Print this page

CarComplaints.com Notes: Although it has a stellar record in terms of vehicle problems, initially the 4th generation (2003 - 2009) 4Runner didn't earn our top "Seal of Awesome" rating because it received poor crash test ratings for rear impacts. However it's proven to have one of the lowest driver death rates out of all vehicles (not just SUVs), so we've bumped it back up to our top award.

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,442 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Toyota 4Runner accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Toyota 4Runner:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #12

Jan 092024

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rear window on my 2006 4Runner suddenly shattered. I had just cleared the car of snow, put my son in the car and left the house. Less than 1/10th of a mile down the road it exploded. Glass could have gone all over the child in the backseat. There have been past issues. Toyota offered an extended warranty on the part until 2018, so they are aware of the problem. Not yet. No warnings.

- Berkeley Springs, WV, USA

problem #11

Feb 232022

4Runner

  • miles
The rear window shattered spontaneously while the rear defroster was on. There was no impact to the window and no prior chips/scratches. The tint held the shattered window together, but without the tint glass would have gone flying inside and outside the vehicle, putting passengers and cars traveling behind at risk. No warnings or issues were present for the rear window or defroster system prior to incident. The problem has been inspected by Toyota of Orlando. This problem is known to Toyota under their enhanced warranty program ZG7, but they refuse to cover the repair because the date to experience the shattering rear window has passed. There are numerous other cases reported of this issue. Toyota of Orlando confirmed this would fall under their ZG7 program, had the window shattered and brought to a dealer prior to 4/30/2018.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #10

Jan 042022

4Runner

  • miles
The rear window shattered and is not available for inspection because it's in a million pieces. There is now broken glass all inside the vehicle and on the ground. The car was inspected at the dealership, but not insurance. There was no warning leading up to the incident. The defroster for the rear window was on due to weather. The loud bang and sound of glass falling is how I was aware of the failure.

- Colonial Heights, VA, USA

problem #9

Oct 232021

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear window breakage: A few minutes after turning on the rear window defogger while parked, a smell of hot electronics was noticed. Thinking the smell was coming from the vent/engine compartment, I turned the vehicle off and inspected under the engine hood for the source. No damage or smell was detected. I turned the vehicle back on with the defroster on, and shortly after, the entire rear window shattered. No foreign objects indicating impact damage were found in the glass wreckage.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

problem #8

Jan 152021

4Runner

  • 66,300 miles
2006 4runner rear glass exploded/shattered after using defrost - was denied reimbursement despite this being a known issue and faulty defrost connector. After dropping my 5 year old son off for school on 1/15/2021, I pulled up to a stop sign and heard a loud crash from the back of the car. I looked in the rear view mirror and the back glass had completely shattered and pieces were coming off into the back seat. Nothing had hit the window from the inside or outside - this happened spontaneously. Right before this happened, I had the rear defrost on for approximately 10 minutes to clear the rear glass while driving. The defrost was off when the glass exploded. I contacted my local Toyota dealership who informed me that this was a known issue but that the extended warranty coverage for this had ended on April 30, 2018.Toyota released a tsb (technical service bulletin) and offered an extended warranty and free replacement for vehicle owners who experienced this problem starting in 2017 but is since expired. The connector for the defrost located in the rear glass is found to be faulty and can short out or overheat, causing the glass to shatter. Being that this is a major safety concern and thankfully my 5 year old son wasn't in the backseat at the time, avoiding injury from the glass, I decided to contact Toyota customer experience. A case was opened, however, they wouldn't offer any compensation or assistance with getting the glass replaced. We are without a vehicle until this can be repaired and I am now forced to pay for it on my own since Toyota isn't agreeing to help at all.

- Fort Mill, SC, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #7

Dec 192020

4Runner

  • 183,000 miles
On my way to the grocery store, my back window blew out while driving. It was a very loud pop! which scared the daylights out of me! I looked in the review-mirror and the back window completely shattered. There was nobody around and I was driving too slow for it to have been a rock or debris. I was driving in san antonio Texas near utsa blvd. In the turning lane, was in motion at a slow speed as I was pulling up to a red light. The mechanic at safelight auto said that it had to do with the electrical and saved the piece of where there was a short causing the blast. As I walked out the door, a gentleman asked if that was my Toyota as he was there for the exact same issue for the same year make and model Toyota.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #6

Jan 032020

4Runner

  • 126,954 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Turned the rear defroster on and smelled something burning. Turned off the defroster and then couple minutes later, rear window exploded and totally broke. Did this leaving my neighborhood so only going about 20 mph. It was about 53 degrees and rainy.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #5

Dec 102019

4Runner

  • 140,000 miles
When using the rear defroster in the cold, the rear hatch window shattered. Common issue and Toyota does know about it but only offered 1 year enhanced warranty. Warranty is now expired and Toyota will not cover this safety hazard as my car is equipped with 3rd row seating.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #4

Feb 202019

4Runner

  • 225,000 miles
Rear window spontaneously shattered with loud pop in an alarming fashion while driving down freeway with defogger on. Appears to be issue covered in Toyota T-sb-0189-17.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #3

Dec 072018

4Runner

  • 111,900 miles
Rear window explodes and shatters sending glass pieces and razor sharp tiny glass shards throughout the back compartment with some pieces making it to the back seat. Suspected cause is related to use of the rear window defogger. Occurred while driving 75 mph on a highway in rainy weather. Outside temperature around 40F inside temperature around 70F. Letter to Toyota along with repair invoices are attached to this complaint.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #2

Oct 222018

4Runner

  • 196,000 miles
I turned on the rear defrost in my driveway. After about 1 minute, I started to smell a slight burning smell. As soon as I smelled it, the rear glass shattered while the vehicle was in motion. I was turning onto highway 70 from bridgeway drive in cookeville, tn. The window shattered completely on highway 70 in front of mike's market at about 7:20 am on my way to work. Toyota provided extended warranty coverage for this exact issue but only through April 2018. I called Toyota to let them know but they do not extend coverage even one day past the warranty coverage period even though there is a defect according to Toyota. The program is warranty enhancement program ZG7

- Cookeville, TN, USA

problem #1

Nov 232016

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 150 miles
This complaint is in regards to a 2006 Toyota 4runner vehicle id # mileage is 150.000.the Toyota was purchased this year from royal palm Toyota of Florida address: 9205 southern blvd, royal palm beach, fl 33411. The vehicle was in excellent shape. The problem is that on 11/23/2016 the vehicle was parked in are drive with the engine was just turned off for about 5 mins at that time my daughter was still in the in the SUV when the rear window shattered completely.for no apparent reason.we reported to are insurance company was advise of a repair company please see file.and I have reported to Toyota office in Texas report number# thank you product_or_service: 08/01/2016 order_number: [xxx] account_number: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA

Not what you are looking for?