2005 Toyota 4Runner Problems, Recalls & Reliability
573 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 63/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 130,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2005 Toyota 4Runner sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1990–1994, 2008–2009, 2011–2022.
Avoid
Where 2005 sits among all 4Runner years
What owners report
“I have a 2005 toyota 4runner and the frame is rusting away. The front tow hook already fell off the front frame.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 4Runner
“The frame of the vehicle is rusted, the rust integrity may result in a steering failure.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 4Runner
“The frame of the car is completely rusted with holes in it per my mechanic. Other toyota trucks have been recalled for this issue but not the 4runner.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 4Runner
“Toyota dealer failed safety inspection due to rear suspension arm rusted off and a hole rusted through frame. Only has 124,000 miles. Toyota said that vehicle is unsafe to drive and rear end may lift during a hard stop. Rear brake lines are also rusted out.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 4Runner
“Secondary air pump failure due to defective design. Toyota has acknowledged this as a defective installation on the sequoia and tundra models with an identical engine installation as the 4runner; but refuses to repair/retrofit the 4runner device. Result is loss of power which could result on…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 4Runner
“Severe frame and front end rust, vehicle well taken care of> should have been part of tacoma recall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 4Runner
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 386 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 113,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 72,000 and 160,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011…
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact…
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags.…
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact…
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR…
Fix: THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR…
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008…
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY…
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD…
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 11V112000.
Technical service bulletins
227 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and body & structure — are on file for the 2005 Toyota 4Runner. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2005 4Runner TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2005 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
The 2005 Toyota 4Runner drew 573 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 63/100, scored against the model's worst year (2004).
What are the most common 2005 Toyota 4Runner problems?
The top reported problems for the 2005 Toyota 4Runner are body & structure (189 complaints), suspension (77), and other (73).
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota 4Runner problems show up?
Owners most often report 2005 Toyota 4Runner problems around 113,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 72,000 and 160,000 miles.
Does the 2005 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2005 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.