Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the brakes, body and structure, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2025Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2025 Toyota 4Runner: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/5
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2025 checks
Worth adding to your 2025 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 21–22 mpg |
| 2.4L 4-cylHybrid | 4WD | 23 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Brake squeal in reverse
400–4,000 miles
Front air dam coming loose
1,000–2,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Loud squealing, howling, or grinding comes from the brakes, mostly when backing up and on cold starts, though some owners hear it going forward too. Reports begin within the first 400 to 4,000 miles. Several drivers say they ease off the pedal to avoid the noise, which they see as a safety risk, and one describes the vehicle shuddering in reverse. Dealers often call it a known issue with no fix. Pad replacements and service bulletin TSB-0046-25 have not stopped the noise for some owners.
The front air dam, or lower spoiler, comes loose at highway speed after its bolts or clips fall out. It then drags on the front tire or hangs from the car. Reports come within roughly 1,000 to 2,000 miles, and owners worry it could catch in the steering, brakes, or suspension or hit other road users. Some dealers deny warranty coverage and blame road hazards. Other reports describe loose door glass, a wobbling hood, a loose rear spoiler, and side mirrors that shake too much to see out of, which Toyota calls normal.
Unintended acceleration while parking, with the brake pedal pressed, appears in 1 crash report. In that case the vehicle hit two parked cars and a moving one. The other complaints are less severe. The center touch screen goes black and resets while driving, sometimes with wireless Apple CarPlay connected, and the backup camera view can drop out with it. A cargo-area AC outlet showed an open ground that remained after the outlet was replaced, raising shock and fire concerns. A digital rearview mirror also failed and was replaced.
The multimedia screen goes blank without warning and takes the backup camera and navigation with it. That raises the risk of backing into cross traffic or pedestrians. One dealer said other owners had reported the same fault and that a replacement display would take months to arrive. Separately, the parking sensors beep loudly when snow covers them and eventually set a fault on the gauge cluster. Owners call it a distracting false alert.
Creaking and knocking noises come from the wheel as it turns left and right, according to one report. A second describes heavy front-end vibration that makes it a strain to hold the lane, a possible loss-of-control concern. With only 2 complaints on file, no clear pattern or typical mileage has emerged. Neither report mentions a crash or a repair attempt.
Excerpts from complaints 4Runner owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
When operating in reverse and applying the brakes they make a very loud squeal sound. This is a brand new car, purchased a week ago, with less than 700 miles on it. I spoke with the dealership and they are aware of the issue but have no resolution.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
I've owned a 2025 4runner for 1 month. The brakes are screaming and squalling like a 20 year old car when the car is a cold start everyday especially in reverse. This cant be safe, and Toyota says there is nothing they can do. I hope this doesn't wear out the brake pads faster and cause an accident. We were told by Toyota we cant fix the problem, because it would void the warranty and there is no recall on this issue.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
Side view mirrors shake to the point you cannot see out of them. Car has 2K miles on it and has been to the dealer 5 times over the past month for resolution. Dealer and toyota have escalated to a more advanced technical team, they took a look at it and informed me it is a normal characteristic of the vehicle with no fix. This is unacceptable and not safe to drive on the highway.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
Brakes- when reversing the brakes make loud grinding / squealing noise. I'm worried at times it will give out by not braking. Electrical- my display panel with the reverse camera turns off which at times can cause an accident.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
The parking collision assistance feature continues to beep loudly if there is snow on the sensors as it thinks there is something close to the sensor. If driving and unable to clear snow off the sensors in the front a fault will eventually show on the gauge cluster. This is a false reading and needs to be addressed. This is a program issue and needs fixing. As the loud noise while driving is a complete distraction and can cause an accident.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2025 ranks joint third for owner complaints among 8 4Runner years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.
Cars shoppers compare with the Toyota 4Runner, with their own 2025 checklists.
2025 owner complaints, side by side
