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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
103,284 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #7

Jul 072020

4Runner

  • miles

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

The entire frame is rotted and full of holes. Suspension is in danger of detaching spontaneously. The odometer has been rolled back over one hundred thousand.

- Woburn, MA, USA

problem #6

Mar 092016

4Runner

  • 0 miles
Timing belt cover is leaking oil with 36000 miles. After researching online this is a common problem. Was covered under warranty but not now. They gave me an estimate of $1900 to replace gasket an water pump. Leaks oil while parked in garage.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #5

Apr 102015

4Runner 8-cyl

  • 118,000 miles
Traction control light came on, check engine light came on and vehicle would move only slowly. Turned car off and on several times, tried engaging 4 wheel drive and other drive functions, tried accelerating, but vehicle would only move slowly. After turning off and on one more time the vehicle drove as normal but all the warning lights stayed on. This happened in a parking lot while going slowly. Mechanic has indicated that this resulted from a failure of the air injection pump and air valve, which apparently for some reason turns off traction control. This is a common enough problem on Tundra and sequoias that there is an "extended warranty" offered on these vehicles. I do not know if the air injection pump and air valves on 4 runners are the same design or same model, but there are numerous complaints on the internet of the same problem for 4 runners as for Tundra.

- Hebron, CT, USA

problem #4

Sep 122014

4Runner 8-cyl

  • 97,000 miles

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

The secondary air induction pump (aip) and switching valves failed on my 2006 4runner limited with V8. This is the same issue that is seen on Toyota sequoias and Tundra. Toyota has issued a special extended warranty for this system on those vehicles, but not on the 4 runners, even though the defective systems / parts are the same. Toyota customer case # 1409160408. This is a > $2000 repair to basically clear the check engine code and allow me to pass state inspection. I believe there should be a recall on this system or at least have Toyota cover all vehicles with this defective system, not just certain higher-volume model years.

- Kyle, TX, USA

problem #3

Apr 182014

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 124,101 miles
Cel vscoff vsc trac. Had it checked, was told #6 cylinder plug or coil, replaced coil and all spark plugs.cel light went off the next day but came back on following day. Noticed a sound of water moving in a pipe or what sounded like in a pipe behind dash for a second or so. Was idling and running rough while driving, engine was shaking. Went on some web sites read some comments from other owners, bad head gasket. 4runner has been well taken care of never abused only 8 years old, normal miles I think, not very happy with this. Bad design of cylinder head. I own a 94 4by 4 pick up bought new 250,000 miles lot a original parts still on truck runs very well except for bad rot on chassis happy with truck was very good to me as was I to it. I also have a 01 Tundra SR5 bought 2 years ago with 132,000 runs well, 02 sensor replaced pass. Front went well but now have to replace pass. Rear impossible since rot will not permit me to have to replace cat converter, noticed lots of rot on frame as well as other areas under truck. Have loved Toyota till now only had good things to say about them, starting to have second thoughts.

- East Providence, RI, USA

problem #2

Feb 272014

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 198,000 miles
Driving in office parking structure, traveled two floor levels and down two parking structure ramps. At second down ramp, made a right turn to next floor level, and within 21+ feet (with the driver's foot still on the brakes), the SUV suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed which caused the driver to lose control, sideswipe one concrete column, fishtail within three parking stalls, and collide with a second concrete column, which stopped the vehicle's acceleration. The SUV is a total loss. Injuries are from deployment of the air bag and seat belt.

- Mililani, HI, USA

problem #1

Oct 032012

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 185,890 miles
When at stopped at a street light or just stop in gear with the brake applied, car will jump forward to a point were I may hit a car in front of me. Second, radiator fan hits the shroud. Caused by broken weld at the motor mounts. Which can cause a fire. Dealer ship in riverside was contacted and they can't do anything about it.

- Riverside, CA, USA

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