What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota 4Runner?

Air bags lead the owner complaints by a wide margin. Structure and brakes follow with 12 and 11.

Does the 2010 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact shows 12 recalls for this year. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.

How many complaints does the 2010 Toyota 4Runner have?

NHTSA has 147 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several components.

What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2010 the best year for the Toyota 4Runner?

The by-year comparison section on this page shows how this year stacks up against other years of the same model.

2010 Toyota 4Runner Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 147 owner complaints on file for this Toyota 4Runner^[1]. Air bags are the biggest group by a wide margin^[2].

147owner complaints^[1]

12recalls^[3]

19–20MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Air bags. 92 complaints^[2]. Owners describe air bags that stayed shut during a collision. Others describe long waits for repair parts after a notice arrived.
Structure. 12 complaints^[5]. Owners describe a lift gate that moved on its own, narrow foot steps that make people slip, and frame rust that left brackets hanging loose.
Brakes. 11 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a pedal that travels far or feels loose, odd noises, and stopping that takes longer than expected.
Speed control. 8 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the engine revving without warning, idle speed that stays high, and sudden surges while stopped or slowing down.
Electronic stability control. 6 complaints^[8].
Power train. 5 complaints^[9].
Wheels. 5 complaints^[10].
Steering. 5 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 4Runner is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V741), October 2019. About 928,220 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V005), January 2019. About 1,299,448 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V024), January 2018. About 628,018 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[14]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe (16V577), August 2016. About 425 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler (16V396), June 2016. About 7,749 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V340), May 2016. About 1,754,517 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe (15V515), August 2015. About 2,530 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler (14V743), November 2014. About 3,233 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, burns. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]
Equipment › Other › Labels (13V123), April 2013. About 7,525 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[20]
Seats (13V014), January 2013. About 3,235 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[21]
Equipment › Other › Labels (10V036), February 2010. About 153,418 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[22]
Equipment › Other › Labels (10V035), February 2010. About 271,417 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[23]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
4Runner 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[24]	17 / 23 / 19	$3,550
4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[25]	17 / 22 / 19	$3,550
4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive^[26]	17 / 22 / 19	$3,550
4Runner 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	18 / 23 / 20	$3,350

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR RWD/AWD^[27]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	24.6%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Toyota 4Runner with 2.7L 4-cylinder^[28]	157 hp
2010 Toyota 4Runner with 4.0L 6-cylinder^[29]	270 hp

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 4Runner model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	172	1
1996	161	2
1997	261	1
1998	250	1
1999	330	0
2000	483	0
2001	185	1
2002	225	1
2003	696	3
2004	678	2
2005	425	5
2006	381	5
2007	154	5
2008	96	5
2009	22	6
2010	147	12
2011	163	10
2012	96	8
2013	36	6
2014	77	7
2015	87	9
2016	80	8
2017	36	5
2018	59	5
2019	65	4
2020	33	1
2021	36	1
2022	39	3
2023	33	1
2024	9	1
2025	62	1
2026	7	2

NHTSA's counts for the 4Runner show 147 complaints and 12 recalls for 2010^[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 17 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 14 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (7) and the most are for 2003 (696)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 4Runner?

The complaint record for this 4Runner is dominated by one group, air bags^[2]. The other groups are much smaller, led by structure at 12 and brakes at 11^[5]^[6]. These are unverified owner reports, and the counts are not adjusted for sales. The by-year section lets you compare this year with other years of the same model, and the by-year fact shows 12 recalls for this year^[3]. Check that any open recall work is done before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota 4Runner?: Air bags lead the owner complaints by a wide margin^[2]. Structure and brakes follow with 12 and 11^[5]^[6].
Does the 2010 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact shows 12 recalls for this year^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.
How many complaints does the 2010 Toyota 4Runner have?: NHTSA has 147 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several components.
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2010 the best year for the Toyota 4Runner?: The by-year comparison section on this page shows how this year stacks up against other years of the same model.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota 4Runner

1999 330 complaints, 0 recalls
2000 483 complaints, 0 recalls
2001 185 complaints, 1 recall
2002 225 complaints, 1 recall
2003 696 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 this page
2011 163 complaints, 10 recalls
2014 77 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 87 complaints, 9 recalls
2026 7 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Toyota 4Runner

Other Toyota models from 2010

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser 66 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser 3 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Toyota Prius 2,829 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Toyota Tacoma 294 complaints, 13 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2010: suvs

2010 Subaru Forester 262 complaints, 17 recalls
2010 Buick Enclave 275 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Cadillac SRX 474 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Chevrolet Equinox 784 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 Ford Edge 673 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Ford Flex 139 complaints, 1 recall

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 147 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Toyota 4Runner (6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
92 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota 4Runner model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
12 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,550). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,000). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V005, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V024, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V577, filed August 3, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold / Header / Muffler / Tail Pipe. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V396, filed June 2, 2016: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V515, filed August 13, 2015: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold / Header / Muffler / Tail Pipe. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V743, filed November 19, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V123, filed April 9, 2013: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V014, filed January 16, 2013: Seats. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V035, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 24.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Toyota 4Runner with 2.7L 4-cylinder: rated 157 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Toyota 4Runner with 4.0L 6-cylinder: rated 270 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Toyota 4Runner: problems, recalls and fuel economy