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2016 Toyota 4Runner: engine and transmission complaints

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
24%
16 of 67 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 24% of relevant complaints.

Better than 80% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 12 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 20%).

NHTSA data checked September 13, 2026
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Drivetrain complaints
16
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
79
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
8
6 crashes · 6 injuries

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18 · 23%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16 · 20%
AIR BAGS10 · 13%
SUSPENSION9 · 11%
STRUCTURE8 · 10%
POWER TRAIN6 · 8%

The years either side

2010
18%
9 of 145
2011
25%
13 of 163
2012
23%
6 of 96
2013
22%
6 of 36
2014
17%
12 of 77
2015
24%
16 of 85
2016
24%
16 of 79
2017
12%
4 of 36
2018
22%
11 of 58
2019
26%
15 of 64
2020
8%
2 of 33
2021
6%
2 of 36
2022
10%
3 of 39
2023
16%
4 of 32

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM02/12/2026
My 4Runner is hard starting all the time. I’ve replaced the battery, tested the alternator etc. It sounds exactly like the problem of the fuel pump recall. The 4Runner was recalled from 2014-2015, my car was technically put together in Sept 2015, but is labeled a 2016. I believe my fuel pump is failing. I am extremely …
POWER TRAIN07/24/2023
This vehicle transmission is demonstrating transmission shuddering problems, We have returned this car three time for the same repair. The highly reputable transmission has cited direct purchases of this part from Toyota has constantly have quality issues with the torque converter, This problem was inspected and confir…
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM03/07/2022
Fuel pump failed , vehicle stalled driving 70 down highway.. I have read there is a Recall in place for 2014, 2015, 2017,2018 4 runners. Why not 2016?

Three of 16 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on this model year (8)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F,…
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2…
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dea…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2016 Toyota 4Runner

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.