve unknown or other (8 complaints), steering (8 complaints), service brakes (4 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, fuel system, gasoline, structure.
How many crash reports does the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER is acceptable with caveats. It has 56 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 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8 complaints), 2. STEERING (8 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES (4 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (4 complaints), 5. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (4 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 8 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Regular maintenance and staying informed about recalls can help prevent unexpected failures and ensure safety. The 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 56 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 56 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump and Steering.
What are the known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA 4RUNNER include: Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump, Steering, Service Brakes, Structure. These are based on patterns found across 56 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 Toyota 4Runner?
Fuel system, steering, service brakes, and structure are the most common issues.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Toyota 4Runner?
Yes, recalls have been issued for fuel pump, steering, service brakes, and structure issues.
What should I do if I experience unexpected vehicle movement?
Check for recalls and address any steering issues promptly.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Regular maintenance and staying informed about recalls can help prevent unexpected failures and ensure safety.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Toyota 4runner
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Toyota 4runner. The data includes 56 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 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