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2015 Toyota 4Runner: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 87 owner complaints and 9 recalls on file for the 2015 Toyota 4Runner[1][2]. Air bags are the most reported component group, and two of the recalls involve air bag inflators that can explode[3][4][5].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 87 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Ten mention a crash and 9 mention an injury[1]. None mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several components.
The largest groups are:
- Air bags: 17 complaints, 7 mentioning a crash and 7 an injury, at a median of 22,000 miles[3]
- Unknown or other: 14 complaints[8]
- Electrical system: 13 complaints, none mentioning a crash[9]
- Suspension: 10 complaints[10]
- Engine: 9 complaints[11]
- Speed control, structure and steering: 8 complaints each[12][13][14]
We read a small sample of the complaint texts in each group. Here is what owners describe.
Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 4 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[3]. Six describe trouble getting an air bag inflator recall repair, such as parts not being available or a dealer not knowing about the recall[3]. Two describe a worn clock spring or spiral cable that stopped the horn working[3]. The recall section below covers the inflator recalls.
Electrical system. In a sample of 12, 6 describe door lock actuators that failed, so a door would not lock or unlock[9]. Two describe radio, navigation or rear camera glitches, and 2 describe the dash or electrical system shutting down or lighting up at random[9].
Suspension. In a sample of 10, 4 describe a hydraulic suspension part leaking fluid, and 3 of those mention a repair bill in the thousands of dollars[10]. Another 4 describe alignment trouble, a shaking steering wheel and tires wearing out early[10].
Engine. In a sample of 9, 5 describe stalling, a loss of power or a limp mode[11]. That is a small sample, so treat it as a pattern to check on a test drive and with a mechanic, not as a rate.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2015 4Runner[2]. They are listed here newest first.
- Fuel pump (20V012). Certain 2014-2015 4Runners were added to a large Toyota recall in March 2020[15]. The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail, which can make the engine stall while driving and raises the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the pump free of charge[15].
- Air bag inflator (19V741). Some vehicles had air bag inflators replaced under an earlier recall with parts of the same design. The inflators may explode as the propellant degrades, and metal fragments could cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the inflator or the air bag parts, depending on the model[4].
- Air bag inflator (19V005). The passenger air bag inflator may explode after long exposure to heat and humidity, with the same fragment risk. Dealers replace the inflator or the air bag assembly. The recall is split into zones by where the vehicle was sold or registered[5].
- Billet grille overlay (17V763). A dealer-installed accessory grille overlay can detach if its fastener cracks, which can leave a hazard on the road. This covers 431 vehicles[16]. Dealers replace the fasteners free of charge[16].
- Hood scoop (17V425). A dealer-installed hood scoop held on with adhesive may come off and become a road hazard. Dealers fasten the scoop mechanically[17].
- Exhaust tip (16V577). A dealer-installed exhaust tip may touch and burn a person standing behind the vehicle. Dealers fit a smaller, more recessed tip[18].
- Load label (16V228). An accessory load label may show the wrong added weight, so the vehicle could be overloaded. Dealers install an accurate label[19].
- Exhaust tip (15V515). An earlier recall for the same type of exhaust tip burn risk. Dealers fit a redesigned tip[20].
- Accessory fasteners (14V828). Dealer-installed accessories such as running boards may have loose bolts and could detach. Dealers check and tighten the bolts[21].
Six of the nine involve accessories added by a distributor or dealer, so they affect only cars that have those parts[16][17][18][19][20][21]. Some air bag complaints in our sample say repair parts were not available when the owner called, so ask a Toyota dealer about parts for a specific car[3]. Remove the sentence.
Fuel economy
EPA rates the 4.0L 6-cylinder with an automatic (S5) at:
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2WD, rear-wheel drive[6] | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 |
| 4WD, part-time 4-wheel drive[22] | 17 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 |
| 4WD, all-wheel drive[23] | 17 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 |
All versions take regular gasoline. EPA's fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new[6].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 2WD and AWD versions the same ratings: 4 stars overall, 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 3 stars rollover[7][24]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 24.6% for both[7][24].
Engine and size
The EPA lists the 4.0L 6-cylinder at 270 hp[25]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2015 compares with other years
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 counts 87 complaints and 9 recalls for 2015[2]. Next to its neighbors, that is the most of both: 2014 has 77 complaints and 7 recalls, 2016 has 80 and 8, 2013 has 36 and 6, and 2017 has 36 and 5[2]. Across all years listed, only 2010 (12 recalls) and 2011 (10) have more recalls than 2015[2]. Complaints for 2015 are below 2010 (147), 2011 (163) and 2012 (96), and well below the 2003 and 2004 model years (696 and 678)[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide.
Should you buy a used 2015 4Runner?
The data points to a few things to check. Ask a Toyota dealer with the VIN whether the fuel pump and air bag inflator recalls have been done, since those carry crash and injury risks[15][4][5]. Test the door locks and the electronics, because owners describe them in the complaint sample we read[9]. Look for fluid leaks at the suspension, as some owners in the sample describe costly repairs[10]. On the plus side, NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall and 5 for side impact[7]. EPA rates it at 18 to 19 combined MPG[6][22]. Drop the first and last sentences.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota 4Runner?
- Air bags have the most complaints with 17, then unknown or other with 14 and electrical with 13[3][8][9]. In the sample we read, owners describe door lock actuators failing and suspension leaks[9][10].
- How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota 4Runner have?
- NHTSA lists 9, including a fuel pump recall (20V012) and two air bag inflator recalls (19V741, 19V005)[15][4][5][2].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Toyota 4Runner?
- EPA rates the 2WD at 17 city, 22 highway and 19 combined MPG, and the 4WD at 17, 21 and 18[6][22][23].
- How safe is the 2015 Toyota 4Runner?
- NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side impact, with 3 stars for rollover[7][24].
- How much horsepower does the 2015 4Runner have?
- The EPA lists the 4.0L 6-cylinder at 270 hp[25].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 87 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Toyota 4Runner (10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota 4Runner model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 17 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). 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
- EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Rear-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, SUV 2WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 24.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,488). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,450). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,916). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V012, filed January 13, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V763, filed November 29, 2017: Structure › Body › Hood. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V425, filed July 3, 2017: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V577, filed August 3, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold / Header / Muffler / Tail Pipe. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V228, filed April 20, 2016: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V515, filed August 13, 2015: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold / Header / Muffler / Tail Pipe. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V828, filed December 30, 2014: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 24.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2015 Toyota 4Runner with 4.0L 6-cylinder: rated 270 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD LIMITED V6: length 190 in, width 76 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,806 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD SR5 V6: length 190 in, width 76 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,654 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD TRAIL EDITION V6: length 190 in, width 76 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,751 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov