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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:
70,550 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.

2008 Toyota 4Runner drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #15

Jan 272023

4Runner

  • miles

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

The actuator in the transfer case went bad in such a way as to not allow the vehicle either move (under its own power) or to be in a parked state; though the shifter and indicator lights indicated PARK and although you could turn off the vehicle and also remove the key, the vehicle was actually in a NUETRAL state that allowed the vehicle to freely roll. I put something behind the tire THANK GOODNESS I noticed! Anyway, Toyota wants more than the vehicle is worth to fix it so my mechanic replaced the transfer case with a used one. I've heard of others having this problem and it seems like it could be a safety-related concern. And an expensive concern, as well.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #14

Dec 112020

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 163,000 miles
Vehicle displayed a check engine light due to a non sealing gas cap. This condition also disables the stability control system. Vehicle lost control on wet conditions and was unable to recover due to all traction and stabilization systems being turned off due to a check engine light (faulty gas cap). I have owned the vehicle for 6 years and have put over 80,000 miles on it without incident. Vehicle was in motion traveling the speed limit on a rainy road.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #13

Dec 282018

4Runner

  • 158,790 miles
Tamara recall prev owned veh, bought from dealership as "safe" to operate,110,000 mi on 11072016. Prev owner and current owner had ve had veh serviced regularly. Undercarriage and braking noise while in motion on hwy. Rear door not able to open, manually or with remote. Maint light and tire light came on. Post noise inspection by mechanic, left (?)front axle boot is split. Front noise undetermined (sway bar links or strutts?) at this time. Rear left driver's side axle bearing and seal leaking transmission fluid(?) into brakes. Brakes affected by leaking fluid and will have to be replaced due to damage by fluid, which could cause brake failure while driving. Rear door lock failure due to interior corrosion/rust. May need to be replaced.

- Kamas, UT, USA

problem #12

Nov 162018

4Runner

  • 108,000 miles

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

When driving, the car was making a thumping noise which went away when the brakes were applied. Toyota dealer said it was a bent rear axle and would cost $2300 to replace. The vechicle is in excellent condition with 108,000 miles. Have never hit a big pothole or run over a curb. I believe it is a defect that came with the car and showed up after driving for 10 years. There are a lot of bent axles reported over the internet on Toyota trucks and suvsl more than any other vechiclel I have owned many many cars and SUVS and never had a bent rear axle beforel dealer said I would get reimbursed if Toyota issued a recall. Very unhappy with this!

- Leonard, MI, USA

problem #11

Oct 192018

4Runner

  • miles
Vehicles undercarriage including frame, rear axle and manifolds are so severely rusted that mechanics can not maintain it properly putting me at risk.

- Torrance, CA, USA

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problem #10

Mar 102018

4Runner

  • 128,000 miles
Frame rust is so pervasive on my 2008 4runner that the Toyota dealer refuses to make necessary repairs to transmission. The dealer suggested that I "walk away from the vehicle", citing future rust-related problems with caliper replacement and other routine maintenance. Rust on differential axle led to the shearing off of the fluid drain bolt, rendering that impossible to drain/refill. Attached are notes from the dealer's maintenance engineer, citing rusted cross member bolts and other components interfering with necessary repairs. I have serious concerns about the ongoing safety and road-worthiness of this vehicle.

- Bellevue, WA, USA

problem #9

Sep 152017

4Runner

  • 119,266 miles

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

Engiene/powertrain computer/module checked. Has been rescheduled four times by the dealer and continues to give the same fault in the car. The fault is the following as it runs and brakes the second beautifulness of the trasmission is left. And when he releases the brake a little, the throat is thrown to the front giving a blow. He does it many times in the day. By untoyota 4runner 08 engine control module (ECM) defective.

- Sabana Hoyos, PR, USA

problem #8

May 092017

4Runner

  • 120,000 miles
Excessive rusts on frame with concentrations around mountings of critical components like suspension, gas lines, brake lines etc.

- Prairie Village, KS, USA

problem #7

Jan 032014

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Won't engage in four wheel drive 4 wheel drive.the 4 wheel drive indicator light kept flashing along with the wheel stabilizer indicator. Driving in snow, steering became very unstable. Vehicle has extended warranty which dealer seems to refuse to honor. Staten island Toyota service claims someone emptied fluid from transfer case..no one has done work on car and no oil leakage ever evident in my driveway..car was in driveway for several days before moving that evening. Rarely driven in 4H position for gas purposes, and 99.9% of the time the car is driven on paved roadways. Seems the dealer isn't willing to honor the extended warranty on the vehicle and has managed to right up the service call to cover Toyota's butt. They now want an additional $500. To drop transfer case. I am not feeling very trusting of the service center since. I have paid $200 already to diagnosis the problem. I would think they dropped the case already to diagnose the problem. Now staten island Toyota service center wants $500 from me to drop the transfer case for Toyota headquarters so maybe they can what ?? possibly null and void warranty. They are requesting $4,000 to do the job. I have taken it to a private independent mechanic I trust. This vehicle isn't abused im a 62 year old women who bought the car because I have a dog and needed cargo space.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #6

Aug 122013

4Runner 8-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
After having timing belt replaced by Toyota dealer bob tyler of pensacola, Florida; while driving belt came apart leading to loss of power, control, and making emergency stop. Toyota feels that failure is normal in less than 6 months.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #5

May 012013

4Runner 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2008 Toyota 4 runner. Consumer writes in regards to transmission repairs and seeks reimbursement. According to the invoice, the thrust bearing behind the front planetary failed and damaged the front planetary gear. The damage from the planetary contaminated the unit with metal, causing the need for the torque converter and electronics to be replaced.

- Montrose, CO, USA

problem #4

Oct 012012

4Runner

  • 18,000 miles
There is corrosion in the frame and drive-train components. There is pitting, rusting throughout the frame undercarriage and the suspension and differential components. This barely 4yr old vehicle is a southern vehicle. Regardless, this corrosion is a safety issue in any vehicle let alone in a 4runner with a service inception date of 11/30/2008 with 19K miles. This is totally irresponsible of the manufacturer and they claim it is not covered by warranty. Yes, it (should be) covered by warranty and more importantly it is manufacturer's liability to correct safety/quality issue.

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #3

Mar 092012

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
When engaging drive from reverse there is a delay of 3-5 seconds and a thump when it finally engages drive. This happens frequently and has caused some scares were my wife thought the car engaged drive, pressed on the accelerator, car did not move and then suddenly car jumping forward since she had applied gas thinking the vehicle had engaged drive. Took to dealer explained issue and what I have read online with similar issues with other peoples vehicles, they wanted to charge $119.99 to simply diagnose the issue, even after showing them the numerous complaints I printed from the internet.

- Mt Laurel, NJ, USA

problem #2

Apr 032009

4Runner

  • 3,200 miles
I own a 2008 Toyota 4runner SR5. I purchased it new from my local Toyota dealer in November, 2008. By the spring of 2009 I noticed a sporadically occurring delay in the automatic transmission while switching from reverse to drive, lasting approximately 5 to 8 seconds. This would happen right after switching from R(reverse) to D (drive). My car is still under warranty, I have taken the car back to the dealership several times. They are unable to determine the cause. This problem occurs quite frequently. The dealership service department acknowledged that they would/could not do anything under warranty without getting the car to repeat the problem. I left my car for overnight with the dealership several times but they were unable to resolve this problem. I am frustrated by my experience and would like to have the problem resolved so I can drive with the peace of mind knowing that my car is safe. To date, no repairs or parts replacements of any kind have been made by Toyota to correct the problem. I also discovered an online Toyota 4runner forum (T4R.org) in which other Toyota 4runner owners shared the same experience.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 172009

4Runner

  • 12,000 miles
While stopped in traffic, when you remove the foot from the brake pedal and before you step on the gas, at times the car makes a thumping sound which you can feel. Possibly transmission. Dealer says no problem and cant recreate the thumping. It continues to this day.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

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